topic Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion in General Credit Topics

American Express Inquiry Confusion

shalimarcat — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:13:21 GMT

Hello everyone. I chose to apply for an American Express Green today, as my score has improved by over 30 points. ( I used to have this card and miss it.) I was denied, which didn't surprise me since my score is still a little low. My denial letter stated that they pulled Experian, which I expected. About an hour later, I got an alert that they also pulled TransUnion. I am confused because TransUnion wasn't mentioned in their denial letter, so why did they pull this, as well?

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

Dadof31978 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:25:32 GMT

nobody knows the secret sauce on why they pulled both bureaus. that's just the truth.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

Remedios — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:52:24 GMT

Because lenders always cite one CRA regardless of how many were pulled.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

shalimarcat — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:40:18 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
Because lenders always cite one CRA regardless of how many were pulled.

Interesting point, but I have been with American Express for several years and they had always pulled Experian- and only Experian- before. I wonder if this is a recent change in their underwriting.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

Remedios — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:46:46 GMT

@shalimarcat wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
Because lenders always cite one CRA regardless of how many were pulled.
Interesting point, but I have been with American Express for several years and they had always pulled Experian- and only Experian- before. I wonder if this is a recent change in their underwriting.

Oh, sorry, I meant that in general, letter will always reference only one CRA.

Amex usually pulls only EX but not always.

For borderline approve/deny decisions, they have been known to pull two CRAs

It's not a recent change, it's just not an option they excercise often.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

shalimarcat — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:57:24 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@shalimarcat wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
Because lenders always cite one CRA regardless of how many were pulled.
Interesting point, but I have been with American Express for several years and they had always pulled Experian- and only Experian- before. I wonder if this is a recent change in their underwriting.
Oh, sorry, I meant that in general, letter will always reference only one CRA.
Amex usually pulls only EX but not always.
For borderline approve/deny decisions, they have been known to pull two CRAs
It's not a recent change, it's just not an option they excercise often.

Good to know. I wonder if this means I am getting closer to approval. I will most likely try again in six to eight months, when my score has improved.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

Remedios — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 03:03:21 GMT

@shalimarcat wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
@shalimarcat wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
Because lenders always cite one CRA regardless of how many were pulled.
Interesting point, but I have been with American Express for several years and they had always pulled Experian- and only Experian- before. I wonder if this is a recent change in their underwriting.
Oh, sorry, I meant that in general, letter will always reference only one CRA.
Amex usually pulls only EX but not always.
For borderline approve/deny decisions, they have been known to pull two CRAs
It's not a recent change, it's just not an option they excercise often.

Good to know. I wonder if this means I am getting closer to approval. I will most likely try again in six to eight months, when my score has improved.

I think so. When you see improved score in your account, wait additional 3 weeks, that's usually how long it takes for UW to start using updated score from the time it was pulled, or keep checking periodically for pre-approval.

Re: American Express Inquiry Confusion

4sallypat — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:59:32 GMT

Try waiting 30 days and app again.