How to avoid a ding to my score when applying to existing relationships

[whoknows1]

I was looking at the Dillards Elite Card, it's strange because it is issued by Wells Fargo (I have an Active Cash card with them for about a year now), but has AMEX Logo on it (I have Plat, Gold, Aspire, and 5 or 6 other plastics personal and business with them for 5 years now). 

Is there a way to avoid a hard ding on my credit score when applying to this card?

[bigseegar]

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@whoknows1 wrote:

I was looking at the Dillards Elite Card, it's strange because it is issued by Wells Fargo (I have an Active Cash card with them for about a year now), but has AMEX Logo on it (I have Plat, Gold, Aspire, and 5 or 6 other plastics personal and business with them for 5 years now). 

Is there a way to avoid a hard ding on my credit score when applying to this card?

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Nope because it's not a "true" AmEx card it only has the logo because it uses the AmEx pay system. It'll be a Wells fargo HP. Matter of fact AmEx won't even know you app for it and probably won't even know you have it if it's approved..

[whoknows1]

So how to avoid getting a hard ding on Wells Fargo I have a relationship with them, just lesser than Amex.

[bigseegar]

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@whoknows1 wrote:
So how to avoid getting a hard ding on Wells Fargo I have a relationship with them, just lesser than Amex.

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To my knowledge there isn't a way as WF does new HP's for new cards especially since your current card approval is a year old. They're going to do a HP for that Dillards card you want.

[whoknows1]

then it's not really worth it lol. the card itself is not worth it by its offers, just wanted to get the status since I shop there.

[coldfusion]

That's a personal decision regarding the relative value of the card vs. the impact of having an inquiry and (assuming an approval) a new account, but as mentioned above there is no valid way to avoid an inquiry even if WF were to extend a pre-selection offer.