topic Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull? in Credit Cards

Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

killer_queen229 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:54:42 GMT

When I called AE the woman wasn't too sure. Right now I have the Blue card.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:02:56 GMT

Did she even say it could be done? Sometimes issuers won't PC until the account is a certain age (often a promo period has to expire). I wouldn't call this an upgrade, blue and BCE are really in different families, so more a lateral change!

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:04:48 GMT

PC'd to the BCE from the Delta Gold Skymiles - 2 weeks from approval - no hard pull.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

killer_queen229 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:05:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Did she even say it could be done? Sometimes issuers won't PC until the account is a certain age (often a promo period has to expire). I wouldn't call this an upgrade, blue and BCE are really in different families, so more a lateral change!

She said it was possible but that I'd need the actual card to do it. Mine hasn't arrived yet. She wasn't sure though if it would require a hard pull or not. Or if it even required a credit check or anything. It may not be worth "switching" to if they are really different from one another.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:14:26 GMT

@killer_queen229 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Did she even say it could be done? Sometimes issuers won't PC until the account is a certain age (often a promo period has to expire). I wouldn't call this an upgrade, blue and BCE are really in different families, so more a lateral change!
She said it was possible but that I'd need the actual card to do it. Mine hasn't arrived yet. She wasn't sure though if it would require a hard pull or not. Or if it even required a credit check or anything. It may not be worth "switching" to if they are really different from one another.

Well, whether it is worth switching depends on what you want for rewards and where you do your spending. BCE is a cash back card, with enhanced cash back on groceries (up to $6K), gas and some department stores. Blue earns MRE (more or less at a flat rate) and these can be redeemed for gift cards etc, but IF you have other Amex Membership Reward cards, can be transferred to airline/hotel loyalty programs. If you don't have one of those cards, and do enough spending on groceries/gas/department stores, BCE is probably better.

Also, general rule: if a change is an HP, you are usually better offer just applying. You will get a new account, reducing your AAoA, but you get a new credit limit and potentially are eligible for sign up bonuses, which you aren't when you product change. With Amex you would need to be logged out when you apply, but that isn't a big hassle, plus only a SP if you are denied. But I would be surprised if it was a HP!

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

killer_queen229 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:16:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@killer_queen229 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Did she even say it could be done? Sometimes issuers won't PC until the account is a certain age (often a promo period has to expire). I wouldn't call this an upgrade, blue and BCE are really in different families, so more a lateral change!
She said it was possible but that I'd need the actual card to do it. Mine hasn't arrived yet. She wasn't sure though if it would require a hard pull or not. Or if it even required a credit check or anything. It may not be worth "switching" to if they are really different from one another.
Well, whether it is worth switching depends on what you want for rewards and where you do your spending. BCE is a cash back card, with enhanced cash back on groceries (up to $6K), gas and some department stores. Blue earns MRE (more or less at a flat rate) and these can be redeemed for gift cards etc, but IF you have other Amex Membership Reward cards, can be transferred to airline/hotel loyalty programs. If you don't have one of those cards, and do enough spending on groceries/gas/department stores, BCE is probably better.

Also, general rule: if a change is an HP, you are usually better offer just applying. You will get a new account, reducing your AAoA, but you get a new credit limit and potentially are eligible for sign up bonuses, which you aren't when you product change. With Amex you would need to be logged out when you apply, but that isn't a big hassle, plus only a SP if you are denied. But I would be surprised if it was a HP!

No I don't do tons of shopping with credit cards, so Blue will be just fine. I still earn points so I still get things out of it.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Creditaddict — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:02:52 GMT

PC with Amex are not HP just as CLI are never HP.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:10:35 GMT

It does not cost you a HP to PC.

However, doing a PC will result in you forfeiting sign-up bonus(es) for the Blue, and also disqualifying you for any sign-up bonuses for whatever product you are intending to change to.

So its best to get the sign-up bonus for your blue first, then try to PC.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Platinum — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:47:25 GMT

It's not HP at all. Last week I PC-ed HHonors to BCE via chat. Easy Breezy

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

killer_queen229 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:53:09 GMT

I don't know if it's worth it when I don't shop often. It's just nice to have a membership with them is all..

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 18:25:29 GMT

I think in your situation where you have just got the card, probably better to use it for a while and see if it works. You can always PC or app for another card later if you see a need.

Re: Would upgrading to BCE require hard pull?

MissCredit9 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:10:13 GMT

@killer_queen229 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@killer_queen229 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Did she even say it could be done? Sometimes issuers won't PC until the account is a certain age (often a promo period has to expire). I wouldn't call this an upgrade, blue and BCE are really in different families, so more a lateral change!
She said it was possible but that I'd need the actual card to do it. Mine hasn't arrived yet. She wasn't sure though if it would require a hard pull or not. Or if it even required a credit check or anything. It may not be worth "switching" to if they are really different from one another.
Well, whether it is worth switching depends on what you want for rewards and where you do your spending. BCE is a cash back card, with enhanced cash back on groceries (up to $6K), gas and some department stores. Blue earns MRE (more or less at a flat rate) and these can be redeemed for gift cards etc, but IF you have other Amex Membership Reward cards, can be transferred to airline/hotel loyalty programs. If you don't have one of those cards, and do enough spending on groceries/gas/department stores, BCE is probably better.

Also, general rule: if a change is an HP, you are usually better offer just applying. You will get a new account, reducing your AAoA, but you get a new credit limit and potentially are eligible for sign up bonuses, which you aren't when you product change. With Amex you would need to be logged out when you apply, but that isn't a big hassle, plus only a SP if you are denied. But I would be surprised if it was a HP!
No I don't do tons of shopping with credit cards, so Blue will be just fine. I still earn points so I still get things out of it.

Do you not buy groceries? Blue is pretty worthless on its own. BCE has a huge advantage of cash back on groceries and gas, most people make these purchases anyways so why not get rewarded for them?