CK Approval Odds for AMEX

[lemon_taiyaki]

Hi everyone, 

I've been keeping an eye on the pre-approvals from Credit Karma, and in the last week, I have a total of 9 different AMEX cards that have "Very Good Approval Odds". Anyone apply based off CK? It's tempting. 

[gdale6]

I learned early on that a CK pre approval/selected for you means pretty much nothing. They get paid if you app for those offers so they push them out.

[FinStar]

I would disregard any of the CK 'pre-qualified' recommendations.  They are definitely not reliable.

Instead, pop on over to the AmEx website and use their pre-qualification portal.

[FinStar]

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@gdale6 wrote:

I learned early on that a CK pre approval/selected for you means pretty much nothing. They get paid if you app for those offers so they push them out.

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Agree. 

They paddle naughty cards for $$$.  I learned that from @Remedios 😆

[Anonymous]

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@lemon_taiyaki wrote:

... Anyone apply based off CK? It's tempting. 

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Never. It's not. (with a small amount of practice you can learn to not even see it there )

[Remedios]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@gdale6 wrote:

I learned early on that a CK pre approval/selected for you means pretty much nothing. They get paid if you app for those offers so they push them out.

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Agree. 

They paddle naughty cards for $$$.  I learned that from @Remedios 😆

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I haven't even typed that word since "the incident" 😂

[Anonymous]

Agreed with all of the above. Amex is known to pull Experian for apps. I'd wait til your scores, specifically EXP reaches at least 670, even better if in the 700's. For Amex, why don't you check to see if you're prequalified for one of their cards with Amex's prequal tool.

[Anonymous]

While CK "Pre-approvals" aren't that tempting, as I have most all the ones they like to push. I did once app a card due to their odds.

Amex BCE in 17. Then again at 740 you can almost get in with any Lender, so I didn't have much of a hurtle. They pulled EX with only 2-3 HPs.

EQ was my holdup back then as it showed 3 paid 40 collections from a Doctor.

I do think that they could send false sense of understanding to those rebuilding though.

[CreditobsessedinFL]

+10

[Anonymous]

So, I know you've heard from everyone on here and gotten your answer but I just HAD to chime in.  CK is the fakest of news.  Your Vantage score (which they show from TU and EQ) could be drastically different from your FICO scores.  Since Amex exclusively pulls EX FICO 8 - you need that to see where you really stand with them.  

Some of my data points.  My Vantage from CK is 780 (TU) and 744 (EQ) respectively.  The FICO 8 is actually 730 (TU) and 690 (EQ).  That is a decent delta.  Given those CK scores, you would think I'd be a shoe in for Amex.  Nope.  Still stuck with a Delta Gold Amex with a $1,000 SL.

I only use CK to check the credit reports as just another data point.  But I would not pay attention to the scores or approval odds.  Find out your FICO 8 and go for the sure kill vs risking the hardpull / denial.  You pay the price at the end of the day.

Ok, I've said my peace.