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Hi
I am planning a move to the States in 18 months. I heard from a friend if I apply for an American Express card in South Africa I can transfer my credit and credit history when I move. Is this true?
How can I go about setting up a credit history.Mine is very good in SA.
Thanks
Robyn

If you have a credit card with a credit card issuer that operates internationally, it would seem logical that this issuers US branch would be able to share your account history from another country. However, I do not believe it is possible to transfer your general credit history when you move. The reason is, your US credit history is tracked by Credit Bureaus using a US government issued Social Security Number, which you would not have yet.

Hello Robyn,

I moved to the USA from Australia two years ago. I had excellent credit at home, and two major credit cards (MC and Visa).

It isn't possible to transfer general credit files internationally due to the disparity of the types of information collected in different jurisdictions and difficulty of matching up identity verification.

I am told that Amex is a special case in that if you request it, they will issue you with a card issued by the local "service center" for your new billing address. It's not clear whether this is a "real American" Amex card though.

You will probably have to do it the hard way (like I did): Get a cellphone, get a secured credit card, wait 6 months for the pre-approved credit card offers to start rolling in and accept one or two of them and cancel your secured card. Figure 18 months before you've got "good" (platinum card) credit. Try to keep at least three tradelines active.