which AMEX should i apply for?

smithers1981

i want to apply for an AMEX card so i can get cashback and so i can separate my spending and see exactly where my money goes.

i applied for platinum cash back about 14 months ago declined.

would it be worth applying for a platinum cashback again or would it be better to apply for a different card i would be happy with the basic blue card as although no cash back i could use it to separate finances and also to build up credit rating with AMEX.

I also need another card to do a BT Nationwide soft search meets my needs 3.2k limit 19.9% if i make 2 applications one after the other will the first application not show up on my credit rating?

InsideInsurance

There are many factors involved that will determine if one will see the others application. Remember that in many cases there is human intervention up to a few days later and so simply by pressing the apply button on the two sites within seconds of each other isnt a way to hide the two applications.

If you were declined 14 months ago, what has changed since then to make you a better risk? Depending on what the issues were/ are will dictate timeframes needed. Just high balances can be resolved fairly quickly (mine was in 3 months) but missed payments, over limits etc take longer for credit companies to get comfortable about

smithers1981

i have never missed payments and my 'debt' is about 5k less than 14 months also i have a 5 year loan with only one payment left which will free up £209 which i can throw at credit cards currently owe just under £10k mostly on 0% and paying £250 per month (soon to be £450 so am beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel, recently accepted for RBS BT card but declined MBNA so would say credit rating is average, can get credit with some mainstream lenders but not others.

Always fancied AMEX think more for the KUDOS than anything else although i would use it responsibly but not gonna really be life changing or life enhancing i suppose

reclusive46

American Express is very stingy and pretty much requires excellent credit but you definitely have more of a chance of being accepted for one of the charge cards (Gold or Platinum) as you can't carry a balance on them and they have to be paid in full at the end of every month.

Cards like the Nectar Credit Card and the Platinum Cashback require very good credit.

I have a Nectar and a gold.

I suppose you could apply for the basic card.

jay87

I would say their nectar amex would be lowest credit scoring credit card. Theres the basic card but that's a charge. Lloyds airmiles duo card is technically an amex, but not issued from them directly

jay87

With airmiles duo at least you still get to say 'do you take Amex?' everywhere you go lol

reclusive46

jay87 wrote: »

I would say their nectar amex would be lowest credit scoring credit card. Theres the basic card but that's a charge. Lloyds airmiles duo card is technically an amex, but not issued from them directly

The gold charge card is easier to get than the nectar + on the nectar you need an annual income of at least 30000 ,whereas on the gold it is 20000.

smithers1981

SO either the gold charge card basic blue charge or platinum cash-back card all minimum household salary of £20000, i earn £29k Mrs earns £32k so technically i could apply for nectar with £30000 minimum household income although its obviously harder to get.

Gold charge also has £125 annual fee after first year so not sure that's card for me (although looks good).

Sensible one to go for i think is platinum cash-back and see what happens.

reclusive46

smithers1981 wrote: »

SO either the gold charge card basic blue charge or platinum cash-back card all minimum household salary of £20000, i earn £29k Mrs earns £32k so technically i could apply for nectar with £30000 minimum household income although its obviously harder to get.

Gold charge also has £125 annual fee after first year so not sure that's card for me (although looks good).

Sensible one to go for i think is platinum cash-back and see what happens.

Indeed, you'd put 61K in salary then (I'm pretty sure Amex asks for household anyway)

Also depending on how much you spend Amex will often waive the fee if you threaten to leave for Gold.

crispy_chris

Just be aware, as I'm sure you are, that you'll need an alternative method of payment for those shops that don't accept Amex.

I opened a Platinum Cashback Card, and I'm mostly happy with it, but I still need to use my Halifax Clarity for those shops that won't take it.

InsideInsurance

Have no insider knowledge but certainly my conversations with Amex was that their chargecards (other than blue/green) are all harder to get than their credit cards because of the claimed "no limit" and that is irrespective of the stated income requirements.

Of cause it wouldnt be the first time a call centre agent makes a mistake