my ( no so short story), I was an American Express Platinum member since 1984, over 20 years a member, then, I declared BK in march 05, 7 years later, I tried for a platinum card, denied! tried several times, same story, DENIED instantly, regardless of my history with them. When I declared BK in 05, I never had any outstanding debts with AE. I tried, and tried, but always denied.
They never even did a hard pull on my CR. They never forget about your past. So, this Dec 30 2013, I did an application (again) Got the typical, message:" We can not give you answer at this time, a decision will be made in the next 10 days", blah blah blah, I knew what the answer was going to be. Next day Dec 31 2013 I aplied again, and I got the same message.
However this time (dec 31 app), I seen they did a hard pull on my CR. I thought," hmmm maybe this might be different" The very next day I got a call from amex,they left a message and a reference number. I called and gave them the reference number. They said" your app is under review, we will notify you of the outcome. I didn't bother hounding them, I thought, "whatever, if I am approved, I will see it in the mail". Well today I got my mail. Letter from amex stating that they could not approve my application based on several pieces of information they had reviewed. No doubt it was my CR, and past BK.
So I called to ask what the problem was, and to ask what I need to do to for amex to reconsider my application. When I called I gave the reference number that was given to me when they previously called and left a message. To my utter surprise, the CS agent asked why I took so long to get back them, he said" this is a very old reference number, we called you on the 2nd of January (2014). I thought, good grief, that is only 5 days ago. Regarless, I told him" I was waiting to hear from you, I was told that my app was under review. He said. "Well, you have been approved, I just need to verify your idientity with some questions that only you should know, if you pass this "test" I can authorize your card. Simple questions, I passed, and Plat. card is on the way. I am ecstatic! Never give up! My credit score was 765 with TU, but there was a "derogatory" remark on an old visa card that was part of the BK, even with that, I was approved. I am also in the process of having that card removed. So that's my not so short story of over 8 years trying to rebuild my CR, and get my Plat card back, hope it gives some hope to some people out there.
p.s. the last letter I received from amex stating that I was denied, was for the app I sent in on the 30th, the app I sent in on the 31 was accepted.
