@Repo-ed wrote:
go for the gold card first, as it will be easier to get a approval - then app BCE. this way, if declined revolver, it will only be SP.
I agree with this. IMO i think your file is too thin for a revolver at this time but should be good for a charge card.
@shakalaka wrote:First of all good luck, if you are going to apply.
Quick question, you have in total also only 5 months history? This may be to short for a revolver. Charge would be a better shot. I was approvd for a charge with 5 months history.
I won't be applying until the end of December, at which time I will have 6 months history with my only credit card. However, my AAoA is approximately 4 years as I have a number of student loans reporting and an auto loan. All perfect payment history.
I'm not interested in a charge card, so I'm not going to apply for it unless I'm declined for the BCP in order to lock in my membership date. I want to try the revolver first and see where it takes me. I like the challenge. Not to mention, I spend close to $3,000 a year on gas, so that spending alone will make the rewards from the BCP worth it. The charge cards aren't going to give me that type of rewards structure. Other reasons for this are to reduce the number of inquiries as I plan to add a Discover, Chase Freedom, and potentially a Citi Forward on top of the Amex. Then later in the year I will be doing some apartment searching, so one less new account and one less hard inquiry would be the best case scenario for me. Obviously, if I'm not approved for the BCP, then I can move to my "worst case" scenario, which is to add a charge card. But I don't want to start with my "worst case" scenario, if that makes any sense.
@SnackTrader wrote:I won't be applying until the end of December, at which time I will have 6 months history with my only credit card. However, my AAoA is approximately 4 years as I have a number of student loans reporting and an auto loan. All perfect payment history.
I'm not interested in a charge card, so I'm not going to apply for it unless I'm declined for the BCP in order to lock in my membership date. I want to try the revolver first and see where it takes me. I like the challenge. Not to mention, I spend close to $3,000 a year on gas, so that spending alone will make the rewards from the BCP worth it. The charge cards aren't going to give me that type of rewards structure. Other reasons for this are to reduce the number of inquiries as I plan to add a Discover, Chase Freedom, and potentially a Citi Forward on top of the Amex. Then later in the year I will be doing some apartment searching, so one less new account and one less hard inquiry would be the best case scenario for me. Obviously, if I'm not approved for the BCP, then I can move to my "worst case" scenario, which is to add a charge card. But I don't want to start with my "worst case" scenario, if that makes any sense.
Sounds like a plan! Good luck!! 
Nice, keep us posted how it goes next month!
I definitely will! It's going to be a long month to wait. I will be getting my gold spade only to throw it away less than 2 weeks later.
@Repo-ed wrote:
if you are declined for bcp, then you wasted a hp, and will have to wait 6mo. before applying again - another HP. whereas you app for the sure thing - prg, and get approved, you can then app bcp/bce and either approved on only 1 hp (maybe 2) or if declined, only a sp. ( sorry, on my phone)
I was under the impression that I could use that HP (or perhaps another, but on the same day) for the charge card if I was not approved for the BCP. That way still getting in prior to the end of the year. And then I can try again for the BCP at another time.
But if I apply for a charge and then wait for BCP, aren't I wasting an HP for a card I don't want anyway? I would use an HP for the charge in December, and then an HP to get approved for the BCP when I finally get it. And those could be months apart, so they won't age together.
So I guess what I'm saying is, the only risk is the additional HP when declined for the BCP (if Amex pulls two HPs in order to decline me for BCP and then approve/decline me for the charge card). But those HPs will age together, thus reducing the impact.
The way I see it is as follows:
Best Case: Approved for BCP in December - never getting a charge - 1 HP on all bureaus (this is worth it for BCP rewards)
Second best case: Denied for BCP, I am approved for Green/Gold - only 1 HP. Then I get approved for BCP in 2013 - another HP
Worst case: Denied for BCP, I am approved for Green/Gold - 2 or 3 HPs. Then I get approved for BCP in 2013 - another HP
Worst Worst Case: Denied both BCP and Charge Card (Yikes!)
Am I totally off here? I have seen others take a similar approach, and thought that this strategy was possible. But now I'm second guessing it...
I think your (credit card) history is to short for a revolver. I suppose you will be approved for a charge card. But of course the decision is up to you. There are guys who were approved for a revolver first, but most of them app´d for the Delta Gold, which is supposed to be easier to get. The BCP will be a tough shot.
Remember, it can be one pull if you go for revolver and then the charge on the same day. But it can also be two pulls. And if you are borderline, they will pull all three cr. They did it for me, when I did app for the Zync after 6 months history.
In my opinion the charge would be a safer bet. If approved you can go in January for the revolver and would receive max. backdating (to 01/12). If declined it would only be a SP.
Just my 2 cents.
@shakalaka wrote:I think your (credit card) history is to short for a revolver. I suppose you will be approved for a charge card. But of course the decision is up to you. There are guys who were approved for a revolver first, but most of them app´d for the Delta Gold, which is supposed to be easier to get. The BCP will be a tough shot.
Remember, it can be one pull if you go for revolver and then the charge on the same day. But it can also be two pulls. And if you are borderline, they will pull all three cr. They did it for me, when I did app for the Zync after 6 months history.
In my opinion the charge would be a safer bet. If approved you can go in January for the revolver and would receive max. backdating (to 01/12). If declined it would only be a SP.
Just my 2 cents.
I appreciate the feedback. I am willing to take the risk of multiple HPs and multiple CRs for the chance at the BCP.
It's interesting that I'm getting the responses that my history is too short. I've always guessed that it might be, but I suppose this is confirmation.
However, this thread was the primary reason I changed my app goals from January or later to December:
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Too-Soon-for-AMEX-BCE/td-p/1696604
The poster in that thread has a card with a $3,000 limit from March. I have a card with a $3,000 limit from June. 3 month difference.
The poster in that thread has an AAoA of 2 years, mine is 4. That poster has an oldest account of 4 years, mine is 6. The poster had 0 inquiries on Experian, I have 2. That poster had a utilization of 12%, while I plan to have 5% or less. That poster had income of $55K, my income is greater. Neither of us have any baddies. We both have student loans and a car loan - total amounts of monthly payments for these loans may be different.
So I guess the only thing left to find out is if 3 months revolving history makes a difference - although I suppose if I am declined it could also be because Amex is less desperate for applications in December than they were a month prior.