topic Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU? in Credit Cards

American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:15:08 GMT

Hey Everyone!

To start, I apologize this is my first post on this forum so bare with me.

I have read several success stories about folks regaining membership status with American Express through their "hidden" Optima Program.

I am happy to say my fiancé has finally been approved for her Optima card after paying the balance completely in full.

She only ever delt with in-house Amex collections and paid via the link sent to her on via email. Shortly thereafter, she got an “enrollment confirmation” email which stated the terms of the Optima program, etc.

We paid her balance in full on 11/27/2025, we received the application via USPS on 12/11/2025 and we immediately filled it out and sent it to Amex the same day.

She had gotten an email from American Express MyCredit Report this morning (12/19) that there was a hard inquiry on her account so we check the “Application Status” link (provided here) and she was approved on 12/18/2025. A fairly swift and quick process compared to what they advertise, which is great. It says that she will receive her card in 7-10 days! Very proud of her for getting back into good standing with Amex. I do have a question I hope some of you may be able to provide insight on:

I have been with Amex for quite some time and have both the Platinum card and Platinum Business card. Since she is now in good standing/has an active Amex account - would I be able to add her as an Authorized User to my personal Platinum card now? A few weeks ago, I tried to add her but the rep said they deined it/couldn’t process because of a default account in the past (makes total sense but it was worth the shot). Since she is now in good standing again (technically) I am wondering if now this would be possible/anyone has a simiar success story? I understand she personally cannot apply for any other Amex products for an 8-12 month period (can’t remember exactly what it is) but it would be nice for her to have the Platinum and the benefits while also continuing to build/rebuild her personal relationship with Amex.

If I am able to - I will probably wait a week or so so that their internal systems can update properly to avoid going through the process if they will deny her again. Also another quick question - I assume we will need to wait for the card to arrive but will her app update before hand?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you all so much!!

TLDR; fiance defaulted, paid in full, approved for Optima, can I now add her as an AU to my Platinum card since she’s technically in good standing again?

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

zerofire — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:58:08 GMT

With AmEx it most likely depends on the exact wording. My guess is that based on your statement they mean the following "The authorized user your trying to add has a history of bad account management." What that translates to is that it is a permanent no and will continue until they die. Once you write history it stays that way even if you keep writing the story to the point that they turn a new leaf. If you really want to find out then you can always ask AmEx to add them again to test it out.

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 22:16:24 GMT

Yes I see your point - but with this Optima program it is a new line of credit/a new "rehabilitation" credit card under her name and is treated as an active Amex card user/member so I was not sure if those flags dissapear since she is in good standing again so I am not sure but thank you for the insight!

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

Dcowboy08 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:06:06 GMT

@northfield_27 wrote:
Yes I see your point - but with this Optima program it is a new line of credit/a new "rehabilitation" credit card under her name and is treated as an active Amex card user/member so I was not sure if those flags dissapear since she is in good standing again so I am not sure but thank you for the insight!

I went through the Optima program as well. It never grew with cli's but allowed my business to get 6 different cards with great SL's. I eventually closed the Optima cards several months ago as it wasn't worth $49 a year, but did allow me back in.

I can't answer your AU question, but she's back in and that's awesome.

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:09:33 GMT

Amazin to hear a success story - congrats to you as well. Yes I am more so happy that shes "in" regardless of the AU status too

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

Tdatb64 — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 01:35:01 GMT

I'm afraid she's not "in good standing". She's in the Optima program which means, basically, she's on probation. I don't believe you'll have any luck adding her as an AU until she graduates but I could be wrong.

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:19:22 GMT

Yes fair enough - I do think she is in good standing given the new line of credit/jargon used in the terms and conditions but I do see your point. We are going to try on Tuesday so I will report back!

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

millionsofmiles — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:18:10 GMT

@northfield_27 wrote:
Yes fair enough - I do think she is in good standing given the new line of credit/jargon used in the terms and conditions but I do see your point. We are going to try on Tuesday so I will report back!

If she were in good standing with Amex, she wouldn't need Optima. She is simply "current."

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 23:25:23 GMT

For context this is language used in American Express' Enrollment Confirmation for the Optima card program:

"If approved, please understand that by having this active Card Account ... The Optima Credit Card is welcome everywhere the American Express Card is accepted. It will also give you access to the exceptional customer service and benefits that come with the American Express Card Membership."

I think with this wording shes in good standing or they wouldnt open doors to "benefits that come with the American Express Card Membership". Yes she is on a "probationary" period for her personally to apply. Im asking about adding her as an Authorized User where I understand there doesnt seem to be many cases out there

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

millionsofmiles — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:47:10 GMT

@northfield_27 wrote:
For context this is language used in American Express' Enrollment Confirmation for the Optima card program:

"If approved, please understand that by having this active Card Account ... The Optima Credit Card is welcome everywhere the American Express Card is accepted. It will also give you access to the exceptional customer service and benefits that come with the American Express Card Membership."

I think with this wording shes in good standing or they wouldnt open doors to "benefits that come with the American Express Card Membership". Yes she is on a "probationary" period for her personally to apply. Im asking about adding her as an Authorized User where I understand there doesnt seem to be many cases out there

Wow. Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

Brucemac — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 01:08:10 GMT

Call AmEx and ask or try to add her again over the phone and see if you get an auto decline

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 01:15:12 GMT

What? I was providing more context

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 01:15:56 GMT

Yes - I plan to! I was just wondering if anyone else had success before we go through the process - appreciate the insight!

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

northfield_27 — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:47:28 GMT

Hey Everyone

Just a quick update - We were successfully able to add her as an Authorized User to my platinum card on 12/26! No call needed, just did it on the app and voila!

Hopefully can be hopefully if anyone else finds themself in a similar situation!

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

sjt — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:48:01 GMT

For the purpose of obtaining an AU card, "Good Standing" means that all current and past-due payments have been paid.

Your fiancé should have no problem getting an AU card.

Congrats on her getting the Optima Card.

Re: American Express Optima Approval - Add as an AU?

marqu51937 — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 03:58:51 GMT

You should be able to add her. She might be able to get her own also. after about 2- 3 months with the optima card cancel it. Wait a few weeks and apply for any other amex card. From my experience amex will not give you any cards while holding a recovery card. I recently did this, I got the optima card late 24, held it a few months, cancelled at the beginning of 25 and a few weeks later applied for BBP and got approved. Months later I went back and got delta biz gold and I'm an AU on wifes personal gold.