Current Amex Customer Applying for another Amex

[Anonymous]

I read somewhere if you are a current Amex customer and apply for another Amex and get declined they don’t do a hard pull. Is that true?

[Anonymous]

Nothing is for sure, but I have been with Amex for a couple of years and I was recently approved for the delta card and they never pulled my credit. I applied for the same card 3 times before and they never pulled my credit on the denials.

[CCrew]

Rule of thumb is that if already a customer it's a SP. I started with the BCE, they SP'ed me for the Magnet, and outright pre-approved based on the way I pay (PIF before statement) for the PRG. 

[Anonymous]

Are you sure that's why?

Because I don't do that, and I'm pre-approved for several of their cards.

[patoot10]

you can view this topic it will help you

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Complete-guide-to-Amex-approval-rules-My-Opinion-Only/...

[pinkandgrey]

Well, you never KNOW for sure, but it seems that Amex doesn't do a HP for a decline OR an approval for existing cardholders. SPs all around has been my experience. 

[CountryLivin]

You should go in expecting a hard pull, then if it is a soft pull......it's great, but if it's not......you won't be disappointed!

[EAJuggalo]

The only HP I've ever had for an AMEX was my first one, a Hilton Honors in early 2017.  Since then I have added a BCE and a PRG with only soft pulls.

[Anonymous]

I did a little more research using these forums. Amex uses your current score on file and even when it updates there’s a 3-4 week delay to fall in the hands of the underwriting team. My current score on Amex is 675 and my current Fico 8 score is 726, Trans 730, and EQ 729. Next update should put my UTL at less than 5% and my DTI at 20%. So regardless I’m going to delay my application for 30 days after it updates and see what happens. On November 1st I’ll have two inquires fall off (one auto and one credit card) so maybe I’ll go on a mini app spree.