Getting back with American Express?

[Chilldude1]

Hello all! First time poster but long time lurker and was hoping to get some advice from fellow forum users.

Back in 2019 I filed for Ch 7 due to losing my job and in the bankruptcy process I burned AMEX. I've since done a great job of paying everything on time and no missed payments. I'd heard from other forum users that I could pay off what I owed and they would reinstate my card. However, when I called them earlier they said that the reinstatement offer is only good prior to filing bankruptcy. I was told by the collections department that I could still pay off what was discharged in bankruptcy but that it wasn't a guarantee that they would approve me for a new card.

So my question is this: should I take the chance and pay off the $2400 with no guarantee of approval on a new AMEX, or is there some time limit where they no longer hold the discharge against me that I should wait for?

[Jeffster1]

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@Chilldude1 wrote:

Hello all! First time poster but long time lurker and was hoping to get some advice from fellow forum users.

Back in 2019 I filed for Ch 7 due to losing my job and in the bankruptcy process I burned AMEX. I've since done a great job of paying everything on time and no missed payments. I'd heard from other forum users that I could pay off what I owed and they would reinstate my card. However, when I called them earlier they said that the reinstatement offer is only good prior to filing bankruptcy. I was told by the collections department that I could still pay off what was discharged in bankruptcy but that it wasn't a guarantee that they would approve me for a new card.

So my question is this: should I take the chance and pay off the $2400 with no guarantee of approval on a new AMEX, or is there some time limit where they no longer hold the discharge against me that I should wait for?

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It's definitely a YMMV. 

[pizzadude]

Have you tried applying recently for any AMEX cards, and if so what was the outcome ?

If you're on their blacklist because of burning them in the BK then you'll know right away.

[FicoMike0]

Amex is known to hold a grudge. Since there are so many other banks with cards, what makes amex worth paying $2400 to join? Maybe I'm missing something.

[JoeRockhead]

With Amex, it seems as though the higher the amount they get burned for, the longer a stay on their blacklist can be. 

[Chilldude1]

@pizzadude So I didn't actually apply for any directly but I did try a pre-qualification on the website to see if I could be approved for any cards and it said there were no offers. Should I try it anyways?

[Chilldude1]

@FicoMike0 The reason I was considering just paying the $2400 was because eventually I would like to add the Delta Skymiles and the Hilton Honors card to my credit portfolio at some point. I like the idea of niche cards to round everything out since I already have a cash-back card for everyday purchases. Does AMEX blacklist across co-branded cards also or only their own cards?

[pizzadude]

If you're blacklisted you'll get a message like "We are unable to approve you due to a previous account" or something similar to that, and they won't even look at your credit.   Generally that's the only way to know for certain that you are still blacklisted.  

Also to your other question, their blacklist extends to all cards.

[FicoMike0]

Ok, I see the unique cobrand angle. I have the hilton, but don't travel a lot anymore.

I think I'd just keep doing the apply with confidence, 

[sjt]

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@Chilldude1 wrote:

Hello all! First time poster but long time lurker and was hoping to get some advice from fellow forum users.

Back in 2019 I filed for Ch 7 due to losing my job and in the bankruptcy process I burned AMEX. I've since done a great job of paying everything on time and no missed payments. I'd heard from other forum users that I could pay off what I owed and they would reinstate my card. However, when I called them earlier they said that the reinstatement offer is only good prior to filing bankruptcy. I was told by the collections department that I could still pay off what was discharged in bankruptcy but that it wasn't a guarantee that they would approve me for a new card.

So my question is this: should I take the chance and pay off the $2400 with no guarantee of approval on a new AMEX, or is there some time limit where they no longer hold the discharge against me that I should wait for?

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@Chilldude1 wrote:

Hello all! First time poster but long time lurker and was hoping to get some advice from fellow forum users.

Back in 2019 I filed for Ch 7 due to losing my job and in the bankruptcy process I burned AMEX. I've since done a great job of paying everything on time and no missed payments. I'd heard from other forum users that I could pay off what I owed and they would reinstate my card. However, when I called them earlier they said that the reinstatement offer is only good prior to filing bankruptcy. I was told by the collections department that I could still pay off what was discharged in bankruptcy but that it wasn't a guarantee that they would approve me for a new card.

So my question is this: should I take the chance and pay off the $2400 with no guarantee of approval on a new AMEX, or is there some time limit where they no longer hold the discharge against me that I should wait for?

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If you pay Amex off, you wont be on their blacklist. If you pay them off, it's been five years since the bankruptcy filing, and your credit is good, chances are you will be approved for an American Express card.