Debate topic: is there really such a thing as being "in with Amex"?

[redpat]

No.  Only in someone's imagination.

[Anonymous]

Good thread OP. I enjoyed reading everyone's responses.

[Loquat]

I believe a lot of people enjoyed "being in" with Amex because there use to be this perception that American Express was such an elusive card; the king of all credit cards.    Back in the day it seems like the name/company carried a lot more weight if you will, than it does today.  It could be because the underwriting standards has become a lot more relaxed that it used to be in say the 80's and some parts of the 90's.  But now, in my opinion, the Amex name or card doesn't carry the same weight that it use to.  There are a lot of nice cards out there that compete and in a matter of perception, are better than products Amex offers.  So there are perks that come with it Amex, as mentioned, the HP feature of new accounts, but when I read "in with Amex" my mind immediately goes to the thaughty of a person who's excited to be in with a company who were perceived to be only for the "elite" of the world.  But now you can enjoy an Amex product (albeit not the best for some) with subpar scores.  I have a coworker who was approved a few months ago for the Gold SkyMiles card with a 630 EX score.  His limit is only $1k but I guess he's technically "in" with Amex/Centurion.

[AverageJoesCredit]

Great points UncleB ,as always , and Michikade!

In the aspect of trying to reestablish a prior relationship i can totally understand the notion of trying to get back "in". I havent given up total hope of getting back an Amex , maybe one day they will send me a mailer like Citi did, but for now i truely am happy with with what i got . One more credit card would only mean one more to find more swipes.

Ive definiitely seen many times here people trying to find that way "in" with Amex by trying to find the easiest cc to get which supposedly is the Delta Gold. When i go to Amex site and see what cards they offer and which one i could use , i see that one and remember myFico fondly. But in reality i dont fly so why would i want to get a card that doesnt suit my spend for the sakes of just having Amex? Perhaps i could later pc it or what not but id prefer to get a card i can use right away then to just have to sd it or to that affect. All props to those who go this route as one should do whats best for oneself, but hopefully when my time comes ill be abble to get the one i want. Great day everyone

[redpat]

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@Loquat wrote:

I believe a lot of people enjoyed "being in" with Amex because there use to be this perception that American Express was such an elusive card; the king of all credit cards.    Back in the day it seems like the name/company carried a lot more weight if you will, than it does today.  It could be because the underwriting standards has become a lot more relaxed that it used to be in say the 80's and some parts of the 90's.  But now, in my opinion, the Amex name or card doesn't carry the same weight that it use to.  There are a lot of nice cards out there that compete and in a matter of perception, are better than products Amex offers.  So there are perks that come with it Amex, as mentioned, the HP feature of new accounts, but when I read "in with Amex" my mind immediately goes to the thaughty of a person who's excited to be in with a company who were perceived to be only for the "elite" of the world.  But now you can enjoy an Amex product (albeit not the best for some) with subpar scores.  I have a coworker who was approved a few months ago for the Gold SkyMiles card with a 630 EX score.  His limit is only $1k but I guess he's technically "in" with Amex/Centurion.

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+1, lol! When about 70% or greater of the eligible population can get an Amex card, what's the in?

I never read or heard of the term using it for credit cards "I'm in with" or "I'm in the front door with" before until I read on these forums.

Maybe when you get your first job, college acceptance or making the team cuts, but never as a term of being approved for a credit card.

[AverageJoesCredit]

Hit the nail on the head @ Loquat! Lol! Marketing at its best. Ill admit when you hear Amex you think of wow, Amex! I also find it funny how many times in our society, no matter where you live, we always seem to ask , do accept Amex? ( more so than visa/ mastercard, as we normally universally acknowledge that will be accepted) and if a place says no, 1st thing that pops to my mind is probably because Amex will defend the client first , so maybe businesses dont want to contend with that. I know im probably wrong on why a business wont have Amex( a topic for another day haha). But you can see my mentality and im sure many of grew up with that vision of Amex. Its hard to look past that. I agree with many posters that depending on your lifestyle and spend there are better cards for you elsewhere so one shouldnt have Amex see all be all. Im sure they can be great to one just as Citi could be or Chase, etc. Thats the one thing i thing Amex should capitilize more on is that it does have that "aura" still about it, even though that is no longer the truth. Ahhh, the epic story that is Amex

[grillandwinemaster]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

With backdating gone, "being in" doesn't mean what it once did.

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I agree with CB. I had an Amex back in 1998 with perfect payment history. I closed it and then a year later filed for bk. Amex was NOT affected. However, with backdating gone, there's zero motivation for ME to take THEM back in! 

[iced]

I don't look at it as being in with a bank like AmEx, but rather as banks being in with me.

[AverageJoesCredit]

@ Iced

NICE !!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I have noticed that the Delta Gold gets mentioned a lot around these forums. Is it really the easiest Amex to acquire?