topic Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds? in Credit Card Applications

AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 05:51:04 GMT

Hi everyone, I'm new to the myFICO forums and relatively new to my credit building journey. I'm currently a student with a Discover it chrome card (aged 3 mos.) and recently just got a CLI to $2,300 for that card.

With that being said, I would like to get an Amex card or two (Gold & BCE) because of their perks. I currently have a FICO 8 (EX) of 750 based on my Discover Scorecard. I currently make about $12,000 a year (live at parent's w/ $0 rent) with a pristine payment history with some student loans (AAoA of 1.5 yrs). I also checked the pre-qualified offers on Amex's website and I'm pre-qualified for both.

Question is, should I apply for one, or both on the same day? I have heard of people with similar stories to mine get approved no problem. Should I apply for one before the other? I'm nervous because last month I had high utilization (I fixed it from 74% to 3% this month) and they denied me the BCE based solely on my score (681 at the time). I would love to hear all your input!

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 10:58:53 GMT

Amex prequals are generally solid. It’s been said that if you look at the card stats and see a fixed APR, that’s another assurance that you’re good to go. If the prequals are real and Amex is inclined to grant the cards, you shouldn’t have a problem with both at once to combine the approvals into one HP. As always, YMMV and everyone’s profile is different, but you have a thin clean file over a year old and your EX score is well above what should be needed. I’d say go for it.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 17:08:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
both at once to combine the approvals into one HP.

I would focus on which one provides more benefits to your spend right now and go for that one. Once you're in and establish some history with Amex subsequent cards are a SP. There's no real rush to app the same day to avoid a HP.

Keep in mind the Gold won't help as much as the BC because it's a charge card which doesn't have a limit that calculates into scoring.

The main concerns would be 3 mo's w/ Disco and 12K income. Scores aren't everything when it comes to approvals, they look at everything, but, the high score helps in not getting an instant denial. Read the T&C's for specific details about the income requirements before hitting apply and try through incognito mode for specific cards for a higher bonus on the spend requirements.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Andypanda — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 21:26:31 GMT

If you apply for both at the same time, it will be harder to meet the spend requirments to get the SUB for both cards.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

TheConstant — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 23:01:41 GMT

And BCE and Gold compete in a major category for the (average) consumer: groceries. You'd be diluting your rewards potential on a thin profile.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:35:28 GMT

I was instantly approved for the AMEX BCE a little over a week ago. I have a thin profile like you, but my income is $42K.

At the time of my application, I only had one revolving account which was a Capital One Platinum opened in November 2018, and an installment account which was an auto loan opened in July 2017. My AAoA was 1 year and 3 months.

My utilization on the Capital One Platinum was 1% and the auto loan was nearly paid off with only $293 left out of the $15.5K borrowed.

An interesting data point was on the AMEX Pre-Approval page, it only showed me being pre-approved for the AMEX Gold, Everyday, and Cash Magnet. No pre-approval shown on that page for the BCE. However, I received a mailer for the BCE with an invitation number and a $200 SUB.

I applied for the BCE with the invitation number and was instantly approved with a $2K SL. They pulled FICO 8 EX which was 746 at the time of my application.

Like others have mentioned, your great score and perfect payment history on your student loans is a big plus, but with your income and having only 3 months of credit history, you may or may not be approved. I think you could have a better chance if you waited 3 more months, so that way you've had 6 months of history with your Discover IT Chrome.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:06:33 GMT

Hey Obscure,

Thanks for the helpful info. I think the Gold card is the best option, because some of my biggest spend is on restaurants and supermarkets. Gas is covered for my first year with the Chrome (4% back) so that isn't a big worry atm. I am going on a trip in August, so I think I can hit minimum spend quite easily. My income upped a bit because I received a gift from my SO's mom ($1.5K) so it's $13,500 now. Plus, I want the SUB so I can go on a trip with my SO someday.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:12:24 GMT

Hey ImTheDevil,

Thanks for the info. I've heard people say the same thing, so I'm somewhat reassured. I checked the rates on my prequal offer for the Gold, and it is a fixed APR! 20.49%. I checked the general CHA for the Gold and it's variable, so I guess that means I have an overall better chance? I did receive a pre-screened mail offer for the BCE, and it's a $200 SUB on $1K, but sadly it's still a variable APR. Do you think I should be good to go to sign up for the Gold on 7/27?

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:23:07 GMT

Hi PurpleFrog,

Thanks a lot for the data point. It looks like we were in a similar boat besides income and loan balances. Is loan balance a major factor in decisions? I too got a mailer for the BCE, but mine has a variable APR which is disappointing to see. Was yours a variable APR offer as well? I got the same SUB offer. I don't think it would hurt to try now, since I'm in an optimal spending situation for the Gold. I always have until September to take Amex up on the BCE offer.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

kdm31091 — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 18:50:39 GMT

To me it would be self defeating to open up a BCE and a Gold because a major reward category on both is groceries, and you're just diluting your benefit. Pick the system that suits you best and apply for one or the other but not both.

Re: AMEX Gold + BCE Approval Odds?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:36:45 GMT

Loan balance can be a factor in decisions, but not as important as your utilization on your credit card. Which at 3%, you have excellent utilization.

Yeah, it looks like we got the same exact mailer! Haha. Mine was also a variable APR, 15.24 to 26.24%. I almost didn't apply for it due to that, but I couldn't pass up that awesome SUB and the BCE was also a card I had been wanting for a while. I definitely was lucky to be instantly approved.

But like you said, if your spending fits the Gold better, apply for it. However, keep in mind that the Gold is a charge card that must be paid off in full every month and also has a $250 AF.