AMEX - Product Change Question

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping to get some guidance/help, please. Currently, I have an American Express Optima card (issued to those whose accounts were closed for little to no reason several years ago, after AMEX was sued). I would like a product change to the SPG card. I have no benefits to my Optima card. I am in the rebuilding stages of my credit and I do not see me getting approved for the card if I apply for it. I have sent a secured message to AMEX and they seemed almost unfamiliar with the term "product change" and the next message read "we cannot offer that for the Optima card". So, my questions are: has anyone been able to do this (Optima to SPG) and will I have more luck writing to the corporate office or calling some "special" number someone knows? I have been a "Member Since" for 9 years with AMEX.

I really appreicate any help given!

[SuperKirby]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello everyone,

I was hoping to get some guidance/help, please. Currently, I have an American Express Optima card (issued to those whose accounts were closed for little to no reason several years ago, after AMEX was sued). I would like a product change to the SPG card. I have no benefits to my Optima card. I am in the rebuilding stages of my credit and I do not see me getting approved for the card if I apply for it. I have sent a secured message to AMEX and they seemed almost unfamiliar with the term "product change" and the next message read "we cannot offer that for the Optima card". So, my questions are: has anyone been able to do this (Optima to SPG) and will I have more luck writing to the corporate office or calling some "special" number someone knows? I have been a "Member Since" for 9 years with AMEX.

I really appreicate any help given!

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My guess is that it will not work. Send Amex a SM, they respond quick.  

Now a question from me, do you need to have a zero balance before product changing for any card/bank? Anyone know?

[Creditaddict]

I believe it has always been in the best when issued the Optima as part of a payment thing with Amex or what not you are taken off the black list for future cards but you have to close that account and apply and be approved for any new cards that you want, no PC on that paticular product... but to be sure, it would be WAY faster and more likely for you to call in and ask for a product change.... on other accounts that PC are allowed, they CSR has a screen they go into and it pulls upt he account available based on your current card... Delta to other airline cards or hotel cards and a blue usually... hotel to airline or blue, blue to other blue or airline... you get the idea... blue is always in there!!! costco, lowes, mercedes credit card, etc. are not options to PC into or out of.

as for balance and PC... no it does not have to have a $0, they just move it to the new product... be careful of interest rate changes and be sure to cash in rewards first.

[sccredit]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello everyone,

I was hoping to get some guidance/help, please. Currently, I have an American Express Optima card (issued to those whose accounts were closed for little to no reason several years ago, after AMEX was sued).

I am in the rebuilding stages of my credit 

First part is incorrect, Optima is AMEX's second chance program

Second, you have to walk before you can run.  Get your credit rebuilt before going after the Prime card.  Sometimes when rebuilding the only benefit you get from a card is the ability to rebuild, which is in itself a benefit.  

[eddie84]

I have an Optima card with them, 3 months later I applied for a Green card and was approved right away (now I have both Optima & Amex Green).  They even backdated both cards to 2001 when I first had an account with them.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for your input.

eddie84 - what did your credit score look like when you applied?

[eddie84]

It was around 700's from all 3 with TU being the highest (789). Also I was told that the Optima card won't be eligible for any CLI for a year (they only gave me $500 to start with so I kept bugging them lol).

[Anonymous]

Mine has a $2500 limit. I have secure messaged them and they told me that the Optima card is not eligible for a PC. I am rebuilding my credit, but like our friend sccredit stated, it is not a quick process. I was just hoping to get some benefit out of my current card since I use it so much.