Why American Express?

[Open123]

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@Anonymous wrote:
PRG: Honestly, sign up bonus. I've gotten some good amex offers and the airline credits pay the AF.

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LOL...It's come to this.  

One has to "justify" applying for a card that not only confers $1,000 in cash equivalent benefits with 2X & 3X rewards the first year free of charge; but, also one that Amex is fervently hoping people would take them up on.  Throughout the world, the Capitalist system is flourishing, while we here at myFico are doing our best to screw it up.

*Edited*  PS - Only thing that could have made this offer even better was backdating.

[Anonymous]

I've been stalking this thread, and it makes me want an Amex. Only like forever until my score is that good 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've been stalking this thread, and it makes me want an Amex. Only like forever until my score is that good 

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What are your scores?  You would be surprised.... easy approvals for delta gold and PRG.....

Anywho.... went with Amex for the 0 for 15 months, nice bonus, no AF.  Continued adding Amex because of the decent starting CL, and unlike capital one, they dont blow you over with 3 hard inquiries. Denied? No problem...no blemishes whatsoever.

I do envy the places that take V/MC/Discover....yet no amex. Although its always 50/50 for the places I go to. Yet to visit a business that took Amex but not discover (except for costco).

EDIT:

also to add more cards for amex offers, in preparation of small business saturday!  Plus they were so good to me with softserve offers...

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much to every single one of you. I love the details people added, the type of card, and how they used it. I just started with AMEX and am hoping to have a long partnership with them so I thought to ask others what they felt about them

[sandsanta]

I use my PRG as my primary because I prefer MR points to UR points.  My monthly spend level is moderately high, so everything tends to add up quickly. 

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Why did you choose American Express?

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I didn't choose American Express.  I specifically chose the BCP and the TE because they fit my needs.  Don't pick a creditor and then try to justify a card.  Use your needs/wants/etc to select cards that suit you.

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@Anonymous wrote:
Do you use the benefits enough so that the yearly fee is worth it?

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Worth is always highly subjective regardless of topic so you can't just poll to determine if something is worth it to you.  Again, you need to use your needs/wants/etc as your criteria.  If you're selecting a card for rewards then make sure you run the numbers for your spend to help you determine if the card is worth it to you.  If the rewards program is a miles/points program then make sure you're also researching redemptions to ensure that you can get the most value out of each mile/point.

[Anonymous]

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@UncleB wrote:

This is a very interesting question, and I'm enjoying reading everybody's responses. 

As for me, I burned them 15 years ago in a BK7, and I was fairly sure they woudn't approve me, but I wanted a free copy of my credit report/score so I applied for the Green card... and almost fell off the chair when it was approved! 

I had already been reading the boards here for months, so I was aware that many times a charge product and a credit product can be applied for in the same day with only one HP, so I figured the BCP was the card that would really fit my spending, so I app'd for it, and was approved as well.  I nearly needed my inhaler.

Next year when the AF is due on the Green card, I plan to cancel it since (honestly) I really didn't want it to begin with.  I don't have a good use for MR points, and my credit lines are high enough on my no-AF revolving accounts to allow me the flexibility I need.  As for the BCP, even after you subtract the $75 AF it is still making me far more in cash rewards for my spending pattern than any other card out there (at least, ones easily available to me).

Hope this helps!

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Haha. I would feel the same. I don't go there because I burned them. Big time. Someday I might try to get back in the door. but no time soon. 

[Open123]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Thank you so much to every single one of you. I love the details people added, the type of card, and how they used it. I just started with AMEX and am hoping to have a long partnership with them so I thought to ask others what they felt about them

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Admittedly, I'm usually impartial and unemotional when it comes to CCs, but I'm biased towards Amex.  

Some general guidelines on building your relationship with Amex:

1. If possible, PIF (a single payment) a day or two after your statement cuts.

2. If possible, avoid using the card at "dubious" Merchants.

3. If you value travel, pick a program, and focus on it.  In the beginning, better to chose one--SPG, MR, Delta.

4. If you prefer cash, Amex isn't the best.  In this case, BCE or BCP; in my view, BCP is the better option.

5. If you can spare the HP/TL, do not PC Amex cards, unless you have an upgrade enticement, such as "bonus" to do so.  

6. 3X CLI one card, and if you heavily use the other, Amex will likely auto CLI from activity.

7. For accident prone and/or purchases where you may need to dispute, consider using Amex, even if it offers lesser rewards than Visa/MC/Discover.

8. Take advantage and check offers frequently, and make sure you utilize every card for small business Saturdays.

In my view, if you have a good relationship with them, there can be no better Issuer.  Enjoy your Amex cards!  

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Why did you choose American Express?

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I didn't choose American Express.  I specifically chose the BCP and the TE because they fit my needs.  Don't pick a creditor and then try to justify a card.  Use your needs/wants/etc to select cards that suit you.

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@Anonymous wrote:
Do you use the benefits enough so that the yearly fee is worth it?

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Worth is always highly subjective regardless of topic so you can't just poll to determine if something is worth it to you.  Again, you need to use your needs/wants/etc as your criteria.  If you're selecting a card for rewards then make sure you run the numbers for your spend to help you determine if the card is worth it to you.  If the rewards program is a miles/points program then make sure you're also researching redemptions to ensure that you can get the most value out of each mile/point.

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Although I really appreciate your comment, I see your bringing of semantics into my question pretty pointless and honestly quite pretentious

[Anonymous]

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@Open123 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Thank you so much to every single one of you. I love the details people added, the type of card, and how they used it. I just started with AMEX and am hoping to have a long partnership with them so I thought to ask others what they felt about them

---

Admittedly, I'm usually impartial and unemotional when it comes to CCs, but I'm biased towards Amex.  

Some general guidelines on building your relationship with Amex:

1. If possible, PIF (a single payment) a day or two after your statement cuts.

2. If possible, avoid using the card at "dubious" Merchants.

3. If you value travel, pick a program, and focus on it.  In the beginning, better to chose one--SPG, MR, Delta.

4. If you prefer cash, Amex isn't the best.  In this case, BCE or BCP; in my view, BCP is the better option.

5. If you can spare the HP/TL, do not PC Amex cards, unless you have an upgrade enticement, such as "bonus" to do so.  

6. 3X CLI one card, and if you heavily use the other, Amex will likely auto CLI from activity.

7. For accident prone and/or purchases where you may need to dispute, consider using Amex, even if it offers lesser rewards than Visa/MC/Discover.

8. Take advantage and check offers frequently, and make sure you utilize every card for small business Saturdays.

In my view, if you have a good relationship with them, there can be no better Issuer.  Enjoy your Amex cards!  

Good luck!

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Thank you so much for this list! I noted all of it and will use it to make my experience as great as possible with AMEX