topic Re: AMEX Approval Scores in Credit Cards

AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:03:49 GMT

I have been rebuilding for 2 years now and really want an AMEX. After checking periodically for the past year, I finally have pre-selected offers on their website for ZYNC, Green, and Blue. I know it would be smart getting in the door with ZYNC or Green, but I would like a revolver. I had a chargeoff from 2006 that I tried getting taken off until about December 2011, which is when I broke down and promptly paid. This chargeoff is not from a CC or loan, it was a rapid refund ($443) from H&R Block that wasn't paid back from the government and I didn't know until I began monitoring my scores in 2010. So that, and a 2 30day lates, both of which over 6 years old are on my report. EX fako is between 685-710. I am asking everyone who has been approved for an AMEX with similar, or worse scores, especially with a baddie or two, to post their app process and say what their score was AT THE TIME, and describe the baddies they had at that time as well. I look forward to some feedback.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:29:15 GMT

I received an Amex PRG and Blue in 9/2011. I applied online for both and got instant approvals with 1 EX pull. My EQ was in high 680s and TU was 704, but I didnt know and still don't know my EX FICO score. I had about 6 30 day lates from 2007-8 and 1 in 4/2011. No CO or judgments. I was a past AU in 2004. The acct was closed by Amex with a balance, but has since been PIF. They did backdate me to 2004 without asking. I never expected to get this, but since I received pre approvals for both, I bit the bullet.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:31:47 GMT

There are a few cases of people getting in with a collection or other type of baddie. Fako scores dont really help as they casn be 100 points off. The only way to know fore sure would be to apply.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:34:01 GMT

The scores listed in my siggy were the scores I had when I was recently approved for the zync card.

Also I have read that if you are a card member and apply for a new card it will only be a soft inquiry if you are denied. It will only be a hard pull if you are approved.

So you could app for one of the charge cards which are easier to get, and then if approved you could app for the revolver.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong about this.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:39:59 GMT

No baddies, minimal AAoA, only 2 cards and I applied to Amex for a BCE.. got apporved, but then again my EX was 748.

I say go for a charge and revolver at the same time, and hopefully you just get 1 INQ.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

nomoore — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:43:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
No baddies, minimal AAoA, only 2 cards and I applied to Amex for a BCE.. got apporved, but then again my EX was 748.

I say go for a charge and revolver at the same time, and hopefully you just get 1 INQ.

And make sure you go for the charge card first since it is easier, otherwise if you get denied on the revolver you have to wait a while before apping for the charge card.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:53:17 GMT

I have a few late payments from 2005. Utilization is kinda high.

Aproved for BCP Jan 27th.

Ex Plus Score, 720

FICO Ex Score, 741

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

pizzadude — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:59:36 GMT

I'm sure that you know this, but AMEX is very quirky when it comes to approvals; some people with 700+ scores have been rejected, others with 600ish scores approved.

I was counter~offerer approved last fall for ZYNC with $200 limit, with a sub 650 EX FICO. They never told me what it was, but I know it was low.

I had probably around 60% overall utilization; 3 paid CO accounts from 4 years ago, and lots of 7 year old late payments.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

JustMe77 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:07:24 GMT

I was approved for Zync in Dec. 2011 when my scores were 660-680ish, and when I had recent inquiries (2 less than 6 months old, and another 2 between 6-12 months old) and a really high utilization (due to low credit limit). Late payments (120) from Nov. 2008. When I applied, I was preapproved for Zync, Green, and Gold. I also reported some assets, if that mattered. Credit history beginning 2002, average age of accounts at the time > 1 year, but I'm not sure exactly what it was.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:10:32 GMT

My EX score in my sig is from BofA and is fico. It was within a day or two or when I was approved for my AMEX PRG card. I have 2 COs, one from 2006 and 1 from 2007. Then I have 1 30 day late in 2009. I am probably going to wait until a year on my PRG before I test the waters with them on their revolver.

Good luck with you apps.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

patternofstars7 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:37:55 GMT

I got a pre-approval offer in the mail and applied online and was approved for a gold card in dec 2011. Not sure about my EX score but my EQ score was 651 and I have two paid collections reporting but due to fall off this year.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

navigatethis12 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:13:18 GMT

I have no negatives, oldest card is Macy's which was twent months old and I was approved with an Experian score of 787 wich isn't much higher than yours. So I'd say you have a chance.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:17:08 GMT

Wow, thanks for all the great feedback. I'm looking forward to hearing more approval/denial stories from some others. One thing of note about my CO is that when I paid it in 12/11, it was updated as a chargeoff then, but all of the past reporting has it as 180 days late since 2006. 2006 was the DOFD, so does that make it 6 years old, or 2 months old? Either way it falls off next year but I don't want to wait.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

pizzadude — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:41:47 GMT

@FicoTron wrote:
Wow, thanks for all the great feedback. I'm looking forward to hearing more approval/denial stories from some others. One thing of note about my CO is that when I paid it in 12/11, it was updated as a chargeoff then, but all of the past reporting has it as 180 days late since 2006. 2006 was the DOFD, so does that make it 6 years old, or 2 months old? Either way it falls off next year but I don't want to wait.

I would recommend running a new score to verify, but I think that it is probably considered a recent deliquency as of 12/11.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

boomhower — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:47:50 GMT

I got my first Amex in November with a EX FICO or either 705 or 715, can't remember which. UT was almost 0 but the kicker was I had two unpaid collections. One was for $2500 and the other $300.(both from apartment complexes) They were a bit over five years old and pretty much everyone said it couldn't be done. It was my halo card so I figured why not and it worked, didn't even have to recon. It wasn't instant as I had recently moved so I had to do an address verification but I know have my Blue Cash Prefered and am wearing it out. I'll be calling in for my 60 day CLI shortly as I am using it so much I max out the line easily, I litterally run everything through it except places that don't take Amex and my carpayment. Good luck OP, they are worth the effort getting in with. The rewards are good, the perks like purchase protection and extended warranties even better, and the customer service is excellent. I'm very happy with them.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:11:55 GMT

We're you pre selected for the BCP?

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:28:22 GMT

Well we're the Baddies really 5 years old if they were still unpaid? I'd love to know if they'd accept me with my current situation. I'm still searching to find out if anyone has been pre selected on the website and still denied. Haven't found one yet.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

webhopper — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:54:12 GMT

I got my approval today!! Here is my info:

I applied for the AMEX Zync on 2/4/12, and they pulled Experian. Under Application status it says In Progress: "Home Address Verification" which is probably because I just moved and I haven't updated my address with all of my accounts yet. So, I called the number listed and the guy indicated that I would be receiving a letter within the next 2-3 days that I would need to reply to. At this time, I only have one other CC, and 3 retail cards, which is a Discover More, 4200 Limit. My EX FAKO is 727. I have some old baddies, around 2006-2007 when I went through a divorce. Worst ones are 90 day late on a wells fargo CC in 2006, and a paid judgement from my ex husbands truck. wondering what the chances of getting approval are? I don't have a thin file, and I have a very good re-established credit history. I'm 30 yrs old, and a young professional... looking to use the zync charge card to help manage cash flow in and out of my bank account.

Oldest Account: 12 yrs 5 months

AAoA: 6 yrs

Most Recent Late Payment: 5 yrs 7 months ago

Util %: 11%

Income: 93k per year salary

24k per year rental income.

I was called by AMEX CSR and she needed to verify that I had indeed applied for the card. She Verified my address, SS# and Phone Number and then told me that she was able to approve my application for the American Express Zync Card, with No Pre Set Spend Limit, Charge account. Super Excited!!

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:40:50 GMT

After extensive research on the Zync, if I app for a charge card it will be for the green or gold. The reward structure is way different between Zync and the the other tier, plus to get any true rewards you have to buy a pack or two, which puts it around the same price as the others. As far as revolvers, I would love a BCP, but may have to just go straight blue to start.

Re: AMEX Approval Scores

FicoTron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:42:14 GMT

webhopper...congrats. I can't wait to get one soon. What state are you from?