topic Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards? in Credit Card Applications

Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

mkhan1093 — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:13:31 GMT

I'm not sure if this is true for everyone, but Amex just doesn't seem to enjoy giving me revolving accounts but is just fine with approving me for charge cards. My first Amex card was the SPG with a SL of $1k, which I got this past March. That was kind of a slap in the face for me, but whatever I could wait 2 months for the 3x CLI that Amex is so well-known for. I got a targeted offer for the Amex Platinum soon (~1 week) after the SPG approval and decided to bite the bullet and got instantly approved. I figured Amex liked me, but then I was denied for the 3x CLI due to having too small a history with Amex. Following that, I tried to apply for the Delta Gold card in June but was denied, even after many attempts at recon, for the same exact reason: too short Amex history. However, I was instantly approved for the Amex PRG. My scores with Experian have fluctuated between 690 and 710.

Is this a common thing for Amex to do? Are charge cards just less risky for them since they are obligated to be paid in full?

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:43:04 GMT

Thanks for posting this! I was seriously just thinking about this question this morning! Looking forward to hearing thoughts and experiences on the matter.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

SouthJamaica — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 22:21:15 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
I'm not sure if this is true for everyone, but Amex just doesn't seem to enjoy giving me revolving accounts but is just fine with approving me for charge cards. My first Amex card was the SPG with a SL of $1k, which I got this past March. That was kind of a slap in the face for me, but whatever I could wait 2 months for the 3x CLI that Amex is so well-known for. I got a targeted offer for the Amex Platinum soon (~1 week) after the SPG approval and decided to bite the bullet and got instantly approved. I figured Amex liked me, but then I was denied for the 3x CLI due to having too small a history with Amex. Following that, I tried to apply for the Delta Gold card in June but was denied, even after many attempts at recon, for the same exact reason: too short Amex history. However, I was instantly approved for the Amex PRG. My scores with Experian have fluctuated between 690 and 710.

Is this a common thing for Amex to do? Are charge cards just less risky for them since they are obligated to be paid in full?

I do think the charge cards are easier to get.

I assumed the reason was the annual fees.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

mkhan1093 — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 22:39:15 GMT

Interesting, hadn't thought of that. But then by that same logic the Delta Gold also charges an annual fee. And I got approved for the PRG with no problem, which also offers the first year free just like the Delta Gold. So I don't think the annual fee plays into the algorithm that much?

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

Meanmchine — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 22:50:17 GMT

Garden for 6 months

Rinse and repeat

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

mr_awesome — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 23:45:22 GMT

I got my Delta Gold a little over a month ago, paid in full, and was approved for a new PRG just today. My scores were somewhere between 650 and 670 on approval for the PRG, and 635ish for the Delta Gold. I can tell you I used to be denied by AMEX for charge cards when I was in the 680s, so it's not just about the score, but I don't think it's just about internal history either. With a 1k SL on your SPG, it's borderline enough they might have used internal history as a reason for the denial.

Give it a few months and try again. If it's within 30 days of a denial, they will deny all your applications automatically.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

mkhan1093 — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 03:05:34 GMT

Going to give one final recon a shot in about a month, right before the application is removed from the system. Will try to lower my UTIL overall and pay off all Amex balances so they might look upon me more favorably. The reason I'm so aggressive about this one particular application is that it was during the special promotional 60k signup offer, and this one also comes with a $100 statement credit on the first Delta purchase as opposed to simply $50. I could very well apply in the near future but would be missing out on those key perks.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

Blackswizz750 — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 04:56:09 GMT

The underwriters would judge them both the same. I figure they like AF from two cards coming in. List your Scores and Util.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:25:45 GMT

The charge cards are easier to get because they're not revolvers. You spend $2 or $2000, the balance is due in full when the statement cuts. I got my Platinum 6 months after my 1k SL ED approval, so, go figure.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

mkhan1093 — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 16:48:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The charge cards are easier to get because they're not revolvers. You spend $2 or $2000, the balance is due in full when the statement cuts. I got my Platinum 6 months after my 1k SL ED approval, so, go figure.

That's what I figured, but if someone was going to not pay Amex back and had intentions to go delinquent, wouldn't it not matter? I just see them as equally risky from a creditor's perspective.

Re: Easier to get charge cards from Amex versus credit cards?

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 18:51:13 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
The charge cards are easier to get because they're not revolvers. You spend $2 or $2000, the balance is due in full when the statement cuts. I got my Platinum 6 months after my 1k SL ED approval, so, go figure.
That's what I figured, but if someone was going to not pay Amex back and had intentions to go delinquent, wouldn't it not matter? I just see them as equally risky from a creditor's perspective.

That's a dark outlook. I think that they're considered easier to get simply because of the way they work. I know having them myself, it's kind of a self-control issue, knowing that the balance has to be paid upon receipt. Besides, that's why they're NPSL, only the most irresponsible user would go charge charge charge willy-nilly and then get shocked when they see the bill... The NPSL has an internal limit, which how much that limit is, is a closely guarded secret.

I think AMEX doesn't worry about their charge cards nearly as much as the revolvers, from a financial standpoint anyways.