Will AMEX do a hard search for a new card for a longstanding exsisting customer?

Malkytheheed

Tempted to get a new AMEX card. My primary was the BA card but covid and flying less has made avios less usefull for me. Question is, I've been with AMEX for years and have impeccible payment history, will they do a hard search on me for a new product? And I assume it would apear as a "new account" on my credit report? Therefore reducing the overall age of my accounts? Could I avoid both by asking AMEX to simply "swap" my card for another? i.e. BA to Gold? 

Ta. 

adamp87

I’ve heard different things in the past about only soft searches. I switched cards in the same category and nothing was recorded

However reading up on this forum, I’f you were opening a new card or swapping a cashback for BA say, I’d expect another hard search.

I think Amex can keep your account number to keep a long standing account - ask them on the chat in the App

funkycredit

Yes they perform a new search. I've got 4x Amex at the moment and I've had 4x searches. I tend to go through eligibility though then apply that way (automated system). Not sure if calling them has a different result? 

Malkytheheed

funkycredit said:

Yes they perform a new search. I've got 4x Amex at the moment and I've had 4x searches. I tend to go through eligibility though then apply that way (automated system). Not sure if calling them has a different result? 

Interesting. Might keep both cards but equally might just do a "swap". Wonder if that makes a difference? 

Sensory

Malkytheheed said:

funkycredit said:

Yes they perform a new search. I've got 4x Amex at the moment and I've had 4x searches. I tend to go through eligibility though then apply that way (automated system). Not sure if calling them has a different result? 

Interesting. Might keep both cards but equally might just do a "swap". Wonder if that makes a difference? 

You can't swap between different reward schemes; it will have to be a brand new application.

Alex9384

They did a second hard search for my second Amex, about 6 months after opening the first one.
I wasn't logged into my Amex account while doing the application though.
They didn't open the second card straight away, but asked me to call them.They told me it was to make sure that someone else wasn't applying in my name. I'm wondering if this would have happened if I first logged into my Amex account and applied from there.

adamp87

Alex9384 said:

They did a second hard search for my second Amex, about 6 months after opening the first one.
I wasn't logged into my Amex account while doing the application though.
They didn't open the second card straight away, but asked me to call them.They told me it was to make sure that someone else wasn't applying in my name. I'm wondering if this would have happened if I first logged into my Amex account and applied from there.

I don’t think logging in matters does it? I’m sure the link just takes you to the same form/page as a new sign up 

Alex9384

adamp87 said:

Alex9384 said:

They did a second hard search for my second Amex, about 6 months after opening the first one.
I wasn't logged into my Amex account while doing the application though.
They didn't open the second card straight away, but asked me to call them.They told me it was to make sure that someone else wasn't applying in my name. I'm wondering if this would have happened if I first logged into my Amex account and applied from there.

I don’t think logging in matters does it? I’m sure the link just takes you to the same form/page as a new sign up 

But it still keeps you logged in so they know for sure it's you.
I applied on the 1st March and my account on credit files shows as open on the 4th March. That's because of the additional ID checks. Maybe if I was logged in and then applied, it would be open immediately. Or maybe not?
Regarding credit check, that would be performed anyway.