topic AMEX and possible recon? in Credit Cards

AMEX and possible recon?

chris4434 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:37:16 GMT

Yesterday I applied for the Blue Sky and got the "still processing, we will let you know in 7-10 days message" so this morning I called the number listed on card application status page. I told the rep I was calling to check the status of my application and she said ok, let me look that up for you. She found where I applied for the card and it said the application was still processing. The rep then said let me see if I can get that application approved for you. She put me on hold and came back saying I was approved and would be receiving my card in 7 - 10 days.

I'm not sure if the computer was going to deny me and she overrode it but I'm just glad it was approved. I've tried calling the main AMEX number for recon's before and they wouldn't budge, so maybe this number (1-866-314-0237) is the one to call if you are looking for an AMEX recon.

Now that I have the Blue Sky I think I'm finished with apping for a loooong time.
Right now I have..
American Express Blue Sky
American Express Gold Charge
Citi MTVu Visa
Discover More
Chase Freedom
BOA Platinum Worldpoints Master Card
and Macy's

The only other card I want to eventually get is the AMEX Clear, but I'm probably going to wait as least a year before applying for it.

Message Edited by chris4434 on 08-04-2008 11:37 PM

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

jaxstraw — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:11:04 GMT

Congrats on your success !

It seems that it's a 'backdoor' number for you at least this time. Hopefully others might get the same service.

We'll see if anyone else uses it and get some good results.

Just PC'ed myself from Delta to Blue Cash after reading through Cheddar's excellant post over the weekend. No problem at all.

Jax

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:27:06 GMT

A lot of people get the 7-10 day message when something flags their system for a manual review of the application and CR. I got it because my CR showed a different current address than the one listed on my application.

If the Amex software is going to decline, it doesn't hesitate to do so. Amex CSRs were also stripped of their "powers" to manually override the system recently when the economy first started downturning.

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:41:04 GMT

chris4434 wrote:

The only other card I want to eventually get is the AMEX Clear, but I'm probably going to wait as least a year before applying for it.

Out of curiosity, what do you like about Amex Clear?

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

chris4434 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:01:58 GMT

I like the fact that it has basically no fees and the $25 gift card with $2500 in purchases is pretty nice even though its only 1% back. The design of the card is nice too.. but not as nice as the Blue cards

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:07:56 GMT

@chris4434 wrote:
I like the fact that it has basically no fees and the $25 gift card with $2500 in purchases is pretty nice even though its only 1% back. The design of the card is nice too.. but not as nice as the Blue cards

No way! The Clear looks way cooler than the Blue.

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:45:30 GMT

chris4434 wrote:
I like the fact that it has basically no fees and the $25 gift card with $2500 in purchases is pretty nice even though its only 1% back. The design of the card is nice too.. but not as nice as the Blue cards

The decision is, of course, up to you, but IMO you already have a better card in Blue Sky (congrats, by the way!).

Fees

Clear has no AF. Neither does Blue Sky.

Clear has no BT Fees. Amex cards shouldn't be used for BT, if you can help it. They should always be treated as PIF cards.

Clear has no late payment fees or overlimit fees. These are features you should never need anyway.

Rewards

Clear gets you 1% (2500 points in exchange for $25 gift card), as you mentioned. Blue Sky, which you already have, gets you 1.33% (7500 points in exchange for $100 statement credit for travel-related purchases).

Why do you want a 1% Amex when you already have a 1.33% Amex and a charge card that earns MR points?

Just some food for thought.

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

chris4434 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:19:06 GMT

You're right, maybe I will just hold off on apping for any more cards unless some new card comes out with great rewards. I cant think of any cards that would get better rewards than the ones I can already get.

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:52:02 GMT

@chris4434 wrote:
You're right, maybe I will just hold off on apping for any more cards unless some new card comes out with great rewards. I cant think of any cards that would get better rewards than the ones I can already get.

Just to add on to what Cheddar was saying (I don't encourage apping if you don't want to app, not my intention to tempt)...

The brand spanking new BOA Accelerated Cash Rewards Amex card earns 1.25 percent back on all qualifying purchases, and also has many of the same protections offered by Amex.

1.25 percent back on all purchases with no limit or cap isn't bad at all, and, in my opinion, completely overrules the Clear.

Re: AMEX and possible recon?

chris4434 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:14:08 GMT

Its funny you say that, because a few days ago I called BOA and requested a product change to the BOA AMEX accelerated cash rewards. They said it was processing and should go through in about a week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it actually does.