What score needed for AMEX Hilton Honors card? Anyone?

[hernaemm90]

I got approved with a 720, but I have read other people here getting approved for Amex with scores as low as 670. The approval decision will depend on more than just your FICO score.

[marcforza1]

It's a co-branded card, so it seems to be one of the easier cards to get from AMEX. Read quite a bit of posts on folks getting that card with scores right about or just below 650. But I'm sure other factors like inquires, AAoA, BK and overall utilization plays some major roles on getting approved. I'm one of those that's working on getting my EX score close to around 660-680 before I try to apply or check for prequals for it. But I'm getting pretty close!

If you do try to apply, I would make sure that you're AAoA is not under a year old, though some have mentioned about getting approved with very thin files. 

[Anonymous]

Cobranded AmEx cards have less stringent underwriting than their core cards. I got the Delta Gold and Hilton Honors with a 627 EX and 50% UTI, but but also with a 13 year AoOA and 3.5 year AAoA, no baddies less than a couple years old, no unpaid baddies, zero lates or missed payments on any open account, and no history of BK. Your overall profile will be the key, even on these easier cards, but a few key points from my experience are:

Score - the higher your Experian score, the better your odds of both approval and a decent SL. Below 650 (or possibly even higher) seems to net only a $500-1000 SL. They’re typically (as in over 90% of what we see reported here) EX pullers but can and will pull EQ or TU at their discretion. It’s uncommon but does happen.

BK - AmEx will approve applicants with a BK on file, provided that BK is 5 years and one month old, or older

Collections - they don’t necessarily scare AmEx but the fewer and the older, the better as with any lender. I have a couple old paid ones I’m trying to get removed, which were there when I applied, and I got the cards.

Inquiries - didn’t seem too worried about them for me and I had 7 I think. Profiles all vary though and thus so do outcomes.

Again, every profile is different and this is only what my experience was, but it might give you a feel to how they think and a way to compare your own profile.

[marcforza1]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Cobranded AmEx cards have less stringent underwriting than their core cards. I got the Delta Gold and Hilton Honors with a 627 EX and 50% UTI, but but also with a 13 year AoOA and 3.5 year AAoA, no baddies less than a couple years old, no unpaid baddies, zero lates or missed payments on any open account, and no history of BK. Your overall profile will be the key, even on these easier cards, but a few key points from my experience are:

Score - the higher your Experian score, the better your odds of both approval and a decent SL. Below 650 (or possibly even higher) seems to net only a $500-1000 SL. They’re typically (as in over 90% of what we see reported here) EX pullers but can and will pull EQ or TU at their discretion. It’s uncommon but does happen.

BK - AmEx will approve applicants with a BK on file, provided that BK is 5 years and one month old, or older

Collections - they don’t necessarily scare AmEx but the fewer and the older, the better as with any lender. I have a couple old paid ones I’m trying to get removed, which were there when I applied, and I got the cards.

Inquiries - didn’t seem too worried about them for me and I had 7 I think. Profiles all vary though and thus so do outcomes.

Again, every profile is different and this is only what my experience was, but it might give you a feel to how they think and a way to compare your own profile.

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That's some very good points you made based on your experience. The collections have always been a scary thing for me when I started applying for cards two years ago since I still had a few from several years ago that were paid (small medical bills under $300). Chase and Cap1 must have liked everything else in my profile since I have not had a denial for cards from them. Hopefully, AMEX (and possibly Citi) will give me a shot this summer since I've heard good things and perks about the Hilton cards. 

[Anonymous]

I have the base Hilton card and the Ascend. I would recommend getting the Ascend. The $95 AF is minimal and can easily be offset (and then some) by the increased earning structure, the SUB, and the complimentary enrollment in Priority Pass with 10 lounge access passes per year. You also get complimentary Hilton Gold Status with the Ascend, vs Silver with the base card. I will be moving limit from the base card to the Ascend, and closing the base card after its one-year anniversary, as there’s no need for two of them and I want to clear space for core Amex revolvers.

[rayray7787]

with your scores were the spending limits decent? Thanks for your reply. Very detailed and very helpful.

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@Anonymous wrote:
Cobranded AmEx cards have less stringent underwriting than their core cards. I got the Delta Gold and Hilton Honors with a 627 EX and 50% UTI, but but also with a 13 year AoOA and 3.5 year AAoA, no baddies less than a couple years old, no unpaid baddies, zero lates or missed payments on any open account, and no history of BK. Your overall profile will be the key, even on these easier cards, but a few key points from my experience are:

Score - the higher your Experian score, the better your odds of both approval and a decent SL. Below 650 (or possibly even higher) seems to net only a $500-1000 SL. They’re typically (as in over 90% of what we see reported here) EX pullers but can and will pull EQ or TU at their discretion. It’s uncommon but does happen.

BK - AmEx will approve applicants with a BK on file, provided that BK is 5 years and one month old, or older

Collections - they don’t necessarily scare AmEx but the fewer and the older, the better as with any lender. I have a couple old paid ones I’m trying to get removed, which were there when I applied, and I got the cards.

Inquiries - didn’t seem too worried about them for me and I had 7 I think. Profiles all vary though and thus so do outcomes.

Again, every profile is different and this is only what my experience was, but it might give you a feel to how they think and a way to compare your own profile.

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[Anonymous]

Nope, I got the starter limits of $1000 on each card. Nothing great but understandable - AmEx wants me to prove myself to them. I’m fine with that. I know the cards and scores will grow in time.

[marcforza1]

I would be just fine with a $1000 SL from them if given the opportunity to get that card. Probably the only card from AMEX (and maybe the Green card) that I'm most interested in getting from them. But first, I gotta get a BT card

[Anonymous]

Have you checked to see if your prequalified with AMEX?