AMEX after chap 7.

[Amiashu12]

Sorry for late response. I was acutally waiting a response from Amex by letter. So, I did receive the letter and it ony states one reason "bankruptcy" for declining. In the past, it used to say "amex canceled your previous account”. Does that change anything in this situation? Or, Ill still have to pay them first? Thanks. 

[FireMedic1]

Just like NFCU after BK. Must be PIF to the penny. No settlements.

[CWESTL]

I shared the below in a different response to a post in April 2021. Since the below post my AMEX Cash Magnet (originally approved 5 years 4 months post DC) CL has increased another $6K to a total CL of $26K and I was approved for an AMEX Platinum with a 150,000 point bonus. My Lowe's AMEX Business card was approved for a CLI (from $13.5K to $25K). All of the aforementioned CLI approvals and the AMEX Platinum approval were completed WITHOUT a hard inquiry. I want to stress that I burned AMEX in my Chapter 7 BK and I did NOT repay the discharged debt of approximately $10K.

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American Express has been a great credit card issuer especially considering I included AMEX in my 2013 Chapter 7 BK for approximately $10K. Was happy to be approved for the AMEX Cash Magnet approximately 22 months ago (5 years 4 months post DC) with a SL of $10K and 0% APR for 12 months. Was approved for an AMEX Lowes Business Card in November 2020 without a credit inquiry. In December 2020 I went online and was approved for a $10K CLI on my AMEX Cash Magnet card without a credit inquiry. New CL is $20K!!!

Not exactly sure the threshold AMEX uses for opening the door again, but I did NOT pay off the old debt that was discharged in 2013. However, I was an AMEX cardholder since 1997 in good standing for more than 10 years before the financial crisis of 2008. The debt was finally discharge in my 2013 Chapter 7 BK. I also have a healthy income.  

Discover was my challenge as my Discover It card approval was met with a small SL of $2000 and only a $500 CLI over a couple years. I was told by Discover representatives my prior Discover card discharge of approximately $8K/$9K wouldn't allow for my card to grow. This was true until a month or two ago when I was approved for a second Discover It with a SL of $9500 and 0% APR for 14 months and an increased CL on my initial Discover It to $5K. 

At some point in the future would like to reconnect with Citibank, Chase and BOA.  .  . I believe all but Chase were included in my 2013 Chapter 7 discharge. 

Seems each has a variable look back and criteria for reentry.

[Jnbmom]

@CWESTL 

Your discharge was 9 years ago . AMEX will usually take you off their nasty list without repaying them in 9-10 years. 

[CWESTL]

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@Jnbmom wrote:

@CWESTL 

Your discharge was 9 years ago . AMEX will usually take you off their nasty list without repaying them in 9-10 years. 

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@Jnbmom Agreed. However, I'd note the approval for the AMEX Cash Magnet occured at 5 years 4 months post DC with a SL of $10K and 0% APR for 12 months. Understanding card approval metrics exactly isn't a perfect science, but I've had a great run in significant part due to the advice provided on this forum. I've been approved for every credit application (i.e. credit card, auto loan, mortgage, etc.) submitted since my Chapter 7 BK discharge.  

[porrasv]

Congratulations, glad to know you worked hard to improve your credit. I filed CH 7 bankruptcy on 3/2019 and discharged on 8/2019. Amex, Chase, Citi and other creditors were included. I feel so bad that I had to file BK but I had no other choice due to financial hardship. I just hope I could get Amex credit cards someday. I know it's almost impossible since they blackish those who don't pay back. I have little hopes.

[Horseshoez]

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@porrasv wrote:

Congratulations, glad to know you worked hard to improve your credit. I filed CH 7 bankruptcy on 3/2019 and discharged on 8/2019. Amex, Chase, Citi and other creditors were included. I feel so bad that I had to file BK but I had no other choice due to financial hardship. I just hope I could get Amex credit cards someday. I know it's almost impossible since they blackish those who don't pay back. I have little hopes.

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As much as I benefited from having an AMEX card for 30+ years, like you I will most likely never get back in with them after my Chapter 13; what I have found is there are plenty of other good CCs out there worth having, honestly, I rather doubt I'll ever miss having an AMEX.

[CWESTL]

@porrasv & @Horseshoez I wouldn't give up. I can't imagine my experience getting approved for an AMEX card approximately 5 years post disharge without repayment of the discharged debt is an anomaly. The formula AMEX uses for second chances may not be fully understood, but certainly don't lose hope. 

[Horseshoez]

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@CWESTL wrote:

@porrasv & @Horseshoez I wouldn't give up. I can't imagine my experience getting approved for an AMEX card approximately 5 years post disharge without repayment of the discharged debt is an anomaly. The formula AMEX uses for second chances may not be fully understood, but certainly don't lose hope. 

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I've read numerous reports here of folks coming off the blacklist in under ten years when relatively small amounts were involved, but for those of us with balances well into the five figure range (or more), I rather doubt they'll let us back in much before the twenty year anniversary of our accounts being shut down, if even then.

[porrasv]

Well guys thanks for the replies and giving some hope. I did include AMEX PLATINUM ( and DELTA GOLD FROM AMEX with 7.4K and 4K respectively. I know it is a significant amount and I do feel sad since I didn't mean to file BK 7 but I had no choice. I was going through difficult financial times.

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@Horseshoez wrote:

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@CWESTL wrote:

@porrasv & @Horseshoez I wouldn't give up. I can't imagine my experience getting approved for an AMEX card approximately 5 years post disharge without repayment of the discharged debt is an anomaly. The formula AMEX uses for second chances may not be fully understood, but certainly don't lose hope. 

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I've read numerous reports here of folks coming off the blacklist in under ten years when relatively small amounts were involved, but for those of us with balances well into the five figure range (or more), I rather doubt they'll let us back in much before the twenty year anniversary of our accounts being shut down, if even then.

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