topic Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation in Credit Cards

AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:56:19 GMT

I paid off a charged off account balance last month for an old AMEX account, and as they promised, I received an offer to regain card membership two days ago in the mail. The offer was for $5,000, which is strange since my old account only had a $3,500 account limit. I am definitely not complaining about that, and I am not too dissatisfied with the $49 annual fee (deserve it after getting the account charged off).

My questions are as follows:

1. How do I get this account backdated from the beginning to show that the account has been opened since 2007 (when I was a member). I have read about people backdating, but I have no idea how to do this for this account before it is opened.

2. How were people's FICO score changed by the opening of this account? I know it varies from person to person, but just interested.

Thank you.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Walt_K — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:55:09 GMT

You can't get the card backdated. Amex does not backdate to cards that were charged off. There are some people that have had their cards backdated when their original account was charged off, but they are by far the exception rather than the rule. I would not count on any backdating. It was my understanding that backdating for charged off accounts only happened in rare circumstances where a person's account slipped through the cracks. According to the post below, you can ask and they will sometimes accomodate the request, so I have edited this response.

Your FICO is going to be affected by a new credit inquiry and a new account which will lower your AAoA. Both of these will lower your scores. By how much depends on a lot of factors, it's too difficult to say. You will now apparently have a new account with a $5K limit, which could improve your utilization % depending on what you let report. That will be a positive factor. I don't think anyone can say anything else with the information you've given.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:22:07 GMT

That is a bummer that you cannot backdate an Oasis card, but I cannot complain. I brought it upon myself with the overextension of debt and then a loss of my job. I have lived and learned, and will come out a better person.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:50:59 GMT

I was in the same boat a couple months back. I had been seriously ill and knew I owed them something from around a decade ago. I wasn't sure how much since it wasn't on my credit report but I just wanted to make good on it. I spoke to a lady at the executive office and she connected me with someone in their collections dept. I didn't pay him actually, I paid it in full online in a single payment. But at the time he offered me an optima and told me that the "provisioning department" (whoever they are) will backdate the accounts. I've heard of other people in the forums having their original member dates on the cards as well, sometimes just random luck, other times they called in. Then I've also heard some having a more difficult time. I turned down the optima and apped for a regular card instead. So that might be an option you might consider. My card shows my original member date, but I did have to ask. Ymmv. They're forgiving but I highly recommend making very regular payments.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Red1Blue — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:22:31 GMT

I had oasis card and it will have your orginal membership date when you first became a member. After 12 months you'll be eligbile to apply for regular card. As far as I know they would not credit inquiry as it is preapproved. I would say go for it.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:29:08 GMT

Howdy!@

I'm curious to know, is there a number to call for the Oasis program to perhaps talk to someone and get into the program without the invitation? I've been wanting to get my foot back in the door with them!

Thanks in advance!

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:54:45 GMT

Call the in house collections ppl in Omaha Nebraska, they do it. Those are the people who offered it to me. I didn't ask for it though. That said, they know about it there. Search the forums for the number.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:20:12 GMT

Yes they do back date cards for Oasis memebers. If it is not done automatically, you can call and ask. Also, once the member date is backdated, so will your credit report. Two things suck about this program: you do not earn any membership points and you have to close the Oasis product and apply for a new product. They do not allow product changes for the Oasis card nor will you be approved for a new card with an active recovery card.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:46:41 GMT

Thanks for the information. I just want to clarify - the Oasis card will show 4 years of perfect payments after it opens and reports (my charged off account was opened in 2007).

That is great news, and it almost seems too good to be true.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 02:48:51 GMT

@John060675 wrote:
Thanks for the information. I just want to clarify - the Oasis card will show 4 years of perfect payments after it opens and reports (my charged off account was opened in 2007).

That is great news, and it almost seems too good to be true.

It is great news. That by itself is almost reason enough to get back in the good graces of AmEx.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Red1Blue — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:43:08 GMT

Take my advice and go for the card. It is worth it.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 11:20:14 GMT

Thanks for the advice. The application was opened, filled out, and sent off within 15 minutes, so I am definitely trying to take advantage of the offer. I just hope the US Postal Service does their part.

Now the waiting game.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:14:13 GMT

@John060675 wrote:
Thanks for the advice. The application was opened, filled out, and sent off within 15 minutes, so I am definitely trying to take advantage of the offer. I just hope the US Postal Service does their part.

Now the waiting game.

Very exciting! Congrats!!! I hope they do backdate it for you too.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:21:34 GMT

Just received a call from AMEX and they verified my personal information. Once they did they told me that the application has been approved and I will be receiving my card in the mail within a couple days!

I know it is the OASIS program, but it still feels good.

One bad part, I asked if it could be backdated to the original 2007 membership date, but they said it could not be done. That is fine though.

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

John060675 — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:33:44 GMT

It is official.......I am again a member of the AMEX family. Just activated my Optima card from the OASIS program with a $5,000 credit limit (almost double the credit limit I had on my original AMEX card).

Now to try to get my old charged off AMEX account removed from my credit reports. Do you think it is possible?

Re: AMEX Oasis Program Invitation

Scuba — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:58:49 GMT

Yes, it is possible to get it off your reports. Send them a GW letter and after one or two attempts, it should be off.