topic Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one? in Credit Card Applications

Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Superduper2014 — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 02:07:48 GMT

I am considering applying to a 2nd Amex card to take advantage of a balance transfer offer with zero fee.

Since I know Amex allows you to move available credit to another card and I need a big line on the new card, I was wondering if I would mess it up by requesting a CLI on the one I currently have and then immediately applying to the new card.

It has been more than 181 days since I last requested a CLI on this card.

If I am granted a CLI and then apply for a 2nd card right away, would they give me a small initial credit line because of CLI on the existing card?

I am trying to be cautious. What do you guys say, request the CLI or what else would you do to make sure I get a big initial credit line? Idea is to have a big enough line so I don't get close to maxing it out after doing the transfer and have room in it to let it sit at just below 50% util.

Thanks for any insight. I would like to get this going by tomorrow.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Superduper2014 — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:51:33 GMT

Also, my Fico 8 with experian is 754 and wonder if doing the Boost thing they offer is good or not for Amex.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 17:17:35 GMT

I am no expert with AMEX, but I recently applied for the Everyday Card with the 0% and $0 fee BT offer. They started my limit off on the lower side, because they wanted me to move some of my credit line from my larger card to it. So with that said, I would probably do a CLI before applying. Hopefully someone can chime in with a bit more experience with AMEX's workings...best of luck.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 17:45:33 GMT

I don't think a CLI is a bad thing. If they feel you're close to where you need to be with them they'll reallocate to approve the 2nd card. When I added the CM to my list they took from my BCP to open the new account and a few months later I hit the CLI option and got another 5K out of them w/o having to do the 4506-T two step again.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Superduper2014 — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 17:48:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't think a CLI is a bad thing. If they feel you're close to where you need to be with them they'll reallocate to approve the 2nd card. When I added the CM to my list they took from my BCP to open the new account and a few months later I hit the CLI option and got another 5K out of them w/o having to do the 4506-T two step again.

Thanks for sharing. Never heard of the 4506-t two steps. When did you have to do this, when you applied for a card or when requesting a CLI?

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 18:54:07 GMT

CLI's over a certain amount e.g. 35K often prompt the 4506-T for POI. I did the form to jump from 25 -> 50K within I think it was the first 18 months. Others have proven you can hit 50K w/o it though if you just move slower up to and past 50K.

Recently there have been a couple of cases where people have been asked to supply a 4506 when applying for their first card though. It's very rare to get prompted for one upon opening your first or even subsequent cards.

I figured having been locked into a ceiling of 50K for awhile they would prompt a 4506 to open the CM but, they just stole from the BCP and opened it anyway w/o providing additional documentation i.e. two-step as in the dance. I found it intriguing though that at 2-3 months of having the new card hitting the CLI button actually produced a 5K CLI even with the previous "cap".

AMEX is well mapped around here but, sometimes there's a curve ball every once in awhile.

Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 03:34:42 GMT

I tried applying to my 2nd Amex card, but hit a snag.

Before I applied, I requested a CLI on my existing Cash everyday card and got it approved from 13k to 25k. (I requested 25k)

I did this thinking if they approved me for the new card with a low credit line, I could move the available credit from the exisiting card.

Then I applied to the Amex Everyday card (the one with the $0 Bal Transfer for 15 months offer) , but receive the following message:

"based on your history with credit card balance transfers, American express welcome offers, intro apr offers, OR the number of Cards you have opened and closed, you are NOT eligible to receive the welcome offer, intro APRs, and intro plan fees.

We have not yet performed a credit check. Would you still like to proceed? "

Continue and submit option and Cancel application option given.

I chose cancel application.

What should I make of this and is there any way to still get this card with the offer maybe by choosing continue and submit and then calling them?

Did I blow it when requesting the CLI on the existing card?

My Experian fico 8 is 754

I'd really like this card with the $0 bal transfer offer. So any help appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 03:42:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I am no expert with AMEX, but I recently applied for the Everyday Card with the 0% and $0 fee BT offer. They started my limit off on the lower side, because they wanted me to move some of my credit line from my larger card to it. So with that said, I would probably do a CLI before applying. Hopefully someone can chime in with a bit more experience with AMEX's workings...best of luck.

I did the CLI and got it approved from 13k to 25k, but then I applied to the Everyday card with the $0 fee and they showed me this:

We have not yet performed a credit check. Would you still like to proceed? "

Continue and submit option and Cancel application option given.

I chose cancel application.

I find it odd that they would tell me this since I don't have any history of balance transfers with Amex or of any kind since I only have one card and used it for purchases and paid it off.

Anyone know if there's still a way to get this card with the $0 offer for transfers? Did I mess it up by requesting the CLI?

What a bummer.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 04:33:39 GMT

I think that response ties into another discussion we're having over here https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/UPDATE-Amex-questions-moving-limits-and-CLI-s/td-p/5680818

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 04:59:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I think that response ties into another discussion we're having over here https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/UPDATE-Amex-questions-moving-limits-and-CLI-s/td-p/5680818

Ok, so this is interesting. This thread was a CLI + new APP w/ a popup and the other thread was just a new SP APP with popup.

So, I guess the distinguishing factors need to be hashed out as both OP's have existing accounts and this is a SP ADD

Neither OP had recent apps with Amex from my understanding

I guess that leaves the "add/delete of other cards"... I'm starting to sense Amex is pulling a Chase with external accounts to deny the bonus terms and offers. I wasn't reading into it that way before with my own experiences with them recently with the popup due to having taken plenty of bonuses from them in the last 12-18 months or so. It seems more iikely now they're counting external accounts when making the decision. A CLI shouldn't trigger the pop-up to appear as it's just a boost in CL and not a new account.

I need some more info from you two (@Superduper2014 & @Poppa) on what other recent changes might have been made in the last 12-24 months regarding new accounts.

Re: Should I request a CLI on an existing Amex BEFORE applying to a new one?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 05:20:19 GMT

My existing Amex is from 2016.

Last year I got approved for 2 Capital One cards, 1 Discover, 1 US bank and this year for 1 Wells Fargo.

I did open many cards, but I did not do any bal transfers and paid off some and kept them below 50% util.

My current Ficos are decent in the 750 range.

I will call Amex tomorrow to see what they say about this.

Earlier today I called amex to ask details about the bal transfer on the everyday card if I were to apply and asked about the fees etc, but the rep kept pushing me to upgrade the cash everyday card instead, but I declined. Maybe he notated or flagged my account somehow since he knew I was going for the $0 offer and now I get the poppup. This is just speculation and I doubt that I will get any real answers tomorrow when I call, but I will try to get some feedback nonetheless.

I have been reading about this and some people say they spend a little on their existing unused card and then the following week they apply and get no popup. OR, they do nothing and apply in a few days and works OR they use a "Self referral" ( I guess that is clicking on your own referral link that you can get while you are signed in?). Who knows what really is the work around... some say incognito mode? oh well..

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

FinStar — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 05:29:29 GMT

@Superduper2014 wrote:
I tried applying to my 2nd Amex card, but hit a snag.

Before I applied, I requested a CLI on my existing Cash everyday card and got it approved from 13k to 25k. (I requested 25k)
I did this thinking if they approved me for the new card with a low credit line, I could move the available credit from the exisiting card.

Then I applied to the Amex Everyday card (the one with the $0 Bal Transfer for 15 months offer) , but receive the following message:

"based on your history with credit card balance transfers, American express welcome offers, intro apr offers, OR the number of Cards you have opened and closed, you are NOT eligible to receive the welcome offer, intro APRs, and intro plan fees.
We have not yet performed a credit check. Would you still like to proceed? "
Continue and submit option and Cancel application option given.

I chose cancel application.

What should I make of this and is there any way to still get this card with the offer maybe by choosing continue and submit and then calling them?

Did I blow it when requesting the CLI on the existing card?
My Experian fico 8 is 754

I'd really like this card with the $0 bal transfer offer. So any help appreciated.
Thanks

Just to level set on the bolded parts to clear up any confusion. You currently have the BCE and then applied for the BCP?

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 05:35:21 GMT

Hi,

I have the BCE and applied for the Amex Everyday card. The BCP was being offered to me as an upgrade, but I need the 0 fee bal transfer offer on the Amex Everyday Card. Thanks

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

FinStar — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 05:42:25 GMT

@Superduper2014 wrote:
Hi,
I have the BCE and applied for the Amex Everyday card. The BCP was being offered to me as an upgrade, but I need the 0 fee bal transfer offer on the Amex Everyday Card. Thanks

Ok thanks for confirming. How long have you had your BCE?

And, based on the pop-up information... "based on your history with credit card balance transfers, American express welcome offers, intro apr offers, OR the number of Cards you have opened and closed,..." Have you had any other AmEx CCs in the past, besides BCE? And, if not, have you taken advantage of any BT offers with BCE?

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 06:00:10 GMT

I've had the BCE since 2016 and it had such a skimpy credit line that I barely used it for purchases. No balance trnafers on that card at all. I was rebuilding credit in 2016.
As far as having an Amex, I did have one back in the day I'd say more than 10yrs ago and doubt it was the Amex everyday I'm applying to with the pop-up, but can't say for sure. I doubt it though and can't remember if that old Amex was ever used with a Bal transfer. I will call them tomorrow to see what they say the reason for the pop up is and will report back.

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:54:07 GMT

There is absolutely zero reason to call them on this. I went through the exact same situation. I only have a BCP with them, no other cards. Never had any other cards. I was declined the welcome offer on the Everyday card. When I asked them, they told me that I either already had that card once, or have a history of churning them. Neither applied, which we discussed. They said, "oh well, system says no so it's no." That was from multiple CSR's and the EO.

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:14:19 GMT

UPDATE:

I applied to the Everyday Card using my own referral Link and it took me to the application page for the BCP card, but at the bottom you can select another card and chose the Everyday Card I was looking for.

I had to fill in the blanks for name and address so it was not populated even thought I was using same browser and signed in to my account on same window.

This time i did not receive the pop up stating I won't get the offer, rather when I hit continue it took me to the terms of the offer, which were the $0 fee 15 months 0% Apr bal and purchase, etc.... then it allowed me to submit the application.

I fear that the pop up only shows up when you apply from your account while logged in.

Unfortunately, instead of an approval I got:

"Thanks, We've received your application, but we can't give you a decision right now.

We'll process your application as soon as possible and send you a decision within 14 days.

While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card."

So not sure what to make of all this.

Should I call them and ask to get it reviewed and see if it can be approved now instead of waiting?

Will they notify me somehow if they will not honor the offer and allow me to withdraw the application if that is the case or it seems I lost an hard pull?

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

grower1 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:32:08 GMT

@Superduper2014 wrote:
UPDATE:

I applied to the Everyday Card using my own referral Link and it took me to the application page for the BCP card, but at the bottom you can select another card and chose the Everyday Card I was looking for.
I had to fill in the blanks for name and address so it was not populated even thought I was using same browser and signed in to my account on same window.

This time i did not receive the pop up stating I won't get the offer, rather when I hit continue it took me to the terms of the offer, which were the $0 fee 15 months 0% Apr bal and purchase, etc.... then it allowed me to submit the application.
I fear that the pop up only shows up when you apply from your account while logged in.

Unfortunately, instead of an approval I got:

"Thanks, We've received your application, but we can't give you a decision right now.
We'll process your application as soon as possible and send you a decision within 14 days.
While we're reviewing your application, please don't submit another application for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card."

So not sure what to make of all this.

Should I call them and ask to get it reviewed and see if it can be approved now instead of waiting?

Will they notify me somehow if they will not honor the offer and allow me to withdraw the application if that is the case or it seems I lost an hard pull?

I don't think they will allow you to withdraw the application. Are you sure that you received a hard pull from Amex?

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

FinStar — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:34:45 GMT

Personally, I'd wait for the application process to play out. The 14-day message can go in either direction. Optionally, you can check the status of your application online.

Also, just something to be aware of given the recent developments associated with self-referrals:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Major-Amex-clawback-related-to-self-referrals/td-p/5676016

Re: Amex Everyday application NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELCOME OFFER?

Superduper2014 — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:50:43 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
Personally, I'd wait for the application process to play out. The 14-day message can go in either direction. Optionally, you can check the status of your application online.

Also, just something to be aware of given the recent developments associated with self-referrals:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Major-Amex-clawback-related-to-self-referrals/td-p/5676016

Thanks. I checked the status online and it says Processing.

I might have screwed it up big time with the self referral not knowing about this.

Hope this doesn't affect my existing BCP with 25k CL just increased, since that is some nice padding I got there without having to open another account.

I need a backup plan though.

Do you have any suggestions on a card with Zero bal transfer fee? This is the only reason I was looking into this amex card.

Thanks for the valuable information.

Thanks