topic Re: Amex Optimum Acct? in Credit Cards

Amex Optimum Acct?

nyclad31 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:21:54 GMT

Anybody know anything about Amex optimum acct?

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:40:36 GMT

The card is called Optima (not Optimum), and it's no longer available to the general public. The only way to get an Optima card these days is to go through something called the Oasis program, which is only open to people who have past delinquent balances with Amex.

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:16:54 GMT

I still have an Optima Platinum card. I use it only 3 or 4 times a year. There's nothing extraordinary about this card. Like cheddar mentioned, it's no longer offered to the general public.

This is what it looks like:

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

nyclad31 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:04:39 GMT

Thanks for responding cheddar, psychic

I had applied for the Amex Blue a few weeks ago, “DENIED”
Called for a recon, rep said that my scores were too low
and that I filed BK in 1990 on an account I had with them in 1988.
Rep also informed me that the acct still had a BAL $1,009.53
I asked the rep if I could reinstate the acct if I pay the BAL,
said no, but offered the program. So I paid the balance on the spot,
said I’ll be getting more info about the program in the mail.

Could have sworn she said Optimum

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Watchmann — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:13:46 GMT

I've had the Optima card for almost 20 years. When it was first issued you had to have an AMEX charge card in order to qualify for the Optima, and their was an AF, $20 I think. It was AMEX's first foray into credit cards.

I still use it extensively as it a) has a CL of $38k, and b) has a very low APR of 7.5% at this time. Have never had a problem with it and have used it around the world. I've never had a CLD on it, and am not expecting one. AMEX history continuously from 1980 has it's rewards.

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:03:50 GMT

You ca get the regular optima or the platinum at http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,16852,00.asp?Card_name=OptimaCard&link=CARD_SELCTOR

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:20:40 GMT

carlos1102 wrote:
You ca get the regular optima or the platinum at http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,16852,00.asp?Card_name=OptimaCard&link=CARD_SELCTOR

No, you can't. There is no link to apply on that page.

As I mentioned above, Optima cards are no longer available to the general public. They are only available to participants in the Oasis program, which is the program the OP has been invited to participate in,

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:28:33 GMT

Watchmann wrote:

I've never had a CLD on it, and am not expecting one.

Does anyone ever, really?

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Scamp — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:37:37 GMT

@Watchmann wrote:
AMEX history continuously from 1980 has it's rewards.

True to a certain extent, but even a 25+-year history with AmEx isn't enough on its own - one still has to manage to steer clear of any and all behavior that AmEx might decide someday isn't acceptable in a cardholder; I don't think ANY AmEx customer safely can be blithely confident, right now:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=creditcard&thread.id=125517&jump=true

OP, I've read nothing but good about the Optima program on here - congrats on picking up on the opportunity! Watchmann has a point about longevity with AmEx, but reading up on here about what we've managed to figure out about AmEx's likes and dislikes from an account-handling standpoint should stand you in good stead as you build back your relationship with them.

I've been a cardholder for only a year-plus, and aside from a tiny bit of AA on my charge card early this year caused by my own lack of knowledge about how best to handle AmEx cards of any kind (that AA has since been undone by AmEx, reflecting my own corrective work in handling the account), I've been fine and hope to continue to be.

However, due to the current economic situation and research on these boards making me very aware of AmEx's schizophrenic ways, I also treat both of my cards as if they'll disappear at any moment!

AmEx definitely views having their cards as a privilege, and they won't hesitate to revoke or severely limit that privilege if they think you no longer rate it, so definitely handle yours with extreme care and respect for that privilege. On the other hand, they do tend to reward customers who manage to treat their cards the way AmEx likes, especially over the long term.

Congrats again on getting a foot back in the door with them! Onward and upward!

(edited due to caffeine deficiency-caused goofs the first time around)

Message Edited by scapegrace13 on 11-07-2008 07:37 AM

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

nyclad31 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:08:38 GMT

Thanks everybody for responding,

Called rep again, said will cost me $39 for the first year and $49 thereafter. The account is “OPTIMA”CL will start between $500-$5k. Asked her if my acct will be aged to 1988, said no I don’t think so; I will be receiving a new acct number. Also said if I keep acct in good standing over six month, I can swap for there more favorable products. Think that when I get the card, I’ll ask them if the will age it to 1988

Hope I make sense Bacardi razz and keyboard don’t mix

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:21:02 GMT

YIKES!!! I won't bother be doing any INQ's with AMEX for a long time then!! WOW!!! you filed it in 1990 and its cleared by now by a long shot!!! This tells me clearly AMEX has extremely long MEMORY FOOTPRINT! ( kinda of like permaforst grounds it stays there for long time )

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:54:45 GMT

nyclad31 wrote:
Thanks everybody for responding,

Called rep again, said will cost me $39 for the first year and $49 thereafter. The account is “OPTIMA”CL will start between $500-$5k. Asked her if my acct will be aged to 1988, said no I don’t think so; I will be receiving a new acct number. Also said if I keep acct in good standing over six month, I can swap for there more favorable products. Think that when I get the card, I’ll ask them if the will age it to 1988

Hope I make sense Bacardi razz and keyboard don’t mix

Well, Amex CSRs are the best in the business, but they still don't know what they're talking about approximately 25% of the time.

Assuming that your stint in the Oasis program works the same way it has for everyone else, and that they haven't changed the rules in the meantime, ...

1) Your new Optima will have a CL of exactly half the amount you paid to pay off your delinquent balance. Mininum $500, maximum $5K, as the CSR said (although the CSR made it sound like it could be any figure between $500 and $5K, which isn't the case).

2) Your account will be aged to the same year that your original Amex account was opened. The CSR is wrong on that count. You shouldn't have to do anything to make this happen. It should happen automatically.

3) Generally, you will have to keep the Optima in good standing for one year before you can get any other Amex products. The "graduation" process might involve a full financial review.

As I said, that's assuming they haven't changed the rules in the meantime, because it seems they change their rules quite frequently.

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

lisac — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:14:00 GMT

i had the green card in the early 90's. when i opened my new account in may this year, they said they couldn't find my account. i wonder if they only remember the bad?

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:17:53 GMT

lisac wrote:
i had the green card in the early 90's. when i opened my new account in may this year, they said they couldn't find my account. i wonder if they only remember the bad?

They generally remember the bad and the good, but occasionally some slip through the cracks.

I'm in the same boat as you. I had a Green card in 1994, closed due to inactivity in 2004. When I opened my Amex account in 2007, I asked to have it backdated but they couldn't find my closed account, even though it's still on my EX report.

Frustrating.

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

lisac — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:19:02 GMT

very frustrating. thanks for the quick response.

Re: Amex Optimum Acct?

nyclad31 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:58:05 GMT

That’s why I love this forum, guaranteed to find someone who knows more than the CSR