@ACW3rdIM wrote:
Got first AmEx card (Platinum) back in January after getting an email about it and checking pre-approvals. Only pre-approved for Platinum at that time, so applied and got the thumbs-up in seconds. I've used it quite often, made my SUB, and paid four times over the first two months just to keep the balance low. AmEx had a couple of other cards that really would have helped me out with upcoming travel -- or so I thought at the time -- but no pre-approvals, just "Expanding your relationship" each time I would hit Apply Now. Have applied for nothing since then from any issuer.
Last week I checked AmEx pre-qualified page and nothing came up after clicking "Check for pre-qualified offers," just the same three cards that always come up without anything mentioing being pre-qualified. When I hit Apply Now, however, it said "(me), you are pre-qualified;" this was 61 days after approval for the Platinum above, if that means anything. This time, pre-quals for every card. Went for both the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and the Hilton Aspire and was approved for each within seconds about 24 hours apart. Yes, I am indeed optimistic we will be back flying and using hotels again, heh. Some data points as follows:
-- Single hard pull but only after SECOND approval, just -3 point hit. Pulled EX to nobody's surprise.
-- FICO8 EX at time of approvals = 668.
-- Inquiries = 7/24
-- Income = 260K. Will not be affected by current world situation.
-- REPORTED (not actual) utilization per month on five other cards before these two approvals over the last 24 months, averaged = 2%.
-- When "(me), you are pre-qualified!" would come up, the interest rates were ranges, not fixed.
-- Had to hit Apply Now for the pre-qualified language to appear, nothing appeared just after clicking "Check for pre-qualified offers."
-- Both cards arrived within 36 hours.
-- Obviously all pre-quals gone now, since I'm AmEx 2/90 plus a charge card, but I require nothing else.
True, there is some overlap as far as the benefits of those cards, but with these three now in my wallet I have everything I need from a credit card standpoint covered at this time. It's garden time, big time.
Much appreciation to the people of these forums who have added so significantly to my education in this arena, and continue to do so.
2018 Dec Starting Score: 700
