CSP or Amex Gold

[luckydiva95]

I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.

Data Points:

Utilization: 30%

Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry

Experian: 755: No inquiries

Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry

[GatorGuy]

CSP is the much better travel card in my opinion. Gold has a very attractive SUB which was just increased to 100k MR points.

I think you would likely be approved for either. Amex you can check to see if you are pre-approved.

[Credit4Growth]

^^^ 2 valid points.   I have no personal experience with AmEx Gold but prefer the CSP/CSR route.

Though being an  existing AmEx member you can check prequals and when pulling the trigger it should not be a HP, if that matters to you!

[calisig]

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@luckydiva95 wrote:

I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold. I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future.

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Which card do you have better odds for approval? AmEx Gold.
 

[bigseegar]

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@luckydiva95 wrote:

I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.

Data Points:

Utilization: 30%

Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry

Experian: 755: No inquiries

Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry

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AmEx Gold is not a "Travel" card and has no travel benefits per se at all except for 4X on meals. If you want a AmEx Card for true Travel benefits then you want either the Platinum ($695 AF) or Green ($150 AF). I have all 3 but personally if you can get it I'd do the Chase card while you're at 2/24 if the UTL doesn't hurt you.

[GatorGuy]

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@bigseegar wrote:

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@luckydiva95 wrote:

I want to apply for the CSP or Amex Gold for travel benefits. I'm currently 2/24. I have better relationship with Amex due to heavy usage on EDP and BCP. I have the Amazon Prime Chase but my limit is low and they're stingy with increases. My overall utilization is 30% which is what I'm working on. I was approved for the Citi Custom Cash in April and the Apple Card last year. I can wait another 6 months or until the end of year when my utilization is around 20%, but I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future. My reports are clean, no collections or late payments.

Data Points:

Utilization: 30%

Transunion: 760: 1 inquiry

Experian: 755: No inquiries

Equifax: 760: 1 inquiry

---

AmEx Gold is not a "Travel" card and has no travel benefits per se at all except for 4X on meals. If you want a AmEx Card for true Travel benefits then you want either the Platinum ($695 AF) or Green ($150 AF). I have all 3 but personally if you can get it I'd do the Chase card while you're at 2/24 if the UTL doesn't hurt you.

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It still has travel benefits. It earns 3x points on flights. It has typical travel protection like loss baggage, Amex rental car coverage. It also has no FTF. 

[Mdowning30]

The Gold card earns 3x points on general travel, the CSP earns 2x. But the CSP earns 5x through the portal like the Platinum card. But if you eat out often, you need to justify if the 4X vs 3X on dining is worth an extra $155 a year.I was stuck between getting either or, i was at 4/24 so it made more sense to take the higher risk getting the CSP.

[calisig]

the OP asked one question: "I'm curious which card I have a better approval in the future"?

[luckydiva95]

I'm confident that I would be approved for Amex Gold based on my relationship with them. CSP is where I'm unsure. I've had a Chase card since 2015 but my spending with them isn't as high as Amex. 

[increasingmyfico]

I would try to get CSP first while you are under 5/24 and also at least one of the Freedom cards. Amex will always be there. Especially with you having a solid relationship.