About that Amex blacklist...

ambc

If you read my previous posts from a while ago, you’ll see I was made bankrupt back in 2007. One of my then creditors was Amex, amongst a handful of others.

I’ve been back on track financially for a long time now - the BR was an unavoidable temporary blip in what I’ve always considered to be a responsible approach to finances - and I haven’t been rejected for any credit applications in years now, including for a mortgage with a high street lender.

However, there’s been one thing that has bugged me: the fact that I appeared to be on an Amex ‘blacklist’. Purely out of sheer bloody mindedness, I’ve applied for another Amex once every couple of years or so since being clear of the bankruptcy. Not because I needed the card, but because I just didn’t like the idea that I was on some kind of list. Bah. Each time, I received the same response about how I’ve held a card with them before and that I went against the terms and conditions I signed up to. In other words, I was rejected.

So, on Sunday night this week I saw an ad or something for Amex and thought I’d have my biennial attempt at applying. As before, I got the same old referral email saying that they didn’t have all the info they needed and that they’d be in touch by post.

And, as before, a letter arrived today... only it was a bit thicker than usual. BECAUSE IT ONLY CONTAINED A BLOODY AMEX CARD!

So that’s it then. It doesn’t appear that Amex do have a lifetime ban or blacklist for people. A temporary one, maybe - but clearly not a lifetime one.

And finally... I can relax. :oD

NewToTheUkAgain

Nice job. Appears blacklists don’t exist. Did they start off with a low limit this time, and which of there cards did you get?

ambc

I went for the Platinum Cashback and they gave me a £7k limit, so I guess not particularly low.

I’ve no idea what’s changed at their end at all - whether there is a time limit to their ‘blacklist’, or they’ve changed their criteria, or something else.

I just know that mentally, that was the last thing for me to clear up since the BR (even though it doesn’t really matter)!

Job done.

NewToTheUkAgain

How much did you owe them previously?

Yeah I would be quite happy with that limit.

ambc

Can’t quite remember the exact amount, but around £2k on an Amex card was included in the BR.

boo_star

Bear in mind that they may pick up on their "mistake" and cancel the card in a few days/weeks/months.

Barclays are well known for approving people on their blacklist and then cancelling facilities days or weeks after approval. Even after cards and PINs have been sent out and received.

20aday

It just goes to prove that time is a healer; I had financial troubles some years ago and for a long time HSBC wouldn't (rightly so, perhaps) touch me with a barge pole.

Managed to open an account with them last year; I'll be honest and thought they'd never consider me again.

ambc

boo_star wrote: »

Bear in mind that they may pick up on their "mistake" and cancel the card in a few days/weeks/months.

Barclays are well known for approving people on their blacklist and then cancelling facilities days or weeks after approval. Even after cards and PINs have been sent out and received.

Ha, yeah, I've already considered that that might happen, and I've read the stories about Barclays. We'll see.

Potbellypig

Re the comment about Barclays. I've long since thought I was on some sort of blacklist for them, but I always thought blacklists were just a myth. I'm a previous bankrupt and Barclays was included in my bankruptcy. Everyone else seems to have forgiven me, except for Barclays. They won't even let me go on my missus debit card to make it a joint account.

So they do actually exist?

System

By bankrupt I assume AMEX lost that £2000 you previously owed them?
As such I wouldn't be surprised if they never lent to you again.

jpsartre

beany_bot wrote: »

As such I wouldn't be surprised if they never lent to you again.

But they did (at least assuming the account won't be cancelled at a later stage).