Possible Amex Approval Algorithm Changed?

[atst2000]

Greetings,

Lately I've noticed a big change with Amex...a lot of approvals. 

Since I started my membership with Amex back in 2016, it wasn't that hard to get approved for an Amex product (Gold Charge, BCR). However, about almost three years ago it seemed to get a lot more strict than what it was, at least from what I've seen between forums online. 

Recently (this month) the amount of approvals and threads on MYFICO seem to show there's definitely been a change (finally). 

To test this theory I applied for a Blue Cash Biz card...and finally it was approved!  I applied every other month since it's a SP lol. I also did not get a bucketed SL ($5k).

Later I waited 5 days and went for the Amazon Amex...declined. 
I thought to myself "hold on a minute...let me try for the Amex Gold Charge Biz (4 mins from getting declined for the Amazon Amex)...approved and with a $10k POT!

Then it hit me..."if" they changed there approval algorithm, and the Amazon Amex goes through a different online portal to apply (it will redirect you to the Amazon website, rather than applying right in the Amex site) they probably haven't updated that application with the new approval underwriting rules. 

This sounds a bit weird, but thought I would share this with others.  Maybe it changed, maybe not but I'm glad to finally get a Amex Biz card, other than my bucketed Amex Delta Platinum which I've had for over three years. 

[jaxstraw]

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@atst2000 wrote:

Greetings,

Lately I've noticed a big change with Amex...a lot of approvals. 

Since I started my membership with Amex back in 2016, it wasn't that hard to get approved for an Amex product (Gold Charge, BCR). However, about almost three years ago it seemed to get a lot more strict than what it was, at least from what I've seen between forums online. 

Recently (this month) the amount of approvals and threads on MYFICO seem to show there's definitely been a change (finally). 

To test this theory I applied for a Blue Cash Biz card...and finally it was approved!  I applied every other month since it's a SP lol. I also did not get a bucketed SL ($5k).

Later I waited 5 days and went for the Amazon Amex...declined. 
I thought to myself "hold on a minute...let me try for the Amex Gold Charge Biz (4 mins from getting declined for the Amazon Amex)...approved and with a $10k POT!

Then it hit me..."if" they changed there approval algorithm, and the Amazon Amex goes through a different online portal to apply (it will redirect you to the Amazon website, rather than applying right in the Amex site) they probably haven't updated that application with the new approval underwriting rules. 

This sounds a bit weird, but thought I would share this with others.  Maybe it changed, maybe not but I'm glad to finally get a Amex Biz card, other than my bucketed Amex Delta Platinum which I've had for over three years. 

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I'm not sure of any algorithm change but I do agree it seems there have been an influx of reported approvals on the MF site.

A couple of points though that could be a factor for that.

During the pandemic the average credit score has risen , many people have been homebound resulting in more time in front of a computer as well as time to take an interest in personal/business finance, and the CC issuers took several months of losses and might be trying to recoup by a push to extend credit. 

Quite a few have recently released new or rebranded CC 's of late with marketing to match for new applications.

[SouthJamaica]

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@atst2000 wrote:

Greetings,

Lately I've noticed a big change with Amex...a lot of approvals. 

Since I started my membership with Amex back in 2016, it wasn't that hard to get approved for an Amex product (Gold Charge, BCR). However, about almost three years ago it seemed to get a lot more strict than what it was, at least from what I've seen between forums online. 

Recently (this month) the amount of approvals and threads on MYFICO seem to show there's definitely been a change (finally). 

To test this theory I applied for a Blue Cash Biz card...and finally it was approved!  I applied every other month since it's a SP lol. I also did not get a bucketed SL ($5k).

Later I waited 5 days and went for the Amazon Amex...declined. 
I thought to myself "hold on a minute...let me try for the Amex Gold Charge Biz (4 mins from getting declined for the Amazon Amex)...approved and with a $10k POT!

Then it hit me..."if" they changed there approval algorithm, and the Amazon Amex goes through a different online portal to apply (it will redirect you to the Amazon website, rather than applying right in the Amex site) they probably haven't updated that application with the new approval underwriting rules. 

This sounds a bit weird, but thought I would share this with others.  Maybe it changed, maybe not but I'm glad to finally get a Amex Biz card, other than my bucketed Amex Delta Platinum which I've had for over three years. 

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Congratulations on the Business Cash card. It's a great card.

[MyFault]

Congrats on the BBC and Gold approvals!

[blackfines1]

Friend on rebuilding got approuved last week for amex Gold 1k SL

EXP fico 647 inq18 

[RehabbingANDBlabbing]

I think they have different criterion for different cards. I've noticed this on the personal side and on the business side. My Experian report and score aren't great due to some derogatory items. For example, I have the Delta Gold, but AmEx will not approve me for the Gold charge. I was recently approved for the Amazon Prime business card, but they denied me for the Blue Business Cash. I think the cobranded cards are easier to obtain compared to the core cards, but that's not true for every profile. How can I get the Amazon Prime card, while you can't? Credit approvals are complicated sometimes!

[coincidentalirony]

This may be true. A month ago I paid off my chase sapphire and the beginning of august I had pre approvals for every chase card. Same with Amex. You could be on to something here.