@Anonymous wrote:
@09Lexie wrote:Recons with Amex are most successful when there was a fundamental change in your CRs since the app, ie a charge off or CA being removed. They are not looking for an explanation for the condition of your file but an error that will increase your chance of approval - the only way they can do that is if they pull an updated CR.
If, you want to write a letter of explanation and explain the reasons for the inqs (perhaps you were auto shopping) and fax over a copy of your current CR to their Media Dept- you may avoid the HP.
Thats true in general with AMEX. However, I am willing to bet this was a very borderline decision made by the automated system. AMEX relies heavily on their internal risk score assesement, but I got approved with an almost identical history with decent terms. As long as its not bankruptcy, multiple late payments, high debt to low income ratio kind of a situation I think anyone has a solid chance of recon approval. I also think those odds skyrocket dramatically if the OP can talk to an American rep over an Indian/Pakistainan. The latter speaks in scripts that at least half the time are not even relevant to the conversation. Heck, I bet while on a recon call to those areas they want to tell you the cards many benefits... meanwhile you dont even have the card.
I mean think about a credit card company makes money off giving you the card. The gravitational pull for any smart credit company rep is to approve with high risk terms to further maximaze profit oppurtunites while reducing risk (High interest, low limit). Plus, they have the added advantage of the recon process. Most likely the people calling them are just trying to seek an approval on almost any terms, thus they will likely not complain, but just be happy they got their card even with bad terms attached to it.
I'd take it easy on referencing specific countries when referencing representatives, Your other post was already edited for this. 
AMEX appears to be in the middle of a U/W change, as we've seen quite a few surprise approvals lately.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@victornewman wrote:So I applied for an Amex Green charge and was immediately denied. I am an AU on a 10 yr old Amex with perfect payment history and have perfect payment history on my accounts. The denial letter came today with these reasons:
Number of credit card accounts opened recently (3 new cards showing on report in last 4 months)
Number and type of accounts opened recently
Inquiries (6 in past year)
I called the EO and they transferred me to what sounded like India and I was told that there was a possibility that another credit pull would be required for reconsideration so I didn't go further with my request.
Basically, I just wanted to know if this is true. Will it cost me another hard pull for reconsideration? They just pulled my credit report less a week ago so I don't know why they would need to pull my credit again.
The only reason I want an Amex of my own is because it would be backdated to the late 80's.
Thanks for your help.
First off I was in a similar situation. If you are transfered to India, hang up
I also find it kind of funny/cruel at the same time that a CC would state the terms of denial as too many inquiries, and what do they want to do to recon the app? Oh ya, they want to pull again, surely that would help
All you have to do is get in touch with the right American agent, and sound like you know your stuff. If you can explain your stuff clearly you have a great shot. By the way I appologize. I had 6 inquires, 3 new accounts (credit) as well. They were opened 4 1/2 months ago. I can only wonder what is going on with Amex there. I also got fairly well terms with a low interest rate, and a matching credit limit to my preexisting highest limit. However, I am in a battle with them over the sign-up bonus. All and all I think you should have an excellent shot at reconing this with Amex. Just make sure to get the Americans.
While I prefer speaking to American reps vs foreign reps, I don't believe intelligence/recklessness has anything to do with it. The foreign reps are typically unempowered to make decisions and take ownership over those decisions.
Unempowered is part of it true. The other part of it is the scripts they read off. They cannot process your request, instead they turn robotic. There also is a lot more likely to give you missinformation that could prove to be incredably determential. Meanwhile, if there talking about pulling additional bureaus, I run as far as I can from them. Theres no reason for it. The reason for denial will pop up on each credit bureau (new credit card accounts). The only reason to pull more is if you suspect there could be a collections account that only reports to one of the bureaus. Or, if you believe that there are dozens of inquries on the other two reports. Or, if maybe the consumer asks for another bureau to be pulled because the one they pulled had inaccuaracies on it that they are trying to resolve. That is another story though.
I'm speaking from my own personal experiences, perhaps I have just had bad luck. However, I doubt that is the case. If it were, I don't think Discover would greet each call the way they do, and also spend tens of millions of dollars in advertising its U.S customer service teams while stating you will never be forced to deal with foreign reps. Plus, the OP applied for an Amex which is second in line in terms of offering U.S customer service.
@Anonymous wrote:
@09Lexie wrote:Recons with Amex are most successful when there was a fundamental change in your CRs since the app, ie a charge off or CA being removed. They are not looking for an explanation for the condition of your file but an error that will increase your chance of approval - the only way they can do that is if they pull an updated CR.
If, you want to write a letter of explanation and explain the reasons for the inqs (perhaps you were auto shopping) and fax over a copy of your current CR to their Media Dept- you may avoid the HP.
Thats true in general with AMEX. However, I am willing to bet this was a very borderline decision made by the automated system. AMEX relies heavily on their internal risk score assesement, but I got approved with an almost identical history with decent terms. As long as its not bankruptcy, multiple late payments, high debt to low income ratio kind of a situation I think anyone has a solid chance of recon approval. I also think those odds skyrocket dramatically if the OP can talk to an American rep over an Indian/Pakistainan. The latter speaks in scripts that at least half the time are not even relevant to the conversation. Heck, I bet while on a recon call to those areas they want to tell you the cards many benefits... meanwhile you dont even have the card.
I mean think about a credit card company makes money off giving you the card. The gravitational pull for any smart credit company rep is to approve with high risk terms to further maximaze profit oppurtunites while reducing risk (High interest, low limit). Plus, they have the added advantage of the recon process. Most likely the people calling them are just trying to seek an approval on almost any terms, thus they will likely not complain, but just be happy they got their card even with bad terms attached to it.
I am well aware that my comments were based on previous posters' experience and Amex CSRs instructions on required steps to recon. Your comments regarding what Amex may or may not do if OPs speaks to an American based rep are supposition at best. Amex does use an internal based scoring system, inqs, scores etc are not all encompassing and often you might read in our approvals of a student with little income receive a high CL whereas another applicant with similar scores may receive a $1k CL. Bottomline is you, nor I know what goes on behind the curtain at Amex and to suggest that an American based rep is the Wizard behind the curtain is ill-advised.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@09Lexie wrote:Recons with Amex are most successful when there was a fundamental change in your CRs since the app, ie a charge off or CA being removed. They are not looking for an explanation for the condition of your file but an error that will increase your chance of approval - the only way they can do that is if they pull an updated CR.
If, you want to write a letter of explanation and explain the reasons for the inqs (perhaps you were auto shopping) and fax over a copy of your current CR to their Media Dept- you may avoid the HP.
Thats true in general with AMEX. However, I am willing to bet this was a very borderline decision made by the automated system. AMEX relies heavily on their internal risk score assesement, but I got approved with an almost identical history with decent terms. As long as its not bankruptcy, multiple late payments, high debt to low income ratio kind of a situation I think anyone has a solid chance of recon approval. I also think those odds skyrocket dramatically if the OP can talk to an American rep over an Indian/Pakistainan. The latter speaks in scripts that at least half the time are not even relevant to the conversation. Heck, I bet while on a recon call to those areas they want to tell you the cards many benefits... meanwhile you dont even have the card.
I mean think about a credit card company makes money off giving you the card. The gravitational pull for any smart credit company rep is to approve with high risk terms to further maximaze profit oppurtunites while reducing risk (High interest, low limit). Plus, they have the added advantage of the recon process. Most likely the people calling them are just trying to seek an approval on almost any terms, thus they will likely not complain, but just be happy they got their card even with bad terms attached to it.
I'd take it easy on referencing specific countries when referencing representatives, Your other post was already edited for this.
AMEX appears to be in the middle of a U/W change, as we've seen quite a few surprise approvals lately.
If I get reported for saying they tend to be robotic while reading off scripts so be it. As part of being an open forum, this is open to debate. I don't think stating a fact such as they read off scripts is insulting... they do. If the mods have been instructed to remove it I have the utmost confidence they will. I'm just glad I did not voice my true opinion of the rep who continually told me about the benefits of the card when I was attempting to recon it... trying to torture me I swear 
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@09Lexie wrote:Recons with Amex are most successful when there was a fundamental change in your CRs since the app, ie a charge off or CA being removed. They are not looking for an explanation for the condition of your file but an error that will increase your chance of approval - the only way they can do that is if they pull an updated CR.
If, you want to write a letter of explanation and explain the reasons for the inqs (perhaps you were auto shopping) and fax over a copy of your current CR to their Media Dept- you may avoid the HP.
Thats true in general with AMEX. However, I am willing to bet this was a very borderline decision made by the automated system. AMEX relies heavily on their internal risk score assesement, but I got approved with an almost identical history with decent terms. As long as its not bankruptcy, multiple late payments, high debt to low income ratio kind of a situation I think anyone has a solid chance of recon approval. I also think those odds skyrocket dramatically if the OP can talk to an American rep over an Indian/Pakistainan. The latter speaks in scripts that at least half the time are not even relevant to the conversation. Heck, I bet while on a recon call to those areas they want to tell you the cards many benefits... meanwhile you dont even have the card.
I mean think about a credit card company makes money off giving you the card. The gravitational pull for any smart credit company rep is to approve with high risk terms to further maximaze profit oppurtunites while reducing risk (High interest, low limit). Plus, they have the added advantage of the recon process. Most likely the people calling them are just trying to seek an approval on almost any terms, thus they will likely not complain, but just be happy they got their card even with bad terms attached to it.
I'd take it easy on referencing specific countries when referencing representatives, Your other post was already edited for this.
AMEX appears to be in the middle of a U/W change, as we've seen quite a few surprise approvals lately.
If I get reported for saying they tend to be robotic while reading off scripts so be it. As part of being an open forum, this is open to debate. I don't think stating a fact such as they read off scripts is insulting... they do. If the mods have been instructed to remove it I have the utmost confidence they will. I'm just glad I did not voice my true opinion of the rep who continually told me about the benefits of the card when I was attempting to recon it... trying to torture me I swear
I wasn't saying I was offended by it at all. I absolutely know where you're coming from and can understand your frustration with overseas representatives.
It should go without saying that i'm not the one who reported you if anyone. 
I do agree with Lexie however that stateside representatives aren't exactly miracle workers, but they may be moreso empowered to make decisions, or if not then are better equipped to explain why they cannot. 
This forum strives when people express their opinions. While you are free to express your opinion, you must do so within the confines of the Terms of Service and User Guidelines we all agreed to when we registered for an account.
It is well known that outsourced call centers are limited in their ability and must abide by the guidelines of the lender which hired them. If you have an issue with a call center, blame the lender that did the outsourcing.
Lexie-myFICO Moderator
Eta: Getting back on topic, OP good luck with your recon attempt. If it is unsuccessful this time, position yourself in the best light for future applications so that a recon is unnecessary.
