Amex Gold -- when to apply?

[Anonymous]

Hey guys- so I was new to the country a couple years ago and only started building my credit in the past year. I took out a personal loan and paid it back each month on auto pay (finished paying loan), then got a partially secured card at BoA (which i graduated from this month after 5 months). My TU score 705 and my income is 50k a year (not including my husband's), I currently have one card w a 1k limit and no debt/no late payments. I am thinking about applying for the Amex gold. I was wondering if I get my credit score to about 720-30, would I have a good chance at approval?

[Anonymous]

Check for pre-quals on their website.

[Ficoproblems247]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Check for pre-quals on their website.

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+1. AMEX usually is friendly to thin, clean files. Check their pre-approval site like was suggested, and if you have any offers for any of their charge cards and/or core cards you will very likely be good to pull the trigger. They will pull your EX and use your FICO 8 for approval, on rare occasion they could pull a 2nd bureau. 

[rostrow416]

Check your EX, its what AMEX pulls.  Even without a prequal, you can still be approved, especially if you are over 700.

[W261w261]

On the subject of Amex pre-approvals, on the site (I've had an Everyday Pref card for almost 5 yrs) it says I'm pre-approved for the Blue Cash, Gold, and Plat. Score is 690. How reliable are these? I've heard pretty good. Also, I suppose I have little to lose, as for me it would be a SP most likely? 

[Anonymous]

I too want to apply for the gold this year. I have heard that if you already have cards with Amex that it is a SP so I would say go for it. Their preapprovals are pretty accurate.

[805orbust]

I would feel comfortable with applying for a charge card with Amex if I were you. Even in the 680-699 range there are loads of members here with approvals. The advice for checking pre-approval on the site is sound.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all the replies, everyone! I'll check the pre approvals before I apply

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[Anonymous]

UPDATE: so i went ahead and applied without the pre qual, and got approved immediately! thanks for the help everyone  

[K-in-Boston]

Congratulations on your approval!  Please feel free to start a new thread in Credit Card Approvals.