topic Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval in Credit Card Approvals

Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:12:17 GMT

Recap: I just hit the 5yr 1 month mark post BK7 filing, AMEX was not IIB however I was a previous cardmember long before the BK7. Listing my recent cards in the order of approval.

1st app 04/15: Amex Platinum NPSL $25k POT approved with 150k SUB (pending then approval email within 24hrs)

2nd app 04/16: Hilton Honors Aspire approved for $4k SL with 175k SUB (instant approval)

3rd app 04/21: AMEX Gold NPSL $5K POT. Denied 100k SUB (pending then approval email within 24hrs)

4th app 04/24: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant approved for $4.5k SL. Denied 185k SUB (never had an AMEX Marriott, Ritz card closed 7yrs ago. Also went pending then approval email less than 24hrs after calling in to inquire about the status)

It sucks not getting the Marriott bonus but I didn't mind losing the Gold SUB. On the brighter side, that's a total of $12k in new spending that I don't have to deal with. I accepted the Brilliant card without the SUB just bcos it more than pays for itself. Also wanna add, with the exception of the last approval - Bonvoy Brilliant which was a soft pull, the rest of the application resulted in 3 hard pulls on Experian and 1 on Transunion. This rounds off my card line up with AMEX for life - at least on the personal side. I'll explore the Business offerings later in the future after I've built some history with my current line ups assuming I'm not hit with their FR for opening too many cards in a short period of time lol. Wish me luck!

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

CreditMagic7 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 22:27:32 GMT

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:22:44 GMT

@CreditMagic7 Thank you! 🙏🏽

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

Patient957 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:42:53 GMT

Congrats.

It's a little painful not getting all the SUBs. But there's more to life than credit card SUBs. But not much more

Also kind of surprising they did all those HPs. I wonder if it's because you had no previous Amex reporting, so the system treated each app like a first app?

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:22:29 GMT

@Patient957 wrote:
Congrats.

It's a little painful not getting all the SUBs. But there's more to life than credit card SUBs. But not much more

Also kind of surprising they did all those HPs. I wonder if it's because you had no previous Amex reporting, so the system treated each app like a first app?

I won't even lie, I'm particularly very bitter about the Bonvoy Brilliant SUB. In hindsight, I wish I had applied for it first bcos that was the card I really wanted the most out of all 4. I read the charge cards were easier to get approved which is why I went in reverse order submitting my applications. As for the Gold SUB, I didn't really care about losing it cos while I eat out alot, there's just ain't no way I'm spending $6k in 6 months on restuarants which turns out to $1k per month. In reality I could easily do it but lately I'm trying to take a more healthy approach with nutrition which means cutting back on dining out and eating more home cooked meals. I will be escalating first with Marriott then AMEX, we'll see how it goes.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

dfwxjer — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:41:42 GMT

@pip3man wrote:
@Patient957 wrote:
Congrats.

It's a little painful not getting all the SUBs. But there's more to life than credit card SUBs. But not much more

Also kind of surprising they did all those HPs. I wonder if it's because you had no previous Amex reporting, so the system treated each app like a first app?
I won't even lie, I'm particularly very bitter about the Bonvoy Brilliant SUB. In hindsight, I wish I had applied for it first bcos that was the card I really wanted the most out of all 4. I read the charge cards were easier to get approved which is why I went in reverse order submitting my applications. As for the Gold SUB, I didn't really care about losing it cos while I eat out alot, there's just ain't no way I'm spending $6k in 6 months on restuarants which turns out to $1k per month. In reality I could easily do it but lately I'm trying to take a more healthy approach with nutrition which means cutting back on dining out and eating more home cooked meals. I will be escalating first with Marriott then AMEX, we'll see how it goes.

Given this info, why did you want to obtain 4 new Amex cards? Was there a purpose behind this app spree or what was the logic behind this?

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

chamathkari — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:06:27 GMT

Congratulations on your Approval.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 01:30:29 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
@pip3man wrote:
@Patient957 wrote:
Congrats.

It's a little painful not getting all the SUBs. But there's more to life than credit card SUBs. But not much more

Also kind of surprising they did all those HPs. I wonder if it's because you had no previous Amex reporting, so the system treated each app like a first app?
I won't even lie, I'm particularly very bitter about the Bonvoy Brilliant SUB. In hindsight, I wish I had applied for it first bcos that was the card I really wanted the most out of all 4. I read the charge cards were easier to get approved which is why I went in reverse order submitting my applications. As for the Gold SUB, I didn't really care about losing it cos while I eat out alot, there's just ain't no way I'm spending $6k in 6 months on restuarants which turns out to $1k per month. In reality I could easily do it but lately I'm trying to take a more healthy approach with nutrition which means cutting back on dining out and eating more home cooked meals. I will be escalating first with Marriott then AMEX, we'll see how it goes.
Given this info, why did you want to obtain 4 new Amex cards? Was there a purpose behind this app spree or what was the logic behind this?

Good question. I got all the cards at once because I rather get everything now and take the immediate credit hit then let the accounts age at the same time versus staggering the application over time. Plus, I'm an avid traveler so each of them serves a purpose and meets my needs. Another lesser reason for the spree, is because I can as long as AMEX doesn't prohibit it. I'm not a churner otherwise I wouldn't have accepted the Brilliant and Gold card without the SUB. I'm in it for a lifetime so the benefits are more valuable and outweighs the lost bonuses. So there you have it!

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

CreditAggie — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:29:52 GMT

Congratulations on your Amex approval!

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

cashorcharge — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:12:48 GMT

Nicely done!! Congratulations on your Approval!!👏🏼🍾🥂

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

Gregory1776 — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:11:29 GMT

They're looking at you as a churner.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 01:14:56 GMT

Isn't that crazy how they make these decisions based on false assumptions. I've never in my life churned a credit card, I don't even know how to do that. And even in the unlikely event I decide to try it one day, AMEX is the least creditor I'll ever attempt such with. I guess the real churners are making it difficult for legit applicants like me smh. I still accepted the offer regardless of being declined the SUB so hopefully they can see that I'm in it for real, not to chase no bonus @Gregory1776

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

Gregory1776 — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:01:14 GMT

@pip3man

yeah that sucks. IMO I wouldn't have taken the card until the pop up jail went away. It's pretty valuable of a sign up bonus.
also it's 4 accounts in less than 10 days. I'm honestly not surprised.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

dfwxjer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:40:36 GMT

@pip3man wrote:
@dfwxjer wrote:
@pip3man wrote:
@Patient957 wrote:
Congrats.

It's a little painful not getting all the SUBs. But there's more to life than credit card SUBs. But not much more

Also kind of surprising they did all those HPs. I wonder if it's because you had no previous Amex reporting, so the system treated each app like a first app?
I won't even lie, I'm particularly very bitter about the Bonvoy Brilliant SUB. In hindsight, I wish I had applied for it first bcos that was the card I really wanted the most out of all 4. I read the charge cards were easier to get approved which is why I went in reverse order submitting my applications. As for the Gold SUB, I didn't really care about losing it cos while I eat out alot, there's just ain't no way I'm spending $6k in 6 months on restuarants which turns out to $1k per month. In reality I could easily do it but lately I'm trying to take a more healthy approach with nutrition which means cutting back on dining out and eating more home cooked meals. I will be escalating first with Marriott then AMEX, we'll see how it goes.
Given this info, why did you want to obtain 4 new Amex cards? Was there a purpose behind this app spree or what was the logic behind this?
Good question. I got all the cards at once because I rather get everything now and take the immediate credit hit then let the accounts age at the same time versus staggering the application over time. Plus, I'm an avid traveler so each of them serves a purpose and meets my needs. Another lesser reason for the spree, is because I can as long as AMEX doesn't prohibit it. I'm not a churner otherwise I wouldn't have accepted the Brilliant and Gold card without the SUB. I'm in it for a lifetime so the benefits are more valuable and outweighs the lost bonuses. So there you have it!

This seems to be a patience issue... You just left money on the table and stated that you won't have enough spend to hit SUBs anyway... meaning the cards will just be accruing annual fees with little reward.

Most of us can sign up for any card we want, but choose not to, because there's no practical application for it. Not sure why you're focused on the term churner, but you threw away ~$1500 on the Marriot SUB, and probably $1500 with the Gold card. Your impatience cost you quite a bit of money and this was not a good strategy at all.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

dfwxjer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 15:50:05 GMT

@pip3man wrote:
Isn't that crazy how they make these decisions based on false assumptions. I've never in my life churned a credit card, I don't even know how to do that. And even in the unlikely event I decide to try it one day, AMEX is the least creditor I'll ever attempt such with. I guess the real churners are making it difficult for legit applicants like me smh. I still accepted the offer regardless of being declined the SUB so hopefully they can see that I'm in it for real, not to chase no bonus @Gregory1776

You're too wrapped up in the term "churner"... To Amex you just signed up for multiple cards which is abnormal behavior.

The worst part? They won't "see" your intention at all. That's all in your head.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:47:02 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:
@pip3man
yeah that sucks. IMO I wouldn't have taken the card until the pop up jail went away. It's pretty valuable of a sign up bonus.
also it's 4 accounts in less than 10 days. I'm honestly not surprised.

see I didn't know nothing about AMEX pop up jail until after all these transpired. When I went online and started searching that's when I found ton of stories from people with similar experience. From what I understood, there's no timeframe to be released from the jail time, someone even wrote they've been getting the message for 2 straight years. So given there are so many unknowns, it made no sense for me holding out for something that may or may never happen. Yeah, it's a pretty valuable bonus but the opportunity cost, is the money I won't have to spend anymore. I'll just use the card normally for the enhanced travel benefits like I originally intended. To your point it is most likely the 4 accounts in 10 days that triggered it but overall I'm happy with the outcome cos I got everything I needed. Ya know we win some, we lose some. Can't have it all, right...

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

dfwxjer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:14:34 GMT

@pip3man wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:
@pip3man
yeah that sucks. IMO I wouldn't have taken the card until the pop up jail went away. It's pretty valuable of a sign up bonus.
also it's 4 accounts in less than 10 days. I'm honestly not surprised.
see I didn't know nothing about AMEX pop up jail until after all these transpired. When I went online and started searching that's when I found ton of stories from people with similar experience. From what I understood, there's no timeframe to be released from the jail time, someone even wrote they've been getting the message for 2 straight years. So given there are so many unknowns, it made no sense for me holding out for something that may or may never happen. Yeah, it's a pretty valuable bonus but the opportunity cost, is the money I won't have to spend anymore. I'll just use the card normally for the enhanced travel benefits like I originally intended. To your point it is most likely the 4 accounts in 10 days that triggered it but overall I'm happy with the outcome cos I got everything I needed. Ya know we win some, we lose some. Can't have it all, right...

Are you active duty and getting the AFs waived?

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

pip3man — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:03:31 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
@pip3man wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:
@pip3man
yeah that sucks. IMO I wouldn't have taken the card until the pop up jail went away. It's pretty valuable of a sign up bonus.
also it's 4 accounts in less than 10 days. I'm honestly not surprised.
see I didn't know nothing about AMEX pop up jail until after all these transpired. When I went online and started searching that's when I found ton of stories from people with similar experience. From what I understood, there's no timeframe to be released from the jail time, someone even wrote they've been getting the message for 2 straight years. So given there are so many unknowns, it made no sense for me holding out for something that may or may never happen. Yeah, it's a pretty valuable bonus but the opportunity cost, is the money I won't have to spend anymore. I'll just use the card normally for the enhanced travel benefits like I originally intended. To your point it is most likely the 4 accounts in 10 days that triggered it but overall I'm happy with the outcome cos I got everything I needed. Ya know we win some, we lose some. Can't have it all, right...
Are you active duty and getting the AFs waived?

Nope I have no military affiliation so AFs are not waived. Outside my mortgage, travel is my biggest spending category.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

dfwxjer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:37:23 GMT

@pip3man wrote:
@dfwxjer wrote:
@pip3man wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:
@pip3man
yeah that sucks. IMO I wouldn't have taken the card until the pop up jail went away. It's pretty valuable of a sign up bonus.
also it's 4 accounts in less than 10 days. I'm honestly not surprised.
see I didn't know nothing about AMEX pop up jail until after all these transpired. When I went online and started searching that's when I found ton of stories from people with similar experience. From what I understood, there's no timeframe to be released from the jail time, someone even wrote they've been getting the message for 2 straight years. So given there are so many unknowns, it made no sense for me holding out for something that may or may never happen. Yeah, it's a pretty valuable bonus but the opportunity cost, is the money I won't have to spend anymore. I'll just use the card normally for the enhanced travel benefits like I originally intended. To your point it is most likely the 4 accounts in 10 days that triggered it but overall I'm happy with the outcome cos I got everything I needed. Ya know we win some, we lose some. Can't have it all, right...
Are you active duty and getting the AFs waived?
Nope I have no military affiliation so AFs are not waived. Outside my mortgage, travel is my biggest spending category.

Ouch. That's a heck of a lot of annual fees to be losing that amount of sign up bonus. Objectively this was poorly planned at best, and borderline reckless signing up for ~$2200 in annual fees just so your accounts can "age together".

Good luck.

Re: Officially full circle with AMEX 4 for 4 approval

IcyCool7227 — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:57:30 GMT

Since I've been learning about how Amex works and I'm an AU on BCE I gotta say I'm very surprised they let you open 4 accounts in less than 10 days. You won't find Barclays, Citi or US Bank doing that. AI says:

With American Express, you're generally limited to a total of five personal and business credit cards. Additionally, you can have up to ten "charge cards" (cards without a preset spending limit). This means you can have a mix of credit cards and charge cards, but your total number of cards cannot exceed five credit cards and ten charge cards.

See this article for more info on the bonus restrictions: https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/american-express-bonus-lifetime-restrictions/

Why would you apply for both Amex Platinum and Amex Gold paying both AFs? That's a ton of statement credits to keep track of combining the two and the other cards as well.