topic Re: Need help getting an AMEX in Credit Cards

Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:02:58 GMT

I really would like an AMEX, but need help determining which is the most likely to get with the following credit scores: FICO/Credit Agency: EQ 689/764 TU 689/758 EX 683/766. I've heard that Delta Skymiles (revolving) and Green (charge) are easier to get. Don't know about the Costco True Earnings or the Blue Cash Every Day.

My history is 22+ years, and my last late payment was 5 years ago. (I have other cards, mortgage)

Advice, please. Thanks.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

youngandcreditwrthy — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:07:31 GMT

Go with the one you want.
I'd say go ahead and try BCE. Your aaoa is stellar!

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:28:45 GMT

Thanks YoungandC. My annual income is $30k, my wife's 52K. What do you think?

Anyone else want to chime in?

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

simi_go — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:33:53 GMT

They are going to pull EX and maybe end pulling more. With a FICO of 683 I would personally app for the PRG charge. Then if approved immediately app for the Delta Gold. If you are approved for the PRG then denied for the Delta it will only be one HP. Good luck.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:17:23 GMT

thanks simi. are these usually instant decisions?

and what do you suggest if not approved for the PRG?

Anyone have opinion on the Costco/True Earnings?

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

manwoot — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:43:23 GMT

If you're not approved for the PRG, chances are you won't be approved for anything. It has been said that charge cards are easier to get (all underwritten the same whether you apply for the Green or the Platinum) while the revolvers are harder. I applied for the BCE and must have been borderline because they pulled all 3 CRAs when I got my instant approval.

That being said, I would advise you to apply for what you want. If you don't want a charge card and won't use one, don't waste an application or a HP on one. You should be fine applying for the BCE as your scores are better than mine and your history is longer than mine, but YMMV.

You've got a good chance at an instant approval, but don't waste HPs.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:50:53 GMT

@PastorH wrote:
thanks simi. are these usually instant decisions?

and what do you suggest if not approved for the PRG?

Anyone have opinion on the Costco/True Earnings?

PastorH:

Your scores seem a bit low (if I am reading your original post right) given your history. Is your utilization a bit high? Also, have you had an AMEX in the past? If you have, youcan likely get backdated and therefore the hit from new cards is reduced.

As for the cards, Costco is a decent card. 3% on gas and 2% on travel and restaurants makes it competitive. However, the fact it has no annual fee makes it great as American Express customer service and services (card protections like buyer protection etc) are historically overall superior to pretty much all card issuers.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:52:40 GMT

Thanks manwoot. I'm going for the PRG. will advise.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:39:23 GMT

manwoot, crashem:

After doing a bit more of thinking, I decided to go with the Green Card (am I a woose?). I just got approved for Visa card with my local bank (5K), and today I was notified of approval of a Chase Freedom (2.5K ... meesly!). so I didn't want to risk being denied. I just wanted to become a member, and Green seemed easier. Plus, a charge card suits my purpose for now. After reviewing my app, the guy at amex confirmed that I should get the Green and after some use, request another. He said that my app was "green lighted" pending receipt of fax verifying address. (sent a light bill) He said it would take 24-48 hrs. (and yes, crashem, my utilization is probably a bit high)

what do you think?

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

mongstradamus — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:41:09 GMT

just curious why didn't you go with PRG? I thought it was same requirements for green and prg

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

wHiTeSoL — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:46:36 GMT

I think you should of went PRG anyways, same requirents, same waived AF for the first year but better rewards and a better sign up bonus! Congrats with your new cards though!

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:49:17 GMT

Mongstradamus:

I have no answer. Brain freeze? Should I feel bad? Tried talking the analyst into it, but he said I should wait to have activity on green and then request change. Do you think the change should be now? Should I insist?

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

09Lexie — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:51:45 GMT

I agree with the others. If you wanted a charge card the PRG was a better choice. The UW is exactly the same and the AF is waived. However, you ave already applied and seem to be awaiting your approval.

Good luck

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:55:18 GMT

@PastorH wrote:
manwoot, crashem:

After doing a bit more of thinking, I decided to go with the Green Card (am I a woose?). I just got approved for Visa card with my local bank (5K), and today I was notified of approval of a Chase Freedom (2.5K ... meesly!). so I didn't want to risk being denied. I just wanted to become a member, and Green seemed easier. Plus, a charge card suits my purpose for now. After reviewing my app, the guy at amex confirmed that I should get the Green and after some use, request another. He said that my app was "green lighted" pending receipt of fax verifying address. (sent a light bill) He said it would take 24-48 hrs. (and yes, crashem, my utilization is probably a bit high)

what do you think?

If you are going to go charge card, go PRG. Better sign up bonus and better point structure than green. Since first year AF is waived and criteria for approval is same, no reason to go Green vs PRG. After first year, you can do math and see which makes more sense and PC at that time if needed.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:04:23 GMT

OK. So I seem to have goofed. Question is, do you think I can do anything to have the app changed from Green to PRG?

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

simi_go — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:10:25 GMT

@PastorH wrote:
OK. So I seem to have goofed. Question is, do you think I can do anything to have the app changed from Green to PRG?

The only way you will know is to ask, I would call them and tell them that you made a mistake and would like your application to be for the PRG instead, at the end of the first year if you do not see the benefit of keeping it with the high annual fee you can pc it to a green, but I would definately be on the phone with them now telling them that I goofed and would like to submit for the PRG instead, since it has not been completely approved yet maybe they can make the switch.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

PastorH — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 22:24:16 GMT

well simi go:

Long story, short. I called and spoke to a nice lady. Told her that I had made a mistake, and really wanted the PRG, especially for the 3x travel. She confirmed that underwriting was the same, and that she would help. well, after a few "hold times", she came back with the following news: she had cancelled the app for amex green! BION. now there was no turning back. she forwarded me to the apply by phone area, where I had to reapply for the PRG, new underwriting etc. He said that I would have to check status online in about an hour. Now I have to wait to see if it approved (the Green apparently was) and/or they ask for new documents (already had sent proof of address).

Not how I imagined it. I'll keep you posted.

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

mongstradamus — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 23:33:35 GMT

@PastorH wrote:
well simi go:

Long story, short. I called and spoke to a nice lady. Told her that I had made a mistake, and really wanted the PRG, especially for the 3x travel. She confirmed that underwriting was the same, and that she would help. well, after a few "hold times", she came back with the following news: she had cancelled the app for amex green! BION. now there was no turning back. she forwarded me to the apply by phone area, where I had to reapply for the PRG, new underwriting etc. He said that I would have to check status online in about an hour. Now I have to wait to see if it approved (the Green apparently was) and/or they ask for new documents (already had sent proof of address).

Not how I imagined it. I'll keep you posted.

well pulling for you , just hope its not an seperate pull for green and PRG app, that would suck

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

simi_go — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 23:41:37 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:
well pulling for you , just hope its not an seperate pull for green and PRG app, that would suck

I agree, would never have thought that they would just cancel the app! If they had not completed it yet they should have been able to update it. If you were approved for the Green then I see no problem with you being approved for the PRG, and hopefully they will make it just one HP. Good luck!

Re: Need help getting an AMEX

manwoot — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 00:01:07 GMT

@PastorH wrote:
well simi go:

Long story, short. I called and spoke to a nice lady. Told her that I had made a mistake, and really wanted the PRG, especially for the 3x travel. She confirmed that underwriting was the same, and that she would help. well, after a few "hold times", she came back with the following news: she had cancelled the app for amex green! BION. now there was no turning back. she forwarded me to the apply by phone area, where I had to reapply for the PRG, new underwriting etc. He said that I would have to check status online in about an hour. Now I have to wait to see if it approved (the Green apparently was) and/or they ask for new documents (already had sent proof of address).

Not how I imagined it. I'll keep you posted.

Not to say I told you so, but this is why I said apply for what you want. I also said that all charge cards have the same underwriting from the Green to the Platinum. Not trying to be mean here, but we won't steer you wrong I wish you luck in getting the PRG, and hope you don't get additional HPs from changing your application mid way through.

Good luck, PastorH.