topic Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK? in Credit Card Applications

Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_2023 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 11:47:10 GMT

I was just declined for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The explanation was that "American Express cancelled your previous account(s)."

I have only had one AmEx card in my lifetime. It was discharged with a balance of $11K in ch 7 BK in 2005, over 17 years ago.

AmEx is the only company to turn me down for any type of credit over the past several years. My TU FICO is 791. My utilization is 4.5%. It looks like AmEx didn't even check my credit because I don't have a new inquiry on any of the 3 bureaus.

Is there anything I can do to have AmEx reverse this decision? I am planning to fly quite a bit in the next several years. The Delta SkyMiles card is the obvious choice for my flight miles especially with a $70K SUB. If I can't obtain one, I will continue to fly Southwest with my Chase Southwest Visa.

Thank you,

Brian

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Epiki71 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:20:51 GMT

OP,

Amex, has a very long memory base on examples here, did you get an HP when you apply?

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

fury1995 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:35:39 GMT

@Brian_2023 wrote:
I was just declined for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The explanation was that "American Express cancelled your previous account(s)."

I have only had one AmEx card in my lifetime. It was discharged with a balance of $11K in ch 7 BK in 2005, over 17 years ago.
AmEx is the only company to turn me down for any type of credit over the past several years. My TU FICO is 791. My utilization is 4.5%. It looks like AmEx didn't even check my credit because I don't have a new inquiry on any of the 3 bureaus.

Is there anything I can do to have AmEx reverse this decision? I am planning to fly quite a bit in the next several years. The Delta SkyMiles card is the obvious choice for my flight miles especially with a $70K SUB. If I can't obtain one, I will continue to fly Southwest with my Chase Southwest Visa.

Thank you,
Brian

Brian.. welcome to myFico.

Amex has a long internally memory that goes beyond reporting. That can work for and against some applicants. In your case, against. Historically, applications have had success with Amex 5 years and 1 month after BK but not if Amex was included. In some cases, when prior Amex balances have been paid some have been approved for a new Amex account.

Since you have no reported hard inquiry from your application, I would assume Amex solely used their internal records from your previous accounts to make their decision.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_2023 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:40:02 GMT

Thanks for the quick reply!

I didn't get an HP. The decline was instant but I checked all 3 bureaus just in case.

~ Brian

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

NoMoreDebt — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:04:33 GMT

Through some of the past threads that are searchable there seems to be indications that the amount owed to them plays a factor in their blacklist as well. At least a couple cases of those with smaller amounts discharged through BK have been let back in even without paying it back can be found.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

fury1995 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:48:36 GMT

@NoMoreDebt wrote:
Through some of the past threads that are searchable there seems to be indications that the amount owed to them plays a factor in their blacklist as well. At least a couple cases of those with smaller amounts discharged through BK have been let back in even without paying it back can be found.

The unicorn approvals I've seen have been if the amount is <$10K / >10 years. But.. relying heavily on whether current credit profile supports the risk.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:50:54 GMT

@NoMoreDebt wrote:
Through some of the past threads that are searchable there seems to be indications that the amount owed to them plays a factor in their blacklist as well. At least a couple cases of those with smaller amounts discharged through BK have been let back in even without paying it back can be found.

It can definitely play a role in it among other things, such as if they were included in bk. I've seen people who owed more than op get back in sooner. I've also seen people who owed less be blacklisted for life. In my case, I charged off 11k with them and got back in about 18 years later, but I also didn't try until I found these forums. I thought they would never give me credit again.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

SouthJamaica — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:59:26 GMT

@Brian_2023 wrote:
I was just declined for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The explanation was that "American Express cancelled your previous account(s)."

I have only had one AmEx card in my lifetime. It was discharged with a balance of $11K in ch 7 BK in 2005, over 17 years ago.
AmEx is the only company to turn me down for any type of credit over the past several years. My TU FICO is 791. My utilization is 4.5%. It looks like AmEx didn't even check my credit because I don't have a new inquiry on any of the 3 bureaus.

Is there anything I can do to have AmEx reverse this decision? I am planning to fly quite a bit in the next several years. The Delta SkyMiles card is the obvious choice for my flight miles especially with a $70K SUB. If I can't obtain one, I will continue to fly Southwest with my Chase Southwest Visa.

Thank you,
Brian

Welcome to the forum, Brian.

I would call Amex and ask them if there's anything that can be done.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_2023 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:14:53 GMT

Thank you! I will call the number on my decline letter.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:19:06 GMT

@Brian_2023 wrote:
Thank you! I will call the number on my decline letter.

You included them in bk. It would be illegal for them to request paying them back the included account, but that's really the only way to speed up the process, IF they'll even let you back in. You might pay pay them back only to have them still decline you.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_2023 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:19:24 GMT

Thank you for the detailed reply, Brian! Considering how similar your situation is to mine, it might just be a matter of months before I can get approved. Even if that's not the case, I won't give up on it.

~ Brian

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_2023 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:23:29 GMT

Paying them back $11K would defeat the purpose. The SUB is worth several hundred dollars and I will likely save a bit on luggage fees each year. But it would take decades to make back $11K.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:50:22 GMT

@Brian_2023 wrote:
Paying them back $11K would defeat the purpose. The SUB is worth several hundred dollars and I will likely save a bit on luggage fees each year. But it would take decades to make back $11K.

Unfortunately, that tends to be Amex's solution and they normally don't settle. Not that they can negotiate your bk included card anyways.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

GZG — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 15:25:31 GMT

when you applied, did you have "apply with confidence" language or did it have you log in when you tried to apply

if you had this language, it wouldn't be a HP unless explicitly told you were going to be approved

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

fury1995 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 15:47:58 GMT

@GZG wrote:
when you applied, did you have "apply with confidence" language or did it have you log in when you tried to apply

if you had this language, it wouldn't be a HP unless explicitly told you were going to be approved

I don't think @Brian_2023 has an current existing login.

He said his only Amex was IIB in 2005.

Would it still prompt him to login?

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:29:08 GMT

@GZG wrote:
when you applied, did you have "apply with confidence" language or did it have you log in when you tried to apply

if you had this language, it wouldn't be a HP unless explicitly told you were going to be approved

In the case of the blacklist it's a moot point. Once they check their internal systems, the app is killed without a HP. Actually, receiving an HP is typically a good thing because it signals you're no longer on the blacklist even if the app is denied. At that point you're just waiting for the letter to see why.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

Saleen099 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:56:43 GMT

Question, did you receive a soft inquiry on your credit report after you applied?

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

ThomasJNewton — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:33:31 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

Unfortunately, that tends to be Amex's solution and they normally don't settle. Not that they can negotiate your bk included card anyways.

My understanding is that, while they cannot come after you and try to force you to pay, they can say that they will not do business with you again until that card is paid off if you approach them.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

TRC_WA — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:09:21 GMT

@fury1995 wrote:
@Brian_2023 wrote:

Is there anything I can do to have AmEx reverse this decision? I am planning to fly quite a bit in the next several years. The Delta SkyMiles card is the obvious choice for my flight miles especially with a $70K SUB. If I can't obtain one, I will continue to fly Southwest with my Chase Southwest Visa.

Brian.. welcome to myFico.

Amex has a long internally memory that goes beyond reporting. That can work for and against some applicants. In your case, against. Historically, applications have had success with Amex 5 years and 1 month after BK but not if Amex was included. In some cases, when prior Amex balances have been paid some have been approved for a new Amex account.

@fury1995 @Brian_2023

Exactly this.

I had a measly $1k Delta Gold from 2014-2016 and made it a point to pay off and close prior to filing Ch 13 in early 2017. AmEx was the only creditor I did this with.

5+ years later they approved me for the same card... with a $10k limit. No idea why they did that and didn't ask. It's my go to card and highest limit. I got another SUB and have taken 3 cross country round trip flights and have 1 more free one booked for October and about to book another for February with my last 34k miles.

In short... glad I didn't burn them even if it was only a $1k card. All these free flights are from the SUB and my monthly spend over the last 11 months... double miles on groceries and restaurants.

With your amount OP I don't know if I'd pay that back... but you'll probably have to in order to get back in their good graces.

Re: Any chance AmEx will reverse a decline more than 17 years after my BK?

OmarGB9 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 03:29:50 GMT

@ThomasJNewton wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

Unfortunately, that tends to be Amex's solution and they normally don't settle. Not that they can negotiate your bk included card anyways.
My understanding is that, while they cannot come after you and try to force you to pay, they can say that they will not do business with you again until that card is paid off if you approach them.

Right, that's what @Brian_Earl_Spilner said a few posts earlier.