Amex might just be the best...
I recently applied for this card card a few weeks ago. I've been an Amex member for 3 years now... Between them and Chase, they have great programs and customer service. I mainly went after this card due to my credit been in much better standing after repairing it since the recession. The first Amex card I ever applied and was instantly approved for was the Amex Blue sky card (which I would strongly suggest to those with "fair" as they're easier to be approved for) for a whopping 1k! lol!
I was still grateful as it get me in the door with Amex, my credit was maybe in the low 600s at that time in 2013. I would use it for everyday spending and pay off as soon as I could and it was one of the only cards I've had where they seem to automatically increase your CL without asking (Barclay was the only other one). Went all the way up to $4800 on it's own. I then did some research on how Amex is one of the only cc companies that does a "soft" pull only when requesting a CLI, which is a huge benefit (almost all cc companies pull a hard inquiry when requesting a CLI). From my research the magic number of days to wait for is 61 days from opening the card (with a low balance, don't waste your time if it's high, you'll more than likely be rejected) and 6 months from your last CLI request. The magic amount to ask for is no more than 3x your existing CL. I took this advice and applied, sure enough I got my CL doubled! A little disappointed that it didn't go from $4200 to $12,600, but was still happy with the $8,400 being that it was so painless and easy. Remember to always include a raise in income, if you demand more than what you're instantly approved for, be prepared to back up that income (which can always be a pain to provide). Still overall happy with the experience!
I then applied for this card since getting a little more confident with my background with Amex... Sure enough, instantly approved for $5,500 CL! I mainly got this card, because my wife's biggest spending happening at Supermarkets and department stores. This is the only card out there that offers 6% cb on anything, 5 is the highest I've seen and that on;y on the cards that mostly offer rotating categories. Plus, the 3% unlimited cb at select department stores is a huge plus as my wife likes to go shopping a lot (god bless her). I plan to continue keeping a low balance and applying for a CLI on my 61st day and will be sure to update everyone if when it takes place to confirm...
To those who've gotten declined for this card or another in that matter... NEVER forget to ALWAYS call the reconsideration number. I've NEVER gotten declined after doing so. Don't get me wrong, it may take a few times and a few different reps, but it eventually works when you keep trying. Just make sure when applying for higher tier benefit rich cards such as this one that you have an exp score (most popular credit bureau for cc companies) of 680 or higher! If not, don't waste the hard pull on your credit. Remember that hard pulls will stay on your credit for 2 years (only affect your score directly for 1 year, but will still be viewable to credit companies to see how much credit you've been applying for in such a short period of time). The card companies won't pull another inquire for 30 days after you first applied for the card. So you've already taken the ding on your credit with the hard pull anyway, so why not give it a shot at the reconsideration line. Call everyday for 30 days if you have to! lol! Just because one rep rejected you, doesn't mean the next one will as well. Just pretend the prior call never took place. If you just sit around and wait for your letter within the next 7-10 business days, it's a 99% chance of being a rejection letter. So what are you waiting for?
In closing, Amex and Chase are the best cc companies I've came across and I have 16 cc's! lol
Hope this helps everyone, thanks again Amex!
tu 719 eq 740 exp 693
No fees for active duty military
Get the perks for free. The interest rate is pretty bad though.
Approved with CK score 627-Fair odds
I've been working really hard on building my credit. I have Capital One card with a $300 CL. CK recommended this Amex BCP credit card and I applied on a whim with much faith. Amex said they would have to look further into my application, the very next day a customer service rep called to verify my info with my bank. Once all information was confirmed, I was approved for 5K CL. How awesome is that? I've alway's wanted a AMEX card and to finally have one now is just AMAZING. All this to say, please DO NOT get discouraged when your app is not approved instantly. Just apply, let them verify and I'm sure you will get approved. Good Luck!
Approved with CK score 627
I've been working really hard on building my credit. I have Capital One card with a $300 CL. CK recommended this Amex BCP credit card and I applied on a whim with much faith. Amex said they would have to look further into my application, the very next day a customer service rep called to verify my info with my bank. Once all information was confirmed, I was approved for 5K CL. How awesome is that? I've alway's wanted a AMEX card and to finally have one now is just AMAZING. All this to say, please DO NOT get discouraged when your app is not approved instantly. Just apply, let them verify and I'm sure you will get approved. Good Luck!
High rewards rate!
After working for a couple months to get a negative account off my account, that was not mine, I applied for this card with a 727 MyFico score, NO missed payments ever, oldest account 2 yr 8 mos old (closed) and the youngest 3 months old. 9% Credit utilization. Got approved for 2,000. I wanted to get 5,000, but I can get that in 61 days after I activating it, and get 6,000 (3x), than triple that. ;) I make about 35k a year this is my first credit card that's not a store card. (Home Depot $500, Macy's $1,000, and Mattress Firm account, 5,000 CL)
Poor Rewards and Credit Line
This Amex card does not compare to similar cards through Chase. The rewards can only be redeemed in $25 increments. Not a huge deal, but rather annoying considering its the only perk of this card.
Finding merchants that accept AmEx, even in Houston, is a struggle. Most mom and pop stores can't pay the exorbiant Amex transaction fees. I get much better acceptance with Discover.
$10K Limit on Barclays, $12k limit with Capital One, $5k limit with Discover. Utilization <3% AmEx granted a whopping $2 k limit. Not worth the credit hit.
The deal breaker was the way Amex handled a dispute on my account; the merchant lied multiple times, but continued to dispute the charge back. Amex finally gave up, even after I submitted many pages of documentation, and recharged by account. Definitely not the AmEx service your father would have received...
Best perks and great limit
I applied for the Citi double cash card and this card the same day. With a credit score around 710 I got a $1,500 limit for the Citi card with no real offers beyond 2% cash back, and $15,000 with AmEx and a $250 back after $1000 in three months. The card has a $95 annual fee, so I have plenty of time to make sure I spend enough on groceries to come out ahead. (They also offer 3% on gas and 1% on other purchases.)
Good Amex service. No fees for military
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Great card, high limit increases
I have had this card for 2 years now, and it is easily the best card that I have. Initially applied with a 680 credit ad was approved for $5,000. After 6 months, got an increase to $10,000, and up to $20,000 after another 6 months. I worked hard to get my credit score up from past mistakes, and American Express really helped me get there.
Not the best experience
I applied for this card because it's I've never had an Amex. I'm dissatisfied with the shipping which is standard 7-10 business days, I was told by customer service. I haven't received my card, and the bill for my first annual fee, which is waived with some cards, was already communicated via email. Wow. The Chase Sapphire Reserve I received a while back gave me a much higher starting limit and and they sent my card in less than 48 hours.
Great card
Really glad to get this card worked hard on my credit.