AMEX Questions

[Skye12329]

So i had a few questions, currently thinking about getting an AMEX card but not for a while.

1. How is their customer service? Is it like Discover where there is no phone menu its an instant rep? Or is the wait time short?

2. Are the points worth it? Im currently thinking about getting a points card, but was wondering are their points worth it.

3. How often/well do they take care of their cardholders? I noticed Amex is offering presale tickets to Cher so was wondering do they do this often?

Last question when i apply, i know its best to have some util. report, does this mean like 1% util (example) overall or on each card?

[E150GT]

For my BCE, there is usually a wait, but never too long. 

The points are worth it to some, but not others. I use Chase as I find their program suits my needs better.

When you app, all cards should have a zero balance except one, and that one should have anywhere from 1-9 % util

[Anonymous]

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@Skye12329 wrote:

So i had a few questions, currently thinking about getting an AMEX card but not for a while.

1. How is their customer service? Is it like Discover where there is no phone menu its an instant rep? Or is the wait time short?

2. Are the points worth it? Im currently thinking about getting a points card, but was wondering are their points worth it.

3. How often/well do they take care of their cardholders? I noticed Amex is offering presale tickets to Cher so was wondering do they do this often?

Last question when i apply, i know its best to have some util. report, does this mean like 1% util (example) overall or on each card?

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There are different types of Amex points: MR (on the charge cards and the new Everyday cards), SPG points on the SPG card, Blue Sky points on the BS and BSP etc.

Worth depends on how you redeem and your travel plans, but generally SPG points are considered high value (but harder to earn) with MR often counted as worth less than Chase UR points.   But this also depends on what travel partners you need, if MR has them and Chase doesn't, the higher Chase value doesn't really matter.

[ways2go]

I had about 5 cards that had a balance on them when I applied to Amex.  My util on the cards ranged from about 5 % to about 25%,  but my overall util is about 8%.  I don't think anyone knows the true model they use to approve, except the uw that work for Amex.   My fico's were in the high 600's to low 700's as well. I was also approved with a 12.99 apr on my ED and last Jan.  I was declined.  I just scratch my head to approvals with credit cards.