Credit Cards

[westcoastpirate]

So I had an AMEX Blue card while in college, small limit, like $500. It was CO'd, and I settled for less than the full balance. It has fallen off my CR for a while, but I am sure I am on the AMEX blacklist. I am now in a much better financial situation than back then. I have a secured CC for $1K through my CU and a $700 Target Card and have been 'gardening' for a while and my CR is looking pretty good. Have a couple 60 day lates from 2007 that look to fall off in early 2013 but outside that, everything is stellar or is off the current CRs. My current CS is between 720s-740. I'm wondering if I should try calling AMEX to see if I can pay whatever the balance is from the settled card to get back in good standing with them for a new card? Has anyone done this and come off the blacklist? What number should I use to contact AMEX to make this request? The balance was so small when I settled I would have no problems paying it 10x over right now, but when I was in college $500 was a lot of money! I really want to get back in with them in the hopes they can backdate the card to the early 2000s.

[patsfan1453]

You have nothing to lose by calling the executive office, you can get the number through the "backdoor numbers" thread. Worst thing that can happen is they say no. 

[wallyworld123]

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westcoastpirate wrote:
So I had an AMEX Blue card while in college, small limit, like $500. It was CO'd, and I settled for less than the full balance. It has fallen off my CR for a while, but I am sure I am on the AMEX blacklist. I am now in a much better financial situation than back then. I have a secured CC for $1K through my CU and a $700 Target Card and have been 'gardening' for a while and my CR is looking pretty good. Have a couple 60 day lates from 2007 that look to fall off in early 2013 but outside that, everything is stellar or is off the current CRs. My current CS is between 720s-740. I'm wondering if I should try calling AMEX to see if I can pay whatever the balance is from the settled card to get back in good standing with them for a new card? Has anyone done this and come off the blacklist? What number should I use to contact AMEX to make this request? The balance was so small when I settled I would have no problems paying it 10x over right now, but when I was in college $500 was a lot of money! I really want to get back in with them in the hopes they can backdate the card to the early 2000s.

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Hello and welcome to the forums! amex blacklist bankruptcy i don't believe they blacklist collections or charge offs.You should call amex. (YMMV) your mileage may vary.

[LS2982]

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patsfan1453 wrote:

You have nothing to lose by calling the executive office, you can get the number through the "backdoor numbers" thread. Worst thing that can happen is they say no. 

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Totally agree!

Good luck to you!!

[westcoastpirate]

Thanks everyone! I've been lurking these forums for a while now and have read some great advice to help rebuild my credit. I'll report back after I contact AMEX!

[Repo-ed]

They will not blacklist you for CO - I should know!  They've REALLY taken care of me post CO.

[distantarray]

Try disputing to the CRA's about your lates as NEVER LATE, and also the OC's. I would say half or more of the time they don't have documentation to prove you were ever late. Remember send certified mail (no return receipt) to CRA and just regular postage to the OC's stating you were never late. Since they almost never have documentation that you were ever late, plus it's been so long since the lates the will almost always deleted from my experience. ymmv.

If they can prove it keep firing off goodwill letters to the OC til they get sick of you =) a guy wrote a python script to email the executive office everyday and got a response eventually lol! oh yea with the CRA write it with yellow legal notepad with purple in in cursive (not kidding) cause they will not read your disputes otherwise and feeds it into a machine to auto process your disputes, this forces a manual review.

[westcoastpirate]

I didn't have a chance to call AMEX today, however, I just app'd for the Barclays VISA Apple card for the hell of it and got instantly approved with a CL of $3,700! Wow! This is my first unsecured CC in a long long time! Looks like it's harvest time in my garden! I'm feeling a little more confident about calling AMEX now!

[JusdoNit]

Go for the Ames. If all is paid.  U may be in a real good position

[westcoastpirate]

So I just called the AMEX Executive office and spoke to a very nice individual.  I didn't have any of the account details so he was able to pull that through my SS number.  I asked him some questions and after putting me on hold a couple times corresponding with different departments, he confirmed that yes, if I paid off the CO balance that would definitely improve my chances of receiving a future AMEX card, but that they can't guarantee approval based off paying the balance.

He gave me an address where I can send a check.  I am planning on including a letter explaining what I am paying and I am also going to ask for a letter or some sort of confirmation that my account has been PIF once the check clears.  Any suggestions on what content I should include in the letter?

Also, how long after I receive confirmation that my balance is all good before trying for a new AMEX card?

Thanks again for all the help, guidance, and reassurance!