Change card selection after approval? [Amex]

[creditn00bAt40]

TLDR: after approval for one Amex card, is it possible to instead switch to a different card using the same inquiry if done immediately after? Was approved for gold, think blue is a better fit and much cheaper. 

Good morning,

A few weeks ago I got a marketing invitation from American Express Gold card. At the time I dismissed it, thinking I'd never be approved. Last night going through junk mail I saw it again and this time noticed the carrot "no inquiry til you're approved" and I bit. Should have done my research; I know better. Still working on the impulsivity that led to needing to rebuild.

Anyway, I was approved and was told there's no pre set spending limit (that they disclose). I'm not really into that. I only wanted a new card to add available credit. But looking at all the perks, this card appears meant for frivolous spending, and a lot of takeaway. I'm 41 and not in good health, so even the occasional five guys or Dunkin stop isn't worth the lecture from my doctor about blood pressure and liver enzymes. Then there's the annual fee in the $300s. That's bloody insane. I saw the blue card is more affordable (even still it's $100). I tried to follow the process for the blue card, but then I got a crazy-ass prompt to sign away my banking privacy in perpetuity before they'd consider approval. Makes sense that they wouldn't want to give me 2 cards without knowing me first, but **bleep**. Don't pull those kind of power plays on a first date, you'll scare a girl away. 

Are credit card companies ever willing to switch the chosen card assuming it's not restricted to more creditworthy applicants? Are these no pre set limit cards for people who are so wealthy and credit secure, they don't need to worry about potential high utilization reported? Am I wrong in thinking they report the limit as the highest your balance has been?

Sorry, a little all over the place and way too wordy for this modern world of ours 

[cashorcharge]

Depending on your credit approval, your Gold Card may come with NPSL, though it may have also come with a Pay Over Time(POT) Limit....essentially making it work like a traditional Credit Card, not a Charge Card.

However, that Credit Limit will not report to the CB's so say you get a $5000 POT limit, you will not see utilization padding because the Gold Card is a Charge Card

I have not seen people PC from a Charge Card to a Credit Card with them.  They usually make you apply for the other card.  Since you are in with them, you can typically proceed with a 2nd card and they will only SP your CB so you won't get an additional HP on your CB.  That's one of the AMEX benefits.  Though with this, you'll get dinged for a 2nd new account on your CB so...

If you call and they say no...you could always apply for the 2nd card.  I would wait until the card arrives, you activate it and see if they gave you a POT limit before calling to discuss a PC

[NoMoreE46]

Anecdotally, charge cards are easier to get vs the credit cards as one must pay the AF  (in this case, $325.)  

As mentioned, I don't think anyone has been able to change from a Charge product to a Credit one with Amex. 

There is the no AF credit card- the Blue Cash Everyday.

Many report that they get an upgrade offer to the Blue Cash Pfd you've mentioned.   The upgrade offer typically waives the $95 annual fee for the first year and if you do it right, one can extend the waiver for years...

[FicoMike0]

Amex bce is no fee. Amex seems to give good credit limits and will do 3X cli at 91 days. If youre looking to pad utilization amex is good. They offered me upgrade to the bcp with deferred fee and a sub.

[creditn00bAt40]

Thank you for your reply, that is very helpful information. I got the card today and activated it. It says NPSL and that my pay over time limit is $2k. 

After reading the replies here and other posts in the forum, I think I got lucky to get in with amex based on my credit history. And they seem to be appropriately cautious with me. I hope in time as my creditworthiness and my relationship with amex grow, they'll see me as less potentially risky. But I think you are right to counsel caution in calling to request a PC, especially as a stranger to them with a sus credit history. For now I'll just be grateful I got in with them. 

I recently got approved for a bank of America customized cash rewards card with a $2k limit. I know that's a very conservative limit, but I honestly was shocked they'd give me a chance at all. I wonder if the age of my negatives is helping me, as I'm starting to get negative codes like recently been paying bills on time and no recent derogatory information added. I am wondering if I should enter the garden, as you all say. 

[creditn00bAt40]

Thank you for this information. After learning more from the replies here and other posts, I think it might be recklessly audacious to request a PC to a card with better terms. I'll wait and hope for an upgrade offer at some point in the future. Thank you. 

[creditn00bAt40]

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@cashorcharge wrote:

Depending on your credit approval, your Gold Card may come with NPSL, though it may have also come with a Pay Over Time(POT) Limit....essentially making it work like a traditional Credit Card, not a Charge Card.

However, that Credit Limit will not report to the CB's so say you get a $5000 POT limit, you will not see utilization padding because the Gold Card is a Charge Card

I have not seen people PC from a Charge Card to a Credit Card with them.  They usually make you apply for the other card.  Since you are in with them, you can typically proceed with a 2nd card and they will only SP your CB so you won't get an additional HP on your CB.  That's one of the AMEX benefits.  Though with this, you'll get dinged for a 2nd new account on your CB so...

If you call and they say no...you could always apply for the 2nd card.  I would wait until the card arrives, you activate it and see if they gave you a POT limit before calling to discuss a PC

---

Thank you for your reply, that is very helpful information. I got the card today and activated it. It says NPSL and that my pay over time limit is $2k. 

After reading the replies here and other posts in the forum, I think I got lucky to get in with amex based on my credit history. And they seem to be appropriately cautious with me. I hope in time as my creditworthiness and my relationship with amex grow, they'll see me as less potentially risky. But I think you are right to counsel caution in calling to request a PC, especially as a stranger to them with a sus credit history. For now I'll just be grateful I got in with them. 

I recently got approved for a bank of America customized cash rewards card with a $2k limit. I know that's a very conservative limit, but I honestly was shocked they'd give me a chance at all. I wonder if the age of my negatives is helping me, as I'm starting to get negative codes like recently been paying bills on time and no recent derogatory information added. I am wondering if I should enter the garden, as you all say. 

[dfwxjer]

The lending standards are higher for the revolving products compared to the charge cards. As others have noted, they will not change the card from the one you applied for. 

Ignore the POT limit and strictly PIF the Gold Card. Your only downgrade path for this product is the Green card that still has, albeit a lower, annual fee. Keep in mind Amex seems to use the POT "feature" as more of a litmus test for lower tier cardholders to see if they'll start carrying a balance. One should never carry a balance on an interest bearing card, but carrying a balance on an Amex charge card is viewed negatively. 

Be militant in keeping the card paid off and eventually you'll see additional products offered when you login to your account. Aim for the Blue Cash Everyday as a card that will grow over time. 

Finally, if you are aiming for the sign up bonus and achieve it, make sure to leave the card open for a full calendar year or Amex will claw back the points you receive.