Amex Delta instantly declined with 743 TU

[mikka1]

Just thought I'd share it here - we've just got a nice reconfirmation of the idea that score (even relatively high) is just *one of* many factors considered in the application, so it might be quite difficult to judge someone's chances of approval based *only* on the score...

My DW got declined for Amex Delta recently, and yesterday we got a letter stating reasons. They pulled at least both TU and EX (haven't checked EQ, but might be as well) and specifically listed:

"Too many credit checks recently" (she got 4 new cards over last 6 months, 2 of them - over last 2 months - most of them hit TU; other one declined the same day Amex did (so 5 TU pulls overall + 1 EX))

"Amount of available credit" (she's AU to all my cards, so she has a relatively high overall CL available)

So, Amex is picky, very picky... Will probably need to try again in 6 months...

[GaTech]

Ouch! And that card is supposed to be the easiest revolver to get!

[fittiger]

*Amount of available credit*

.......what does this mean? One has too many CC's open an /or too high overall CL available to them?

Or does it possibly reference high balance on loans? Maybe something else?

[maninder89]

AMEX is quite picky and wierd when it comes to acceptance. I got declined initally for not having enough credit history but they gave me a 2k limit after recon on the same day.

[Anonymous]

I dont get it with Amex.They are acting like the king of the Empire

Just lend Amex and stop acting like a child!!!!

Sorry about the declined Mikka

[Anonymous]

I was approved for the amex BCE on Sunday received apr letter last Friday was told the card was mailed on the 25th need help

[distantarray]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I dont get it with Amex.They are acting like the king of the Empire

Just lend Amex and stop acting like a child!!!!

Sorry about the declined Mikka

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Amex has the lowest default rate of any card company =P what they're doing is fine for their business model.

[HiLine]

Given that your wife had been declined for credit once before the application, I wouldn't be that surprised. She does have many new accounts after all.

That said, Amex is really not picky. I got my Amex Delta Gold with 4-5 inquiries and 2 new accounts in the past 2 months.

[codesingh]

mikka1,

Congrats on the NFL card, I read your message on the forum. I applied for the same card with the same deal (spending $2500 in 90 days can get me 40,000 points ).

Did you receive your's? Were you able to accumulate points on majority of your purchases or had to purchase only NFL related?

Please let me know, Thanks in advaince

[mikka1]

HiLine, indeed :-)
Actually, I am *not* that much surprised by the decline - I would have been much more surprised if she had been approved :-) And I don't blame Amex - I clearly understand all the reasons.

It was more like a test if we should go ahead with more applications or take a break for at least 3-6 months - now the answer is clear. It is also a good lesson for me that score alone is not a reliable metric showing chances of approval. Her peak was at 767 TU in January before all the applications, so we should aim to first get it back to that or similar level now.