topic Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending in Credit Cards

AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:54:39 GMT

I just added three authorized users to my AMEX Platinum card, all of them being family members.

The first two were added and they went through just fine. The third, however, said that it is pending approval and I'd be notified within 14 days.

Anybody know anything about why this would happen? Did I just screw myself and end up in a financial review?

Thanks.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:02:54 GMT

Doesn't sound like a FR; you would certainly know about that as your accounts would be frozen. Has this third person ever defaulted on an Amex account? They seem to have zero tolerance on that rule, even if it has been long enough that the person could get their own primary account. Of course, you could always call customer service and ask.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:04:14 GMT

@K-in-Bostonwrote:
Doesn't sound like a FR; you would certainly know about that as your accounts would be frozen. Has this third person ever defaulted on an Amex account? They seem to have zero tolerance on that rule, even if it has been long enough that the person could get their own primary account. Of course, you could always call customer service and ask.

Nope, my family, despite their long credit history, has never actually had any accounts with AMEX. And they haven't ever missed any payments.

Could it be that it's a 15 year old?

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:07:14 GMT

Yes, I was just going to edit my post to ask if you tried to add someone under 15 since that is the minimum age that Amex requires. Most likely there's an extra step of verification for AUs 15-17. If anyone has any experience with this, please chime in.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:11:03 GMT

I also called their support line and asked to see what's up. The CSR actually said that he didn't see anything pending and asked if I would like him to try and add them as an AU. I said sure. He got all the info and put it in, and said it was added successfuly. But unlike the other two, the name still doesn't show on my list of AUs.
Now I have another problem, am I going to get two cards for the same person if they get approved?

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:18:22 GMT

Manual review because of the age of the authorized cardholder is best guess. Back in the day when you called in they had to verify each cardholder's indentity with the info provided - SSN usually - before adding them. For AMEX only children 15 or older could be added to charge cards only (I'm assuming that's not the case anymore but can't be sure). So that would be my guess as well. Call Plat CS they'll get that taken care if you want it done asap.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:23:13 GMT

@DangerNoodlewrote:
I also called their support line and asked to see what's up. The CSR actually said that he didn't see anything pending and asked if I would like him to try and add them as an AU. I said sure. He got all the info and put it in, and said it was added successfuly. But unlike the other two, the name still doesn't show on my list of AUs.
Now I have another problem, am I going to get two cards for the same person if they get approved?

I'm actually surprised about that. Give it til tomorrow and see if the card(s) for that person show up. If not call them back. I'm curious if the CS rep said if the card would be delivered by Thursday/Friday?

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:21:55 GMT

Yes, 15 is still the minimum age for Amex authorized users. Otherwise, both of my children would be maxing out their annual purchase of 30,000 Starpoints during the 35% off sales and transfering to me via their SPG Gold Elite accounts.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:30:27 GMT

So let's just say it were an FR, would I have known immediately?

First card with AMEX and just got it, I don't want to go through the nightmare I have read about online.

Should I call them up again and see what's up?

Oh and just correcting a typo, it's for a 16 year old in my immediate family, not 15.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:33:06 GMT

@DangerNoodlewrote:
So let's just say it were an FR, would I have known immediately?
First card with AMEX and just got it, I don't want to go through the nightmare I have read about online.
Should I call them up again and see what's up?

It's not FR at all. Don't have to worry about that. You would have to have something happen like MS and/or questionable payments/purchases to get a FR on your account and considering how new your card is I highly doubt that has occurred in this case. I still think it's an age issue with the AU but I could be wrong.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:35:54 GMT

@DangerNoodlewrote:
So let's just say it were an FR, would I have known immediately?
First card with AMEX and just got it, I don't want to go through the nightmare I have read about online.
Should I call them up again and see what's up?
Oh and just correcting a typo, it's for a 16 year old in my immediate family, not 15.

Yes, during a financial review your charging privileges are immediately suspended. I would certainly call Platinum customer service and talk to them. Can we assume the 16 year-old has no credit file yet? Did you enter a SSN for him or her?

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:36:32 GMT

@K-in-Bostonwrote:
Yes, 15 is still the minimum age for Amex authorized users. Otherwise, both of my children would be maxing out their annual purchase of 30,000 Starpoints during the 35% off sales and transfering to me via their SPG Gold Elite accounts.

Wow, how did I forget that. Thanks for reminding me.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:36:55 GMT

Thanks! Made me feel a lot more comfortable haha.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:39:04 GMT

@K-in-Bostonwrote:
@DangerNoodlewrote:
So let's just say it were an FR, would I have known immediately?
First card with AMEX and just got it, I don't want to go through the nightmare I have read about online.
Should I call them up again and see what's up?
Oh and just correcting a typo, it's for a 16 year old in my immediate family, not 15.
Yes, during a financial review your charging privileges are immediately suspended. I would certainly call Platinum customer service and talk to them. Can we assume the 16 year-old has no credit file yet? Did you enter a SSN for him or her?

The 16 year old does actually have a credit file, as an authorized user on a BofA card for the past several years.

I did not enter an SSN though, as I didn't have it on hand and I was too lazy to go get it. I guess that was it - a combination of a minor and no SSN.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:40:37 GMT

@DangerNoodlewrote:
@K-in-Bostonwrote:
@DangerNoodlewrote:
So let's just say it were an FR, would I have known immediately?
First card with AMEX and just got it, I don't want to go through the nightmare I have read about online.
Should I call them up again and see what's up?
Oh and just correcting a typo, it's for a 16 year old in my immediate family, not 15.
Yes, during a financial review your charging privileges are immediately suspended. I would certainly call Platinum customer service and talk to them. Can we assume the 16 year-old has no credit file yet? Did you enter a SSN for him or her?
The 16 year old does actually have a credit file, as an authorized user on a BofA card for the past several years.
I did not enter an SSN though, as I didn't have it on hand and I was too lazy to go get it. I guess that was it - a combination of a minor and no SSN.

I'm actually surprised the rep didn't ask for it. They'll eventually get it one way or another.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:45:59 GMT

SSN isn’t required to add, but is required within 60 days. Pro tip: it’s tax season; check your 2016 or 2017 1040 for dependent SSNs.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

simplynoir — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 03:52:44 GMT

@K-in-Bostonwrote:
SSN isn’t required to add, but is required within 60 days. Pro tip: it’s tax season; check your 2016 or 2017 1040 for dependent SSNs.

Well, supposedly they require it at activation from what I've read but I have no clue if that can be "overrided" as well til you reach that 60 day threshold where you're at that point required to put it in.

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

DangerNoodle — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 04:46:27 GMT

OK so I called again and they got me in with the new cards department.

The agent simply told me that it was due to the fact that the AU was under 18 and I had not put in a SSN.

He said it likely would have been approved, but he told me that if I gave him the SSN now it would be expidited.

So I gave him the SSN and he said it would be added to the account within 24-48 hours and I'd get the card in the mail.

I guess this clears things up, I was just freaking out that I triggered an FR

Thank you everyone!

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

UncleB — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 07:45:45 GMT

Just FYI... the minimum age for Amex seems to have changed to 13.

They send me this message every month or so; this one is from yesterday:

Re: AMEX Authorized User Pending

K-in-Boston — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 12:03:27 GMT

That’s awesome, @UncleB and a very recent change. Thank you!