@Anonymous wrote:I'm an old guy with a long banged-up credit history and six credit cards. One is an AMEX green card I obtained in September 2013. Amex for some reason gave me credit history back to 1991 when I had an optima card that I wrote off in chap 7 bankruptcy in 1992. I remember how they hounded me for the $1000 I owed on the card, even while my bankruptcy was being processed. It was finally discharged in 1994. I ran up a huge debt from when I received a huge disability settlement in 2004-2011 and settled many tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt and am still paying on a $116,000 home equity line of credit that has been late several times, most recently in September 2013, the month I received the green card. AMEX didn't cancel me, though one card I did have at the time elimated my credit line and I closed the account. The cards I have now, all obtained since June 2012, have never been late and I currently have a $300 outstanding balance with a 10K credit line along with the green card. The home equity LOC has been paid since 9/2013 on time as well. My credit score has creeped back to the 700 range and I posted about chase offering me preapproved cards lately (I have freedom and amazon). My annual disability income is $50K tax free and I pay $750 rent. I'm single, 53 and live alone in a retirement home in Oregon.
Regarding the green, I last applied for a card (AMEX everyday) in August 2014 and was denied. I was denied an US Bank card in June, my last hard pull (I have 4 showing up on my TU report as of this time). The reasons for denial in both cases were long. My credit score at the time was around 675. The late HELOC payments were probably the main reason. I was hoping to get the everyday card to keep my foot in AMEX and cancel the green with the $95 AF. Well, AMEX basically canceled the AF it for me (almost). Their customer service is quite good. I spoke to a representative and received a $50 credit toward the AF that hit in September. Also, I have received $10 credits just for asking why a promotion credit wasn't posted to my account as quickly as I wanted. So the credits that I have received have virtually offset the $95 AF. I like AMEX offers and use the card sparingly. I also use it to rent cars because of the insurance offer. I own a car with full coverage. I'm trying to live within a budget and not apply for more credit. I have a habit of going after cards and have been tempted to act on the chase offers, especially since I have my disability check deposited there along with the two cards.
So, I guess I'll keep the green and use it as a tool to stay in bounds, since I have to pay it off every month. I'll keep checking the offers on-line. I know the card doesn't offer much but given my history I probably can't qualify for something better. I should be grateful for what I have and watch all the money problems that I have had most of my life, when I have had money at all.
Anybody have comments about the green? Thanks.
Original green. Cherish it. 
@Anonymous wrote:
@CH-7-Mission-Accomplished wrote:There is nothing classier than an AMEX green card. Nothing.
So much, that when the AF comes up on my PRG, I plan on downgrading to Senior Green. If only I could still get a Zync...No AF!
Just curious why would you downgrade to a green versus cancelling the PRG all together? I see you have revolvers with amex already.
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@Anonymous wrote:
@SunriseEarth wrote:My only suggestion is to consider changing your Green to the Senior Green and save money on the AF. You can pay more to keep the MR points, if you need them. If not, there's no point. And definitely keep on the lookout for the AMEX Offers!
Don't need to pay to keep MR points. Amex ED = no AF and is sufficient.
Edit: If you meant you can pay more to keep your rewards on the green as well as accrued MR points, you are correct. But paying 75 bucks for MR points on a senior green is still high since the rewards structure is weak, and paying 35 bucks for the no rewards version is wasted money again. While 35 bucks, 75 bucks, or even 95 bucks is not a lot of money, I tend to dislike spending AFs on cards with weak benefits.
I guess.
I may end up just closing it since the TL will report until 2025 regardless. It will show up as a 7+yr old account
