topic Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash in Credit Cards

Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:18:07 GMT

My apologies if this is a noob questions -- A couple of months ago I was approved for my first charge card, the AMEX PRG and use it for 95% of my purchases. The only other card I use is my JetBlue Mastercard here and there. I like AMEX and their service and would like to add their Blue Cash card to my mix, but I was denied twice. Would building my history with AMEX help with their credit card approval? Or do they strictly reply on credit scores?

Some stats:

FICO score 700
Capital One QS: $3.5k CL
JetBlue Mastercard: $2k CL
JetBlue Mastercard (AU) $25K CL
Discover IT (Secured): $200 CL
Credit One: $500 CL
AMEX PRG: No preset limit

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:28:07 GMT

I think is a mixture of both.

I got ny BCP with a score over 700 and been with them for a few years now. Charge are typically "easier" to get.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:28:59 GMT

Sorry about the denial. And yes, to your first question. Build some history with Amex and then try again. Give it at least a year before trying again.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:29:35 GMT

Your score is good enough to get any Amex card you want. I have gotten 4 Amex's in 2 months with score just like yours. Is that your Experian score? I guess things like income and how long is your history come into effect.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:31:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
My apologies if this is a noob questions -- A couple of months ago I was approved for my first charge card, the AMEX PRG and use it for 95% of my purchases. The only other card I use is my JetBlue Mastercard here and there. I like AMEX and their service and would like to add their Blue Cash card to my mix, but I was denied twice. Would building my history with AMEX help with their credit card approval? Or do they strictly reply on credit scores?

Some stats:
FICO score 700
Capital One QS: $3.5k CL
JetBlue Mastercard: $2k CL
JetBlue Mastercard (AU) $25K CL
Discover IT (Secured): $200 CL
Credit One: $500 CL
AMEX PRG: No preset limit

Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:52:38 GMT

Have you checked to see if you have any pre-approvals? I described the process earlier today in this message: The Definitive Amex 3X CLI Guide

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:00:10 GMT

I've tried. But funny thing is all the cards I have (except for my secured card), I was never pre-approved. I just hit apply and get approved after I submit my information. But I'll give it some time with them before try applying again.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

UpperNwGuy — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:10:01 GMT

If you already have the Amex Premier Rewards Gold, you don't need the Blue Cash Everyday card. The PRG earns 2x Membership Rewards points for dining, gas, and groceries (and 3x points for airfare). Each MR point is worth approximately 1.5 cents, so you're getting a 3% return on these categories. The BCE would yield 3% on groceries only. There are better cards than the BCE.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:13:44 GMT

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Meanmchine — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:52:34 GMT

Now that you have an active Amex, if you apply for another Amex card and are denied, it will only be a SP. Recently, many people report getting a new card without any HP. That being said, you really have nothing to lose if you want to app.

Good luck

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Gregory1776 — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:22:18 GMT

Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.

Got me LOL. Yea it’s annoying waiting for your cash back. Got no idea why they can’t just make it instant and redeemable for any amount.

buuuut, can’t beat 6%!

Id hate it if there were a Whole Foods around me...... 🤓🤓

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:22:16 GMT

Like everyone has said, dont app for Bluecash. MR Points are worth much more. I use them for traveling and easily get 2-3 cents per point in value so in a 3x category it is essentially 4-6% back.

If you want to stay in the Amex family, go for either the Everyday or Everyday Preferred.

The Everyday card will net you a 20% bonus if you use the card 20 or more times a month, essentially getting you 2.4 points per dollar or 4+% at supermarkets. No annual fee.

The Everyday Preferred has a 95$ annual fee, but depending if you use it enough you can easily get it back. You'll get a 50% bonus if you use the card 30 or more times a month. With that bonus you are getting 4.5 (7+%) points per dollar at supermarkets and 2.4 (4+%) points per dollar on gas. If you spend more than $100 at the grocery store a month you are already getting your annual fee back.

If you get the Preferred and have the PRG, use them both.

PRG: 3x airlines, 2x restaurants

ED Pref: 3x supermarkets, 2x gas, 1x everything else (because you'll really get 1.5)

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:33:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
My apologies if this is a noob questions -- A couple of months ago I was approved for my first charge card, the AMEX PRG and use it for 95% of my purchases. The only other card I use is my JetBlue Mastercard here and there. I like AMEX and their service and would like to add their Blue Cash card to my mix, but I was denied twice. Would building my history with AMEX help with their credit card approval? Or do they strictly reply on credit scores?

Some stats:
FICO score 700
Capital One QS: $3.5k CL
JetBlue Mastercard: $2k CL
JetBlue Mastercard (AU) $25K CL
Discover IT (Secured): $200 CL
Credit One: $500 CL
AMEX PRG: No preset limit
Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.

Curious what you mean? Do you mean how the rewards are redeemed or something else? I absolutely love this card (BCP) for grocery spending.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:41:11 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:

Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.
Got me LOL. Yea it’s annoying waiting for your cash back. Got no idea why they can’t just make it instant and redeemable for any amount.

buuuut, can’t beat 6%!

Id hate it if there were a Whole Foods around me...... 🤓🤓

It’s only 6 percent if you spend at the grocery store just right. Otherwise, it’s the equivalent of 5 percent or much less than that.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

simplynoir — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:39:58 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
My apologies if this is a noob questions -- A couple of months ago I was approved for my first charge card, the AMEX PRG and use it for 95% of my purchases. The only other card I use is my JetBlue Mastercard here and there. I like AMEX and their service and would like to add their Blue Cash card to my mix, but I was denied twice. Would building my history with AMEX help with their credit card approval? Or do they strictly reply on credit scores?

Some stats:
FICO score 700
Capital One QS: $3.5k CL
JetBlue Mastercard: $2k CL
JetBlue Mastercard (AU) $25K CL
Discover IT (Secured): $200 CL
Credit One: $500 CL
AMEX PRG: No preset limit
Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.
Curious what you mean? Do you mean how the rewards are redeemed or something else? I absolutely love this card (BCP) for grocery spending.

The rewards system does leave a lot to be desired. Earnings are delayed a statement so essentially you won't see them for two months, then the redemption threshold of $25 increments turns some people off especially when combined with said wait, and the way AMEX codes some grocery merchants as not "grocery" turns some people off completely when you take it all in.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:44:38 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
My apologies if this is a noob questions -- A couple of months ago I was approved for my first charge card, the AMEX PRG and use it for 95% of my purchases. The only other card I use is my JetBlue Mastercard here and there. I like AMEX and their service and would like to add their Blue Cash card to my mix, but I was denied twice. Would building my history with AMEX help with their credit card approval? Or do they strictly reply on credit scores?

Some stats:
FICO score 700
Capital One QS: $3.5k CL
JetBlue Mastercard: $2k CL
JetBlue Mastercard (AU) $25K CL
Discover IT (Secured): $200 CL
Credit One: $500 CL
AMEX PRG: No preset limit
Blue Cash has the worst rewards program in the entire card universe.... They're doing you a favor.
Curious what you mean? Do you mean how the rewards are redeemed or something else? I absolutely love this card (BCP) for grocery spending.
The rewards system does leave a lot to be desired. Earnings are delayed a statement so essentially you won't see them for two months, then the redemption threshold of $25 increments turns some people off especially when combined with said wait, and the way AMEX codes some grocery merchants as not "grocery" turns some people off completely when you take it all in.

Ah got it. Guess this is not something that bothers me. I generally forget about the rewards and then cash it out at one time every several months. In any case, I haven't found anything comparable that has such a good grocery return. We only use it for qualified groceries, and up to the 6 K max.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:01:45 GMT

The Everyday Preferred has a comparable or better return as stated earlier in this thread. I understand not everyone travels, but the tiny amount of additional rewards you get from the BCP over cards like the Citi Double Cash or other 2-3% grocery cards isn’t worth it with the the rewards hurdles. I mean you’re talking $200 extra at the most if you max out the groceries category, minus $95 for the annual fee.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 01:02:08 GMT

I am not a fan of MR points. To me they are worth 1 cent each. You can get 250 sign up bonus on both BCE and BCP. If you spend 12k on groceries you will get a good return with both. I am OK with 25 dollar cash out.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Gregory1776 — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 01:05:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I am not a fan of MR points. To me they are worth 1 cent each. You can get 250 sign up bonus on both BCE and BCP. If you spend 12k on groceries you will get a good return with both. I am OK with 25 dollar cash out.

same. Going to wait for the AF to hit And just that and whatever CB is left over to cover it.

Re: Approved for AMEX PRG, but denied for AMEX Bluecash

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 01:27:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The Everyday Preferred has a comparable or better return as stated earlier in this thread. I understand not everyone travels, but the tiny amount of additional rewards you get from the BCP over cards like the Citi Double Cash or other 2-3% grocery cards isn’t worth it with the the rewards hurdles. I mean you’re talking $200 extra at the most if you max out the groceries category, minus $95 for the annual fee.

It's $85/year more in rewards exactly per year for the grocery category (compared to everyday). That's worth it to me. Again, we only use it for that category. For most categories we're using our 3% cash back Alliant card. Unless we're churning a travel card.