Please stay with this lengthy post because at the end, I'm going to share some Amex wisdom with all that may be helpful. Amex has not updated my score in almost two months. Here is why I am concerned.
I was intially approved by AMEX (everyday cash blue) with an OCL of 1800 about a year ago- one year post Chapter 13 discharge. Although I have kept my credit immaculate since the BK, all three of my fico scores seemed to hit a plateau at around 670-680. Of course, I was denied the obligatory 3x CLI and have since been denied a second time, stating bankruptcy. Once I got past the simple logic of 'why did you approve me in the first place?' I knew there was nothing left to do, but wait for the BK to fall off.
As you can guess, it has fallen off (yeah!!!!!), and my credit scores reflected this by jumping north of 740ish and climbing seemingly every week. Sooooooo...I jump on to the amex site and hit the love button...bzzzz denied!!!! Keep in mind at this time (2 weeks ago) I didn't know Amex was providing free fico 8 scores via their website. So I phone in and ask why I was denied. Of course, I'm told you have a bk on your report. After I wasted my breath continually with the rep and his supervisor, I realized something (and later confirmed with AMEX) that should be very important to ALL of us...
Amex does not soft pull. There is absolutely no process or mechanism where they 'soft' pull your credit by reaching out to Experian, essentially updating your information. I know some of the credit experts here get it, but I certainly did not. There are dozens of posts on this forum that run anywhere from vague to total misinformation. Members continually post to the effect of, 'amex soft pulling your credit from the bureau (Exp) updates your current score so they have the latest information without doing a hard pull.
Now, while it true obviously true, amex does not hard pull their exsisting customers, I think it is important to understand the true nature of the process so that we (I) can ask the right question. The information I have been given over the last two weeks from three separate supervisors is, 'amex does not pull or soft pull information from experian. They wait for information from the bureau which is automatically uploaded in the system ONCE A MONTH'.
So the question for me is, why isn't AMEX updating my credit information? I have spoken to experian and they claim they have always provided the information to Amex and the last couple of months are no exception. Experian has updated my information and bk free credit report and score to Discover. I feel like Amex is refusing to update my score, though I have been reassured they couldn't play that game if they wanted to. Systemically, it's not possible.
I've also been assured with a 750 experian fico 8 score and zero deragtory info whatsoever on my report, I likely would get a CLI, but as of today I continue to wait. In the meantime I'm very blessed with my income, I've learned from my past mistakes and misfortune and my guess is with all the prequal letters, somebody is out there that is willing to give me a credit line that fits my travel needs and family lifestyle. Lots to be thankful for so I'll keep plugging away.
I have posted a lot, but I have been lurking and learning with the best of them. I probably should take more time to share my experiences with others maybe in a similar situation. I'm almost embarrassed to say I haven't given back when this has helped so much to bring me back from financial obscurity. But sincere thanks to those that are diligent in helping others like me.
Cant view my Fico 9 from Navy either. Penfed doesnt e en want to post my Fico9 , so to Equihack i say, go uber your inner Barclays