topic Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports? in Credit Cards

Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:15:35 GMT

Just asking, because they did for my recent app last week....

Wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been declined....

Message Edited by scott46401 on 01-03-2009 06:15 PM

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:27:03 GMT

Sorry about the decline.

They used to be dedicated Experian-pullers. Lately I've seen quite a lot of reports of them pulling hards on all three. I don't know whether this is a case of "pull EX, pull one/both of the others if borderline" or just a case of pulling all three right off the bat if they feel like it, but... it sucks, as I can't think of any card that's worth a hard pull from all three CRAs.

Surely a hard on EX and a soft on the others if they're not sure would suffice? Apparently not, though. Again, I'm sorry you got a "no" - I'm not sure there's much point trying recon with AmEx from what I've heard, and maybe it's for the best after all, as it's not much fun getting in with a creditor only to have them turn around and give you AA a few months down the line because they've decided they don't like you after all. Having AmEx decide you're on the wrong side of borderline and give you a "no" straight away might be better than the alternative of thinking you're in with them and then getting messed around by them for the foreseeable future.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:33:38 GMT

If its your first time applying for AMEX, then they pull all 3. After that, everything is just EX from my experience with them.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:42:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
If its your first time applying for AMEX, then they pull all 3. After that, everything is just EX from my experience with them.

Actually, this was the third time over the past two years....understandable that they declined the other

times, I still had a BK on my report, along with the usual IIB accounts. This was for the Amex Blue...maybe

the type of card had something to do with it, should have set my sights lower. I've heard the Amex Delta

card was the easiest to get.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:50:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
If its your first time applying for AMEX, then they pull all 3. After that, everything is just EX from my experience with them.

Is that a new (and definite) thing? I applied for the first time with them (Gold SkyMiles) in Nov 2007, and they only pulled EX. They pulled EX again when I apped for my second card with them (Blue) in May 2008. I don't think they've even softed me on the others since then, although they're softing EX every few weeks, as you'd expect with AmEx!

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:02:03 GMT

Hmm then maybe they pull all 3 for the charge cards? I applied back in June of 07 for the gold charge card. Then upgraded to plat, and they just pulled EX. Then on Jan of 08, I applied for the business charge card and they pulled EX. I guess the pull varies between products?

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:09:10 GMT

For what it is worth, you usually need to be around a 720 FICO score to get an American Express Blue. I think American Express pulled all three reports because they were attempting to see if any of the three had a FICO score in that ballpark, and I think the BK didn't help with what is currently happening in the consumer finance market and mortgage sector.

I have a Blue and a Blue cash, but I received pre-approved offers in the mail from American Express for those two cards. I got my Blue Cash last year after getting my Blue in 2005 and Amex used Experian to approve my application. However, Capital One will pull all three CRAs when you apply with them.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

score_building — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:10:24 GMT

i think the current wisdom is that they pull EX and one or two others if marginal app. w/o respect to product type (charge or revolving) or whether or not it is the first app or a subsequent app,

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

smallfry — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:15:25 GMT

Only an EX pull for Blue Sky for my daughter.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

score_building — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:25:06 GMT

scott46401 wrote:
should have set my sights lower. I've heard the Amex Delta
card was the easiest to get.

amex delta and then product change to blue has sometimes been the path of least resistance, no telling what amex will do for you now the climate has been unfavorable for amex and other issuers. in the absence of additional info about your history it would be difficult to take a stab at answering your question though. in any case, sorry about the denial, depending on the reason for rejection you may be able to request a recon, although i am not positive amex grants these type of requests.

Message Edited by score_building on 01-03-2009 08:25 PM

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:45:39 GMT

fevmlo wrote:
Sorry about the decline.

They used to be dedicated Experian-pullers. Lately I've seen quite a lot of reports of them pulling hards on all three. I don't know whether this is a case of "pull EX, pull one/both of the others if borderline" or just a case of pulling all three right off the bat if they feel like it, but... it sucks, as I can't think of any card that's worth a hard pull from all three CRAs.

Surely a hard on EX and a soft on the others if they're not sure would suffice? Apparently not, though. Again, I'm sorry you got a "no" - I'm not sure there's much point trying recon with AmEx from what I've heard, and maybe it's for the best after all, as it's not much fun getting in with a creditor only to have them turn around and give you AA a few months down the line because they've decided they don't like you after all. Having AmEx decide you're on the wrong side of borderline and give you a "no" straight away might be better than the alternative of thinking you're in with them and then getting messed around by them for the foreseeable future.

No need to be sorry probably just as well, like you are saying about AA. That and lots of

lines being cut, just not the right time I guess. Someone else suggested a 720 score for this

card, mine are around 680-700, probably would be higher if I lowered some balances. I just

hope CCs pulling all 3 reports doesn't become a trend, I've only heard of Capital One doing this.

Re: Does AMEX usually pull all three reports?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:08:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I've only heard of Capital One doing this.

Me too, until very recently - nice of AmEx to jump on their bandwagon, eh?!