Turned down for the first time

Murtle

Amex is a funny one. I've had an Amex card for 7 years, however when I've applied for a different one they turn me down! I've use it monthly, I pay in full monthly, I earn enough for the other one, but No!!!!

I'd try the "normal" bank type ones and remember to close down old cards so you can open up new accounts later on.

Good luck with paying off your debt!!

x

domestic_goddess

Whenever you apply for any form of credit a credit search is done on your credit files. A credit search lowers your credit scoring as only the search is recorded - not whether you were declined or whether you didn't accept the card for any reason. so the next time you apply for a card the company can see you have just had a credit search done. Also the companies can see how many other cards you have and may decline you because 'as responsible businesses' they are not supposed to allow you too much credit. Not all companies adhere to this but a lot do (or try to). I used to work for a credit card company and they declined a lot of cards because of this.
Hope this helps

domestic_goddess

amex also have a much higher criteria than the majority of other card issuers.
not sure how or why but a lot of people are turned don by them who would generally have no probs getting accepted elsewhere

tesuhoha

Well I am feeling slightly bemused. After all this discussion, youll never guess what came in the post today. A letter each for OH and myself containing the pin numbers for our new American Express Platinum Card account. Had to run to the shredding box to find last week's letter to make sure I hadnt made a mistake, but no, it definitely says we've been unsuccessful in our application. Am now really torn between phoning them and asking what the f..... is going on or leaving it and just taking the cards no questions asked so as not to tempt fate. A 2% cashcard would come in very handy right now as my OH uses one for petrol and its paid off every month but he doesnt get anything back for it. I am also a believer now that debt is all a matter of scales and tipping the balance towards credit or debit so every little thing that you do tips the scales a little more. This would definitely tip the scale a little more in the credit direction. Its odd, though. I cant understand it.