AMEX 2nd card....utilization question

[Anonymous]

Applied for a 2nd AMEX card a couple months ago but was denied due to utilization. Does AMEX look primarily at my 1st card's utilization or all cards across the board? I am slowly paying down all my cards but would it be better to focus on the AMEX card i already posess and bring the utilization of that card to 5% to have a better shot at a 2nd card?

[NRB525]

It is most likely all cards. However that might not be the only reason. Your score also indicates baddies?

How long have you had an AMEX?

List of cards, limits, amounts owed across all lenders?

[Anonymous]

All baddies recently cleared, report squeaky clean except for high utilization on some cards.

AMEX for 6 months.

NFCU 4,000/5,000

NFCU 2,500/3,000

AMEX 600/1,000

6 others card at 0% util with an overall util of 48%

[xaximus]

I would recommend paying down your balances before apping for another card. 48% is hitting 3 thresholds on the utilization scale - the impact of 48% can be 20-40 points loss on each CA.

[Anonymous]

xaximus...your recommendations are greatly appreciated!!!

[staticvoidmain]

Amex looks at your current Amex card for sure. They definitely take it into consideration.

In my case, they took some limit from card one, and moved it to card two when they approved me, without my consent.

[NRB525]

In OP’s case, with only a $1,000 limit, AMEX will not be approving a second card to take Limit from this $1k card. The second card will either get additional limit, or be denied.

OP what AMEX do you have and which are you interested in?

[Anonymous]

I currently have the Gold Delta and would like to app for the BCE.

[xaximus]

@Dsteudlein - I would recommend waiting until you bring your balances down. If you were denied based on high utilization, chances are, you may get denied again. Getting approved for $1k is usually a sign that you're barely getting approved. They also may grow slowly overtime as well.

[ridgebackpilot]

The previous replies are correct; bring your overall utilization down, garden for a bit, and you'll be fine with AMEX.

Several years go, I started with the AMEX Hilton Surpass card (now the Hilton Ascend) and they gave me a paltry limit like yours. But over time, I was able to acquire several other AMEX cards with much higher limits. It will happen to you as well provided you mind your overall utilization and keep up your on-time payments.