topic Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver in Credit Cards

Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

ssdc1980 — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:09:07 GMT

After reading a couple post about Amex cards, a few people stated that apping for a second Amex card would be a soft pull, unless you were approved then it would be a hard pull. I currently have the Zync card and was looking to add another Amex (preferably a revolver).

I first apped for Amex BCE but when I entered my CID number and submitted my app all I saw was the pondering blue circle........for 20 minutes until it finally timed out. At that time I thought maybe the website was having problems so I waited a couple days and then tried again, this time apping for Delta Skymiles and........same thing the little blue wheel of deep thought for 20 minutes until it timed out again.

My account shows no pending apps so I guess they never went through. I've been considering calling and apping over the phone but I wasn't sure if it would still be a soft pull if denied. So my questions are: Has anyone experienced this? What did you do?

Thanks for the help

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

jsickz32 — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:16:01 GMT

Have you check the status of apps on amex's site? I got an error after i submitted my app but went to check status and was there.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

slarano — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:36:20 GMT

You could try using a different web browser.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

ccb2115 — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:36:44 GMT

Their website has been having some issues latetly. What I would do is log out of your account, and then go and apply by entering your full account number and CID. That's what i did and it worked for me.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:52:57 GMT

Definitely try another browser because I was having the same issues and I had to use Safari to get the application to go through. Internet Explorer 8, Firefox and Chrome did not work for me.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

improvingmycredit — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:16:11 GMT

Hello!

I'd first check this link:https://www262.americanexpress.com/eaol/welcome.do

If there are no active apps showing or an approval/denial, then app again but this time not as a existing Amex cardmember. Don't worry, it will still be a SP if denied. For some reason, apping as an existing cardmember has been hit or miss. I had to app through the regular app process to get my app to go through. I was approved but Amex becomes immediately aware because of your ss# that you are an exisiting cardmember during the app process. Good Luck!

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

jla84 — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:35:37 GMT

This happened to me a few months back, even after using all browsers I had access to (Chrome, IE, and Safari). I finally just decided that it was a message from the credit gods telling me to wait to app for the BCE until I get all my credit ducks in a row. I'm going to try apping on the phone when the time is right. Pretty sure it'll still be a soft since I already have a Zync, but I can't tell you for sure.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

LS2982 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:11:54 GMT

@jla84 wrote:
This happened to me a few months back, even after using all browsers I had access to (Chrome, IE, and Safari). I finally just decided that it was a message from the credit gods telling me to wait to app for the BCE until I get all my credit ducks in a row. I'm going to try apping on the phone when the time is right. Pretty sure it'll still be a soft since I already have a Zync, but I can't tell you for sure.

Very happy it did that to me, I went for it when I got in with PSECU/Chase. More than likely would have been denied.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

ssdc1980 — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:03:03 GMT

The good news is I finally got the application to go through by applying as a non amex member like improvingmycredit suggested. The bad news is I was shot down. There sending me a letter stating why, should be here in a week or two. Oh well, even though a denial is genuinely unpleasant it does give me some added inspiration to continue my rebuilding efforts, so back to the garden I go....until the next time amex revolver....

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

improvingmycredit — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:10:51 GMT

@ssdc1980 wrote:
The good news is I finally got the application to go through by applying as a non amex member like improvingmycredit suggested. The bad news is I was shot down. There sending me a letter stating why, should be here in a week or two. Oh well, even though a denial is genuinely unpleasant it does give me some added inspiration to continue my rebuilding efforts, so back to the garden I go....until the next time amex revolver....

I'm sorry that you were denied. I was really hoping that you'd get the approval. Which card did you app? The BCE or Delta? Just an FYI, the co-branded cards tend to be a little more relaxed in their approval requirements then the Amex sponsored revolvers. The good news is you will get your EX FICO so you will know where you stand for an approval later this year.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

HenryJumbo — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:33:44 GMT

@ssdc1980 wrote:
I currently have the Zync card

Sorry to break the news to you (and all the others who swear by the Zync card) but having a Zync card only shows that you have the credit profile to... have a Zync card. The primary benefit of having a Zync card is to Trojan horse your way into Amex with unlimited SPs (per 90 days I believe). You STILL need the credit profile to qualify for a revolver and having the Zync card will only help if you are currently building excellent credit with the card. Hell you could just as easily have chosen any other credit card, built up excellent credit and still got a Amex revolver, minus the AF fee. You can easily spend a year with a Zync card and not qualify for a revolver, having a Zync makes no difference.

Also people need to open their eyes to the myth of the Amex “relationship”. Amex doesn’t sit there and say, “Bob wants a revolver, he’s credit is average, and his income is low, but hey he’s got a ‘relationship’ with us because he has our lowest rung card, the Zync card, yeah we’ll let Bob get a revolver." NOT!

There really needs to be a sticky about the Zync card, because it’s being pushed on these boards like it’s going out of style, but I’ve read countless threads of people getting denied revolvers.

The reason you’re “having trouble” is because a Zync doesn’t give you any preference to getting a revolver.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

jsickz32 — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:40:42 GMT

^+1

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

dude11 — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:46:31 GMT

HenryJumbo is right. I've had the Zync for 18 months and I still can't get a Amex revolver nor another charge card. I used to charge all of my daily expenses and utility bills to it and pay several times a month. I have stopped using it as the begining of this month and am currently thinking of closing it come to 2nd year anniversary in Feb of next year. So having a relationship does not mean 12 months down the road you will get another card from them or whatever.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

Razeus — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:48:59 GMT

So glad I got approved for Zync and BCE the same day. I almost did the Zync by itself thinking I can get a revolver using my "Zync relationship". My only worry now is doing CLI's on the BCE, but at least I'm in.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

jsickz32 — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:52:47 GMT

@razeus
Me too i was gonna follow what everyone said about getting the zync and waiting a year but applied for the bce first and approved with scores and income that according to some people here it was gonna be a sure decline. Now i have 3 amex lol

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:59:39 GMT

I definitely think that the importance of the Zync gets over stated. Plenty of people get approved for the Amex Blue cards without ever having any previous Amex cards and plenty of people who qualify for the Zync still can't get revolvers after a couple years. I'm sure the underwriting criteria for the cards is drastically different and showing responsibility with a charge card doesn't necessarily translate into responsibility with a credit card. You will need good credit to get an Amex Blue, whether or not you have a Zync. It might make a difference in the most marginal of cases, but probably only if you make heavy use of the Zync, like charging and promptly paying atleast a couple grand a month. If you just get one and barely use it thinking just having it for 6 months will get you a revolver, I think you're pretty mistaken.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

improvingmycredit — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:39:35 GMT

@HenryJumbo wrote:
@ssdc1980 wrote:
I currently have the Zync card
Sorry to break the news to you (and all the others who swear by the Zync card) but having a Zync card only shows that you have the credit profile to... have a Zync card. The primary benefit of having a Zync card is to Trojan horse your way into Amex with unlimited SPs (per 90 days I believe). You STILL need the credit profile to qualify for a revolver and having the Zync card will only help if you are currently building excellent credit with the card. Hell you could just as easily have chosen any other credit card, built up excellent credit and still got a Amex revolver, minus the AF fee. You can easily spend a year with a Zync card and not qualify for a revolver, having a Zync makes no difference.

Also people need to open their eyes to the myth of the Amex “relationship”. Amex doesn’t sit there and say, “Bob wants a revolver, he’s credit is average, and his income is low, but hey he’s got a ‘relationship’ with us because he has our lowest rung card, the Zync card, yeah we’ll let Bob get a revolver." NOT!

There really needs to be a sticky about the Zync card, because it’s being pushed on these boards like it’s going out of style, but I’ve read countless threads of people getting denied revolvers.

The reason you’re “having trouble” is because a Zync doesn’t give you any preference to getting a revolver.

Though I agree with your premise that the Zync is not a guaranteed "in" with an Amex revolver, I do however see the great benefits of apping the Zync to get a relationship with Amex. I don't think it is a overstatement to tell someone to go ahead and get the relationship with Amex when you can so that further down the road, if it is your intention to develop a long relationship with Amex, get in as early as you can. Just to name a few: SPs to determine where you are to getting the revolver you want, EX FICOs and probably most importantly.... backdating.

So though you might not now be eligible to get that revolver you want, you do have still many benefits to getting "in" with Amex. I think also, the Amex Zync card is a great card in and of itself for those starting out or rebuilding. Teaches the use of great credit habits.

One more thing... I don't think the OP ever stated that he was apping because of his relationship with Amex, but only that it would be a SP. In this premise OP was right and it's a benefit of having an Amex card. I see no problem with this. If anything... OP now knows where he/she is on the credit journey to getting the Amex revolver and it didn't cost a HP.

Edited for grammar.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

Razeus — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:16:23 GMT

@improvingmycredit wrote:
@HenryJumbo wrote:
@ssdc1980 wrote:
I currently have the Zync card
Sorry to break the news to you (and all the others who swear by the Zync card) but having a Zync card only shows that you have the credit profile to... have a Zync card. The primary benefit of having a Zync card is to Trojan horse your way into Amex with unlimited SPs (per 90 days I believe). You STILL need the credit profile to qualify for a revolver and having the Zync card will only help if you are currently building excellent credit with the card. Hell you could just as easily have chosen any other credit card, built up excellent credit and still got a Amex revolver, minus the AF fee. You can easily spend a year with a Zync card and not qualify for a revolver, having a Zync makes no difference.

Also people need to open their eyes to the myth of the Amex “relationship”. Amex doesn’t sit there and say, “Bob wants a revolver, he’s credit is average, and his income is low, but hey he’s got a ‘relationship’ with us because he has our lowest rung card, the Zync card, yeah we’ll let Bob get a revolver." NOT!

There really needs to be a sticky about the Zync card, because it’s being pushed on these boards like it’s going out of style, but I’ve read countless threads of people getting denied revolvers.

The reason you’re “having trouble” is because a Zync doesn’t give you any preference to getting a revolver.

Though I agree with your premise that the Zync is not a guaranteed "in" with an Amex revolver, I do however see the great benefits of apping the Zync to get a relationship with Amex. But, I don't think it is a overstatement to tell someone to go ahead and get the relationship with Amex when you can so that further down the road, if it is your intention to develop a long relationship with Amex, get in as early as you can. Just to name a few: SPs to determine where you are to getting the revolver you want, EX FICOs and probably most importantly.... backdating.
So though you might not now be eligible to get that revolver you want, you do have still many benefits to getting "in" with Amex. I think also, the Amex Zync card is a great card in and of itself for those starting out or rebuilding. Teaches the use of great credit habits.
One more thing... I don't think the OP ever stated that he was apping because of his relationship with Amex, but only that it would be a SP. In this premise OP was right and it's a benefit of having an Amex card. I see no problem with this. If anything... OP now knows where he/she is on the credit journey to getting the Amex revolver.

What's so important about backdating? Forgive my ignorance.

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:20:47 GMT

Backdating allows new accounts to be reflected on your credit report as opening since you have been a cutomer which can significantly increase you AAoA. Now that you have your Amex, in 10 years, you can open up another Amex revolver. Instead of the new card reporting that it was opening in 2022, it will be reported as opened in 2012!

Re: Having trouble applying for AMEX revolver

improvingmycredit — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:27:30 GMT

Once you are a cardmember with Amex, you are always a cardmember and all subsequent applications for credit products are backdated to the first year you became a member. So just to give a few examples of what this means: If you became a cardmember year 2009 then all you new accounts with Amex are backdated to the month you are approved with the new card and the year 2009. You gain extra age on on your CR for now having 2 cards that are reported as opened in 2009 instead of a new account that could potentially lower your AAoA. Also, if you decide to close your current account then later, say 6 years down the road again develop a relationship with Amex, all your new accounts are backdated to the original cardmembership date. Pretty neat stuff. You actually gain AAoAs even though you haven't had a Amex relationship for the last 6 years.