I am mostly a lurker, but I do post every now and then. I have been on a credit rebuild for about five years. Had I found this forum sooner, I think I would be further along in my credit journey, but I absolutely believe that all of my credit success is due to the things I read on this forum.
I periodically check the AMEX preapproval site, and never have had any offers. A couple of days ago, to my surprise, I had three preapproved AMEX cards pop up --- gold, platinum, and the Blue Cash Preferred. My credit has been steadily improving, and I had no inquiries in the past twelve months (although I did recently get a SG Visa with a SP using the SCT), so I decided to go for it. After reading about the differences between the gold and platinum, I decided that the hefty AF of the platinum compared to the benefits wasn't a fit for me, so I pulled the trigger on the gold and was instantly approved. I then went to the forum to find out if I could get a second card with the same HP. After reading some of the threads, I applied for the BCP and was instantly approved. Only one HP for both cards.
I then went to my Sync accounts and requested CLIs -- received $9000 of increases.
Emboldened by my success, I sauntered over to PenFed (I had opened a savings account there a couple of years ago, following advice on the forum) and requested a Gold VISA -- instantly approved for $10,000 with a 12-month 0% balance transfer! Since I already had the HP, I went ahead and requested another PenFed card (Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature) and received the message "we are reviewing your application". I assumed it was going to be a decline and decided that it is obviously time to wait it out in the garden!! While typing this message (for real), I received an email congratulating me on my approval -- $12,500 SL on the PCR card! Again, one HP. Interest rates aren't the best, but time will take care of that. I cannot stress enough how important this forum has been to me these past few years. After my 20-year marriage ended and my company went bankrupt, it was so demoralizing to have no money and eventually no credit. It is empowering to stand on my own two feet and feel like a responsible consumer, and I couldn't have done it without all of the help and encouragement found here. For those of you just starting your rebuilding, hang in there -- there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is NOT a train!
Now, oddly enough, there are more cards coming up as preapproved with AMEX, but I haven't applied. I did see that some people got three cards in a short period of time, but I'm not feeling that brave......
Thanks again for everything. This forum does real work and allows for real accomplishment.
10.18.2025 FICO 8 EXP 813; EQ 807; TU 817. TU 830 AMEX Platinum NPSL; AMEX Gold NPSL; AMEX Cash Magnet 35,000; AMEX Delta Reserve 40,000; PenFed PCR Visa 12,500; PenFed Pathfinder 15,000; PenFed Gold Visa 10,000; PenFed LOC 10,000; Macys AMEX 25,000; Home Depot 25,000; NFCU Plat Visa 46,000; NFCU Plat MC 34,000; USAA Cash Rewards VISA 20,000; IKEA 35,000, Venmo VISA 20,000; SamsClub MC 20,000; Discover 34,600 (2 cards), Citibank Aadvantage Platinum Select World Elite MC 11,800; Pottery Barn 37,000; Williams-Sonoma 27,000; FNBO VISA Signature 18,000; Sportsmans Guide VISA 12,400; Sephora VISA Signature 20,000; Target MC 7000; AAA Signature Visa 26,000; Apple Card 13,500; Truist Visa 19,700; GM Card 14,000; Chase Sapphire Preferred 18,000; Chase Prime Visa 14,000. Utilization less than 1%
