Credit card for foreigner

I just got my BCA SQ Visa Infinite card... Well, I say 'got'... I had to deposit 120% of the credit limit as a refundable deposit which is Rp. 36mio. Not really a 'credit' card in that sense, but it earns me miles which is the main reason I agreed to pay the deposit. There also is nothing 'Infinite' worthy about this card, benefits are minimal and an average "Infinite" card from another bank would have significantly more card benefits, but are also much harder to obtain. With an average spend of Rp. 50mio, including the spend-bonus, you would be earning miles at a ratio of Rp7.542/mile which is not too bad, and better than paying with any debit card which doesn't earn you any miles...

Process to get the card was actually quite straight forward, but despite the deposit it took BCA over a month to issue the card.

You just need to go to your local BCA branch office, already have a BCA bank account or open one. Have a copy of your: passport + ITAS/ITAP and if applicable your NPWP. Fill out some forms with the help of the bank employee, pick a card and sign a form to allow them to block the deposit amount.

Wait... and wait... and wait... and wait a bit longer, and that's it!

Why did you have to deposit 120% ? Are you a new customer to BCA?
 
No, but they told me that WNA with ITAS (I didn't have my ITAP yet at that time) can only get one with a deposit of 120% of the credit limit.

I am on a spouse ITAS and am not supposed to work while on an ITAS. I do still have an income from abroad (I have a company as a sole proprietor, working remotely) but nothing formal in Indonesia that has a salary slip or any other proof of income attached to it... That may have something to do with it...
 
Ah ok, because I have 2 BCA Black cards Visa and MC and this SQ Kris Flyer Infinite one (batik) and I didn't have to give a deposit for any, the limit is several hundred million rp
I have been with BCA maybe 15 years and have a kitas here
I have savings, bonds etc but nothing with BCA on that side except 2 normal accounts with klikbca etc

I am not married, no kids, half a century young, but my accounts are active and have decent amounts going through them each month but I don't even keep much in them since the interest is 0
But I am a high spender and user on the card from grab tips 5,000 to tens of millions on flights, shopping etc but usually pay it off every month to avoid interest and just get the points

Average 4-6 business class return flights a year to SG for free, I mean straight points for flights not buy Y class and upgrade, straight J class return is about 21,000 miles each way or 30,000 miles first class straight ticket F class

Of course since the lounge here is not great the trick is to fly to SG on AA or Lion for 1jt, then get the last flight back SQ F or J class but check in the lounge like 3pm and spend 8 hours in "the club" the F class new lounge and just get pi55ed on free dom and have several hot fresh cooked to order 5* meals lobster steak etc etc and relax and then the same on board back (for 90mins)

It is almost like a short holiday, last year I had about 300,000 miles and some expiring so I had to fly for a day just to use some up, morning flight out then the day in the lounge as above

In fact the irony was the last time I did it was also a national holiday here for something so it was well timed, quick wonder round the DF but mostly sitting in the lounge alone trying not to look greedy on the second bottle of dom on my redemption point flight hahahaah


But yes, for points earning ratio the BCA SQ one is excellent
 
⬆️ But you’re not spouse sponsored and work here in RI, right? So you have an employer and salary slips etc.
 
⬆️ But you’re not spouse sponsored and work here in RI, right? So you have an employer and salary slips etc.
My thoughts exactly... I mean I have a decent income, it just doesn't flow through the Indonesian system and so naturally, BCA does not want to extend credit to me (yet). In terms of the maturity of my accounts, it's nothing like @snpark's but it's about 3 years old with my income going in (and out) of the account regularly. I guess my situation won't be different once I have my permanent staying permit as my income is still seen as income earned abroad without any tax statements or salary slips.
 
Yeh that could be it then maybe they see you as not "resident" for some reason or since covid it's stricter
 
I just got my BCA SQ Visa Infinite card... Well, I say 'got'... I had to deposit 120% of the credit limit as a refundable deposit which is Rp. 36mio.

If your credit card limit is 30juta (30 x 120% = 36juta deposit), BCA is very generous to give you an "Infinite" because it should have been "Gold" under 40juta. An "Infinite" should have limit above 150juta, under 150juta is "Platinum" in Indonesia as far as I know.
 
I just got my BCA SQ Visa Infinite card... Well, I say 'got'... I had to deposit 120% of the credit limit as a refundable deposit which is Rp. 36mio. Not really a 'credit' card in that sense, but it earns me miles which is the main reason I agreed to pay the deposit. There also is nothing 'Infinite' worthy about this card, benefits are minimal and an average "Infinite" card from another bank would have significantly more card benefits, but are also much harder to obtain. With an average spend of Rp. 50mio, including the spend-bonus, you would be earning miles at a ratio of Rp7.542/mile which is not too bad, and better than paying with any debit card which doesn't earn you any miles...

Process to get the card was actually quite straight forward, but despite the deposit it took BCA over a month to issue the card.

You just need to go to your local BCA branch office, already have a BCA bank account or open one. Have a copy of your: passport + ITAS/ITAP and if applicable your NPWP. Fill out some forms with the help of the bank employee, pick a card and sign a form to allow them to block the deposit amount.

Wait... and wait... and wait... and wait a bit longer, and that's it!
What made you decide to apply for the BCA SQ Visa Infinite card?


I was (still am) checking some credit cards.
Not yet decided, but was thinking about the BNI Visa Signature card:

 
Last edited:
Could have been but I replied anyway already


BNI has more "local" benefits but I don't know what's the main one
I mean BCA SQ is co branded so it's meant for miles

Normal BCA black has the usual but only bca points

But yes the BNI BRI have more localised benefits.

BCA black has all the usual pay 3 get 4 marriot brunch and 50 % of hotel rack rates which is a con cos rack rate is their official published rate like $250 a night when agoda etc already is only $100
 
I didn’t use my US CITI card in combination with AAdvantage mileage for a year and it automatically expired. Regret that now since it’s practically impossible to get another one.
 
17-Apr-2024 / 09:38 WIB

USD 16.240,00 16.260,00
SGD 11.912,69 11.926,52
EUR 17.269,06 17.288,19
AUD 10.425,04 10.443,21
 
A DBS credit card online transaction pushed through even with the wrong CVV.

How is it possible?

Although this was not a case of scamming it seems nothing is 100% safe or secure. With the billions of people using cards we can only hope that with the tens of thousands of scammers throwing hooked lines into the sea they don't get me.
1717133254099.png
 
Ironically, after posting that comment above I went to my on line banking and found 4 debits on an account about which I knew nothing. Used the bank's chat and was advised these appear to be fraudulent transactions. Each one is less than $1.50 so if it is a scam I guess they hope the account holders won't worry about such small amounts. I have locked my debit card to prevent any further withdrawals until I sort it out with the bank. Tried ringing but like most banks the usual "we are very busy" nonsense. It seems we must be ever vigilant.
 
Ironically, after posting that comment above I went to my on line banking and found 4 debits on an account about which I knew nothing. Used the bank's chat and was advised these appear to be fraudulent transactions. Each one is less than $1.50 so if it is a scam I guess they hope the account holders won't worry about such small amounts. I have locked my debit card to prevent any further withdrawals until I sort it out with the bank. Tried ringing but like most banks the usual "we are very busy" nonsense. It seems we must be ever vigilant.
Less than $1.50 could indicate someone was testing your account first to see if their transaction worked or not. Good you caught it.
 
Less than $1.50 could indicate someone was testing your account first to see if their transaction worked or not. Good you caught it.
Yes, those are the test charges to make sure the number is good. Shortly after they know that those go through, the account draining will begin. I have had this happen to me too many times in the US. It is almost a yearly thing if you go out and use your card. Someone will snag the info rather quickly.
 
Yes sometimes its amazon or paypal (example) testing the link and setup but it tells you "we will charge you $1 and the narrative is a pin number" something like that, then you have to put the pin in your log in

But it could be someone testing if they cloned it correctly etc

What is the description?
 

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