Amex relationship and credit question

[Anonymous]

Hi - I recently got approved for an Amex Delta Gold card in October for a $1000 limit. I've recently started to build my credit back up and brought my utilization down to 0%. I don't have an income issue, I just never paid any attention to the credit before.

Any how, I want to get an Amex Gold but I got denied for it. To show Amex that I am giving them business, I've started to use my Amex Delta gold for daily purchases. I pay it off every week. In fact, I've passed through about 2700 in November alone by charging and making equal payments (on a 1000 credit line).

Here are my questions:
Is this the right way to show Amex that I am giving them business and can pay back the cards easily?

Am I using my card wisely or is so much pass through hurting me? Even though I'm paying it off every month?

When should I apply again for Amex Gold? When will Amex detemine that I have built enough history?

When should I call Amex to give me a higher credit line so I don't have to keep paying off the card every week?

Stats: 1 discover for $1800 credit line (3 years old). 1 capital one for $300 credit line (new). I Amex Delta Gold for $1000 credit line. TransUnion: 630, Experian: 659, Equifax: 702 (also, why on Earth is there such a difference?).

Thanks for any help.

[AllZero]

From my understanding, 670 Experian is minimum score required for core AmEx revolver. I'm not quite sure on the charge card.

You might want to address any delinquency or derogatory that is suppressing your scores.

[M_Smart007]

Continue to swipe (use) your current Amex card. They love swipes and payments.

They'll want some history before handing over the purse.

Keep checking the Pre-Qual for the Gold Card on the Amex site every couple of weeks.

You'll get it

And anything you can do to bring up your Experian score will help!

and Welcome To myFICO Forums!

[Anonymous]

Are those FiCo scores? or Credir Karma scores?

I honestly would not put anywhere over 50% of spending through that card, even if you PiF before statement cuts. The best way is still to improve your FiCO score, perhaps by getting CLis or getting a new card with good CL.

Credit card game is a long one, you will need some patience, amex Gold is not a hard card to get, I am sure you will get it sooner rather than later.

Ask yourself what your core set of cards will look like and start working towards those.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply. Do we know how Amex quantifies "history"? For eg; is it 60 days, 90 days, a year? Etc.

[Anonymous]

The TransUnion and Equifax is Credit Karma and Experian is direct from Experian.

Could you advise on the best most accurate way to get scores? (I'm willing to pay). Thank you so much.

[OmarGB9]

Go to creditchecktotal.com and sign up for the $1 7-day trial to get all three scores and just cancel before the trial is up.

[Anonymous]

See above comment for scores. You can also get various scores at some credit card account online tools. I believe Discover (log in and should be somewhere on the main UI) provides TU and Amex (goto account services once you log in) provides EX.

Amex gold doesn't need very high score, your score is actually very close already. Perhaps just give them some love on the delta gold (no need to be excessive). Try to pay off all but one of your cards before statements cut,a nd ensure reported balance at statement cut is less than 10% of the CL.

You already have discover for 3 years, see if you can get some cli there.

Amex doesn't do HP for existing members (you are) unless approved, so there is no harm trying gold again in a few month when you bump your score to 680.

[Anonymous]

To get a CLI or a new card, you are relatively new so they want to see how you handle their card as well as other cards. They're probably ok with the way you handle other cards, so you need time with them. I would use their card heavily and always PIF. Heavy use on a $1,000 card shows you need more room, whether it be a CLI or a new card. You might get a CLI on your existing card, but after six months or more, they'll be more comfortable with you. If you don't have too many HPs on your CRs, maybe after 6 months of heavy use and good payments on their card, you might try again. But I wouldn't try before then, unless you get an offer.

[Remedios]

OP, your scorecard indicative of negative info being present, so is the limit they gave you on your card.
There are plenty of people in your situation who have significant spend but cannot get new cards or increases till Amex is ready.
I dont think anyone can quantify whether it's going to be three months, six months, year
It really depends on your CR, and whatever is holding your scores down. Amex is very much score and clean file driven lender.
It doesn't mean you wont have success with them, it just means it may take some time.
If you dont want to try another cold app, wait till you have pre-approved offer in your account. Otherwise, I'd give it six months at least.