topic Re: Easy Discover Card? in Credit Cards

Easy Discover Card?

Tommy5746 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:43:21 GMT

Just out of curiosity.... Which discover card do you guys think is the easiest to obtain? Zync would obviously be the easiest for Amex.. So which is the "easiest" for Discover?

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Creditaddict — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:38 GMT

@Tommy5746 wrote:
Just out of curiosity.... Which discover card do you guys think is the easiest to obtain? Zync would obviously be the easiest for Amex.. So which is the "easiest" for Discover?

Unless you end up with the auto pay Amex Zync, Regular Zync is not harder to get then Gold or Platinum.

I believe Discover More has been the biggest approval topic for easier cards... I seem to remember some posts about applying for such and such Discover and getting an instant counter offer for More with higher APR or something.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:11:25 GMT

I have heard that as well, but I bet that AMEX does have slightly different qualifications for zync, green, gold/pr gold and platinum. While the necessary credit scores are all probably about the same and not having any recent baddies, I would bet that there is a different income requirement for Platinum and perhaps Gold/PR Gold than for Zync. I really cannot see AMEX approving a person for Platinum with an income under 30,000.00 per year for example. How big of a difference this is I cannot say, but I would estimate it does have an impact.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:20:56 GMT

@espnjunkie wrote:
I have heard that as well, but I bet that AMEX does have slightly different qualifications for zync, green, gold/pr gold and platinum. While the necessary credit scores are all probably about the same and not having any recent baddies, I would bet that there is a different income requirement for Platinum and perhaps Gold/PR Gold than for Zync. I really cannot see AMEX approving a person for Platinum with an income under 30,000.00 per year for example. How big of a difference this is I cannot say, but I would estimate it does have an impact.

Charge cards are the same. You pay for benifits. They can put a 500 limit on zync just as easy as they can platinum. Im under 30K and hold a platinum.

Discovers student cards would be easiest if your a student.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:29:30 GMT

They probably are thinking that for a person to justify the expense of a Platinum card they must be earning quite a bit. With an annual fee of $450.00 a cardholder would have to spend at least $45,000.00 per year on the card in order to 'cover' the annual fee. Yes I understand that other benefits are involved as well, priority pass enrollment, glabl entry, concierge, companion passes, etc, but in terms of pure value that is what must be spent. The Gold and Platinum cards, while cool, don't really seem have much greater value than green unless you travel all the time, likely on business.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:40:47 GMT

@espnjunkie wrote:
They probably are thinking that for a person to justify the expense of a Platinum card they must be earning quite a bit. With an annual fee of $450.00 a cardholder would have to spend at least $45,000.00 per year on the card in order to 'cover' the annual fee. Yes I understand that other benefits are involved as well, priority pass enrollment, glabl entry, concierge, companion passes, etc, but in terms of pure value that is what must be spent. The Gold and Platinum cards, while cool, don't really seem have much greater value than green unless you travel all the time, likely on business.

I once thought the 45000 spend was required, but if you transfer properly, 60K MR points can be worth $1K. Platinum is fantastic for me. Ive never been so impressed with a card. I came from PR Gold and the difference is astonishing. Even though my income isnt very high, many business expenses find their way on the card, making it seem like I make way more than I do.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:49:58 GMT

If that is the case have you ever been questioned about your spending ont he card? If you told AMEX you make less than 30,000.00 per year won't it raise a flag to them when they see you are spending more than your income in a year to get 60 k rewards points?

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:55:46 GMT

@espnjunkie wrote:
If that is the case have you ever been questioned about your spending ont he card? If you told AMEX you make less than 30,000.00 per year won't it raise a flag to them when they see you are spending more than your income in a year to get 60 k rewards points?

Well techincally sign on 50K plus 10K spend = the 60K im referring to, but that was only an example.

They know my income, it was on my app. They are learning/know my spending. If any flags were raised I would think they would have brought them to my attention. I think as long as they are getting paid they dont really seem to care how much I put through platinum. I pay around once a week now to keep the balance low.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:08:50 GMT

Ahhh i didn't know you were including the bonus miles. Makes more sense now haha. My green card should arrive in the mail shortly. I am curious as to what my starting 'limit' is for the card and will likely have to call customer service and ask. I know they take your spending and payment history into consideration, but since this is my first AMEX card I have no clue where my starting point is.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:13:48 GMT

Actually, there is a different criteria for AMEX charge cards. You cannot PC from Zync to the other 4 charge cards. I've tried and they have told me countless times that Zync isn't allowed for a product change due to it being a different tier of charge card. If you had an AMEX Green or any other charge card you could go up and down between them but once you go say from Platinum to Zync you cannot change back even if you were originally approved for Platinum. I bit the bullet and applied for it yesterday and got approved for Platinum. I checked today and it was soft because it used info from my JB AMEX which was great, but YMMV. Here are some scenarios:

App for Zync, get approved...13 months later you want to PC to Green, Gold, Gold PR, or Platinum -- No dice

App for Green Gold, Gold PR, Platinum, get approved...13 months later you want to PC to Zync, Green Gold, Gold PR, or Platinum -- YES

If PC to Zync from after you've had one of the other 4 -- NO DICE.

So think carefully what you want

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:13 GMT

@espnjunkie wrote:
Ahhh i didn't know you were including the bonus miles. Makes more sense now haha. My green card should arrive in the mail shortly. I am curious as to what my starting 'limit' is for the card and will likely have to call customer service and ask. I know they take your spending and payment history into consideration, but since this is my first AMEX card I have no clue where my starting point is.

There trained not to tell you. When mine was declined she said I can do 200 more TODAY, so it might change daily as well as monthly. With green you can still get the point transfers just the same. Best of luck with your card.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:15:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Actually, there is a different criteria for AMEX charge cards. You cannot PC from Zync to the other 4 charge cards. I've tried and they have told me countless times that Zync isn't allowed for a product change due to it being a different tier of charge card. If you had an AMEX Green or any other charge card you could go up and down between them but once you go say from Platinum to Zync you cannot change back even if you were originally approved for Platinum. I bit the bullet and applied for it yesterday and got approved for Platinum. I checked today and it was soft because it used info from my JB AMEX which was great, but YMMV. Here are some scenarios:

App for Zync, get approved...13 months later you want to PC to Green, Gold, Gold PR, or Platinum -- No dice
App for Green Gold, Gold PR, Platinum, get approved...13 months later you want to PC to Zync, Green Gold, Gold PR, or Platinum -- YES
If PC to Zync from after you've had one of the other 4 -- NO DICE.

So think carefully what you want

This is correct and due to the CARD act. Your fees cant increase during the first 12 months. Plat can go to Zync but Zync cant go to Plat.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:32:52 GMT

They have to give me some sort of guidance once I activate the card. I don't like the idea of having zero clue as to how much I could put on the card the first month or two and risk a decline. It's not a huge deal, but if they start you out at 500.00, 1,000.00, 5,000.00 or 10,000.00 it would be nice to know. I don't want to play with the check spending approval button either...

I originally was targeting the Zync to be my first AMEX, but I would recommend that people consider the long term when applying instead of just trying to get your foot in the door. The rewards for green are significantly better than the Zync, and the ability to upgrade gives more flexibility.

Charge cards seem like a great tool for teaching responsible spending, I wonder why more companies do not offer them? It helps keep people on a budget and within their means by forcing pif each month. Unless taking advantage of promo APR's or the occaisonal splurge, constantly carrying a large balance is a recipe for disaster if anything happens (sickness, job loss, unforseen hardship, etc).

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:33:32 GMT

Apologies for hijacking your forum Tommy haha

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Tommy5746 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:19:20 GMT

Haha No worries! It's all good knowledge..

Re: Easy Discover Card?

learnin113 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:48:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@espnjunkie wrote:
If that is the case have you ever been questioned about your spending ont he card? If you told AMEX you make less than 30,000.00 per year won't it raise a flag to them when they see you are spending more than your income in a year to get 60 k rewards points?
Well techincally sign on 50K plus 10K spend = the 60K im referring to, but that was only an example.

They know my income, it was on my app. They are learning/know my spending. If any flags were raised I would think they would have brought them to my attention. I think as long as they are getting paid they dont really seem to care how much I put through platinum. I pay around once a week now to keep the balance low.

I am floored that you need or can afford a $495/yr card with a 30k income? You must teach me your tricks! Heehee.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

espnjunkie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:44 GMT

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:32:11 GMT

@learnin113 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@espnjunkie wrote:
If that is the case have you ever been questioned about your spending ont he card? If you told AMEX you make less than 30,000.00 per year won't it raise a flag to them when they see you are spending more than your income in a year to get 60 k rewards points?
Well techincally sign on 50K plus 10K spend = the 60K im referring to, but that was only an example.

They know my income, it was on my app. They are learning/know my spending. If any flags were raised I would think they would have brought them to my attention. I think as long as they are getting paid they dont really seem to care how much I put through platinum. I pay around once a week now to keep the balance low.
I am floored that you need or can afford a $495/yr card with a 30k income? You must teach me your tricks! Heehee.

Its $450

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:52:42 GMT

Back to what the OP wants...

I think if you are a student, the Discover Student card is definitely easier to get. I am a student and I passed the student card all together - I went straight for the Discover More card. They altered the ARP terms and asked me to accept them.

Might look into their harder cards (Discover Miles or Escape) soon.

Re: Easy Discover Card?

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:06:12 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Back to what the OP wants...

I think if you are a student, the Discover Student card is definitely easier to get. I am a student and I passed the student card all together - I went straight for the Discover More card. They altered the ARP terms and asked me to accept them.

Might look into their harder cards (Discover Miles or Escape) soon.

Miles is a great no AF card to look into. I really like my miles card as it has double miles at restaurants and travel.