No, in the USA credit scores are models created by credit bureaux to predict probability of default looking only at credit history. One factor is the ratio of current balances to total available credit. They do not have access to information about income or assets. The scores are typically used for routine decisions on credit cards, auto loans and other installment loans.

The American Express manual credit review would probably look at the details of the credit report, rather than just the score, plus the applicant's income.

You can find more using the search term: FICO . I believe a similar system is in use in the UK, but I do not know if it is as pervasive as in the USA.

The risk I see here for ethanwa is that the review could affect the existing cards.