@LH88 wrote:
I was just approved for the American Express Gold card. I had a BK in 2009 with a American Express Gold and Green card included for about $7,000 also. I decided a month ago to pull the trigger and see if I would be approved. I was instantly approved no POF. Received the card and it said member since 1991 my original member date.
Congratulation to all of you who got eventually approved after being defaulted with Amex in the past. I think Amex does allow you back after sometime...maybe after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and even 30 years later of defaulting with them but still its case by case basis. Those who were able to get approval even after 30 years later of defaulting, they were all either paid back what they owed to Amex at least partially if not full or their debt was discharged in bankruptcy, but my situation is different, which is why I think that I am barred from them for lifetime. I also had two accounts with Amex in 1992, Optima and Gold. I just came out of college back then and immediately started a business. Got approved for these two cards. Optima was a revolving account, while Gold was a charge account. I was using Gold card for my business expenses. Within 6 months, I got big loss in the business and my partner-in-business ran away with all the business-money and I ended up losing everything. I was naive and not bright back then. I burned Amex $63k. I actually issued them checks to pay the amount back but my partner emptied the business bank account which I was not aware of it, so obviously checks got bounced which Amex took as a fraud, I guess.
I never filed for bankruptcy because many lawyers advised me not to file for it. According to them, I had nothing to lose if creditors come after me because I really had nothing. They said that one should file for bankruptcy only when they have something to lose or need peace of mind. I had nothing back then which I was afraid of losing in case creditors would have come after me...And I was thinking of moving to abroad anyway. So I didn't see any reason to file bankruptcy. Amex never sued me either, and after 7-10 yrs later all the charged-off accounts were off from my credit reports...Though I never moved to abroad and slowly worked my way up to rebuild my life by laying low..Its been almost 30 years, but I think I am barred for life. I have not tried to apply any credit products with Amex (and Bank of America and Symphony). Last time I tried was 5 yrs ago and they (all 3 of these banks) right away rejected me without pulling any credit report on me and reason was given- past relationship with them. Am I still on their blacklist? I dunno for sure because its been 5 yrs when I tried with them. So, it could be possible that I might have been also off to their blacklist like OP has after 29 yrs later, or maybe I am not because my situation falls under fraud to Amex (and to all these 3 banks) since all my checks with big amount got bounced, and they might have taken it as a fraud and their loss was huge. So, I think I'm barred for lifetime.
I am really ashamed of what happened in the past and not proud of it at all, but the situation was beyond my control, and it was not my fault either. Yes I made stupid decision on relying and believing people who ran away with all the business money and put my business to shut down. However, I rebounded and now have a very excellent credit in 800s scrore...41 credit cards with huge credit limit...successful business... I do want another chance with these banks if I could, but I doubt it they will ever give me though. Strangely Amex still review (sp) my credit reports periodically even though I do not have any active account with them for the last 30 years...Don't know why though because they can not sue me anymore due to the fact that statue of limitation has already ran out on them 24 yrs ago...then why they still review my credit reports !!!...I dunno...Again, I do want to have another chance with them but don't know if I will ever get it as its already been 30 yrs and I'm still banned...Strangely, Chase was also one of banks which I defaulted in the past...at the same time...but Chase has opened 3 accounts for me 9 yrs ago with $38k limit on each card...and and Chase never ever talked about the past though...Oh well...I can not change the past...We all sometime make mistakes, knowingly or unknowingly, big or small...we have to learn from our mistakes and do better...That's all I can say.
I'm happy that you guys got second chance. Be blessed....
