topic Re: CSP or Amex Gold in Credit Card Applications

CSP or Amex Gold

luckydiva95 — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 00:36:08 GMT

I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.

Data Points:

Utilization: 30%

Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry

Experian: 755: No inquiries

Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

GatorGuy — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 02:34:18 GMT

CSP is the much better travel card in my opinion. Gold has a very attractive SUB which was just increased to 100k MR points.

I think you would likely be approved for either. Amex you can check to see if you are pre-approved.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

Credit4Growth — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 02:33:18 GMT

^^^ 2 valid points. I have no personal experience with AmEx Gold but prefer the CSP/CSR route.

Though being an existing AmEx member you can check prequals and when pulling the trigger it should not be a HP, if that matters to you!

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

calisig — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:48:38 GMT

@luckydiva95 wrote:
I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold. I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future.

Which card do you have better odds for approval? AmEx Gold.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

bigseegar — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:54:00 GMT

@luckydiva95 wrote:
I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.
Data Points:
Utilization: 30%
Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry
Experian: 755: No inquiries
Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry

AmEx Gold is not a "Travel" card and has no travel benefits per se at all except for 4X on meals. If you want a AmEx Card for true Travel benefits then you want either the Platinum ($695 AF) or Green ($150 AF). I have all 3 but personally if you can get it I'd do the Chase card while you're at 2/24 if the UTL doesn't hurt you.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

GatorGuy — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:19:46 GMT

@bigseegar wrote:
@luckydiva95 wrote:
I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.
Data Points:
Utilization: 30%
Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry
Experian: 755: No inquiries
Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry
AmEx Gold is not a "Travel" card and has no travel benefits per se at all except for 4X on meals. If you want a AmEx Card for true Travel benefits then you want either the Platinum ($695 AF) or Green ($150 AF). I have all 3 but personally if you can get it I'd do the Chase card while you're at 2/24 if the UTL doesn't hurt you.

It still has travel benefits. It earns 3x points on flights. It has typical travel protection like loss baggage, Amex rental car coverage. It also has no FTF.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

Mdowning30 — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 13:39:48 GMT

The Gold card earns 3x points on general travel, the CSP earns 2x. But the CSP earns 5x through the portal like the Platinum card. But if you eat out often, you need to justify if the 4X vs 3X on dining is worth an extra $155 a year.I was stuck between getting either or, i was at 4/24 so it made more sense to take the higher risk getting the CSP.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

calisig — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:49:17 GMT

the OP asked one question: "I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future"?

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

luckydiva95 — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:08:22 GMT

I'm confident that I would be approved for Amex Gold based on my relationship with them. CSP is where I'm unsure. I've had a Chase card since 2015 but my spending with them isn't as high as Amex.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

increasingmyfico — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:34:19 GMT

I would try to get CSP first while you are under 5/24 and also at least one of the Freedom cards. Amex will always be there. Especially with you having a solid relationship.

Re: CSP or Amex Gold

NalekSok — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 19:47:14 GMT

I was in a similar situation recently with 3 different key points: I was at 5/24 already, I needed a card for grocery and dinning mostly, travel was a bonus and I already developed a relationship with Chase.

Now in your shoes, the CSP is more of a travel card than the Gold. And considering the number of accounts opened the last 24 mo, if you plan on applying for additional Chase cards and have a more complete setup I would hands down apply for the CSP. Key difference for travel are insurances that I would double check before applying.

For example in my case, I want a more complete Chase setup but still pushed back on it and applied for the Gold (better fit for my current needs).

Both cards are fantastic products in my opinion but they're quite different in many aspects. Make sure the one you apply for will fit your current needs at 100%.