Dillard's American Express upgrade to regular AMEX?

[TiggerDat]

Maybe it is because they simply do the right thing and they don't to really use overseas CSRs for these accounts.  Instead they simply just train their overseas CSRs to say thing which seem nice at first glance.  Things like; we keept your account limit up to date.  (If you keep my account limit up to date, why did I get an $8000 limit with Compass and after 2.5 years I still have a $500 limit with you?)  We are a conservative lender.  (If you are a conservative lender why are 80% of your cardholders subprime due to damaged or slim credit files? or really?  I thought Amex was a conservative lender and they approved me for a nice card and give great service?)

Yeah, it is even worse that he volunteered that information!

And they wonder why so many have problems with them!

Good luck, it seems like you have got the better offer and will have a MUCH better experience.  I imagine most of what is said in this and other forums is not really pertinent for you!!

[Open123]

When looking for credit card options, the first thing to determine is if you prefer "cash" or "travel" rewards. 

If you prefer cash, the options are very straight forward:

1.  Discover - rotating 5% categories, flat 1% and great for redeeming GCs.

2.  Chase Freedom - rotating categories for 5%.

3.  Cap One 1.5%

4.  Fid Amex 2%

5.  Citi Dividend - 5% rotating

6.  BCE or BCP for 3% or 6% grociers; 3% department stores

7.  Pen Fed - 5% gas

8.  JCB Murakai (if in CA or HI) - 3% - runs on Disc network

9.  US Bank Cash+ - select up to three 5% cashback categories of your choice

For cash, off the top of my head, those offer the higest rewards structure.  Cash reward is simple because it's a straight forward calculation.  In my view, if cash rewards is your preference, go with the highest and forget about "issuer" characteristics.  For cash, it doesn't matter since all the issuers on the list are excellent prime creditors (though some would argue Cap One is still subprime).

If you prefer true travel rewards (not glorified statement credits disguised as miles), then considering the following:

1.  Amex - MR, Hilton, Delta and SPG programs.

2.  Chase - UR, UA, SW, Marriott programs.

3.  Citi - TY, Hilton, AA

4.  BofA - Alaska, Asiana, Spirit

5.  Flexperks - statement credits for travel (glorified cashback, more or less)

6.  Barclay - statement credits for travel (glorified cashback, more or less)

My advice is start with one category first, then you can branch out later.

Good luck!

[LawStudentCivilis]

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@bernhardtra wrote:

Maybe it is because they simply do the right thing and they don't to really use overseas CSRs for these accounts.  Instead they simply just train their overseas CSRs to say thing which seem nice at first glance.  Things like; we keept your account limit up to date.  (If you keep my account limit up to date, why did I get an $8000 limit with Compass and after 2.5 years I still have a $500 limit with you?)  We are a conservative lender.  (If you are a conservative lender why are 80% of your cardholders subprime due to damaged or slim credit files? or really?  I thought Amex was a conservative lender and they approved me for a nice card and give great service?)

Yeah, it is even worse that he volunteered that information!

And they wonder why so many have problems with them!

Good luck, it seems like you have got the better offer and will have a MUCH better experience.  I imagine most of what is said in this and other forums is not really pertinent for you!!

---

Have you used the other thread info and contacted EO?? There seems to be a lot of success stories through that route.  Also did you see if you could do a product change to a no AF card so maybe you can have a better experience? That is a very low CL and I know that probably effects your overall credit availability. I am sorry you are having a bad experience :-/ Keep me updated.  I will be seeking a CLI with them once my new CR updates changes.

[LawStudentCivilis]

---

@Open123 wrote:

When looking for credit card options, the first thing to determine is if you prefer "cash" or "travel" rewards. 

If you prefer cash, the options are very straight forward:

1.  Discover - rotating 5% categories, flat 1% and great for redeeming GCs.

2.  Chase Freedom - rotating categories for 5%.

3.  Cap One 1.5%

4.  Fid Amex 2%

5.  Citi Dividend - 5% rotating

6.  BCE or BCP for 3% or 6% grociers; 3% department stores

7.  Pen Fed - 5% gas

8.  JCB Murakai (if in CA or HI) - 3% - runs on Disc network

9.  US Bank Cash+ - select up to three 5% cashback categories of your choice

For cash, off the top of my head, those offer the higest rewards structure.  Cash reward is simple because it's a straight forward calculation.  In my view, if cash rewards is your preference, go with the highest and forget about "issuer" characteristics.  For cash, it doesn't matter since all the issuers on the list are excellent prime creditors (though some would argue Cap One is still subprime).

If you prefer true travel rewards (not glorified statement credits disguised as miles), then considering the following:

1.  Amex - MR, Hilton, Delta and SPG programs.

2.  Chase - UR, UA, SW, Marriott programs.

3.  Citi - TY, Hilton, AA

4.  BofA - Alaska, Asiana, Spirit

5.  Flexperks - statement credits for travel (glorified cashback, more or less)

6.  Barclay - statement credits for travel (glorified cashback, more or less)

My advice is start with one category first, then you can branch out later.

Good luck!

---

I am so thankful for your thorough responses ^_^.  I already have #'s  2&3 under your CW cards.  I have been comparing the different AMEX cards and there seems to be so many opportunities! Sigh. Once I narrow down which cards I am looking at I will update you! I have decided to wait until July 1st to apply for anything with AMEX because by then all changes on CR should be reflecting (my new Cap One card, closure on one Chase Freedom, upgrade to a Freedom on old card with CLI).

[LawStudentCivilis]

Open123 is there a particular reason I see no one mention BC? Versus BCE? It seems to have slightly better rewards. I was thinking maybe if I originally get BCE for lower APR then eventually upgrading to BC for higher cashback.

Am I also reading correctly cashback for BCE & BCP is in the form of statement credit, but with BC you have the option of either statement credit or giftcard?

I of course have not weighed the pros and cons of travel cards as of yet. Trying to pick champion of cash back then I will have to hash out best CW vs travel rewards.

[Open123]

---

@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

Open123 is there a particular reason I see no one mention BC? Versus BCE? It seems to have slightly better rewards. I was thinking maybe if I originally get BCE for lower APR then eventually upgrading to BC for higher cashback.

Am I also reading correctly cashback for BCE & BCP is in the form of statement credit, but with BC you have the option of either statement credit or giftcard?.

---

BC?  Do you mean the old "Blue Cash," or the "Blue for Business?"

BCE and BCP can be redeemed in statement credits or giftcards.  Neither can be redeemed as a dda deposit, like bank cards.

[LawStudentCivilis]

---

@Open123 wrote:

---

@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

Open123 is there a particular reason I see no one mention BC? Versus BCE? It seems to have slightly better rewards. I was thinking maybe if I originally get BCE for lower APR then eventually upgrading to BC for higher cashback.

Am I also reading correctly cashback for BCE & BCP is in the form of statement credit, but with BC you have the option of either statement credit or giftcard?.

---

BC?  Do you mean the old "Blue Cash," or the "Blue for Business?"

BCE and BCP can be redeemed in statement credits or giftcards.  Neither can be redeemed as a dda deposit, like bank cards.

---

Thanks for the response.  I am using their compare cards tool and I suppose it is the old one? It just says "Blue Cash".  Also when I am reading all of their redemption policies for BCE and BCP it only lists statement credit as redemption.  BC is the only one they state you can get both a statement redemption or apply it to a GC.  Is the older "BC" inferior? Seems better than BCE besides the higher APR

[Open123]

---

@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

Thanks for the response.  I am using their compare cards tool and I suppose it is the old one? It just says "Blue Cash".  Also when I am reading all of their redemption policies for BCE and BCP it only lists statement credit as redemption.  BC is the only one they state you can get both a statement redemption or apply it to a GC.  Is the older "BC" inferior? Seems better than BCE besides the higher APR

---

This is the original Blue Cash that is no longer offered.  Basically, the appeal of this one is the cashback is 1%, but once you're pass $6,500 in spend, it becomes an unlimited 5% in gas, groceries and drugstores.  For some, this is a better structure, but only if you (1) plan to consolidate spending into one card, and (2) care only for cash rewards.

BCE and BCP can redeem for giftcards.  

[LawStudentCivilis]

Thanks! How deceptive of Amex, to still have an "apply now" button next to the BC card.  That is the only reason I was considering it.

[TiggerDat]

---

@LawStudentCivilis wrote:

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@bernhardtra wrote:

Maybe it is because they simply do the right thing and they don't to really use overseas CSRs for these accounts.  Instead they simply just train their overseas CSRs to say thing which seem nice at first glance.  Things like; we keept your account limit up to date.  (If you keep my account limit up to date, why did I get an $8000 limit with Compass and after 2.5 years I still have a $500 limit with you?)  We are a conservative lender.  (If you are a conservative lender why are 80% of your cardholders subprime due to damaged or slim credit files? or really?  I thought Amex was a conservative lender and they approved me for a nice card and give great service?)

Yeah, it is even worse that he volunteered that information!

And they wonder why so many have problems with them!

Good luck, it seems like you have got the better offer and will have a MUCH better experience.  I imagine most of what is said in this and other forums is not really pertinent for you!!

---

Have you used the other thread info and contacted EO?? There seems to be a lot of success stories through that route.  Also did you see if you could do a product change to a no AF card so maybe you can have a better experience? That is a very low CL and I know that probably effects your overall credit availability. I am sorry you are having a bad experience :-/ Keep me updated.  I will be seeking a CLI with them once my new CR updates changes.

---

Oh yeah, they are more than familar with me at the EO!  I have spoken with them numerous times.  I actually just off the phon with them again in a recon situation to get the same card you have.  My limit now with them is $3500 it was about 9 months ago that I first spoke with them after filing a BBB complaint about my limit.  Then they raised it after playing some games with me.  They wanted to discuss my Household account no matter how many times I responded with 'wrong account' please talk to me about the right account.  I think they ended up with a bad mark because of that, but they did finally talk to me about the Capone account.  Then later I spoke with them about increasing the limit again.  This time it was about the new account and I added in a CLI for the old account.  I have yet to add in the Household bank into the mix, I won't do that until after the conversion. 

So now that I have the same card as you got, let's see if things have changed.  I would hate to see it arrive and it is the $39 AF subprime version masked as a Prime card.  If that happens it will not make me happy!