Okay I have been reading post about the new secured card from AMEX and this is what I got today.... I called one number and asked the guy if they had a secured card...he said they had one but wasn't sure if the program was still around but he would check. After a few seconds he found some information about a new secured card, but said that he would have to transfer me to the department where they take applications. I said okay he transferred me some lady picked up and asked what she could do for me I told her that I was looking for a SECURED AMEX. To my surprise she said that they had one. They proceeded to take my application over the phone. She said that they would be able to give me an answer before I hung up but there was something wrong with the system because I didn’t get an answer (I did call back later to verify and the computer said that they received my application and it is being processed). Anyway IF approved they send you your card and checks and information on how to fund your card. Oh yea by the way it is a Secured AMEX Blue card, and you set the limit I think she said the min was $200.00 As far as benefits on the card...From what she was telling me the only difference is the fact that this card is secured and the other one isn’t. I didn’t ask them how they reported this card to the CRA's but I would imagine that it would be like the secured optima (which is still being offered, as long as you have an application) after a year or so they will start reporting it. Well I think that’s it and below is the phone number to the AMEX 1-800-600-2583 And make sure you select the option for CURRENT card members (I think it is 3) trust me you wont wait as long (a little something I noticed). From there ask the guy and then they will tell you and they transfer you. Administration Update: American Express does not offer a secured credit card. Here's a list of Creditnet's recommended credit cards for consumers in the market: http://www.creditnet.com/credit-cards/secured-credit-cards ... And for forum members w/ poor credit most interested in carrying an AmEx, they do offer our favorite prepaid card - American Express Serve - which you can find out more about in our full review here: http://www.creditnet.com/credit-cards/Prepaid_Debit
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Dario, thanks for info. I just called and had an app mailed out today. It works the same way that the Optima secure card and the difference is that it will be reported and after a year can be unsecure if you're in good standing. It is being offered now.
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card For the people that wanted an Optima card here is the link for it. All you have to do is print the application and send it in. They should still take it. http://home1.americanexpress.com/apply/credit_splash.asp
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Now I've got to figure out which is better...Secured Blue or Secured Optima! Everybody gather as much information as you can and report back!
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Hi Everyone, I just hung up with an AmEx Rep. and he took my application over the phone. I have this feeling that when you call, they will take your information over the phone and try to offer you the unsecured "Blue" card first, and if you are denied (in my case, "duh!"), they will send you the secured AmEx Blue application. Talk about possible hard inquiries. I get the impression that not every AmEx Rep. knows about the newly introduced secured "Blue" yet. Good luck to all who apply and if you have time, please post your results, TommyC
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card TommyC, so you applied for the unsecure "BLUE" card.Yes,that will be a hard inquiry and if you apply for a secure "BLUE" card,you will have another hard inquiry. That's what happened w/ Optima when I applied first for unsecure and got turned down and then applied for secure Optima .
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Were you offered a SECURED BLUE APPLICATION upon denial? I think that AMEX reps are reading their screens wrong! The Secured Optima is known as Optima Blue (explained to me by one rep). I think reps are confusing the two and thinking that there is a Secured Blue knowing that there is no Secured Optima! I don't know just a guess. Here's what just happened to me: I called 1-800-2538 twice (this is the number to apply for BLUE). Each time I was told absolutely there is no Secured Blue. The second time the rep said there is a Secured Optima (I think all reps aren't aware that the card is no longer offered). This second rep told me to call 1-800-964-8542 to apply for "Secured Optima Blue". I called 1-800-964-8542 and was told yes there is a Secured Optima but I must call 1-877-688-8542. I called 1-877-688-8542 and was told NO SECURED OPTIMA! NO SECURED BLUE! He said AMEX has no secured card at all! He said Secured Optima only exist for current customers and NO NEW APPS! He then offered a Cobalt Card. Well I applied for one of those weeks ago and they haven't begun to process my application yet! I decided to try one more number. What did I do that for! Now listen to what I was told: I called 1-800-635-5955. This rep said that there is No Secured Blue. She said that she is aware that the Secured Optima ended 10/24/00 but here computer screen says it's still available. She believes the computer has not been updated! I told her that the Secured Optima application is available on-line right now! She said she is aware this also. She thinks if I print and mail it will be returned stating 'no longer offering'. She then told me that the Secured Optima for Small Business was never stopped and still available. Oh well what the heck! I asked her to mail me the application! If you read a post I did earlier you will remember that all this confusion started when I said that I called and was told that there was a new secured card from AMEX but applications were only by mail. Supposedly I was mailed two. So now I am supposed to receive 3 apps in the mail. Well I guess I will found out soon. Well maybe...well never...chit who knows! Or should I add to the mountain of inquiries I have already by applying for BLUE hoping to be offered a supposedly secured BLUE? I am very tempted to call AMEX headquarters in NYC and try to get some facts!
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Hi River, You are absolutely correct! I explained very carefully to the AmEx Rep. (who was sneezing and apologizing for the interruptions) that I wanted an application for the AmEx Secured Blue Card sent to me, and the AmEx Rep. told me that he could take my application over the phone. I asked the Rep. about five times, if this application over the phone, was for the secured Blue card, and he said yes. Then, the rep. muttered on as if he was reading from a script, about "no annual fee, balance transfer interest rates," and so on, and at that point, I knew I was in trouble with an unnecessary hard inquiry, because the rep. had given me the wrong card application over the phone. You think, I would have know to call back, huh? Folks, I'll tell you, you really, really have to take your time to make sure whomever you are talking to at whatever credit card company, is actually hearing you, because many I get the impression, are reading from a scripted piece of paper, and really not listening to the question(s), you may be asking. I should have called back and spoke to another AmEx Rep., but I guess, I put too much faith in the person, who stated absolutely, that he was processing the right application for the secured Blue card. I hope everyone who decides to apply for the secured Blue card, has better luck and let us all know, okay? TommyC
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card Gosh Killer, I don't know. The AmEx Rep. told me that he will have it out to me in about 10 days. When I asked him, what I was going to receive in 10 days? The rep. just said, AmEx's response to my application today. The rep. asked me if I had any card with AmEx, and I told him, that I applied for the Cobalt Card, about one and a half months ago, but that AmEx, sent me an email, stating that they are still processing the application. Well, the saga continues...TommyC
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card The only thing to do is just sit back and see if the applications materialize and take it from there.The rep also said the same thing about the corporate Optima secure was still being offered and not the personal secure Optima.Being so close to holidays,I wouldn't suggest applying for secure Optima regardless of what any rep says unless you want to tie-up 200.00 and wait about 3-4 weeks for them to return it back to you.
HERE WE GO AGAIN! I called the 800 Number in the first posting of this thread and got an app sent to me by mail. The rep stated that I could apply by phone also and told me to call 877-376-1238. When I called they knew nothing! Remember 2 things, the original Optima Card (Secured) never was taken over the phone. and the Blue Card is the Same as an Optima product it just has a chip, and a new "Branded" Name. I can't see AMEX having both a secured Optima, and Blue Card!
RE: New AMEX Blue Secured Card That is so true Tammmy C. Amex reps told me that the secured optima card was reported when I first got my card. Later I found out that they mean reported to their own internal credit department. Who cares? Some reps no matter what credit card co. are just clueless. But that is like any business. I have the optima secured and good luck to all the other new AMEX applicants. roni.
Unfortunately, the Blue AmEX Secured Card offer has long been expired. However, I would recommend the Capital One Secured MasterCard as a similar secured option with a household name. It's a proven credit-building card and the annual fee is low at $29. It's definitely the best secured option to consider of the major card issuers. We also put a list together of student and cash back cards that are best for building credit - check it out here. That said, if you're set on an American Express card that builds credit, the one with the best approval rates according to research I've done is the Blue Sky card from American Express, but I would try their pre-approval soft pull service first before actually applying.
