Finally after 1 year of rebuilding and with the help of this board, I got approved for an AMEX Zync !!
My first prime card in 5 years 
Thanks, I figured it's a good way to re-establish a relationship with AMEX and try for a BCE in a year or so.
I didnt have a charge card in my mix plus this card will be backdated to 2001. So I hope to benefit from the credit mix and on the AAoA.
A year ago all my scores were between 489 and 515. It was a combination of high util, many lates (30, 60, 90 days lates) and 4 collections.
Armed with what I have learned here, I started to pay down my balancesfrom 110% to right now around 73%, GW many of my lates(50%) but not all and had 2 collections removed.
Also there were some inaccuracies on my credit reports so it was hours going through my reports and contacting the credit bureaus and havethem fix credit limits, DOFD's and account information. I also was AU on two cards that had more than 4 X 90+ day lates. I had myself removed from these accounts
Many many hours on this board and writing GW letters and on the phone.
I only noticed a hard inq on my TU so far and it's 665.
One of the collection I have is 12 months short of being removed from my credit report, so it's old and my remaining lates are from 2007.
I used to have an AMEX Optima platinum years ago and that card was always in good terms, PIF in full. I closed it since I wasnt using it. So I guess in AMEX's books, I was a good customer. Plus they have their own internal scoring system. But by golly I'm glad I got in.
And you will too don't worry.