How to Shop on Popular US Websites from Outside the US – the Work Arounds

Unlocking online shopping in the USA for international shoppers is what we are dedicated to. Through trial and error as well as listening carefully to our users’ experiences we already unlocked quite a few US websites. There are so many other US websites out there, that seemingly make it impossible for anyone outside America to order from. We managed to find out the ‘workaround’ them and want to share that information with you.

In general, there are two golden rules when it comes to smooth ordering on US websites:

1. Billing and shipping addresses should be the same.
   Different addresses for billing and shipping raise a flag and especially for websites with strict fraud prevention control this is an immediate reason to not accept or cancel the order. The billing address is the address registered to your US Unlocked account. Many websites use AVS, address verification software. When the billing address you submitted does not match with the card according to the AVS, the order is canceled by the webstore. Not every webstore uses AVS, however. Especially since AVS is only for US, UK, and Canadian addresses. So these websites will accept your order as long as the billing and shipping address are the same.
2. Use a VPN connection
   Many websites monitor the IP location of their visitors and only allow the ones with US IP address to purchase. Using a VPN connection also provides https encryption of your time and actions on the web, protection against identity theft, and “snoopers” at wifi location. For customers in countries with censorship, a VPN provides access to otherwise blocked sites. To make sure your IP address is a US IP address go to https://whatismyipaddress.com/.

If you use these two golden rules, you already get a long way. Still, there are some more things to know in order to successfully purchase from some very popular websites. Here is a list of the top 5 websites most purchased from and how to successfully place your order:

1) Amazon

Many of our US Unlocked Cardholders are already reaping the benefits of the Amazon Prime Membership. We recommend using the Merchant Specific Card for the Amazon Prime Membership.

To sign up here are the steps:

1. Be a US Unlocked Cardholder! Sign Up
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Once your load clears your account is set up
4. Set up your Merchant-Specific Card settings
5. Connect over VPN from a U.S. IP address
6. Start Amazon Prime registration
7. Enter US Unlocked Card details and make payment
8. Make sure the billing address is correct
9. Start shopping!

It is always recommended to check whether your VPN is working. You can go to whatismyipaddress.com. The IP location displaying should be somewhere in the USA. Once the Amazon Prime membership is active you can start using all its features. The cost of the membership is $119 per year and your card will be charged automatically after the 30-day free trial. There is also a monthly plan of $12.99.

2) Apple Music and iTunes

Apple has among the strictest rules that are geared to preventing fraud but mostly to protect their US market. Although any nationality can have an iTunes account, the US iTunes version is where really everyone wants to download from since it has much more to offer, especially movies. We also recommend using the Merchant Specific Card for an Apple Music or iTunes subscription. Apple Music costs $9.99 per month or $14.99 for a family subscription for up to 6 people. iTunes is free but will charge you per transaction.

To sign up here are the steps:

1. Sign up with US Unlocked, if you haven’t already
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Make sure your internet is connected over a VPN from a U.S. IP address before proceeding to the next step.
4. Once the funds have cleared and your virtual card account is set up create an Apple ID.
5. This Apple ID can then be used for a US iTunes account.
6. Add your US Unlocked Card as your payment method.

3) Streaming Services

The third most popular merchant for US Unlocked customers is the most popular streaming services. This includes Disney Plus, Netflix, Hulu, HBO and many other services as well.

3a) Disney Plus

Disney Plus is the newest streaming service to hit the market. Watch your favorite Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and Disney Channel Original shows or movies! We recommend using a Merchant Specific Card for the Disney Plus subscription. A Disney Plus subscription costs $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year. There is also a bundle option available to get Hulu and ESPN Plus along with Disney Plus for $12.99 a month.

To sign up here are the steps:

1. Be a US Unlocked Cardholder! Sign Up
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Once your load clears your account is set up
4. Set up your Merchant-Specific Card settings
5. Connect over VPN from a U.S. IP address
6. Start Disney Plus registration
7. Enter US Unlocked Card details and make payment
8. Make sure the billing address is correct
9. Start watching!

3b) Netflix

Netflix is the most well-known streaming service in the world and has been around for quite some time. A lot of the most popular shows and movies are still on Netflix! Some of these include Master of None, Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards.

To sign up here are the steps:

1. Be a US Unlocked Cardholder! Sign Up
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Once your load clears your account is set up
4. Set up your Merchant-Specific Card settings
5. Connect over VPN from a U.S. IP address
6. Start Netflix registration
7. Enter US Unlocked Card details and make payment
8. Make sure the billing address is correct
9. Start watching!

3c) Hulu

Hulu is the most subscribed to TV streaming service by US Unlocked Cardholders. The service has a growing library of hit movies and TV shows. Additionally, we see an ever-increasing lineup of Hulu Originals. Unlike Netflix Originals, new episodes air on a weekly basis. Although this goes against the urge to binge-watch, Hulu leaves their viewers with the desire to come back the next week for more.

To sign up here are the steps

1. Be a US Unlocked Cardholder! Sign Up
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Once your load clears your account is set up
4. Set up your Merchant-Specific Card settings
5. Connect over VPN from a U.S. IP address
6. Start Hulu registration
7. Enter US Unlocked Card details and make payment
8. Make sure the billing address is correct
9. Start watching!

3d) HBO

HBO NOW is a standalone streaming service that doesn’t require a cable TV package. HBO GO is included with a paid cable TV subscription that has HBO. See below for more comparisons of HBO GO vs. HBO NOW. HBO NOW is $14.99 a month.

To sign up here are the steps

1. Be a US Unlocked Cardholder! Sign Up
2. Make your first card load payment
3. Once your load clears your account is set up
4. Set up your Merchant-Specific Card settings
5. Connect over VPN from a U.S. IP address
6. Start HBO NOW registration
7. Enter US Unlocked Card details and make payment
8. Make sure the billing address is correct
9. Start watching!

You will use the US Unlocked address provided to you at the time of shipment registration and located in the top left corner.

As always we strive to keep you up to date and to unlocking more US websites. If you have any experiences with certain US websites that can help to unlock them for other customers as well, do let us know!

Sign Up and get shopping today!