Delta AMEX Platinum approval odds? & Future app reality check

[Anonymous]

Hello - first-time poster, long-time lurker here. 

Looking to guage my approval odds for the Delta AMEX Platinum card (now), and for feedback on how realistic a goal of attaining AMEX Gold charge card would be in Jan 2020. 

Today I have a 653 EX FICO 8, which I expect to jump once my util. drops from 19% to 2% when it's reported on Friday. AoAA is 4y8m. My income is 120k. I've checked the Amex prequal page weekly and never see any offers.

For my income level I think my available credit is low: a whopping $3k. Details that explain this are below. The cards I have now are BofA Cash Rewards (June '14), Cap1 Plat Secured (March '19), Discover It Cash (June '19).

One giant blemish on my report that sinks my payment history is a streak of about 6 months in 2016 when I basically ignored my student loans and was 90 days+ delinquent on 3 accounts. Very bad. I've since regained my ground but those three accounts basically define my history since they're half my open accounts.

I fly a lot for work and leisure so an airline card would be great, and I'd love to start a track record with AMEX (hopefully to help convince them in 6 months I'm worthy of a Gold card, since I drop $1,100-$1,300 a month on dining). 

On a scale of realistic to delusional, how would you rate my odds/goals?

Thank you,

CD

[Remedios]

Have you tried their prequal page? 

[jaxstraw]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello - first-time poster, long-time lurker here. 

Looking to guage my approval odds for the Delta AMEX Platinum card (now), and for feedback on how realistic a goal of attaining AMEX Gold charge card would be in Jan 2020. 

Today I have a 653 EX FICO 8, which I expect to jump once my util. drops from 19% to 2% when it's reported on Friday. AoAA is 4y8m. My income is 120k. I've checked the Amex prequal page weekly and never see any offers.

For my income level I think my available credit is low: a whopping $3k. Details that explain this are below. The cards I have now are BofA Cash Rewards (June '14), Cap1 Plat Secured (March '19), Discover It Cash (June '19).

One giant blemish on my report that sinks my payment history is a streak of about 6 months in 2016 when I basically ignored my student loans and was 90 days+ delinquent on 3 accounts. Very bad. I've since regained my ground but those three accounts basically define my history since they're half my open accounts.

I fly a lot for work and leisure so an airline card would be great, and I'd love to start a track record with AMEX (hopefully to help convince them in 6 months I'm worthy of a Gold card, since I drop $1,100-$1,300 a month on dining). 

On a scale of realistic to delusional, how would you rate my odds/goals?

Thank you,

CD

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How many Inq do you have on EX ?

And have you been denied for any other CC's recently ?

As far as Amex PreQual it is a useful tool but many here have never got a prequal and cold app'd with success.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Never been declined on an app and the Discover & Cap1 Inqs are the only ones I have. 

I'm seeing "A special offer for you" next to the Gold card on their product page, but guessing that's not for ~me~.

[Remedios]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks! Never been declined on an app and the Discover & Cap1 Inqs are the only ones I have. 

I'm seeing "A special offer for you" next to the Gold card on their product page, but guessing that's not for ~me~.

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Here, try this

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/check-for-offers/

[coldfusion]

A FICO 8 score of 653 is a bit low to have good odds.    It's possible to apply successfully with your current score but odds would be much better with a score closer to 690.  

AMEX does tend to relax their criteria a bit with the Delta co-branded cards vs. that for their own revolvers but your first best bet may be with one of the charge cards. 

[spickeri]

I was approved recently with a ex 658 for the green card but it also showed prequalified for gold as well.

[Anonymous]

The Gold Charge card is really not all that hard to get because you're hit with an annual fee in the first month and they'll cut you hard and fast if you don't pay in full. They also keep you on a pretty short leash till you prove yourself.

[drboxing]

Have you considered the Delta Gold card? Then you nice you’ve established yourself with AMEX upgrade to Delta Platinum

[MrCreditInternational]

I think the gold is easier to get (also it gives you 3MR per dollar on any airlines).

If I were you I'd apply for the card that fits me best first and then apply for the other card immediately if I was denied the first card