topic Re: Amex Checking Declined in Personal Finance

Amex Checking Declined

soxfaininfl — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:19:26 GMT

I was recently approved for an American Express Gold Card, and the card should arrive any day now. I applied for an Amex checking account and was declined. I want to transfer payments from my main checking account with Navy Federal to an Amex checking. I read some where in another thread that Amex will put a limit on your account if you have a failed payment, so I'd rather transfer the money to an Amex checking and schedule payments for my Gold from there so this will never happen. Is there a rec phone number for this?

Re: Amex Checking Declined

Varsity_Lu — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:44:06 GMT

@soxfaininfl wrote:
I was recently approved for an American Express Gold Card, and the card should arrive any day now. I applied for an Amex checking account and was declined. I want to transfer payments from my main checking account with Navy Federal to an Amex checking. I read some where in another thread that Amex will put a limit on your account if you have a failed payment, so I'd rather transfer the money to an Amex checking and schedule payments for my Gold from there so this will never happen. Is there a rec phone number for this?

AmEx checking is a completely separate division from their credit card division, so you could make credit card payments that are returned even from AmEx checking account. I used to make payments on my BCP from my AmEx checking and it took like three days to clear.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

soxfaininfl — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:01:41 GMT

I called this number1-888-556-2436, and they asked me to apply again and got this message. They told me there was nothing they can do about it. I find it hysterical that they will give me a Gold card but not a checking account? Lol

Re: Amex Checking Declined

Vinjints — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:03:11 GMT

Did they provide any reason? I'm also interested in opening an account, but didn't realize they would shoot someone down. I thought I had seen it in my offers section, but don't currently see it.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

soxfaininfl — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:09:20 GMT

@Vinjints wrote:
Did they provide any reason? I'm also interested in opening an account, but didn't realize they would shoot someone down. I thought I had seen it in my offers section, but don't currently see it.

No, I have not received a email or a letter via the mail yet. The CRS said to check back to see if an offer pops up after I've had my Gold for some time and keep it in good standing.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

FicoMike0 — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:56:41 GMT

I think you have to be an amex member for 90 days to be eligible for the checking.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

soxfaininfl — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:24:57 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
I think you have to be an amex member for 90 days to be eligible for the checking.

Okay, thank you.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

MeowingTheCat — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:40:45 GMT

@soxfaininfl wrote:
@FicoMike0 wrote:
I think you have to be an amex member for 90 days to be eligible for the checking.

Okay, thank you.

That was outdated, you can be eligible for American Express personal checking if you have HYSA or CDs in the last 5 days. I had HYSA for long time and I was eligible for American Express personal checking account. You don't need their credit card to get checking account. Make sure you freeze the ChexSystems before applying.

Be aware that you might need to call CS them after submit application during business hours. They will send secure link to submit ID and selfie which I did and was immediately approved with ChexSystems frozen. And shows it under "Inquiries Only Viewed By You" when they try to pull my ChexSystems.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

FicoMike0 — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:45:52 GMT

I am generally outdated.

I only opened the amex checking for the $250 bribe.

They do have a nice looking debit card.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

GZG — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:24:46 GMT

@soxfaininfl wrote:
I was recently approved for an American Express Gold Card, and the card should arrive any day now. I applied for an Amex checking account and was declined. I want to transfer payments from my main checking account with Navy Federal to an Amex checking. I read some where in another thread that Amex will put a limit on your account if you have a failed payment, so I'd rather transfer the money to an Amex checking and schedule payments for my Gold from there so this will never happen. Is there a rec phone number for this?

unfreeze personal credit, it's required afaik, at least it is for biz checking.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

FicoMike0 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:02:32 GMT

I'll just add this. In my experience, amex is the only bank that credits my card payments instantly, regardless of where they come from. When I pay bcp from my navy checking, my balance instantly goes to zero.

PS. I make my payments using the amex app, where my navy checking is linked.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

soxfaininfl — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:40:41 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
I'll just add this. In my experience, amex is the only bank that credits my card payments instantly, regardless of where they come from. When I pay bcp from my navy checking, my balance instantly goes to zero.

Nice! I'm probably going to just stick with just making payments from my Navy checking account.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

crystal626 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:11:18 GMT

You never have to worry about bounced payments if you just use your bank/CU's bill pay to push the payment. Most creditors are set up electronically at this point other than some obscure credit unions so your payments will post within a day or two. Navy Federal's bill pay system is actually quite nice (it's hidden under Move Money) and will tell you the date it's due to arrive. If it's less than 5 days, it's almost certainly electronic.

Re: Amex Checking Declined

dfwxjer — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:09:09 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
I'll just add this. In my experience, amex is the only bank that credits my card payments instantly, regardless of where they come from. When I pay bcp from my navy checking, my balance instantly goes to zero.

PS. I make my payments using the amex app, where my navy checking is linked.

Amex always credits my payment as soon as I make it from my Ally checking account. Citi also instantly credits my payments... BofA and Chase both take a day or so to post.

Opening an Amex checking account won't really change the way the credit card payments are made. It'll just be another linked bank account.