topic Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense??? in Credit Card Applications

AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 21:50:37 GMT

Pulled the pre-qualified lever with AMEX and came up with being pre-qualified for the cards below:

1. The Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card

2. The Premier Rewards Gold Card Charge Card

3. The ever Traditional American Express® Green Card Charge Card

Granted 2 of the 3 are Charge Cards, yes enticing to say the least and the Gold has a 50K membership rewards bonus with the $195 membership fee waived year 1 and no limit of spend except paid off monthly...

The Gold Delta has good rewards is a Credit Card (unfortunately I don't usually fly Delta) but having a CL on the CC gives weight to counting in my overall credit score and utilization, albeit I dont know how much the CL for the card will be.

I'm sure you have heard this all before, but wanted to get peoples opinions on which route to take... Credit Card or Charge Card?

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

2IMPROVE1 — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 23:05:21 GMT

What are your scores?

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Cred4All — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:11:59 GMT

It goes without saying personal preference and what your needs are will win over any opinion of mine. That tidbit aside, I'd say the choices for me would be between the Delta Skymiles and the Rewards Gold card. The questions which bear asking are are you looking for a Revolver / Charge card and do you fly Delta?

Being you probably don't fly Delta, I'd lean toward the Gold card. Based off reviews I've read, it doesn't appear the Green would win out on anything at the moment and the bonus for the other two is clear as day.

I suppose even though you don't fly Delta, if you do truly feel you can get use out of that car, snag the points, and enjoy a credit line increase then make that leap. My own personal uses, I could use either of those .

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:46:47 GMT

@2IMPROVE1 wrote:
What are your scores?

EQ 694

TU 690

EX 670

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:50:26 GMT

@Cred4All wrote:
It goes without saying personal preference and what your needs are will win over any opinion of mine. That tidbit aside, I'd say the choices for me would be between the Delta Skymiles and the Rewards Gold card. The questions which bear asking are are you looking for a Revolver / Charge card and do you fly Delta?

Being you probably don't fly Delta, I'd lean toward the Gold card. Based off reviews I've read, it doesn't appear the Green would win out on anything at the moment and the bonus for the other two is clear as day.

I suppose even though you don't fly Delta, if you do truly feel you can get use out of that car, snag the points, and enjoy a credit line increase then make that leap. My own personal uses, I could use either of those .

Leaning in the similar direction... Albeit, like to hear from a few more folks as to which cards they have and their experiences with either the Delta or the Gold... Think you're right the Green just doesnt seem to be a leader even with the $95 annual membership...

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 01:01:18 GMT

What other cards do you have? What are your spending habits? Just because you are pre-approved doesn't mean you have to apply, only apply if any of the cards fit into your rewards maximization equation with the rest of your cards, with the exception of if you're building/rebuilding and just looking for anything available at the moment. Figure out how much you normally spend in each card's rewards (like you sorta did with Delta) and see if you can at least break even on the AF comparing to using your other cards.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 01:14:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What other cards do you have? What are your spending habits? Just because you are pre-approved doesn't mean you have to apply, only apply if any of the cards fit into your rewards maximization equation with the rest of your cards, with the exception of if you're building/rebuilding and just looking for anything available at the moment. Figure out how much you normally spend in each card's rewards (like you sorta did with Delta) and see if you can at least break even on the AF comparing to using your other cards.

As for other cards, I have quite a few. 2 Chase (1 United A), 2 Citi (1 AA), 2 Barclay (1 Arrivals), 1 BoA, 1 CO, 1 PenFed, 1 Alliant, 1 HSBC, 1 BECU, 1AMX ED, 1 DSC... Overall $130k w a 34% utilization...

I have heard that you can apply for 2 Amex Credit C in a 90 day period, but this is only true for Charge C and 1 pull canm be used for both... Not that I'm looking to do 2 in one day...

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 01:51:50 GMT

I got the same 3 cards as pre-qualified 2 months ago. I went for the Amex PRG because the Delta Gold only had 30k signup bonus at the time. And I don't fly Delta very often. Been using my PRG as my everyday card. 3x for flights, 2x for gas, groceries, and restaurants is nice.

Already used my $100 travel credit for a $100 Southwest giftcard. Get another $100 travel credit in January. That pays for the $195 anual fee next June.

There is a 60k bonus for the Delta Gold going on until 9/19 if you go for the Delta card.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 01:53:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I got the same 3 cards as pre-qualified 2 months ago. I went for the Amex PRG because the Delta Gold only had 30k signup bonus at the time. And I don't fly Delta very often. Been using my PRG as my everyday card. 3x for flights, 2x for gas, groceries, and restaurants is nice.

Already used my $100 travel credit for a $100 Southwest giftcard. Get another $100 travel credit in January. That pays for the $195 anual fee next June.

Thanks... Somewhat tempted to try the 2 cards in one day... They use the same pull for both and can apply for a Credit Card and a Charge Card... Was leaning towards the Delta as its a Credit Card and could increase my overall avaiable credit limit, versus the Charge Card, which does not get reported (Or so I have read) You are right though on the $195 it pretty much is a wash...

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 01:59:55 GMT

You can go for both for one HP. Just make sure to get the 50k MR points for the PRG and the 60k bonus for the Delta Gold. The charge card doesn't help your credit limit, but it doesn't hurt it either if you have balance on your statement. It won't count towards your utilization percentage.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 02:31:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
You can go for both for one HP. Just make sure to get the 50k MR points for the PRG and the 60k bonus for the Delta Gold. The charge card doesn't help your credit limit, but it doesn't hurt it either if you have balance on your statement. It won't count towards your utilization percentage.

+1 whichever card(s) you decide to go, later on, make sure you got the SUB for each card. Because you only can get 1 time only per lifetime on each card.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

stellar — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 03:47:49 GMT

I think all amex have the same standards for approval...so if you don't want one of those 3 prequals, just app the amex card you do want.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

MontegoMack — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 04:13:50 GMT

Actually, I think it's that all their *charge* cards, speciffically, have the same underwriting requirements. Though I'm sure someone more knowledgable can chime in and confirm or correct me.

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 10:19:48 GMT

@jamesabbey

Thanks so much for the chance to chime in.

I'm a big proponent of the Amex "2 for 1" deal...with two (2) caveats:

1. Always get the Amex card you want because it's the card you want.

2. Never, ever chase subs. When the subs are gone, the card remains.

In your case, you don't fly Delta. So don't get the Gold Delta Sky Miles Card.

But after reading thru this thread, you do seem to like the Premier Rewards Gold.

So what you can do is get the PRG first, and then speak to an Amex CSR and ask

to swap the Gold Delta for a Blue Cash Preferred, for example. You'll still spend

the same $1,000, but you'll get back $200 on a card you want instead of 50,000

miles on an airline you never fly. Like I said, get what you want. Don't chase subs.

So there you go. You asked for my 2 cents, so I just gave it to you.

Please keep us posted on what you decide to do and on your future

credit success. Thanks for sharing!

Re: AMEX Pre-Approvals----- Which One Makes Sense???

CCrew — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:00:31 GMT

I always see the "I don't fly Delta" but do you fly? Short of chasing subs it's not like you can't get miles on the 20 or so partners they do have. Not to mention other things like Hotels and AirBnB.