cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

tag
Anonymous
Not applicable

AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

Wow... thats a little bit surprising TBH. 

Today is day 61 so I went ahead and started the process online. Immediately got the 7-10 day message and then an email hit my acct telling me to check online for the decision. 

Jumped through a few hoops to read the letter online and got this: "Your American Express account(s) indicates previous delinquencies."  Which is absolutely true from a previous acct from 2000. But if previous delinquencies are an issue why give me a card with a 2k limit to begin with? 

 

 

Oh well, I'm happy to have the card.. just no CLI for me until October now Smiley Sad

Message 1 of 18
17 REPLIES 17
madmann26
Valued Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

WOW!

 

13 years ago and they want to hold you hostage? I think I would call and recon that.

Current Scores - 8/26/2025


FICO 9


EQ - 769


TU - 778


EXP - 762


Message 2 of 18
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!


@madmann26 wrote:

WOW!

 

13 years ago and they want to hold you hostage? I think I would call and recon that.


Is it possible to recon with AMEX for a CLI? 

Message 3 of 18
madmann26
Valued Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

I don't know honestly but it doesn't hurt to call and ask. Look for a backdoor number.

Current Scores - 8/26/2025


FICO 9


EQ - 769


TU - 778


EXP - 762


Message 4 of 18
youngandcreditwrthy
Senior Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

I might need a backdoor num for the future too

Question: did you pay in full the previously delinquent account?

I've seen this reason for denial here before on the forum and a pif of the old delinquent account solved the problem afaik!
Marriott PR$25k | BCE $24.5K |BankAmericard Visa $25k| BOA Better Bal $17.5k |Wmt Discover $12.5k | BR Visa $17.5k | Amex Delta Gold $10k | Discover IT $10k | Paypal Extras MC $15k | Amazon Store $10k|Smile Gen $7.25k | Dillard's $10k | West Elm $4k| Express $3.05K | Mypoints.com Visa $4.5k | Freedom Visa $1k| Amex Surpass $1k
Message 5 of 18
boomhower
Valued Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!


@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
I might need a backdoor num for the future too

Question: did you pay in full the previously delinquent account?

I've seen this reason for denial here before on the forum and a pif of the old delinquent account solved the problem afaik!

I'd be surprised if the OP hasn't.  Amex is pretty hardcore on not issuing new credit until they get every last cent you burned them on first.

Message 6 of 18
youngandcreditwrthy
Senior Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

Yeah, I can't remember who it was, but someone here had this happen to them...and once they paid in full the old balance, they got their coveted cli!
Marriott PR$25k | BCE $24.5K |BankAmericard Visa $25k| BOA Better Bal $17.5k |Wmt Discover $12.5k | BR Visa $17.5k | Amex Delta Gold $10k | Discover IT $10k | Paypal Extras MC $15k | Amazon Store $10k|Smile Gen $7.25k | Dillard's $10k | West Elm $4k| Express $3.05K | Mypoints.com Visa $4.5k | Freedom Visa $1k| Amex Surpass $1k
Message 7 of 18
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

A little background on that account from 2000. 

It was a secured Optima card which I defaulted on. 

 

I have matured exponentially since then. 

I probably told AMEX to shove their interest and fees since they had the deposit to fall back on. 

I honestly do not remember and since it was 13 years ago it doesn't show up on any of my credit reports. 

 

*shrugs*  Doesnt really matter. I'm going to wait until the end of April for 4 INQ's to either fall off or age past 1 year and then open another acct anyway. 

By that time I will hopefully get a nice longer term 0% promo anyway and the Amex can sit in the back of my wallet as an emergency go-to card. 

Message 8 of 18
Open123
Super Contributor

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!

Usually, with a history of an internal bad debt, Amex will decline any requests for CLIs or new accounts.  

 

However, there are cases where certain people have been forigiven for prior indiscretions.  I'm not sure if this has anything to do with a new policy, the DOJ's lawsuits against them, or if some cardmembers simply fall through the cracks over time.

 

But, if you're one of those on the "blacklist," unless the debt is settled in full, they likely won't budge.  

Message 9 of 18
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: AMEX 3x CLI - DENIED!


@Open123 wrote:

Usually, with a history of an internal bad debt, Amex will decline any requests for CLIs or new accounts.  

 

However, there are cases where certain people have been forigiven for prior indiscretions.  I'm not sure if this has anything to do with a new policy, the DOJ's lawsuits against them, or if some cardmembers simply fall through the cracks over time.

 

But, if you're one of those on the "blacklist," unless the debt is settled in full, they likely won't budge.  


I'm fully on board with everything you said, I just find it odd that I got an instant approval for the card with a 2K limit to begin with only for them to say 2 months later that no CLI due to the previous acct. 

*shrugs*  whateva.. I got my 35k miles and $100 statement credit out of them plus 13 years of backdating... I'm satisfied if this is all I get TBH. 

Message 10 of 18
Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party advertisers from whom FICO receives compensation.