OP did you get any HP notice for either of these apps?
Yes, for the first one that was denied.
I may be ignorant on this but i just dont see having a Corporate Amex card translating to being able to get a personal Amex just because as there seems to be a world of difference in the two, ie different underwriting, one's business that might have people with it who cant qualify for a personsl one maybe because their personal credit is a mess but because its under corporate are given access , while other is more based on an indivuals credit worthiness. Data points for someone is always good, so more power to ya
@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
I may be ignorant on this but i just dont see having a Corporate Amex card translating to being able to get a personal Amex just because as there seems to be a world of difference in the two, ie different underwriting, one's business that might have people with it who cant qualify for a personsl one maybe because their personal credit is a mess but because its under corporate are given access , while other is more based on an indivuals credit worthiness. Data points for someone is always good, so more power to ya
Think of it this way. If someone has a corp card then Amex basically knows the income of the person through the employer. It's like a reverse 4506-T POI request when coming at Amex from the Personal side.
Now, when you leave the employer you forfeit the AF Credit that's part of the program but, you keep the card.
I did not just decide "hey, I have a corporate Amex, I bet they will give me a personal Amex for that reason," that is a widely held theory. This thread is called "part 2" because somebody else created a thread based on the same concept. I am interested in helping prove or disprove it. I would prefer, for my own sake, if it's true, but if it's not true, that ok also. It's just good info for the future.
As for reasons why Amex would do it (if indeed they do): keep corporate customers happy? "I know where you work" in case of defaults? Assumption that a corporation issuing you a card means that some large entity trusts you? Bug in the system where it treats you as an existing customer for purposes of applications? Don't know, can only speculate, if it's true at all.
But again: I am in an unusual situation in which my account age is basically non-existent, and I am buried in hard inquiries, and have nothing I want to apply for until next year aside from this particular card, and I have no accounts that are really susceptible to adverse actions, so applying won't hurt anything even if the theory is wrong.
Yes, they are not described as any sort of guarantee, preapproval, or prequalification. They are simply labeled "welcome offer" with an Apply button.
But, multiple people have reported that anecdotally, it's a guaranteed or virtually guaranteed approval. That is what I am testing. As an example, someone said that his friend's daughter had a completely blank credit profile, but had her choice of Amex cards as soon as she got her corporate card, picked one, and was approved. I don't remember which, BCE or BCP I think, but she could have chosen Gold if she'd wanted. However, that is not first-hand info from a board member, and something may have been lost in translation. My profile represents someone who would not normally be approved for an Amex, but, not someone who would scare away even bottom-feeding lenders. If it's a virtually guaranteed approval, that would most likely mean I'd be approved, which would mean I'd get my card, and the community would get a strong data point.
The OP of the "part 1" version of this thread got approved, though his profile is better than mine, and I think he might have been approved with no corporate card brownie points (not sure).
If anyone wondering "where does this idea come from?" or "why is he doing this?" could read the prior posts first, that would be helpful so the thread isn't cluttered with multiple similar explanations. Thanks!
I called Amex. The gentleman I spoke with didn't have any useful info for me. He gave me this number to call tomorrow: 888-800-7325. Per him, it is some kind of corporate Amex group that is open pretty much business hours. Will try tomorrow and post if they tell me anything interesting.
AJC, this is definitely a Thing. AMEX figures the employer thinks enough of the employee to hire them and issue a travel card. AMEX, with their spend tracking algorithm is willing to take a chance on a potential long term customer who comes with references. And, to entice the employee, give them ( me ) a discount on the AF.
Now, from this OP experience there may be a combination needed, employer reference and credit bureau, but that will be clarified when OP calls for more info.
Now, from this OP experience there may be a combination needed, employer reference and credit bureau, but that will be clarified when OP calls for more info.
Wishing the OP of the second thread much luck!
