AMEX question - Authorized User looking to eventually apply for primary line of credit

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if anyone around here had insight into the weight (if any) being an authorized user on an American Express account plays into new account application approval?

I have been an authorized user on an American Express account for about 18 years (which always helps my AAoA).  I have plenty of gardening and credit monitoring to go before I am ready to take the plunge into my own AMEX, BUT...I was just curious if having an established relationship on a card that has always been in good standing factors in to application approvals with American Express.

From reading the information on these boards, AMEX seems like it can be pretty difficult to get into, so I figured any little nudge in my favor I could find would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm sure it helps at least some and could be the deciding factor if it's borderline. The AU account will also help your FICO score some as well. I would say that 75%-95% of what matters most is what is in your report though. There have been quite a few members recently with FICOs between 650-700, myself included, who have gotten approved for credit, charge or both accounts recently. My EX FICO was 668 when I got approved for the ED today but I've managed credit for the past 4 years with no lates or negatives, the two small collections I have ($85, $65) are paid, paid CO from 2011 and I got a mortgage 12/14.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I'm sure it helps at least some and could be the deciding factor if it's borderline. The AU account will also help your FICO score some as well. I would say that 75%-95% of what matters most is what is in your report though. There have been quite a few members recently with FICOs between 650-700, myself included, who have gotten approved for credit, charge or both accounts recently. My EX FICO was 668 when I got approved for the ED today but I've managed credit for the past 4 years with no lates or negatives, the two small collections I have ($85, $65) are paid, paid CO from 2011 and I got a mortgage 12/14.

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Thanks for the advice!  

Unfortunately due to some hardships within the past few years, I do have a 30/60 and 2 30 lates on my reports from 2013 & 2014.  This is another reason why I am holding off on applying for the AMEX for a while.  I've been consistent and on time with payments, been able to acquiure new credit (third reason I'm holding off because of too many new accounts), and been able to get some great CLIs in the short period of time I have had the new credit.

I guess I need to just be patient until my score levels out to numbers that I am comfortable with (and where I can afford another HP).

[OnTheRebound]

I was an AU on my wife's BCP for about 4 years when I applied for the BCE after being bombarded with a 12.99% / $250 signup offer. I was instantly approved for $11.1K.

If my AU account had any bearing on my approval, I believe it was minor, in my opinion.