Amex keeps doing hard pull even though I have a card with them

[Anonymous]

Well I called Amex and I got someone over here in the U.S and she explained that whenever you apply for a new card it’s always a hard pull. A SP is only done when requesting a cli or an upgrade(from delta gold to platinum). I kind of believe her since I have 2 HP already since I have been with Amex.

[Anonymous]

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@sjt wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Same happened to me last month and this week. Despite the fact I was "pre-qualified" for the PRG.

Thing is Amex used 712 (last SP) in my denial letter. When at the time of the hard pull it was 727 according to Experian.

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What were the reasons for the denial?

"Time as Amex customer too short" 

"Current Amex balance is too high relative to reported income on application"

Both times my amex balance was actually zero. But I didn't bother with recon since they wanted another hard pull.

[916networktech]

I can vouch for this, I have been amex customer for 1 year, I applied for 2 new additional cards after the year, on the same day, and I got a HP on each of the new cards.

[MrDisco99]

my Amex app history this year...

4/30 - BCE approved HP EX
8/17 - EDP approved SP
8/17 - PRG approved SP
8/17 - Green approved SP
9/12 - Hilton NAF approved SP
10/8 - Delta Gold declined (2/90 rule) SP
11/16 - Hilton Surpass approved SP

Plenty of DPs out there suggesting the same thing. Approval or denial can be a SP after your first account. I suppose it’s a YMMV thing.