topic Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card? in Credit Card Applications

Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 04:30:54 GMT

Is it easier to apply for mid-tier cards like the AMEX Hilton Surpass and Citi Premier than AMEX Hilton Aspire and Citi Prestige? I seem to be having trouble getting approved for the Hilton Aspire and the Citi Prestige even though my credit score is decent at the moment (in the 780 range across all 3 bureaus). When I got started in this hobby, I didn't planned well and I got a lot of new personal and business trade lines over the past couple of years. I haven't churned anything yet. I recognize that banks are tightening up their lending due to COVID-19. I'm starting to wonder if I'm better off applying for the Surpass and another Premier (already got one, but will probably upgrade to the Prestige at the end of the year) and then upgrade after a year? Any data points on the Hilton Surpass being easier for approval since it have less benefits than the Aspire? I also read that AMEX often have upgrade offers for the Surpass to the Aspire, but is that close enough to be a guaranteed? I know that if I upgrade without an offer, I won't be eligible for a SUB going forward. Comments?

Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 04:54:38 GMT

Everyone says the co-branded amex all have the same underwriting, but they don't. You have to qualify for an at least $3100 limit to get any of the $450 AF cards, so there's something additional there.

Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 10:47:45 GMT

Are there actual data points to indicate that? I'm assuming that the Bonvoy Brilliant, Delta Reserve, and Hilton Aspire all have a minimum credit of $3100?

Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Remedios — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 14:20:07 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
Everyone says the co-branded amex all have the same underwriting, but they don't. You have to qualify for an at least $3100 limit to get any of the $450 AF cards, so there's something additional there.

Something additional is Credit Card Act of 2009.

Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 17:23:05 GMT

780 score alone would net you any of their products, but it has more to do with what's in your profile on whether they'll approve and for what SL. Hence the mention of minimum SL to be approved for a $50 AF card. So you should probably read the denial reasons and go from there.

Too many recent accounts might be at the top based on you post. So simply gardening might help net this card if you can lets those new account age.

Re: Easier to apply for mid-tier credit card than top-tier credit card?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 17:39:54 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
Everyone says the co-branded amex all have the same underwriting, but they don't. You have to qualify for an at least $3100 limit to get any of the $450 AF cards, so there's something additional there.
Something additional is Credit Card Act of 2009.

That's part of it, but I saw a denial from amex specifically for those cards due to them being the highest. Underwriting had told the person they qualified for the others, just not the top one. Since I couldn't find it, I wasn't going to mention it. Maybe someone else will know who or what thread I'm talking about.