topic Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too! in Credit Cards

I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:16:16 GMT

Okay. So, I'd like to think I'm in better control of myself, but I would really like to add an AMEX to the family. I have 1 inq on EX. 5 on EQ and 1 on TU. I am debating waiting to app for a revolver. But, I have no history with them and not sure that's the way to go.

I'm still in a window where a couple of my new accounts haven't reported yet. No baddies. Any good advice ou there on which would be a good card to go for? At this piont,

I'll probably wind up waiting... Better judgement is calling my name and well... AMEX is kinda intimidating.

I'm supposed to be in the garden.... I know, I know...

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

jamesdwi — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:18:41 GMT

What cards and length of history do you have?

AMEX wants a minimum of two cards with more than a year of history, if you have that it shouldn't be a problem your scores are more than good enough.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Repo-ed — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:20:42 GMT

If you have 1 yr history and low util%, you may be a good canidate for at least the Zync.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:29:49 GMT

@jamesdwi wrote:
What cards and length of history do you have?

AMEX wants a minimum of two cards with more than a year of history, if you have that it shouldn't be a problem your scores are more than good enough.

@I have six revolvers with CL's over 5k but none over $15k and AAoA is @ 4 years. My history is clean and @ 10 years. I'm not looking for them to match the limits but want to build a relationship. More concerned about them reviewing my recent apps and whether I should hold off.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

LS2982 — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:31:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@jamesdwi wrote:
What cards and length of history do you have?

AMEX wants a minimum of two cards with more than a year of history, if you have that it shouldn't be a problem your scores are more than good enough.

@I have six revolvers with CL's over 5k but none over $15k and AAoA is @ 4 years. My history is clean and @ 10 years. I'm not looking for them to match the limits but want to build a relationship. More concerned about them reviewing my recent apps and whether I should hold off.

I think you would be fine for a AMEX revolver.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

jamesdwi — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:33:56 GMT

With those scores the only card you can't get instant approval for is the centerion.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

mikka1 — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:37:55 GMT

I think the "two cards with more than one year history" requirement seem to be not that strict.

I have been recently approved for BCE (instantly, not after recon) with lower scores (around 710-720) and with my oldest account at 11 months mark (so the second oldest was more like 9 months of history).

Obviously my limit on BCE is not that huge but it is in line with what other lenders can give me now, I suppose. I also hope to try to ask for CLI after 61 days...

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

jamesdwi — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:41:51 GMT

@mikka1 wrote:
I think the "two cards with more than one year history" requirement seem to be not that strict.
I have been recently approved for BCE (instantly, not after recon) with lower scores (around 710-720) and with my oldest account at 11 months mark (so the second oldest was more like 9 months of history).
Obviously my limit on BCE is not that huge but it is in line with what other lenders can give me now, I suppose. I also hope to try to ask for CLI after 61 days...

Since you have a bunch of TL's like you do they may reduce it a bit, the two card rule is for people with thin files. People with one card showing probably shouldn't bother.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:47:36 GMT

@jamesdwi wrote:
With those scores the only card you can't get instant approval for is the centerion.

They weren't always that way. I had higher util earlier on this year and have worked all year to get it down to under 15%. I was hovering in the lower 700's because of that for a long time. I wish I would have knowm about this board back then.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

jamesdwi — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:52:48 GMT

Amex would like to have more than 5% of the credit market its hard to get over 760, Your scores are awesome, I got my AMEX Blue with a 6k limit with 15months AAoA and oldest account about 3 years and a 720 score.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

emptypockets — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:54:34 GMT

You should not have anyproblem getting a AMEX revolver, you only problem is which one to choose.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

android01 — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:56:04 GMT

Based on your scores and history, I'd say you could get approved for any of AMEX's revolvers you'd like. Your stated history precludes you from having to get an AMEX charge card just to "get in the door". I would recommend the Blue Cash Preferred if you are so inclined, but if you are a Delta airlines customer, there is anecdotal eveidence that the Delta gold card is the easiest revolver to get.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:58:46 GMT

Another seeking the warm, fuzzy Amex feeling.

I really like the BCP.

Amex does have a pre-approval link on their website. Might give an idea of what to expect.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:01:30 GMT

@android01 wrote:
Based on your scores and history, I'd say you could get approved for any of AMEX's revolvers you'd like. Your stated history precludes you from having to get an AMEX charge card just to "get in the door". I would recommend the Blue Cash Preferred if you are so inclined, but if you are a Delta airlines customer, there is anecdotal eveidence that the Delta gold card is the easiest revolver to get.

I was actually checking BCE and BCP out. I was just being cautious with my approach considering how sensitive they are. Thx for the advice.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:04:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Another seeking the warm, fuzzy Amex feeling.

I really like the BCP.

Amex does have a pre-approval link on their website. Might give an idea of what to expect.

Yep! That would be me I tried the site and it doesn't work for me. I am at a military location and it doesn't like my address.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

creditnocash — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 03:59:52 GMT

id like an amex.

was thinking about apping but already high with my inquries.

		Total	Active
Experian		5	3/2

Transunion	3	2/2
Equifax		4	4/1

active is inquriy is less then 1 year old. after the slash its the active inquries until july '13

with a bunch falling off in feb (which i wanted to apply in december but since half of those inquries will be over a year on feb 6th)

chase freedom has not reported my tradeline to tu as of yet but have already printed a statement. and ive pif kind of.

i dont think ill get approved so im staying in the garden until feb most likely. (but i really want the backdate of this year!)

my aaoa dropped from 1.9 years to 9.5 months and 8.2 months after freedom reports. i should have done amex first but it was before i even really starting being active whatsoever on this forum.

young and dumb staying out of all this fun!

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

migliogiorni — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 04:07:56 GMT

I would say your a lock for a revolver, go 4 it.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

creditnocash — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 04:30:03 GMT

@migliogiorni wrote:
I would say your a lock for a revolver, go 4 it.

me?

which one? lol.

which beauru do they pull?

ive read ex.

i have 5 total and 1 falls of my report next week (chase) and another for my macys card 12/21/12 (doomsday?) (both 2 years old)

im just worried they would deny me and id waste a hard pull. the other three are one cap one and the other 2 are chase pulls 8 months old/ 6 months/ last month.

thats IF they pull experian.

im just overthinking and should go to sleep before i do something dumb like app for it.

edit: btw my util is messed up for this month because of new cards and no statement date for me.

i paid them the day of not knowing the satement came out already.

all cards are 0 balance except one. so 671/8100 credit limit in reality =/

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Revelate — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 05:10:33 GMT

@mikka1 wrote:
I think the "two cards with more than one year history" requirement seem to be not that strict.
I have been recently approved for BCE (instantly, not after recon) with lower scores (around 710-720) and with my oldest account at 11 months mark (so the second oldest was more like 9 months of history).
Obviously my limit on BCE is not that huge but it is in line with what other lenders can give me now, I suppose. I also hope to try to ask for CLI after 61 days...

That's interesting mikka; I know there's a lot of FUD on Amex underwriting (Zync FWIW has almost always been six months history from pretty much everything I've read except recently here), but if your Amex was recent I can't say I'm surprised. Chase and BOFA are two of Amex's largest competitors, and both of them are racing to the bottom with loosening up their underwriting standards seemingly.

We know pretty much conclusively Freedom is down to the 630 mark if not lower, BOFA added their 1-2-3 rewards to their secured card and made their counter-offer card a lot easier to obtain as well; while the BCE/BCP have always been somewhat higher than the Freedom for obvious reasons, it wouldn't surprise me if Amex is being pushed by the same macroeconomic issues which is causing most other lenders to pursue new customers in the credit card market... especially as both cards are admittedly better than the Zync or other charge cards for non-travellers other than the Zync's bonus packs.

About Citi is the only one I really haven't seen much on but their Forward card seems to have gone down to at least Discover More levels if not lower, which was right around Freedom's initial minimum requirements.

It's a good time to be moving up in the FICO world. Not certain how long it's going to last but I'm hoping till the end of the year at least.

Edit and PS: OP - you're an instant approval for either the BCE or BCP unless you've misrepresented yourself. You're among the gold-plated credit elite, just reach out and take the approval if you want either of them.

Re: I know I shouldn't.... I really want an AMEX too!

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:24:04 GMT

Op,you are fine for revolver. Very good chance for approval. I would app before new accounts hit. Also, they likely will pull ex which you only have 1 inquiry on. Btw, I saw you said you are on military base. Are you eligible for nfcu? If so I would join while you are eligible.