Can only get accepted by AmEx

MrSilk

Hi All,

So, in the last I've bad defaults and CCJs. As of today I have one default left on my file due to come off on 17th July.

Over the past 6 months,! I've had declined credit card applications from my main bank, Nationwide, MBNA and Creation.

Last Tuesday I thought I'd try my luck with American Express, after being declined by them just one and a half months ago.

I applied for the green card, and was accepted. So, on the Wednesday I applied for the Platinum Cashback credit card, immediately accepted, given £2000 limit (14% APR after fee). Then on the Friday applied for the BA AmEx card, again immediately accepted with £2000 limit (15.9%).

Then 4 days later applied for the Nectar credit card (never thought it get it as household income is £23,000 and not £30,000 as required... didn't give decision straight away and actually forgot I applied until yesterday the card came in the post with a limit of £2,700 (19.9% after fee).

Going to close all but the platinum cashback card as I don't need the nectar and BA, guess curiosity got the best of me.

Goes to show they are getting less picky. But I'd have thought it would be the other way round, getting declined by AmEx and accepted by the likes of MBNA and Creation.

marty2be2000

You now however have a substantial number of credit searches on your file which will make it difficult to get any sort of credit for 6 months or so. To many searches make it look like you are desperate for money, usual advice is to make just one or two applications every 6 months.

chanz4

I think the search is an old wifes tale, I included and others I have known have done similar for years and had not issues

reclusive46

marty2be2000 wrote: »

You now however have a substantial number of credit searches on your file which will make it difficult to get any sort of credit for 6 months or so. To many searches make it look like you are desperate for money, usual advice is to make just one or two applications every 6 months.

Amex usually only ever do one search between multiple applications in a short period of time, so it probably won't matter.

MrSilk

They confirmed when I was on the phone to them that only one search was made

david_cox1990

Just an FYI and not teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, however if you've had really bad CCJ's and defaults, it's probably not best to keep applying for some many credit cards over such a short period of time? Just an opinion, so by all means tell me where to go

Anthorn

So you can only get an Amex card? Don't complain too loudly. I had one back in 2007 before I crashed along with my employer and several banks. I would love one but I can't get one. But we all need goals and targets and that's one of mine.

B19JON

Did you refer yourself for each card? could have done pretty well
I have the non fee cashback.. i might upgrade it next month and cancel the Gold.

MrSilk

david_cox1990 wrote: »

Just an FYI and not teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, however if you've had really bad CCJ's and defaults, it's probably not best to keep applying for some many credit cards over such a short period of time? Just an opinion, so by all means tell me where to go

My past default and CCJ was down to having no job, I pay all cards in full each month. I'm not too worried about the short term effects on my file as they only carries out one search, and don't see myself applying for a mortgage any time soon.. more likely to emigrate to a different country in around 2 to 3 years.

As I said, I'm going to close two of them down today.

MrSilk

Anthorn wrote: »

So you can only get an Amex card? Don't complain too loudly. I had one back in 2007 before I crashed along with my employer and several banks. I would love one but I can't get one. But we all need goals and targets and that's one of mine.

I've heard that they don't forgive and forget too easily but strange things have happened you never know

MrSilk

B19JON wrote: »

Did you refer yourself for each card? could have done pretty well
I have the non fee cashback.. i might upgrade it next month and cancel the Gold.

No didn't refer, should have done really, extra points would have been good. Why not downgrade the gold to a green?, unless you put all spending though Platinum Cashback.