Getting approved / best odds

[ZSR]

Hey there!
Looking at getting my first AMEX. I am unsure as to whether I should apply for one through Navy Fed, USAA, or go for the one I really want being the Cash Preferred card. Anyone have insight on best approval odds and best SL for each?

My scores sit around 650-670 right now. Oldest card 9 yrs, newest 1 yr.

Thanks! -ZSR

[Anonymous]

USAA and Navy cards aren’t true Amex, they just use the Amex network. Try the Amex prequal and see if they offer anything. My bet is they may offer a charge or a cobranded card, but cold quals for a core revolver usually need an EX score closer to 680-700 unless you’re an existing member already with some history with them.

[CreditInspired]

Hi OP and welcome

Scores alone dont determine approval or SLs. Please share all your stats. 

[ZSR]

Credit over 9 yrs. newest acct 1 yr
$50k in loans (including vehicles).
73% CU
1 -30 day late payment over 3 yrs ago.

I’m really looking at the cash magnet or preferred cash Amex cards.

[ZSR]

Amex preq doesn’t offer anything (just recs). I’ve heard others say they had no pre qual offers but we’re still able to get an Amex Card with good SL.

[Anonymous]

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@ZSR wrote:
Credit over 9 yrs. newest acct 1 yr
$50k in loans (including vehicles).
73% CU
1 -30 day late payment over 3 yrs ago.

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First thing is to get the CU down under 8.9%

Secondly if you're looking for growth go with a true Amex @ https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/?category=all

If you're lookin for an easier in w/ an Amex logo go NFCU

USAA is kind of meh since it's even more limited "membership" than NFCU

[Anonymous]

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@ZSR wrote:
Amex preq doesn’t offer anything (just recs). I’ve heard others say they had no pre qual offers but we’re still able to get an Amex Card with good SL.

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SL is all relative to what you're presenting to the bank at the time of application.

Growth is what you should be concerned with and how easily they can grow w/ SP or HP.  When you go the CU / USAA router you're looking at more HP's to grow the CL and with Amex you're looking at SP's to grow the limit.

I was one of those people never getting a pre-screen response from them over the many years of trying and just apped for BCE and got a 10K limit.  With the 3X CLI option it grew to 30K in 61 days as described in the thread about it.  Also, pusing it to 50K wasn't much of an issue while providing the 4506-T for verification.  Getting beyond that though w/ verry little spend on it proved difficult.