From what I've seen here, it appears that you either need a great credit report (680 or higher, no derogs, low utilization) or a preexisting credit relationship with AMEX to get the Blue. In order to "sneak in", I've seen the following strategies: A) Apply for Green if your score is approx 650 or higher. Wait 6-12 months to apply for Blue B) Apply for Delta Skymiles if your score is approx 650 or higher. Convert to Optima Platinum and wait 6-12 months to apply for Blue. Can convert your Optima Platinum CL to Blue after approval. C) Apply for Blue. Upon denial contact AMEX MORE team for reconsideration. My question is, if you attempt strategy C first and you are denied yet again by reconsideration, can they approve you for the A or B products as a consolation prize? I recall Lizardking mentioning that they keep your application for 60 days. However, I am unsure whether they can use that for other apps to save further inquiry hits on your report. Anyone?
MORE won't reconsider your Blue application unless you're already an Amex cardmember© Unfortunately, no© But, as you already understand, if you can qualify for the Amex Delta card and then are denied for a Blue, MORE can reconsider the Blue application and approve it, by moving some/all of the Delta credit line to the Blue© Saar
Yes, it can. MORE will tell you that normally you can't open two credit accounts within 90 days, but they will move the credit line around from the 1st card to the 2cd card. In my experience, AmEx will grant $2K initial limit on a credit card. I would then immediately ask New Accounts for a cl increase to $5K. After they approve the cl increase, apply for a second credit card. If ncesssary, have MORE move the credit line to the new card for approval. Then ask New Accounts for a cl increase on the new card. Then move the original "allocated" cl back to the first card. All of this can happen in one week, easy. I know, because I just did it today. As an FYI what got me in the door with Blue was to appy for a charge card (the Green is around 650 for approval) and apply for the Blue on the same day. I got the Blue application reference number, and thn called MORE and asked for reconsideration "because I do have the Green card now". Got approved the next day and then asked for a cl in crease on the blue.
I called 1-800-the-card, pressed "2" to hear the status of the application, and then pressed "2" to speak with a CS rep. That dept. is New Accounts. I remember reading on CreditNet that you can do this within the first 30 days of opening your account for the best hope of an increase. They submit the increase request for you, and you know in 48 hours if they approved the increase.
Marci: you are very good ! I like the way you think Congrats on your cards! I am waiting on reconsideration for the Blue card in the MORE Dept. I am having a hard time, I was approved for the Gold card no problem, but they are giving me a hard time with the Blue, they won't even let me convert my Optima Card to the Blue. I have had some weird calls with that MORE team, yesterday I spoke with a rep that said they don't deal with applications from existing customers, then I asked what is her job description she could not give a proper answer Oh well, we will see! Cypri
Cypri... MARIE is my Hero(ine) in this regard. She got me started when I would read her posts on how to work Providian cl increases via retention and those health/autoguard promotions. Like I told Bauhaus, some MORE reps are okay, others are mean. I have just politely said "thank you for your time", called back and gotten a new one. Good luck with your goals and thank you for your congratulations!
Well I am glad I am not alone with my perception of the More team. Eventually I will reach my goals, so I won't worry about it too much. This board is really great for its creativity. For instance, how would we have even known about MORE and other manuvers with Citi, Mbna and others. Good luck to you as well on your goals Cypri
Marci: Quick Question? How many inquries did you have when they approved you for the blue? Thanks Cypri
They can't convert the Optima to the Blue, as the two product are on different databases. If they decline you for the Blue after reconsideration, you could still get it indirectly, by having MORE move the credit line from the Optima to the Blue, thus approving your Blue application. Saar
I had about 6 in the last 6 months, and 14 in the last year on Equifax at the time the application was submitted.
I had 11 for the whole year (wink, wink on TU and they still refused to override the decision. I spoke to the team leader and others and he still refused to give me the account. I spent almost 45 minutes going back and forth. He was weakening but in the end he seemed scared to approve the account, it was a strange conversation. I counter argued every point he had and he keep coming up with excuses until he just flat out said I am not going to give you any money today, just like that, I could not believe how rude and obstinate he was being with me. It was almost childish that I laughed at how unreasonable he was being about a LOC for 2000k. Anyway, he gave me someone else to contact but I am just very confused as to AMEX approval process and every five minutes they want you to reapply. My payment history albeit is short but I thought I could get deference but it did not matter and they actually held against me that because I have credit lines, I more of a risk, I FEEL YOUR PAIN, GEORGE Now I am getting declined because I have too much credit, what kind of joke is that. They always set up some barrier once you reach one step. I am debating to bother with it since in three months I will most likely get an increase and then do the product transfer. OH well, I do have my little Gold card Cypri
Cypri, That sounds awful. I'm so sorry he wouldn't budge for you. Sometimes it goes like that. I couldn't get Discover to give me a card if their business depended on it. I went through all the steps and they were like, "NO!!!". So, I put Discover on my Blacklist. You will definitely get pre-approved for an AmEx credit product 6 months after you have had the AmeX charge product, so hopefully things will go well then. Just keep checking the "apply for a card" link and click on "I'm already a member" to see what they have for you.
I've been doing that for a long time. The only thing they have ever offered me or my fiance is to add another user to each of our Blue accounts.
Thanks marci I know it is not the end of the world, it is just annoying when you encounter people who are not interested in listneing to you. About Discover, I completely concur, they are some real JERKS! Some of these people that work with the public are really sad, it makes me wonder how they get these jobs, because they have little if any consumer skills. I know today I got a few bad apples in AMEX and I will not hold it against them, because overall, I am pleased with my AMEX experience. Cypri
Dumb question but could you still qualify for the green if your score is above 650 but you have derogs, or 680 for the blue?
Hi marci, Reading your posts pertaining to Amex made me realize you are the resident EXPERT in this department, so I would like to throw a question at you pertaining to Blue Cash. I was just approved for Blue Cash (after reconsideration), the CL was only 2k. I do however have they're green "Cash Rewards" card with a 6k CL - can I combine these two, or would you just ask for an increase on the blue? Thanks, Sal
