Short and sweet (bitter actually), I was denied a CLI with AMEX.
The story. There are times when you feel good about something and the result is a shock. And there are times when things go exactly how you expect. I felt the latter while hitting the luv button on day 64 of my Delta Gold account. I got the dreaded 7-10 day message followed by an email stating for me to call a number, a glimpse of daylight I thought. I called the number which was automated and basically had me redo the request stating there was no record within the last 90 days. I proceeded and got declined. Oh well, C’ est la vie. I’ll try again in 90 days.
As of 12/5
EQ 621
TU 622
EX 626
4 new CCs from Oct app spree which lowered my scores from 640-650 range.
Op, don't lose your confidence. Just keep pushing to make your profile stronger by tackling things that you know can raise your score. Also, wait on the denial letter and see what reasons are given. Once you have that, you can put focus into handling those items as well. It will come for you in due time.
Thanks for the feedback. My long-term game plan is to be patient so I will keep up the rebuild grind.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Noneed2nv wrote:Short and sweet (bitter actually), I was denied a CLI with AMEX.
The story. There are times when you feel good about something and the result is a shock. And there are times when things go exactly how you expect. I felt the latter while hitting the luv button on day 64 of my Delta Gold account. I got the dreaded 7-10 day message followed by an email stating for me to call a number, a glimpse of daylight I thought. I called the number which was automated and basically had me redo the request stating there was no record within the last 90 days. I proceeded and got declined. Oh well, C’ est la vie. I’ll try again in 90 days.
As of 12/5
EQ 621
TU 622
EX 626
4 new CCs from Oct app spree which lowered my scores from 640-650 range.
What was the starting limit on your Delta Gold card? Judging by the scores for Oct 2018 in your signature I'd guess that it could not be more than $1,000.
Also, having your current EX FICO 8 score below 670 would not have helped your case. A 670 score is the cutoff between a sub-prime a.k.a. "fair" score and a "good" score. Although Amex occasionally will approve an applicant with sub-prime scores, the expectation is that your scores will increase by the time you are eligible to request a CLI. In your case it appears you will have to wait 180 days from Date of Approval before any possible increase. 180 days is the typical wait time for a CLI when you're initially approved with a $500 or $1,000 starting limit.
In the interim you should focus on getting your Experian FICO 8 score at or above the 670 mark.
I agree with this. I went through my Amex "starter card/credit steps-ish" timeline and came up with this:
7/2017: Applied and approved for BCE card with $500
9/2017: Denied CLI
1/2018: Auto CLI to $1000 limit (at this point I began timing the 61 day CLI approach, believing the card had graduated due to the auto CLI)
3/2018: Approved CLI to $3000 limit
8/2018: Offered a SUB and PC'd to BCP and accepted. Once I hit the SUB spending threshold soon after, received an auto increase to $5200
10/2018: Approved CLI to $12,900 limit
11/2018: Called to confirm the exact date of last CLI and the CSR gave confirmation to apply for next CLI in 6 months...
4/2019: Requesting next CLI
Hope this helps and good luck!
@Remedios wrote:
@Noneed2nv wrote:Thanks for the feedback. My long-term game plan is to be patient so I will keep up the rebuild grind.
Slightly off topic, but with the cards you have now, why not close Credit One card?
Are you carrying a balance on it?
No balance on it. Just didn’t cross my mind. But with my recent app spree, the need to hold onto it is definitely not there.