I'm an existing cardholder of AMEX, but never a platinum...

Called today to try and get the 100K Platinum offer over the phone. Agent was able to apply for the offer for me, read all the disclosures, submitted application... and then declined. Couldn't tell me why.

I called the new accounts dept number, asked them why. They said they didn't pull my credit, but made decision based on their monthly Experian soft checks (same check they use to provide us with free score). The computer said I had too many inquiries in last year (I checked and I have 10 in last 12 mo and 5 in last 6 mo), accounts too new, not enough installment loan information (BS), etc. etc.

I asked agent to reconsider given my otherwise unblemished credit history but all she could do was resubmit it to underwriting, which would require a hard credit pull. She said something to the effect that unless something material changes on the hard pull, they'll still deny me. Nor could I attach any kind of statement about why I wanted a new card, it would just be purely based on my credit report. I didn't want to risk a hard pull for no reason.

I'm wondering what's the best reconsideration option at this point? Does Amex have an recon number where I can talk to a credit analyst? I've seen some suggestions of calling their executive office, others have mailed or faxed letters to get recon.