topic Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to? in Credit Card Applications

AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 22:15:28 GMT

Hello all,

My American Express Platinum card (Member Since 2011) was cancelled by AMEX Dec 1st, 2017. I enrolled in a repayment program right away and have less than1 full payment remaining. However, upon calling Account Services just now, they told me my enrollment was actually closer to Jan 3rd, 2018 (even if I were to PIF on the spot, which I offerred). She said because I enrolled *after* the card was cancelled, there's no way to reinstate my account. And, I'm similarly ineligible for either Optima/Oasys or Apollo programs. Really bizarre to me--just bad for business, honestly! I'm baffled considering all the reports I've read here and elsewhere of successful reinstatements and even other programs/options to re-join AMEX's "good graces."

Anyway, I have just 1 final payment in the 9-month-long program (actually less than 1 full payment). Anyone have success in getting back with AMEX??? What about re-applying and starting from scratch after an event (she told me I could reapply after 48 hours of PIF'ing). As a background, I've missed just 1 payment in 7 years of Membership (and promptly made said payment), so my record with them is all-but-flawless (even my first payment to them after cancelling was on-time!). There have been no other issues with the account until it was cancelled by them in Dec.

Maybe someone has a better phone number to try or knows of another method? As mentioned, I called Account Services at 800-921-6490. I really don't want to start from scratch with a new pull on my credit (which, frankly, is lousy compared to when I was first approved) and to have to get both new account number and much worse: new reporting date (i.e, no backdating if new account, as I understand from some threads--maybe this is untrue, though).

EDIT Update: I just called another AMEX number buried in the forums here, 800-700-7619, and reached a representative (he even asked how I found the #/which department referred me!--just said I had been bounced around via chat and phone departments, which was true). He listened thoughtfully and placed me on hold for about 2 minutes (to review the account) before transferring me to another department who could better address the question--the "Payment Program Team." Re-explained the request and rationale to him, specifically mentioning "Oasys/Optima" and "Apollo" programs. He reiterated the first person's point (above/top) but said to call back after completing the program to re-examine...he said possibly reinstate after exiting payment program (but sounded unlikely) and that those other programs are not available to me. Notably, he said any calls back to AMEX while in the program will auto-route to the Payment Program Team. So it's as if I'm trapped with no guarantees until PIF...guess I'll consider doing that today or early next week to see what happens :/

EDIT 2: My post in the Rebuilding form was marked as spam (not sure why), so reposting here. Please don't delete me!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

UncleB — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:35:54 GMT

@elpo9 wrote:
EDIT 2: My post in the Rebuilding form was marked as spam (not sure why), so reposting here. Please don't delete me!

Hi @elpo9, your other post was flagged due to multiple edits and was restored, but since you have this thread I removed the other since it's a duplicate (and cross posting is against the guidelines here).

If you have any more issues with your posts getting flagged as spam, please don't repost the info a second time as that usually makes it worse. This thread covers it: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/myFICO-Forums-Technical-Help/What-to-do-if-your-new-post-is-missing/m-p/4972480#M5786

--UB

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 11:44:29 GMT

Ah, thanks for clarifying, @UncleB!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 22:46:15 GMT

As an update: I paid of the card ($0 balance) and called AMEX at 800-230-1284 to confirm they've removed me from the payment program. Once again, the rep. stated to callback within ~48 hours (or Wed AM would be fine) to discuss the possibility of applying for reinstatement (i.e., still not guaranteed to even apply, it sounded like). The 48 hours isn't even to process the payment...it's for their systems to sync up so that anytime I call any AMEX #, it doesn't auto-reroute to the Account Services (payment program) team.

Hopefully having paid-in-full and ended 3 months early is good in terms of rebuilding a relationship. Would appreciate any datapoints from others in a similar situation! Have you reinstated an AMEX successfully or gotten yourself invited to Oasys/Optima, Apollo or another program...and if so, any tips? My plan is to call back in 2 days to see if they'll reinstate, and if not, I'll get ahold of my contact at the EO to see if she can move anything along--again, I've been an incredibly responsible cardholder with AMEX, so I'd hope they'd be forgiving (and my EO contact has been understanding/forgiving the 2-3 times I called her in my ~8 years of Membership).

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 21:20:16 GMT

Latest Update: Called AMEX Account Services (calls still auto-redirect to them for next ~24 hours). This time they were finally able to take my application for reinstatement!! A full 24+ hours early (from when I PIF'd last night).

The rep. remarked on my impeccable payment history, both for the payment plan and in general on the card. She just needed my account #, SSN, d/o/b and phone # to submit the application. She said it'll take 7-10 days for a decision (is this normal?!) and that the decision may be via phone (wasn't very clear). Also/FYI it's a $25 fee (charged to the card, if approved).

She said if approved, it'd be the same account/#, but she couldn't clarify how credit reporting would work (I assume if it'd be the same account, then it'd just pick up from where we left off, helping my AAoA).

As a backup, I also immediately called my contact at EO to state the situation & to plea for her leverage/representation towards a favorable outcome (especially sharing my remarkable payment history with AMEX and the trivial, minor reason for which the account closed anyway). Hoping she can get this approved or at least expedited, in case the 'standard' channels are less forgiving! She's been very responsive and helpful in the past but sadly, she recently changed positions--hopefully a colleague will follow up, as I asked in the voicemail.

Anyone have similar experience reinstating an AMEX card? How'd it go...any good indicators up-front? Rough timeline(s)? Did it show up in your online account, via phone, snail mail?? Any guidance is appreciated! Fingers and toes crossed!!!

UPDATE: Now multiple departments are tossing me around and all state that accounts are only eligibile within 90 days of closure. They won't get me to the people who actually make the decision(s), and the ALL act clueless--or even as if I NEVER mentioned--the Optima/Oasys/Apollo programs. They won't get me in touch with anyone in the USA. This is infuriating...really hoping that a miracle happens!!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:32:03 GMT

Do you have your old Amex Platinum account number by any chance? If so try calling the concierge line. Upon providing them with your account number they’ll direct you (as they did in my case) to the proper personnel whom should have a more definitive answer.

A little background: I closed my Amex Platinum 4 years ago for personal reasons (in retrospect it was not a good idea, I know). I’ve always kept copies of my CC’s (front and back) and upon calling the concierge line they were able to look up my old account. Of course, I had to go through the whole app process again (HP and all) and got approved on the spot for the Plat and ED.

Hope this offers some direction.

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:45:38 GMT

Wow! Great idea... I'll do that shortly and report back. Did they re-age your payment history??

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:57:11 GMT

^ I did not ask.

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:59:05 GMT

Well, I've *emailed* concierge until I find what I did with my card after my last trip! It's the same group of people, so hopefully they can assist via email in case I cannot find my card.

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 23:18:35 GMT

:/ there's no Concierge line listed. Just the standard 24x7 AMEX number for the card. IIRC, it asks if you need concierge...could try. Gonna wait a bit and see if email gets me anywhere. Else I also have the 24x7 Global Assist line saved...

Thanks again for the idea!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 12:55:13 GMT

Unfortunately, my request via Concierge was declined (one of the numbers was to the repayment program so I used the other). They asked me to re-apply (thus losing credit history). Was eligible for bonus of 60k MR points, however (spend $5k in 90 days). Confirmed that it won't report original payment history--just original Member Since date.

Drumroll...needs verification for further decision (1 of 3 reports is locked)! :'(

Update: The app-taking rep got New Accounts on the line to look into said verification issue. Decision will come via email within 3 days: they need to verify information that they already have--not information from me (even with 1 of my reports locked, but it's EQ not EX locked). Weird!!

Oh well, giving up & having low hopes to see if that other team from a few days back truly has been working on reinstating it (sounds like an impossible feat)...maybe a surprise in the mail from them or EO...

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

UncleB — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 13:10:42 GMT

@elpo9 wrote:
Unfortunately, my request via Concierge was declined (one of the numbers was to the repayment program so I used the other). They asked me to re-apply (thus losing credit history). Was eligible for bonus of 60k MR points, however (spend $5k in 90 days). Confirmed that it won't report original payment history--just original Member Since date.

Drumroll...needs verification for further decision (1 of 3 reports is locked)! :'(

Update: The app-taking rep got New Accounts on the line to look into said verification issue. Decision will come via email within 3 days: they need to verify information that they already have--not information from me (even with 1 of my reports locked, but it's EQ not EX locked). Weird!!

Oh well, giving up & having low hopes to see if that other team from a few days back truly has been working on reinstating it (sounds like an impossible feat)...maybe a surprise in the mail from them or EO...

It sounds like you might be making progress on getting approved for the new account, if so it also sounds like they're giving you the sign-up bonus even though you've clearly had the account type before, which is also good news!

I'll only add that at this point I would be quite surprised if they reinstate your old account, since you already have an app in for a new one. If you had your heart set on getting the old one back IMO your best shot would have been to hold off and let the process work. In any case, as long as you get a card that's what really matters.

Let us know how it turns out!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 13:14:44 GMT

Thanks, @UncleB! Yes agreed it's good news...jusy worried about the manual review. My credit isn't as good as it was back in 2011 but still is reasonable for a charge card vs. credit card. Will see! Fingers & toes crossed lol!!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 15:14:17 GMT

Sadly, within 24 hours of applying (and 72+ hours after repaying the card in-full), I got this dreaded email in response to my "please wait 3 days for a decision due to internal verifications" (credit department CSR's statement on phone was that outside info such as credit reports would not be pulled...leading me to believe they've got a blacklist and are checking it twice)...

"Thank you for applying for the Platinum Card®. We value your membership and appreciate your interest in another American Express Card. We're writing to let you know we cannot approve your application at this time because you are currently or have been enrolled in the past 12 months in a payment plan on one or more of your American Express accounts."

What gives!? Any ideas here?!??! I'm becoming convinced I'm on their blacklist despite the original cancellation reason being incredibly trivial! But must be their lowest-tier blacklist since they let me both: re-apply by phone -and- let me have been an AU since Feb on another, credit account (i.e., less than 3 mo after cancelling my charge card and while I was actively in a repayment program, they approved me as AU for a credit product...and that account has been in teriffic standing, w/o lates--just relatively high util.).

Figure I'll next call the credit department since MANY reps across MANY departments and MANY calls pushed me over-and-over to just reapply and on the phone (vs. reinstate, as I wanted)...and then the credit decision turns out that crap!?! And here's the kicker: previously, while my card was closed but still in payments, anytime I applied: it'd auto-cancel online (w/o HP or SP, just like after this decision). It'd say the application couldn't be processed due to "cancelled card"....but nothing about a 12 month period, let alone anything about being in a payment plan!! And EVERY CSR said I could reapply as soon as 48 hours of paying off card! Hardly...

Well glad I had low hopes but still bummed to be treated this way, despite flawless payment history over 8+ years! And still nothing back from EO yet regarding reinstatement (it's been 4 biz days now--their historical turnaround time for me has been 4-5 business days)...so usually would hear by now (although as said much earlier, my contact no longer deals w/customer complaints so who knows if she forwarded my concerns to a colleague, as I had requested in the voicemail).

Sameday Edit: Updated for clarity and formatting vs. my original submission via mobile device.

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:29:02 GMT

Latest Update/Bump: AMEX apparently declined my phone app for having been in a payment program (despite at least 10 CSRs/supervisors advising it'd be okay to apply since >48 hours had passed since PIF), as I just recounted.

BUT: After the email denial, I decided to see what was going on, so I applied online by myself for a new...

Platinum Card: Instant denial, same reason as phone app denial. Then I thought, maybe they won't give me their premium product yet--no problem, I'll app for...
PRG: Instant denial, same reason as phone app. So since these weren't HPs (or even SPs), I thought--my gosh, they couldn't possibly decline a measly...
Green Card: Well, I was wrong: Instant denial, same reason as phone app.

...so I wasn't gonna press my luck by apping for a credit product that I *know* I'd never get (i.e., vs. charge card).

Fast forward to today: Spoke with 'recon' line. That CSR put my original phone app back through for recon and made sure he notated such that: the payment program had been completed and in-full and was never late (and only #1, 30-day late in my entire ~8 year history, period!). He did stress that a HP may occur during recon, so that could be good news (or probably bad, in my current situation).

1-to-3 days for recon. Maybe there's hope--maybe it's not a blacklist but rather computers not talking & not realizing that the payment program had been completed early & in-full!?!? Time will tell...and still no word on the reinstatement (pretty much given up on that by now since no other communication regarding it--but I may ping the EO just -one- more time).

Oyy, AMEX benefits truly are fantastic, but it's getting to the point where the system/operations outweigh benefits/membership or even trying for 'em...

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

elpo9 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 19:27:08 GMT

For anyone still following...

My NEW Platinum Card app, which went to recon, has been pending since 9/9/18. No calls, emails, letters etc. from AMEX in the meantime about it. Anyone know if this is generally a good or bad sign to linger for 5 days (and about 4 of those in recon)???

And the reinstatement request update: Still no news, and per chat today, the account is still just 'cancelled' status. They refuse to give me any more info. Not even a phone number for the team who makes the decision...even though the account is already PIF! And early!

Hoping for some good news on 1 of the 2, if not both...but sad that reinstatement seems astronomically unlikely. Let me know your thoughts on the pending recon!!

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 09:17:31 GMT

I just read ALL your post.

What happened did you get the reinstatement ?

My opinion I feel like your scores are not high and your credit limits are pretty low.
Like you said they are lower than when you applied .
Perhaps if you had 750+ scores or at least 720 and you had 30k limits on your credit would be a yes . Most of your credit cards should have a minimum of $10k limits .

I feel like from a banking perspective they feel like that one late payment is probably indicator that you won’t be a good client plus a mixture of your credit profile .

I’m late with payments all the time I don’t seem to get penalized so harshly .

Just move on focus rebuilding your score. You have put so much effort in already and getting the run around.

Re: AMEX Platinum Card Reinstatement -- How to?

UncleB — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 11:44:37 GMT

As the OP hasn't been back to the forums in over six months and isn't likely to reply this thread is now closed to new messages.

--UB