Dr Jabadski

Friday (3 days ago), forgetting that I had 9 open AmEx charge cards, I did 2 applications. The first (Biz Plat) was instantly approved. The second (Biz Gold) went pending. Multiple calls to both numbers in the quote below resulted in the same message “computer system for our representatives to look at this information is down, call back later”. Only after posting and reading here did I realize it might be the 10 charge card limit.

Called again next day (Saturday), same message at both numbers. Called customer service yesterday (Sunday), closed 3-4 accounts, each 1-2 years old. I could see the closed accounts on the mobile app immediately.

Called both numbers today (Monday), same message. Called Biz Gold customer service and Biz Plat customer service, each call asked and was transferred to Global New Accounts. Both times the New Accounts agent put me on hold to speak/email with “the back office”, both times told still in review, will get an email in 3-5 days. Both times I was told I could not speak with the back office.

I’m not certain I was actually speaking with a recon agent/credit analyst. Both Global New Accounts agents were overseas and had accents and apparently could not actually do the review and make a decision, all my past recon calls the agent has been in the USA with no accent and was the actual person to review and decide. How recent were these experiences? Were you able to speak with a true recon agent/credit analyst? How were you notified of, or become aware of, their decision after the call? Thank you.

Edit: Happy Ending: After making the 2 calls this morning (Monday), I next checked email ~6 hours later and saw an email timed ~5 hours after the calls ““You've been approved. American Express® Business Gold Card ACCOUNT ENDING: XXXXX”. Thanks to all who replied to my posts during this difficult time.

I’m still not sure why I couldn’t get through to a recon agent for 3 days, including a trial call just now, ~5 hours after email receipt, when I heard the exact same message. I don’t know if it’s a targeted message (based on inputting last 4 and ZIP code) or a true statement, certainly do not know how long it will last, hope it’s not the end of customers being able to speak with an AmEx recon agent.

TravelingZoomer

I haven’t applied for a new Amex card in a while. How long do I need to wait after closing Card #5 before applying for a new card?

happyvoid

do you think calling helped or just waiting would have yielded the same results

Dr Jabadski

(My opinion was solicited, other opinions may vary.) Although the calls seemed (at the time) to be unproductive, I’m 99% certain that calling helped and was the proximate cause of the approval.

I don’t know if “computer system for our representatives to look at this information is down …” is true or just a line they feed us. I don’t know if and when and how they would “look at the information”, before or after closing 3-4 accounts and if those 3-4 closures would have been looked at. I believe that we never get the full story, they keep some information close to the vest. Thus it’s also possible that I was never told all the reasons for a pending decision and in the course of one of the calls inadvertently and coincidentally mentioned (in a favorable way) something else involved in the decision.

I’m a strong advocate of calling and have been for many (~20-30) years. I understand the rational of fewer human eyes on account (particularly with my notional biz credentials), I think the benefits of calling outweigh the risks. I’ve had many (~40-50) productive and lucrative recon calls (mostly with Chase prior to 5/24) I’ve not had any adverse actions (other than a denial that stood) during or after a recon call and I’ve usually been able to get immediate gratification (a decision), occasionally even with a recon call I’ve had to wait a few days.

dascc

Recently applied for the Amex Surpass. Was instantly denied for having the maximum number of Amex cards. I ended up closing the Everyday card since I never use it.

Any ideas when it would be safe to reapply?

TravelingZoomer

I would call the reconsideration line to tell them you closed a card since the application

diesteldorf

Once you call the reconsideration line, they should be able to reopen and approve your existing application. Good Luck.

dascc

thanks! I'll give that a try.

dascc

The reconsideration line approved the card. If I didn't get a popup for being ineligible for the bonus when I first applied, I should be good to go, right?

diesteldorf

Congrats, you should be good. However, any rep should be able to confirm your bonus eligibility if you call or chat.

Mike B

A data point for new applications and cancelling cards to cut number of accounts: I decided to apply for one of the renewed Hilton cards, and forgot that I had five credit cards open with AMEX. My application was rejected because I had exceeded the number of accounts allowable (from memory, I didn’t record the exact words). I called the reconsideration line and asked if cancelling accounts would help. Thr reconsideration rep said it might, and connected me to a separate rep who could cancel cards. The reconsideration rep waited on the line while I cancelled two credit cards. The reconsideration rep took over and resubmitted my application. She wasn’t able to give me an immediate answer, but within a couple of hours I received an approval email.

Road_Dog

That's usually been standard operating procedure. You can apply while at 5, get denied, then call in to cancel one while on the phone with the rep and have them resubmit. Should result in an approval within a day.

Alternatively, when at 5, you can close one to go down to 4. It will take about 30 days for their system to update and allow you to be auto-approved, so if you apply before then, you'll get denied for the 5-card limit, but the reconsideration line will be able to resubmit in light of you only having 4. Usually results in an approval within a day.

uclacolumbiaunc

I've read on the internet that the limit on the number of credit card (not charge cards) is 5, but the amex chat agent assures me that i can have more than 5 amex credit card at a time. And I asked if this excludes charge card, and he/she said yes..

so my question is, is this true, and how do you get more than 5 amex cards?

is the 2-amex-application-every-90-days rule still in effect? or can i apply for 3 credit cards (2 personal, 1 biz) in a short time?

beachfan

Had 5 Amex charge cards, canceled one last week. Applied for a Hilton Surpass yesterday, denied because “limit” on number of cards.

successfully got reconsideration but my question is how long after cancelling before they update whether you are at max cards?

mia

Apparently not, read the last few posts. I suppose it could be true for YOU, if not for everyone, but the only way to know would be to apply.