Is American Express still using Experian?

Viper786 · ‎01-17-2013

I am about to apply for an Amex BCE but I am waiting for a payment of $2400 on my Barcalycard to show up on my reports. My statement posted on 1/12 and I just got an alert that my score went up in Scorewatch and I'm pretty sure it's because my new balance hit EQ. I have no way to check my Experian report currently without buying a new one. I updated my CreditKarma and Barclay still has not reported to them.

If they are still exclusively pulling Experian, I think I will go ahead and apply, if they're doing TU then I will have to wait and keep updating my Credit Karma everyday until it posts.

Ron1 · ‎01-17-2013

Yes, they pulled EXP as of earlier this month.

Ron.

CopperHD · ‎01-17-2013

Yup they Pulled Experian for me last week

Current Scores EQ (697) Tu (740) EX (705) Amex pull
Current Cards- Amex PRG(NPSL), Amex Zync (NPSL), Amex Hilton Honors Surpass ($3000), Chase Sapphire Preferred ($12,000), Citi Simplicity ($10,900), Southwest Visa Signature ($10,500), Discover It ($4250), FNBO Amex ($4,000), First National Credit Card ($2000), Capital One Platinum ($2500 and $1750), Lowes ($6000) , Walmart Discover ($6000).

OhioCPA · ‎01-17-2013

For existing card members Amex does not pull a credit report as part of the approval process. They will rely on a previous soft pull. Therefore, you might want to wait for them to SP your file if you are worried about utilization.

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Duncanrr · ‎01-17-2013

1/2/13 pulled EX for my BCP approval.

Starting Score: EQ 551 TU 548 CK 607on 6/8/12, EX 542(AMEX pull 3/4/12)
Current Score: EQ 808 TU --- EX --- CK 804(FAKO-EX 821, EQ 823, TU 803)
Goal Score: 750
Take the FICO Fitness Challenge

Viper786 · ‎01-17-2013

@OhioCPA wrote:
For existing card members Amex does not pull a credit report as part of the approval process. They will rely on a previous soft pull. Therefore, you might want to wait for them to SP your file if you are worried about utilization.

Oh really? I was not aware of this. I was really trying to apply for this card in January for maximum backdating. Maybe i'll wait until the 29th or so to apply. Anyone know how often they soft? As of my last EXP report (which I obtained on 1/1/2013), the last time amex soft pulled me was 11/21/2012, 11/01/12, and 8/16/2012. Seems to be random to me.

injustifiiable · ‎01-17-2013

Unfortunately, yes. lol

CopperHD · ‎01-17-2013

I thought that Amex only uses a Soft if declined for current members and a Hard pull if approved. It says that they pulled my score on the 10th when i was approved.

Current Scores EQ (697) Tu (740) EX (705) Amex pull
Current Cards- Amex PRG(NPSL), Amex Zync (NPSL), Amex Hilton Honors Surpass ($3000), Chase Sapphire Preferred ($12,000), Citi Simplicity ($10,900), Southwest Visa Signature ($10,500), Discover It ($4250), FNBO Amex ($4,000), First National Credit Card ($2000), Capital One Platinum ($2500 and $1750), Lowes ($6000) , Walmart Discover ($6000).

OhioCPA · ‎01-17-2013

@CopperHD wrote:
I thought that Amex only uses a Soft if declined for current members and a Hard pull if approved. It says that they pulled my score on the 10th when i was approved.

Once you are approved they will do the HP. A little bit backward but it saves current members from getting a HP for a declined card. I suppose the approval is somewhat conditional on the HP, but I have never heard of anyone being declined after a HP.

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Revelate · ‎01-17-2013

@OhioCPA wrote:
@CopperHD wrote:
I thought that Amex only uses a Soft if declined for current members and a Hard pull if approved. It says that they pulled my score on the 10th when i was approved.
Once you are approved they will do the HP. A little bit backward but it saves current members from getting a HP for a declined card. I suppose the approval is somewhat conditional on the HP, but I have never heard of anyone being declined after a HP.

It does happen for marginal applications in some cases, much like the multiple pulls. This is pretty darned rare though, <1% even.

FWIW I still think I have one of the most absurd BCP approvals ever until I see my letter from Amex stating I have a much higher EX FICO or similar than I can rationally expect, and EX was the only report pulled, so the double pull is pretty uncommon, and the HP denial is even less common than that.