WOOHOO!
I waited about 3 weeks (less than 30 days) after application. Since my initial post, I found that 2 collections had both shown up on my credit, back from the dead. I got on it QUICK. By the time I called the new accounts team, one had already been dropped. I told them, I believed the second one would be dropped in a few weeks as well. He suggested I wait and do the reconsideration after it dropped off. I asked if I would still be able to, after 30 days. He said because I called within 30 days that he put a note in that it would be fine. So...I waited. During the past 30 days, I've transferred the bulk to a marriott business 0% offer on chase. I've also made significant payments throughout the month.
One of the other reasons I got denied was because of low internal score. Ever since the FR which I got out of without any AA...I have exclusively gotten offshore agents. Previous to the FR ... I was telling all my friends how amazing amex is, that I always speak to US agents...I didn't even realize they HAD offshore call centers except for the back end departments like new accounts and underwriting etc. If I ask to speak to someone in the US they happily forward me, but then I have to feel like an *** ...I was convinced this internal score used for routing calls, but I have not gotten anyone at amex to confirm it.
So... today I have a cold (Achoo!) and while I feel miserable, I figured, I might as well get something accomplished. I had another week before my 60 days was up, but I have this day off and I might be busy next week. Instead of trying to call straight in to new accounts, I called the main number. I reached a US rep (have not spoken to a US rep for months without a transfer). I immediately was jumping for joy inside ... she transferred me to new accounts. I spoke to him for quite a while, asking about all my theories and whether or not they thought this was a good time to do the reconsideration. One of the collections still remains but is still being disputed. I asked if I could get another extension to 90 days...he said it was possible, and asked me if I wanted him to place those notes on the account...but...something in my gut said go for it!
I asked, if I reconned today and was denied, could I recon again before the 90 days...He said yes. I reconned, and about 60 seconds later I was approved WITHOUT manual review (the person I was speaking to doesn't do the review, he just submits it to the underwriting department.) Since there was no manual review, there was no HP. They're mailing the card UPS next day. I should have it tomorrow or Friday.
I had them transfer me to customer service for a follow up confirmation question. The new accounts department had told me that I would be grandfathered in according to the promotion (free first year) at the time of the application. The customer service rep confirmed that I would not receive a charge, and if I were, that I could call and they would happily refund it.
so, again... WOOHOO! This is the hardest I've worked for a recon, but it's worth $550 so, it's well worth it!
