topic Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change? in Credit Cards

Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:40:44 GMT

I was approved for the Blue Cash Everyday with just a $500 CL only about two weeks ago but I already regret it. I don't own a car, I rarely shop at super markets. The Blue Cash preferred seems like it would make more sense for me. Even the Gold or Platinum would make a lot more sense for me.

Is there any chance I could call them and explain the situation so that they could "upgrade" my card early, or get them to approve me for a different product?

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

redpat — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:48:44 GMT

Sorry to say, you are out of luck. You cannot PC a card that is under one year and with the BC you can only upgrade to BCP and no other Amex card.

You would need to reapply for another card and at the looks of it $500 CL is just getting barely approved.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:14:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I was approved for the Blue Cash Everyday with just a $500 CL only about two weeks ago but I already regret it. I don't own a car, I rarely shop at super markets. The Blue Cash preferred seems like it would make more sense for me. Even the Gold or Platinum would make a lot more sense for me.

Is there any chance I could call them and explain the situation so that they could "upgrade" my card early, or get them to approve me for a different product?

Why is the BCP better for you? The major value over the BCE is the much higher earn on supermarkets (and a little on gas) and now some streaming. If you don't use supermarkets much, is the $95 AF worth it on streaming

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

wasCB14 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:19:47 GMT

Dont close BCE. You don't want the Amex computers to think you're a churner.

You don't need to spend a lot on it, but do keep it.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:41:14 GMT

You could do worse than a no annual fee cash back card. BCE was my first CC and I’ve still got it. Use it for a while then get something different.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 22:20:54 GMT

I would just keep it open, maybe put a subscription service on it and set it to autopay. Try applying for BCP or the Gold in six months or so.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:05:52 GMT

Congrats on the BCE!

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

pinkandgrey — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:37:44 GMT

Unfortunately you may have to keep it for now. But it’s a great card! Just use it to the fullest and, when you’re eligible to upgrade, determine if the BCP is still the best option. Congrats on the Amex! It’ll grow well for you too.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:53:33 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Why is the BCP better for you? The major value over the BCE is the much higher earn on supermarkets (and a little on gas) and now some streaming. If you don't use supermarkets much, is the $95 AF worth it on streaming

$132/month on streaming and you're already over the AF!

Who needs a cable bill when you can have all the streaming services! ...I kinda wonder how that'd work out, honestly. Maybe not $132/month worth, but loading up on services...you could get pretty much everything on demand and ad free. Many services get shows not long after they air on tv. And some even offer live watching.

I assume OP is 21 and living in a city. So the BCP having a transit category may be enticing. Daily transit really adds up. Toss in 2-4 streaming services and occasional groceries (can always just snag gift cards, too) and the bcp could work without eating in too often. Granted better options are out there.

Back on topic, though...!

OP, don't fret! The important thing is that you got your foot in the door with amex! Now you can build up with them...all with soft pulls! Just keep the card open. Let it age and help you pad some age to your credit report & payment hsitory. When you have an AMEX card, they'll just about only ever do soft pulls on you when applying for another card or requesting a credit limit increase.

Keep the card. In 61 days, do a CLI request to 1500. 6 months after, 3x request again for it to be 4500. Now you're really getting somewhere! Then in 4 months, your card will be a year old and be eligible to change into the BCP. Or maybe apply for the Gold and Green (the green card is awaiting a refresh...and the rumors about what it'll offer seem to be right up your alley) cards. Just keep the bce in a drawer after getting the Gold & green, or do a product change to the cash magnet, which is $0 AF and will give you 1.5% cash back on your odds and ends purchases. And just 2 more months after your product change...your card will be ready for another cli to be well over 10k!

In 14 months, you could be opening a total of 3 cards, 3 CLIs, and a product change...all off of that first original hard pull--not bad, if you ask me!

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Queen_Etherea — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 13:55:03 GMT

I did this with my PenFed card. I applied for the Gold when I meant to apply for the PowerCash Rewards. I called PenFed and the guy said I would have to apply for the other card, but that it would only be a soft pull and I could combine the two cards once I received them and close the Gold.

You can kinda do the same with AMEX. I have both the BCE and the BCP (although I will be closing the BCE soon). Since you already have an AMEX card, any other app will be a soft pull. You can check the BCP and see if it says, "You're Pre-Approved", which means you're pre-approved, or if it says, "Expanding Your Membership with Us is Easy" then that means there's no pre-approval. You can app for it anyways because it'll only be a soft pull, but it's not a guarantee you'll get it. After a few months, you may be able to close the BCE and move the credit limit over, although the limit on your BCE will have to be more than $500. Mine started off at $500 and I got an auto increase a few months later. Check out AMEX CLI threads to find out how to go about getting one with your AMEX card.

Long story short, you'll have to app for the BCP, wait for a CLI on the BCE and then move the limit over, or just wait a few months to see if you can upgrade it.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 20:52:53 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Why is the BCP better for you? The major value over the BCE is the much higher earn on supermarkets (and a little on gas) and now some streaming. If you don't use supermarkets much, is the $95 AF worth it on streaming

I assume OP is 21 and living in a city. So the BCP having a transit category may be enticing. Daily transit really adds up. Toss in 2-4 streaming services and occasional groceries (can always just snag gift cards, too) and the bcp could work without eating in too often. Granted better options are out there.

I'm 34, about to get married. We have a lot of streaming services (Netlifx, Amazon, Hulu, YoutubeTV HBO Now[getting rid of that since no more GoT] ). Living in NYC we use Uber/Juno/Lyft/taxis A LOT.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 21:01:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Why is the BCP better for you? The major value over the BCE is the much higher earn on supermarkets (and a little on gas) and now some streaming. If you don't use supermarkets much, is the $95 AF worth it on streaming
$132/month on streaming and you're already over the AF!
Who needs a cable bill when you can have all the streaming services! ...I kinda wonder how that'd work out, honestly. Maybe not $132/month worth, but loading up on services...you could get pretty much everything on demand and ad free. Many services get shows not long after they air on tv. And some even offer live watching.
I assume OP is 21 and living in a city. So the BCP having a transit category may be enticing. Daily transit really adds up. Toss in 2-4 streaming services and occasional groceries (can always just snag gift cards, too) and the bcp could work without eating in too often. Granted better options are out there.

Back on topic, though...!
OP, don't fret! The important thing is that you got your foot in the door with amex! Now you can build up with them...all with soft pulls! Just keep the card open. Let it age and help you pad some age to your credit report & payment hsitory. When you have an AMEX card, they'll just about only ever do soft pulls on you when applying for another card or requesting a credit limit increase.
Keep the card. In 61 days, do a CLI request to 1500. 6 months after, 3x request again for it to be 4500. Now you're really getting somewhere! Then in 4 months, your card will be a year old and be eligible to change into the BCP. Or maybe apply for the Gold and Green (the green card is awaiting a refresh...and the rumors about what it'll offer seem to be right up your alley) cards. Just keep the bce in a drawer after getting the Gold & green, or do a product change to the cash magnet, which is $0 AF and will give you 1.5% cash back on your odds and ends purchases. And just 2 more months after your product change...your card will be ready for another cli to be well over 10k!

In 14 months, you could be opening a total of 3 cards, 3 CLIs, and a product change...all off of that first original hard pull--not bad, if you ask me!

Amex isn't giving him 3x limit at 60 days with a $500 SL. $500 and $1000 are borderline and will require at least 6 months, some people require a year before getting an increase.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 22:14:32 GMT

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Are-all-applications-at-the-mercy-of-algorithms/td-p/5638938

OP had a collection we managed to get EE and taken off. Score difference was significant after it was removed.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 22:39:32 GMT

I don't think the score difference would matter. Once in amex's credit pugitory (AKA $500 SL) you have to wait it out. Other members haven't had much luck even with improving scores. I say wait it out, upgrade in 12mo that's really not that long.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 22:45:20 GMT

^^^ what he said. He'd have better luck with a second card then.

Re: Got wrong AMEX card, can I request a change?

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 22:49:45 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
^^^ what he said. He'd have better luck with a second card then.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Are-all-applications-at-the-mercy-of-algorithms/m-p/5640064#M232391