topic Re: How best to deal with Amex? in Credit Cards

How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 21:57:53 GMT

Long story short, my husband got an Amex Zync back in 2012. We ran all our bills through it, made extra payments and paid on time. After 6 months, he app'd for what was recommended as the easiest revolver at the time and was declined. So, we waited another 6 months and tried again, still declined. His credit score ranges between 720-748 right now depending on what credit report is pulled. We mostly quit using it around 9 months ago. I have about $40 in payments that come off it that I pay in full on time. App'd again and still declined.

For whatever reason, Amex is just not going to give him a revolving. He has no negatives, but his credit history started in 2007.

I would really like to just leave the Zync unused at this point. Will they still backdate at some point in the future? How long does it usually take for Amex to close due to inactivity?

Right now he has Chase Slate, Discover More, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Sig Visa and a few others. I guess I'm just a bit frustrated with Amex since the first year we put quite a bit of effort into trying to be their ideal customer. This latest decline just makes me not want to use it at all. I don't want to close it, just don't want to use it. Thoughts?

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

AvadaKedavra — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:18:59 GMT

What reasons for decline do they list?

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Closingracer99 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:23:09 GMT

The app for something else then the Delta card? go app for the BCE or ED? wouldnt hurt since a decline wouldn't be a HP

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

lonelyisland — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:31:26 GMT

Well, j_casteel spoke with an EO once who said that the Zync was keeping him from getting any new credit with AMEX.

You guys' mileage may vary, but I have heard this story before.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Just-confirmed-with-AMEX-EO-on-closing-PSL-Zync-to-qualify-for/m-p/3153218/highlight/true#M884608

And he should keep his backdate if they close it.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

ezdoesit — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:43:22 GMT

@lonelyisland wrote:
Well, j_casteel spoke with an EO once who said that the Zync was keeping him from getting any new credit with AMEX.
You guys' mileage may vary, but I have heard this story before.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Just-confirmed-with-AMEX-EO-on-closing-PSL-Zync-to-qualify-for/m-p/3153218/highlight/true#M884608

And he should keep his backdate if they close it.

I have heard this before also. If you want the Delta Card don't apply on American Express website but on Delta's website.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:31:52 GMT

Applied to the Delta, also declined..

I'm not sure what the decline reason is this time, previously it was lack of adequate credit history or something along those lines. At this point I'll just wait for the letter.

His Zync card was never limited to $500, just tested it at $2400 just for the heck of it and that spending was approved. Oh well, we'll see when the decline comes in. He got his first signature Visa yesterday, so that's something to celebrate. I mean, we don't really need the card, it's just odd that he can't get anywhere with Amex. Maybe the decline letter will shed some light on that. I'll put the cards somewhere safe to use in case of backdating questions later but otherwise I think it's just time to sock drawer that card completely.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:32:27 GMT

@ezdoesit wrote:
@lonelyisland wrote:
Well, j_casteel spoke with an EO once who said that the Zync was keeping him from getting any new credit with AMEX.
You guys' mileage may vary, but I have heard this story before.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Just-confirmed-with-AMEX-EO-on-closing-PSL-Zync-to-qualify-for/m-p/3153218/highlight/true#M884608

And he should keep his backdate if they close it.
I have heard this before also. If you want the Delta Card don't apply on American Express website but on Delta's website.

Delta site redirects to American Express page.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:40:33 GMT

BK CH 7.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:50:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
BK CH 7.

I'm the only one with a bankruptry. Card is just in my husband's name and I'm just an authorized user on it.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

myjourney — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:57:14 GMT

@lonelyisland wrote:
Well, j_casteel spoke with an EO once who said that the Zync was keeping him from getting any new credit with AMEX.
You guys' mileage may vary, but I have heard this story before.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Just-confirmed-with-AMEX-EO-on-closing-PSL-Zync-to-qualify-for/m-p/3153218/highlight/true#M884608

And he should keep his backdate if they close it.

This is the truth ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ and can be backed by research here

Most closed the card waited a month or so app'ed and were approved

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 00:13:13 GMT

@ezdoesit wrote:
@lonelyisland wrote:
Well, j_casteel spoke with an EO once who said that the Zync was keeping him from getting any new credit with AMEX.
You guys' mileage may vary, but I have heard this story before.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Just-confirmed-with-AMEX-EO-on-closing-PSL-Zync-to-qualify-for/m-p/3153218/highlight/true#M884608

And he should keep his backdate if they close it.
I have heard this before also. If you want the Delta Card don't apply on American Express website but on Delta's website.

Why is it best to apply at the Delta website?

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 00:15:00 GMT

I completely agree! My husband started out with the Zync and his wasn't restricted to just the $500 spend either because there was several occasions where he went much over that, BUT he never could even after establishing a great score and history get approved for any other Amex cards he'd applied for. Being frustrated and completely ticked off to be honest I made him call them and see what the heck was goin on. After a chat with the rep we decided to take her advice and close the Zync. I set a reminder for 31 days (31 to be on the safe side even tho she said 30). That day he applied and was approved for his first revolver with Amex and they did backdate to the original Zync date. Of course YMMV, but it seems with several ppl having the same experience it must be pretty accurate.

On a side note I think if I were you I'd close the account myself rather than SD'ing it until they close it for inactivity. I would think it has to look better on your CR if you close an account rather than the company closing and leaving the question to other creditor's why they chose to close ur account.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

jamesdwi — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 00:29:02 GMT

Keep trying for a revolver, my second AMEX card was the Zync, NPSL, I currently have 3x AMEX cards, if its the NPSL version its most likely not holding your back, my Zync card was verified for a 15k general charge via check spend button.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:28:31 GMT

Went ahead and closed it today, we had it for 2 years and 4 months and he app'd for a revolving card on 3 different occasions with no luck. Maybe it was the Zync card, maybe it was having me as an AU, but, who knows, it just wasn't going to go anywhere. His TU FICO on his Discover statement today was 747, Experian was in the 730's last time he had an app. Not sure what Amex was holding out for, Delta app was cancelled without being submitted even though I started the app from the Delta site.

We'll see where he's at in 6 months and maybe try again, but at least we won't have another annual fee for a card we don't use sneak up on us.

Re: How best to deal with Amex?

lonelyisland — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:23:35 GMT

Probably a good idea. Those annual fees are sneaky!

Good luck if he decides to give the AMEX ED a shot - at least with that one - no AF to earn MR points.