Dillard's American Express upgrade to regular AMEX?

[09Lexie]

Just double checking - thought you meant PRG

I prefer the BCE too!

[TiggerDat]

I would app for the Discover card before the Amex, as Discover can be more nervous about inquiries I think than Amex.  I would do both the same day though.

You really did not know the Dillards card was GE and not Amex?  It works just like an Amex, because of the branding, but it is a completely different bank.  It is like McDonalds is McDonalds but just because it says McDonalds doesn't mean that it is owned by McDonalds, it could be owned by a franchisee.  This is how some Discover and Amex cards are.  For example the Walmart Discover is a Discover card, but once again it is a different bank than Discover, it too is GE. 

[LawStudentCivilis]

No I did not. Which is why I've been inquiring about it. I just recently turned 25 and even though I've always paid very close attention to maintaining good credit I knew little about networks, cobranding and all of the other internal workings.  Which is why I am glad I found my fico.  Is there any particular reason you prefer Discover over American Express? I recently received a Discover It pre approval in the mail.  

[unc0mm0n1]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Just curious what happend with Chase? They've been just as good as Amex imo, but imo UR points are MUCH more valuable than MR points.

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I have multiple Amex, Discover, Bank cards, GE cards and I wouldn't trade any of them for my chase cards. The rewards I get and customerservice is rarely matched. Esp. by Amex who doesn't even have American customer service reps. Half the time I call and they have no idea what I'm asking them to do. Whenever I call the number on the back of my CSP I never have this problem. I don 't think my APR is that high either but I really don't notice because I always pay in full. If you are in it for the rewards I really don't think there are better cards than the Ink, Freedom, CSP combo.  

[LawStudentCivilis]

Thanks uncommon for your input.  I had a 3.5K Freedom with Chase and I never really had to call CS that much at first, but either way I have gotten both American and Foreign with them.  Although I see everyone is none too happy with Cap One, but I just opened one of their "prime" Cash Reward cards and I was told by their CSR since it is an "elite" card I will never get a foreign rep.  They had the spend 500 get $100 back promo that I already qualified for and received. And they even sent me an email if I spend a minimum of $25 dollars at J. Crew they would give me 20% back. I think that was an amazing deal!  We just recently had a J. Crew open where I live and I was literally already omw to shop, so that was big savings on my end. Plus I am still in 0% APR with them until next year.  

[youngandcreditwrthy]

I would app for both Discover IT and Amex Blue Cash Urryday(everyday in layman's terms hahaha)
I use IT for the 5% bonus and BCE on groceries mostly.
Also, if you were considering a travel card- I just opened an Amex Gold Delta Skymiles, and the customer service so far has been amazing!!! Everyone has been American and extremely courteous!
So maybe you could get an every day card and a travel card.
I feel you on the mixed feelings about Chase.
Anyway, my point is not to feel like you just need one card.
Remember: credit cards are there to serve you.
Don't cater your spend to the card, get a card catered to your spending habits w rewards!!!!
Good luck!

[LawStudentCivilis]

@youngandcreditwrthy

Thanks for the help. Yea I usually end up abroad once a year so all of this time I maybe should have had some sort of travel card.  Although I dont know if I would want a card with one specific airline. I kind of don't get how travel points are any different than redeeming a rewards from a cash rewards card besides their generous sign up bonus.  Although I would LOVE BCE for groceries I mostly shop groceries at Wal-Mart and I've read on here that is not counted as "groceries" which I think is truly sneaky. I do shop at whole foods occasionally but not my primary source.  I also have a "neighborhood" walmart I go to that is mostly a grocery store, but it's probably still not listed as one with AMEX. 

Sigh decisions decisions.  I'll be graduating soon and I have 3 credit cards, and I don't want to make any conservative mortgage lenders raise their eyebrows.  When I go to purchase my first home in a few years I definitely do not want a single excuse as to why I may be a risk or don't qualify for a better rate.  That's why hopefully if I get Capital One to raise their CL then I will be able to garden. I think being young with more than 3 cards would seem like I'm too eager for credit and overextending myself and/or being a potential risk with so much credit acess for potential debt.

[TiggerDat]

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@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

No I did not. Which is why I've been inquiring about it. I just recently turned 25 and even though I've always paid very close attention to maintaining good credit I knew little about networks, cobranding and all of the other internal workings.  Which is why I am glad I found my fico.  Is there any particular reason you prefer Discover over American Express? I recently received a Discover It pre approval in the mail.  

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It just seems like Discover can be a little more sensitive to inquiries than Amex is.  When I app'd for the Discover card I got either the denied or wait 7 days notice, I don't remember which.  Either way I called in and they questioned me about things and asked why so many inquiries?  I told them the truth, I just want to get the better cards and have worked hard to do the right thing to prove myself.  I also told them, since it was January, early January, that I did spend a lot for Christmas and did so on my credit cards!  I added that even though I did that I made sure that I did not overspend, even though I might have, and made sure that my report looked good afterward by not having huge balances.  When I app'd for the Amex card I got the instant approval without any issues.

[TiggerDat]

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@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

Thanks uncommon for your input.  I had a 3.5K Freedom with Chase and I never really had to call CS that much at first, but either way I have gotten both American and Foreign with them.  Although I see everyone is none too happy with Cap One, but I just opened one of their "prime" Cash Reward cards and I was told by their CSR since it is an "elite" card I will never get a foreign rep.  They had the spend 500 get $100 back promo that I already qualified for and received. And they even sent me an email if I spend a minimum of $25 dollars at J. Crew they would give me 20% back. I think that was an amazing deal!  We just recently had a J. Crew open where I live and I was literally already omw to shop, so that was big savings on my end. Plus I am still in 0% APR with them until next year.  

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I am so pissed reading this, but not at you.  I can't believe the gall of Capone!  They told you that?  I have been waiting for 10 days now for them to reconsider my Cash Rewards card without a word.  I told them when I called to recon was that I was tired of being treated like a second class cardholder and now you tell us this.  This simply validates what I have believed for sooooooo long!  I think if they give me the card I will use it to get the rewards now and never use it again afterward.  I was actually planning on letting up on them if they did approve it, now I have to rethink that!

[LawStudentCivilis]

Yes, their CSR did. I did not ask either. The rep stated "I don't know if this makes a difference to you or not." I think he was just trying to make the point since it's a higher tiered card, card members would not get outsourced reps I suppose?