American Express Prequal

[Shadeestill]

I finally (!) got in with AmEx in December. They only gave me 1k SL on the Delta Skymiles card, but it was a foot in the door. I did try for my first CLI last month and was denied. 

I was in my account today and clicked on "Check for prequalified offers." I get a pop up for the Gold card with a very nice sub. When I close the pop up, it shows the Blue Cash Preferred, Gold, and Platinum cards as "recommended."

Does this mean I have a decent chance at these cards? I need a good grocery card and the sub on the gold is great. I know that a prequal isn't a guarantee. Is this a soft pull? If so I may go for it. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

It's a good indicator that Gold would be approved, although not a guarantee as you noted. The three charge cards are believed to have similar underwriting, so Platinum and Green would probably have the same chance of approval. Blue Cash Preferred is a core revolver, which cards have the tightest underwriting standards. In no way does that mean you wouldn't be approved for it but a prequal typically means better odds. They've tightened up in some regards though and because of this, your EX score may not yet be high enough for the BCP.

Since you're a cardmember already, choose Credit Cards, then View All Cards, and scroll down to the horizontal bar showing all the cards. Click on any that interest you and hit Apply. If the screen pops up saying "Shadeestill, you are preapproved" that's a prequal and a good indication you'd be approved. If it says "expanding your membership with us is easy Shadeestill" then you aren't prequalified and applying is a shot in the dark.

A SP is possible at this point, maybe even likely, but a HP is definitely still a possibility as well. Be prepared for either.

[FinStar]

Is the EX score [658] displayed on your signature the most up-to-date?  What is the current FICO score display in your AmEx account?  Since you've had your AmEx since December, it appears you haven't been with them long enough.  What reasons did they provide for your declined CLI request?

My guess is that, if approved, you might get stuck with another low limit, but YEMV.  If you don't mind it, then it's up to you.  As you're aware, pre-qualifications are not 100% guaranteed and the same applies with SP/HP.

[Shadeestill]

No my EX is up to 685.

I just realized I'm not quite at 90 days with them (about 4 days shy) and I don't want to risk another low limit card. I'll play the patience game and wait until at least June, which will put me at 6 months with them.

[Ficoproblems247]

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@Shadeestill wrote:

No my EX is up to 685.

I just realized I'm not quite at 90 days with them (about 4 days shy) and I don't want to risk another low limit card. I'll play the patience game and wait until at least June, which will put me at 6 months with them.

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AMEX will almost always use a previous FICO pull they performed on you. You need to check your FICO score through the AMEX app. I do not believe you are able to check it on their website anymore, (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this) as it only gives you the option to look at your TU VS 3.0. The EX FICO score 8 that they display through your app will give you the date they pulled it. Often times what AMEX is using will be 2-3 weeks behind what is actually displayed. Example: it's the 30th of the month and your updated EX FICO score on the app states it was pulled on the 25th: AMEX is probably using the previous score they pulled still and hasn't updated internally, even though you're seeing a more current score. Or, say it's the 30th of the month, and your score was updated on the 1st: AMEX is likely using the score that's being displayed. It can be confusing, and it's still a YMMV situation. Best thing to do if you're really looking to maximize your chance is to give them a full 2 score updates in a row that you're comfortable with them using for their decision, then pull the trigger. I think you're making the right choice by waiting it out. Good luck on the Gold Card, and keep us posted!

[4sallypat]

@Ficoproblems247  this is good to know - I had no idea AX used old Vantage Score model for your credit score. to pre-qual...

I just checked their AX website and went to their "My Credit Guide" page and the score is 40 - 50 points BELOW any of the FICO 8 scores across the board!

What gives ?

OP: what is your Vantage Score on the AX site ?

Wow, no wonder AX hasn't been sending me pre-qual offers....

[coldfusion]

AMEX never suspended providing FICO scores. If logged in on the website look under Account Services -> Profile -> View FICO Score

[Ficoproblems247]

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@coldfusion wrote:

AMEX never suspended providing FICO scores. If logged in on the website look under Account Services -> Profile -> View FICO Score

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@coldfusion  Thank you for that info! I had not come across where it had been moved to. Much appreciated. 

@4sallypat  What I posted before was that AMEX does NOT use your vantage score for credit decisions. I stated to the OP to disregard that score, and ensure they were looking at the FICO score provided to them by AMEX rather than VS provided in credit guide. 

[SouthJamaica]

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@Shadeestill wrote:

I finally (!) got in with AmEx in December. They only gave me 1k SL on the Delta Skymiles card, but it was a foot in the door. I did try for my first CLI last month and was denied. 

I was in my account today and clicked on "Check for prequalified offers." I get a pop up for the Gold card with a very nice sub. When I close the pop up, it shows the Blue Cash Preferred, Gold, and Platinum cards as "recommended."

Does this mean I have a decent chance at these cards? I need a good grocery card and the sub on the gold is great. I know that a prequal isn't a guarantee. Is this a soft pull? If so I may go for it. Thoughts?

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Amex prequals are solid.

The ones that are just "recommended" are not prequals.

[Msjonesclt]

This explains my situation. Was declined credit line increase, but scores were over 700 since paying down utilization on a few cards. Checked site and score was 2 months old. Wished I would have checked before requesting cli.