AMEX Zync Card

[FICOMari]

Hello everyone,

I received an invitation to the American Express Zync Card in the mail today and was shocked because recently, I attempted to find an AMEX card using their pre-approval link and I got a message stating there were no offers for me.  I decided to apply just to see what the outcome would be and I was approved.  This is great because I have been seriously contemplating closing my 5 year old Citibank AAdvantage Mastercard because of the 29.99% and $50 annual fee.  The AMEX card will cost me $45 a year ($25 annual fee and I added the $20 GO pack which earns 2x more rewards on travel).  There was no information on preset spending limit, does anyone know what it usually is? 

Also, is it a good idea to close a 5 year old account!!??? I am nervous about what that would do to my FICO score, not that I am planning on getting a mortgage or car loan anytime soon.  I have about 10 credit cards that I rotate in usage but they are fairly new (3 to 2 years old), the Citibank is the one I have had the longest.  Besides, in those 5 years I have had the Citibank card, I have never been late with payments and they have never offered me a CLI!!!  What a bum card!!!

[manyquestions]

I think it would be foolish to close the Citi AAdvantage card since it is by far your oldest card.  Call Citi and ask them if you can do a product change to another card.  I did it about two years ago.  I think I changed my AAdvantage to a Diamond Prefered then I later combined that with a different card.  The point is you don't have to keep that specific card, you can look at Citi's website and look for another mastercard that you would rather have and ask to do a conversion to it where you keep the age of the account and the same account number.  I just looked and they have eleven mastercards on their website.  Go find one you would rather have and call them. 

[Anonymous]

How are your FICO scores FICOMari? I would be hesitant to apply for any Amex card without scores around 700.

And I agree with the previous poster. I would PC your Citi card instead of closing it since it's 5 years old. 

[FICOMari]

Hi Fretless,

My EQ Fico (its the only one I checked) is 748.  I did apply for the card and was approved.  And to Manyquestions, you are right, I should try to switch to a no annual fee card first before I completely close the account. Thanks for the suggestions you guys!!  I love this board!

[Anonymous]

What type of Citi CC is it? When was the AF added? Sounds like you may be on the wrong side of both the APR and the AF sweeps. If the AF was recently added as part of one of their recent CC actions you might not be able to PC to avoid it.

[Creditaddict]

As far as your no pre-set spending limit on Amex.  you have to work yourself in slowly with them especially if you want to be charging over 5k a month. But each month of on time payment, they will up the internal charge limit on your account, if you start to run a little higher balance than normal wouldn't be a bad idea to drop a quick phone call to amex and ask them if your approaching your internal limit and make a mid month payment if so.  After about 6 months you should have no problems.

[FICOMari]

Hello creditwherecreditisdue,

It's a Citi AAdvantage card and it has always been that type of card since I applied for it 5 years ago.  I have always paid the annual fee of $50 since then as well.  Not once have I seen the CLI love button and when I called to inquire about a CLI a few of months ago they said they would place a hard inquiry on my report first.  I don't understand what went wrong with my account where I was never offered any CLI's after hearing a lot of others who received them within 6 months of having their cards. I have always been on time with payments and almost always PIF every month.   I would be so overjoyed to be done with them BUT I don't want my Fico score to suffer.  I will try to product change with them. 

[Anonymous]

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@FICOMari wrote:

Hello creditwherecreditisdue,

It's a Citi AAdvantage card and it has always been that type of card since I applied for it 5 years ago.  I have always paid the annual fee of $50 since then as well.  Not once have I seen the CLI love button and when I called to inquire about a CLI a few of months ago they said they would place a hard inquiry on my report first.  I don't understand what went wrong with my account where I was never offered any CLI's after hearing a lot of others who received them within 6 months of having their cards. I have always been on time with payments and almost always PIF every month.   I would be so overjoyed to be done with them BUT I don't want my Fico score to suffer.  I will try to product change with them. 

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You need to do this.

They put the AF on there because they want you off that card. Change to a Platinum or a Diamond Preferred w/o the rewards if you want a lower APR, but don't be surprised if that doesn't happen right away.

[FICOMari]

Hello everyone,

I need some advice please.  Two weeks ago I received a pre-selected offer for the AMEX zync card and I apped and was approved.  Well, today in the mail I received a pre-selected offer for the AMEX green card. My question is, if the AMEX green is considered a step above the Zync card should I try to upgrade?  Or should I RSVP and keep both? Does AMEX even allow that or should I just stick with the Zync?? The AMEX green card annual fee is $95 (waived the first year with pre-selection) and the annual fee for my Zync is $45.  Both are charge cards of course.  Those who are more experienced credit gardeners, please advise...thanks!!!

[Cotton_Britches]

748......no wonder you were approved.

Congrats!