Update! Several items of interest were waiting in the mailbox today. 1st, an official letter from AmEx confirming payment in full with a $0 balance of my closed account - the last x 5 of card number match, so I know it's legitimate. There was a disclaimer that this authentication would be invalid should my payment be returned for whatever reason...but the check cleared over a month ago, so that's no concern. 
Also, the return receipt from my reconsideration letter! It was signed and dated February 21 = right on schedule. Since USPS indicates the envelope is still floating around in Salt Lake City somewhere, they must have merely forgotten to scan its barcode on delivery...happens sometimes, no harm no foul.
But then I thought it was odd how about 2 x weeks had passed with no response. So, earlier today I called the "application status" number 800-567-1083 - same number on their denial letter. Unfortunately unlike the thread linked here suggests, there doesn't appear to be any true "backdoor" numbers to account specialists or underwriters. The rep dug out my application, and after asking her several clarifying questions she eventually was able to confirm receipt of my letter by the "media department" (whatever that means). She wouldn't transfer me, instead "placing me on a brief hold so I may email them." Then she explained I need to send an IRS form 4506-C via their secure document upload tool.
As best I understand, AmEx wants to verify my income before reconsidering or approving. I asked if there was any feedback or response to everything else I talked about in my letter, which she didn't really have much to say on. These foreign reps can be so evasive, I sometimes wonder if they are making things up to get out of a question or not disclose information. I of course can understand AmEx's hesitancy after my last account charged off almost a decade ago - so I am more than willing to prove myself worthy of another shot (and said so very clearly in my letter).
Feedback welcomed - as opposed to a form 4506-C, could I give them pay statements that match the income I (honestly) specified on my original application? I have current bank statements that show accounts basically flush with cash, too. Also - am I making headway with getting said application into the hands of a real human (even if he or she won't answer the phone), as opposed to auto-denials from a computer system? I seem to for sure be off the blacklist, otherwise they wouldn't be asking me to verify anything... But if I go to the trouble of giving them tax or financial information, is the ball still in their court for denial? After doing AZEO this last month, all of scores are nicely in the 690-705 ballpark with no red marks.
Time is somewhat of the essence here...my denial letter is dated February 14, 2023 and I think I have 30 x days to overturn or do reconsideration - elsewise start over from scratch. :/
I recently came off of a huge win at mediation - which was a timely reminder that being cordial, patient, honest, open, and willing to work with others DOES pay dividends. Don't think I've heard of Optima either...sounds cool.
@SKBirdmind wrote:Update! Several items of interest were waiting in the mailbox today. 1st, an official letter from AmEx confirming payment in full with a $0 balance of my closed account - the last x 5 of card number match, so I know it's legitimate. There was a disclaimer that this authentication would be invalid should my payment be returned for whatever reason...but the check cleared over a month ago, so that's no concern.
Also, the return receipt from my reconsideration letter! It was signed and dated February 21 = right on schedule. Since USPS indicates the envelope is still floating around in Salt Lake City somewhere, they must have merely forgotten to scan its barcode on delivery...happens sometimes, no harm no foul.
But then I thought it was odd how about 2 x weeks had passed with no response. So, earlier today I called the "application status" number 800-567-1083 - same number on their denial letter. Unfortunately unlike the thread linked here suggests, there doesn't appear to be any true "backdoor" numbers to account specialists or underwriters. The rep dug out my application, and after asking her several clarifying questions she eventually was able to confirm receipt of my letter by the "media department" (whatever that means). She wouldn't transfer me, instead "placing me on a brief hold so I may email them." Then she explained I need to send an IRS form 4506-C via their secure document upload tool.
As best I understand, AmEx wants to verify my income before reconsidering or approving. I asked if there was any feedback or response to everything else I talked about in my letter, which she didn't really have much to say on. These foreign reps can be so evasive, I sometimes wonder if they are making things up to get out of a question or not disclose information. I of course can understand AmEx's hesitancy after my last account charged off almost a decade ago - so I am more than willing to prove myself worthy of another shot (and said so very clearly in my letter).
Feedback welcomed - as opposed to a form 4506-C, could I give them pay statements that match the income I (honestly) specified on my original application? I have current bank statements that show accounts basically flush with cash, too. Also - am I making headway with getting said application into the hands of a real human (even if he or she won't answer the phone), as opposed to auto-denials from a computer system? I seem to for sure be off the blacklist, otherwise they wouldn't be asking me to verify anything... But if I go to the trouble of giving them tax or financial information, is the ball still in their court for denial? After doing AZEO this last month, all of scores are nicely in the 690-705 ballpark with no red marks.
Time is somewhat of the essence here...my denial letter is dated February 14, 2023 and I think I have 30 x days to overturn or do reconsideration - elsewise start over from scratch. :/
I recently came off of a huge win at mediation - which was a timely reminder that being cordial, patient, honest, open, and willing to work with others DOES pay dividends. Don't think I've heard of Optima either...sounds cool.
Sounds promising, Im hoping you get back in with them
Another update with more minuscule progress... I spent some time yesterday compiling financial documents per their request, but when I tried to upload via secure portal it wouldn't let me in stating "they don't need further information." Called the new app number, office is only open Mon-Sat. GREAT.........
Got through to a rep today who started out by only wanting to tell me the app was denied. What's frustrating is how the letter I spent a few hours writing might not have even gotten to people with any real say in the matter, thus my series of phone calls to offshore people of "nonexistent authority and initiative" as Jeffster1 mentioned earlier. After working her over for about an hour, she finally confirmed that 4506-C IS the form and is the only form they'll accept to actually start manual review - and that my initial correspondence "was not sufficient." Guess I can't fault them for wanting me to put my money where my mouth is...literally? 
Per your suggestion, I had her walk me through each section of the form so nothing was left out. Then I explained to her how any sort of tax information I could provide isn't current, given some major changes in $$$$ since my last filing. After dodging a few more questions, she stated that I can always submit further proof along with my 4506-C - I have pay statements, bank summaries, job offer letters, and all that jazz ready to go. The address I asked about in my OP is correct, and the 30-day clock resets today following my recent contact.
My bankruptcy lawyer has also offered to write me a letter that my filing and chargeoff have long-since been resolved - essentially stating there is no reason AmEx should be denying me. If she couldn't offer any guarantee this would overturn their denial, I at least wanted her opinion. She finally (finally...) said "YES, your chances of approval are high with this approach." (Or to that effect.) I hope she wasn't just making stuff up to get me off the phone...
While I was persistent, I of course remained patient and friendly with her - no sense in yelling or cursing at risk of going back on blacklist... The call ended with "thank you for being a customer since 2016" - confirming what many others here say about AmEx backdating my new card with the 1st account opening.
@Jeffster1 wrote:Once you're in, Amex is amazing.
@NoMoreDebt wrote:Sounds promising, Im hoping you get back in with them
You both are keying in on the reason I'm going to the extra trouble here. To put it in layman's terms - there is absolutely no reason my current scores, income, credit or payment history, and paying back my charged-off balance shouldn't give me an automatic in. With how many trips per year I take on Delta, it also makes utterly no sense that I don't carry a credit card with them. I think a Delta agent even told me that at check-in once. It would go a long way to maintaining (and growing) my status with them, too. The list goes on... I've worked hard enough to reap some real rewards here - not 1.5% from Capital One.
@SKBirdmind wrote:Another update with more minuscule progress... I spent some time yesterday compiling financial documents per their request, but when I tried to upload via secure portal it wouldn't let me in stating "they don't need further information." Called the new app number, office is only open Mon-Sat. GREAT.........
Got through to a rep today who started out by only wanting to tell me the app was denied. What's frustrating is how the letter I spent a few hours writing might not have even gotten to people with any real say in the matter, thus my series of phone calls to offshore people of "nonexistent authority and initiative" as Jeffster1 mentioned earlier. After working her over for about an hour, she finally confirmed that 4506-C IS the form and is the only form they'll accept to actually start manual review - and that my initial correspondence "was not sufficient." Guess I can't fault them for wanting me to put my money where my mouth is...literally?
Per your suggestion, I had her walk me through each section of the form so nothing was left out. Then I explained to her how any sort of tax information I could provide isn't current, given some major changes in $$$$ since my last filing. After dodging a few more questions, she stated that I can always submit further proof along with my 4506-C - I have pay statements, bank summaries, job offer letters, and all that jazz ready to go. The address I asked about in my OP is correct, and the 30-day clock resets today following my recent contact.
My bankruptcy lawyer has also offered to write me a letter that my filing and chargeoff have long-since been resolved - essentially stating there is no reason AmEx should be denying me. If she couldn't offer any guarantee this would overturn their denial, I at least wanted her opinion. She finally (finally...) said "YES, your chances of approval are high with this approach." (Or to that effect.) I hope she wasn't just making stuff up to get me off the phone...
While I was persistent, I of course remained patient and friendly with her - no sense in yelling or cursing at risk of going back on blacklist... The call ended with "thank you for being a customer since 2016" - confirming what many others here say about AmEx backdating my new card with the 1st account opening.
@Jeffster1 wrote:Once you're in, Amex is amazing.
@NoMoreDebt wrote:Sounds promising, Im hoping you get back in with them
You both are keying in on the reason I'm going to the extra trouble here. To put it in layman's terms - there is absolutely no reason my current scores, income, credit or payment history, and paying back my charged-off balance shouldn't give me an automatic in. With how many trips per year I take on Delta, it also makes utterly no sense that I don't carry a credit card with them. I think a Delta agent even told me that at check-in once. It would go a long way to maintaining (and growing) my status with them, too. The list goes on... I've worked hard enough to reap some real rewards here - not 1.5% from Capital One.
OP, I am rooting for you to get approved in the near future. Please keep us updated
@FireMedic1 wrote:Its good you paid them back. They will contact you with an invitation for the Optima program. There is no timeframe of when that may happen. Isnt automatic. Wait it out and check your mail.
Optima isn't offered to everyone. It's used as a tool to prompt repayment. Someone who repays on their own won't be offered an optima card.
@Epiki71 wrote:OP, I am rooting for you to get approved in the near future. Please keep us updated
THANKS, Epiki71!! 
Much appreciated and I'll take all the positivity I can get - my story has already come way too far, it undoubtedly has to end well. To think that some people get auto-offers and approvals like this, effectively just clicking buttons in their sleep...
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:Optima isn't offered to everyone. It's used as a tool to prompt repayment. Someone who repays on their own won't be offered an optima card.
That for sure sounds a bit different from just automatically inviting anyone who repays. In fact, I may have already received that offer years ago (and would have promptly thrown it out...).
@SKBirdmind wrote:Another update with more minuscule progress... I spent some time yesterday compiling financial documents per their request, but when I tried to upload via secure portal it wouldn't let me in stating "they don't need further information." Called the new app number, office is only open Mon-Sat. GREAT.........
Got through to a rep today who started out by only wanting to tell me the app was denied. What's frustrating is how the letter I spent a few hours writing might not have even gotten to people with any real say in the matter, thus my series of phone calls to offshore people of "nonexistent authority and initiative" as Jeffster1 mentioned earlier. After working her over for about an hour, she finally confirmed that 4506-C IS the form and is the only form they'll accept to actually start manual review - and that my initial correspondence "was not sufficient." Guess I can't fault them for wanting me to put my money where my mouth is...literally?
Per your suggestion, I had her walk me through each section of the form so nothing was left out. Then I explained to her how any sort of tax information I could provide isn't current, given some major changes in $$$$ since my last filing. After dodging a few more questions, she stated that I can always submit further proof along with my 4506-C - I have pay statements, bank summaries, job offer letters, and all that jazz ready to go. The address I asked about in my OP is correct, and the 30-day clock resets today following my recent contact.
My bankruptcy lawyer has also offered to write me a letter that my filing and chargeoff have long-since been resolved - essentially stating there is no reason AmEx should be denying me. If she couldn't offer any guarantee this would overturn their denial, I at least wanted her opinion. She finally (finally...) said "YES, your chances of approval are high with this approach." (Or to that effect.) I hope she wasn't just making stuff up to get me off the phone...
While I was persistent, I of course remained patient and friendly with her - no sense in yelling or cursing at risk of going back on blacklist... The call ended with "thank you for being a customer since 2016" - confirming what many others here say about AmEx backdating my new card with the 1st account opening.
@Jeffster1 wrote:Once you're in, Amex is amazing.
@NoMoreDebt wrote:Sounds promising, Im hoping you get back in with them
You both are keying in on the reason I'm going to the extra trouble here. To put it in layman's terms - there is absolutely no reason my current scores, income, credit or payment history, and paying back my charged-off balance shouldn't give me an automatic in. With how many trips per year I take on Delta, it also makes utterly no sense that I don't carry a credit card with them. I think a Delta agent even told me that at check-in once. It would go a long way to maintaining (and growing) my status with them, too. The list goes on... I've worked hard enough to reap some real rewards here - not 1.5% from Capital One.
Sending good thoughts your way.
As I described earlier, I had applied for the Amex Gold, for which I had pre-qualified, at exactly 61 months after my BK 13 filing. Amex was included but I ended up converting to a 100 percent plan which allowed me to get my DC 1.5 years early. I really didn't expect an approval, but was just testing the waters. At first, it said Denied so I called the number and was connected to one of the offshore reps.
He told me that I was not denied. All I needed to do was send in a 4506-C. He sent me the link.I filled out the form and uploaded it. I called a few days later and was told I needed to resubmit the form. I had the second rep sit with me on the line as I filled it out again. Yet again, it kicked back after a few days. I called back and now needed to fill it out again. By now, I had filed my 2021 taxes and filled out the 4506-C again, requesting 2021.
This went back and forth. The offshore reps are polite but frustrating. They really have no idea about what would cause an approval and they have no authority. They keep referring to the "back room team." They have no authority to challenge a decision by that team. I found that they will say whatever they need to say to get you off the phone.
I uploaded a bank statement and the PDF of my 2021 taxes directly but those were rejected. They will only go by the 4506-C.
Somehow, I got the attention of someone in the Amex Exec Offices, and they too were stumped. I actually received two personal emails from the CEO about his team now working on this. I don't know if it were just my case...at that particular point in time...but turned out that I needed to affix a wet signature to the 4506-C and not an electronic one.
I resubmitted my 4506-C with a wet signature and got my approval in a couple days. The same day, I was instantly approved for a BCE with a SL of $6000. During my back and forth, Amex had pulled my EX and TU a few times each. All were removed, as promised, except for one.
As frustrating as it was, it was WELL WORTH IT. I have since received approvals with no HP for the Marriott Bevy, BCP and HH. I will wait for my BK to fall off next year and will focus on CLIs.
As I said, once you're in, Amex is amazing.
Another thing....it seems that once you're in, even if you are routed to an off-shore rep, they are more knowledgeable and have greater authority to help you than the ones I was dealing with as I hung in limbo.
And, maybe best of all, Amex, as has been reported here before, recognizes my many years of good history (until my unfortunate BK) by considering me a card member since 2004. Truth be told, I never made a late payment to Amex prior to my BK. I was treading water for several years and was only pushed into BK by a lawsuit from Patelco. I had a few late payments here and there elsewhere, but never Amex. I don't know if that figured into their decision to invite me back in at 61 months.
On a side note, the decision to go into BK was the best decision I ever made. Even though I managed to tread water for so long, my debt was so uncomfortably high, I would never have been able to pay it off with default interest tacked on. The 13 provided me an orderly process to pay off everything. My rebuild was actually a pleasure with what I consider a few lucky breaks along the way.
I'm rooting for you @SKBirdmind !
@Jeffster1 wrote:As frustrating as it was, it was WELL WORTH IT. I have since received approvals with no HP for the Marriott Bevy, BCP and HH. I will wait for my BK to fall off next year and will focus on CLIs.
As I said, once you're in, Amex is amazing.
That's what I keep hearing.
My first AmEx was a $1000 Delta Gold from 2014-2016... never late... paid and closed in late 2016 prior to filing Ch 13.
May 2022 they gave me the exact same card only with a $10k limit. No idea why... but they did. I can't get a CLI due to the BK on my reports for a few more months... but this card is my highest limit card and my daily driver. Usage anywhere from $2k-$6k per month and always PIF.
I'm looking forward to 2024 when more doors with AmEx open for me.
