How do non-Amex-issued Amex cards affect your position with Amex?

Stephen_C.

Perhaps not the simplest way of wording that title. I'm referring to the Amex cards that are issued by Lloyds, MBNA and Barclaycard (soon). Does holding one of these cards and using it responsibly put you in a more positive light with Amex than doing the same with a MasterCard or Visa credit card?

I would love to have an Amex card for the generous rewards, but so far have been unsuccessful with them. (Yes, I did meet all the criteria for income, etc.) Admittedly, I've only had a credit card for just over a year; so it's probably not unusual.

However, I have the opportunity to obtain an Amex card from my bank and so I was wondering if this was worth pursuing in order to have a better chance when applying for an Amex-issued card in the future.

OllyM

It will make no difference at all I'm afraid, in the same way MasterCard and Visa don't get directly involved in the running of your accounts.

Stephen_C.

OllyM wrote: »

It will make no difference at all I'm afraid, in the same way MasterCard and Visa don't get directly involved in the running of your accounts.

That's a shame. I guess it's just a matter of continuing doing what I'm doing over time.

Do you know if it would help if I had more than one credit card?

reclusive46

Amex charge cards are not particularly hard to obtain. As long as you have a good years of credit history and nothing very negative, you should be fine. The credit cards are a little harder to get, but not very difficult.

w211

reclusive46 wrote: »

Amex charge cards are not particularly hard to obtain. As long as you have a good years of credit history and nothing very negative, you should be fine. The credit cards are a little harder to get, but not very difficult.

I'd have thought it would be the other way round, since a charge card you pay the entire bill off by the due date, whereas a credit card you can pay it off over time.

reclusive46

w211 wrote: »

I'd have thought it would be the other way round, since a charge card you pay the entire bill off by the due date, whereas a credit card you can pay it off over time.

Nope. I think their idea behind it is that people can't leave a balance and risk spending more they can afford. Also because of the no preset spending limit they can basically stop you spending instantly and give you a low starting exposure limit.

Stephen_C.

reclusive46 wrote: »

Amex charge cards are not particularly hard to obtain. As long as you have a good years of credit history and nothing very negative, you should be fine. The credit cards are a little harder to get, but not very difficult.

I applied for the Preferred Rewards Gold Charge Card and was unsuccessful. I have just over a year of good history. I am only 20 and a student, which may have been why.

reclusive46

Stephen_C. wrote: »

I applied for the Preferred Rewards Gold Charge Card and was unsuccessful. I have just over a year of good history. I am only 20 and a student, which may have been why.

Ah, the student thing seems to be the killer. I don't think I've seen any students with an American Express issued Amex.

Stephen_C.

reclusive46 wrote: »

Ah, the student thing seems to be the killer. I don't think I've seen any students with an American Express issued Amex.

Well I'm actually working full time at the moment (on placement/internship) but I put down student as someone on this forum said that worked for them. Also putting full time work would have meant showing that I had only been working for a short period of time.

Maestro.

I imagine the charge cards are easier to get as they charge quite a high price for the privilege. Is it also correct that you've got no S75 on charge cards?

Stephen_C.

Maestro. wrote: »

I imagine the charge cards are easier to get as they charge quite a high price for the privilege. Is it also correct that you've got no S75 on charge cards?

Yeah, S75 only covers credit cards and store cards. Although I would expect the high annual fee Gold charge card to offer some sort of protection from Amex themselves?