Denied for BCE - Should I Get a Charge Card to Build a Relationship?

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I got approved for a Discover It card today (!). Got a mailer from them with a fixed APR, so I figured my odds were fairly decent.

After getting approved there, I decided to apply for an Amex BCE before the Discover card reported. 

Immediately denied. 

However, I was preapproved for the Premier Gold, Gold card, and Green card. I've read ancedotal reports that establishing a relationship with Amex through one of their charge cards is a decent way to build up to getting one of their credit cards. Any thoughts? 

The $195 yearly fee on the Premier Gold is pretty steep, but I could easily get the 50k bonus points (spend $1k in the first 3 months), and my mother's been planning a trip to see my grandmother in Hawaii, so I could conceivably put her plane ticket on the card (3x points) - If holding the charge card for a year would improve my chances for one of their credit products.

TU: 716

EQ: 690

EX: ???

AAoA: 4 months (Cap One Secured @ 7 months, Cap One Platinum @ 1 month, ZERO previous history)

Thanks

[creditguy]

You mean you are pre qualified for a charge card? Keep in mind that while Amex pre quals are known to be solid, there is always risk for decline. While its conceivable that getting a charge card can help you build a relationship with Amex, approval for additional cards would still hinder on your overall profile not just your Amex relationship. I would wait to see the reason for denial before wasting another HP at this point. I am willing to bet your AAoA is too low for Amex at this time. Always go for the card you want, not the card you think you can get. 

[RonM21]

I'm thinking the same. Wait for the denial info first. What you don't really want to do is waste another HP.