AMEX combining pulls question

[Cmikul]

I'm sure this has been answered ten million times.

But how close together do apps need to be to be able to combine pulls.

I spoke with a AMEX CS and they said every app is a new pull regardless.

I believe they are slighting confused and maybe they didn't either understand what I was asking or didn't know the real answer.

my BCE was approved on 8/5.  I have a prequal for the ED

[OmarGB9]

Typically within the same day, but even then it's never a guarantee. YMMV as always.

[Anonymous]

You have to speak in a Russian accent and do it on two computers at exactly the same time. 3, 2, 1… mark.

Heh I get the visual that mrpointsguy and other followers do this.

[fury1995]

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@Cmikul wrote:

I'm sure this has been answered ten million times.

But how close together do apps need to be to be able to combine pulls.

I spoke with a AMEX CS and they said every app is a new pull regardless.

I believe they are slighting confused and maybe they didn't either understand what I was asking or didn't know the real answer.

my BCE was approved on 8/5.  I have a prequal for the ED

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Typically, one charge and one credit card app together will result in one pull and both approvals (if the first app is instantly approved).

For example, if applying for the ED you can apply for Green, Gold or Platinum and it should be a single pull.

[kdm31091]

Anecdotally, it seems one charge card and one revolving card can be obtained with one pull much of the time -- though there's still no guarantee and they have every right to make a fresh pull for every application.

There is NEVER a guarantee of combined pulls. If you make two applications for credit, expect and anticipate two HPs. Period.

Since your particular situation is an almost month old BCE, and now you want the ED, you're going to get two pulls. They are both revolvers, and it has been several weeks. The pull is 100% not going to be combined at this point.

[Cmikul]

Thank you for THE answer.  That's exactly what I was asking.

[UncleB]

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@Cmikul wrote:

I'm sure this has been answered ten million times.

But how close together do apps need to be to be able to combine pulls.

I spoke with a AMEX CS and they said every app is a new pull regardless.

I believe they are slighting confused and maybe they didn't either understand what I was asking or didn't know the real answer.

my BCE was approved on 8/5.  I have a prequal for the ED

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Anecdotally, the CSR is correct... there technically are two pulls, but the credit bureaus only reflect one. 

It is said that this is to prevent a situation where there are two inquiries back-to-back in error (as in, one right after another due to a system/web glitch), and it's a function/feature of the credit bureaus, not the creditors (Amex).

I've not (yet) seen definitive proof of this in writing, but it does make sense since (usually) the "two accounts one pull" also works with creditors other than Amex (I know I've read folks say it works with Capital One as well). 

Of course there are folks who say they have seen two pulls from the same creditor in the same day, so as always, YMMV.  In my own personal experience, though, generally as long as the source of the inquiry is the exactly same, it will only be shown once.  I think this is probably why many times a manual pull from Amex will show up as "American Express 2" while an automated pull will show up as either "Amex" or "American Express", to differentiate them.

Back to American Express, many folks (including myself) have sucessfully applied for both a charge card and a credit card in the same day, and the credit report only reflects one credit pull.  However, there is an American Express limitation that prevents you from applying for multiple credit cards or multiple charge cards in the same day, but as long as it's one of each you should be fine.  Folks that app for two charge cards (or two credit cards) in the same day usually get a 7-10 day message on the second app, and it has to be manually approved a few days later, requiring a fresh HP (which defeats the purpose).

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Well said UncleB!

I would just add to that we don't really know how inquiries are combined. It could be the bureaus that decide to combine, or at the end of the day, it could be the creditor, right? But yes, its always YMMV, but heck, the benefits outweigh the risk...... esp w/ the crazy sign on bonuses!  I would rather risk 2 HPs from amex and get some slick bonuses vs endure a triple pull from capital one for one avg bonus and one tiny....and two cards that are nearly identical in reward structure...