Delta Gold AMEX--Approval Odds?

[Anonymous]

Wow, I went ahead and pulled the discover FICO score and was pleasantly surprised to see it a bit higher than CK! 661! Thank you for this information. 

I think I may take some advice from above and wait a couple of months until my credit is closer to 700, and then apply. I want the best CL possible!

[NRB525]

If you wait, you likely will get the same $1k-$2k limit that you would get now. AMEX likes to start you out low and get to know you. Some can get higher starting limits, but they generally have much thicker files than yours, more history with larger limits to show.

Your choice, but I'd go for it, because the worst case scenario is you don't get a card, then you have the clear message you need to wait to apply later. 

[Anonymous]

Do it now so that your 3X CLIs will be sooner as well!

[AllCredit]

So are you going to apply now that you know your EX score?

[Anonymous]

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@NRB525 wrote:

If you wait, you likely will get the same $1k-$2k limit that you would get now. AMEX likes to start you out low and get to know you. Some can get higher starting limits, but they generally have much thicker files than yours, more history with larger limits to show.

Your choice, but I'd go for it, because the worst case scenario is you don't get a card, then you have the clear message you need to wait to apply later. 

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While I can understand this perspective, my advice would still be to wait for the OP.  While my file was reasonably thick and decently aged, I applied for my first Amex card ever last June.  They obviously had no history with me, and I only had one other credit card at the time and it had a $3000 limit.  I was going to apply when I had about a 700 score, but waited until I go it to around 730 first and was approved with a $10k limit.  Had I applied with the 700 score, would I have received that $10k SL?  Who knows.  Possibly, but likely not.  I can assure you it wouldn't have been higher though.  To me, it was worth sitting tight a while longer and waiting to app at the right time.  Fast forward 64 days and I had a $30k credit line when 3 months earlier my highest CL was $3k.  Had I pulled the trigger when my score was 700, maybe my SL would have been $7k, then after the 3X CLI I'd have been at $21k.  All of these things are profile specific, no doubt, but unless the OP is in dire need of a card at this exact moment I really don't see a downside in waiting a bit longer to get his scores and profile stronger.

[Anonymous]

Thank you BrutalBodyShots, this is my thought. 

Delta is currently offering 50k miles if you apply for the gold card (and spend $1000 blahblahblah). This offer doesn't expire until May 19th. I will do as much as I can to raise my FICO before then (short time I know) and then apply for it. I would hesitate to wait any longer, because I REALLY want those sky miles

[negg]

This was my 3rd cc I app'd for after getting my crap together. My credit was worse then yours and got approved for $4000. I think my score was around 640ish with cap1 and secured visa from the bank.  

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you BrutalBodyShots, this is my thought. 

Delta is currently offering 50k miles if you apply for the gold card (and spend $1000 blahblahblah). This offer doesn't expire until May 19th. I will do as much as I can to raise my FICO before then (short time I know) and then apply for it. I would hesitate to wait any longer, because I REALLY want those sky miles

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Sounds like a reasonable plan.  If you tweak your utilization you may be able to squeeze a bit more out of your scores.  That 50k miles bonus, is that a special promo?  What is the bonus usually for that card?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you BrutalBodyShots, this is my thought. 

Delta is currently offering 50k miles if you apply for the gold card (and spend $1000 blahblahblah). This offer doesn't expire until May 19th. I will do as much as I can to raise my FICO before then (short time I know) and then apply for it. I would hesitate to wait any longer, because I REALLY want those sky miles

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Sounds like a reasonable plan.  If you tweak your utilization you may be able to squeeze a bit more out of your scores.  That 50k miles bonus, is that a special promo?  What is the bonus usually for that card?

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The standard offer is 30K miles on the Gold card.  Amex offers different bonuses all the time, 40K, 50K and I believe I've seen 60K  Also, Delta SkyMiles are consdiered one of the lower value miles for redepmtion.  Just as an example, the Pointsguy has the vaued currently at 1.2 cents per miles vs 1.9 for Alaskan.  However, likes all reward miles/points, the true value is dependent on how you use them., so they can be worth more if you're smart 

[Anonymous]

OP,  IME the Amex pre-qualification site is pretty solid. Sounds like you already checked that if you have a 50K offer for the Delta. You will get it if you decide to app.