Amex Card Reconsideration
While my wife and I have slowed down a bit with American Express lately, there’s one area our Amex strategy which remains consistent. We focus on high Amex card turnover in order to maximize our earning and redemptions. We sign up for new Amex cards early, often, and rarely keep them after the first cardmember year. Pretty much the only two cards we held on to long-term were our Schwab Platinums, and we even decided to move on from those. But with such an aggressive overall strategy, we face other wrinkles, such as frequent Amex card reconsideration matters. Just because my application isn’t immediately approved doesn’t mean it can’t be later. Over my years of experience with the Amex card reconsideration process, I’ve fine-tuned a few best practices to ensure I reach my approval goal. Here’s where I primarily focus.
Be Prepared
Before calling for an Amex card reconsideration, know common Amex card application rules and how they do or do not apply to your specific situation at the time of the call. Here are just a few Amex policies to consider:
- Amex generally limits individuals to 10 Pay Over Time cards and five credit cards.
- Individuals can obtain up to two different credit card accounts as the primary cardholder per 90 days.
- As a primary cardholder, individuals can only obtain the same card once every 90 days.
Also, while not a hard rule, I’ve found that I can more easily obtain an approval for a given card application within 60 days of applying. That said, on occasion, I and others have received approvals beyond that threshold. For instance, my wife called reconsideration on a Hilton Amex Surpass 70 days after the initial application. She was approved two days later. Regardless, I never presume an application approval is automatic after 60 days.
It’s just as important to know your own situation as it is Amex’s rules. Before calling, compile your most recent Amex card application approvals, cancellations, and related dates. Know how many days it’s been since your initial application. This information is key in many Amex card reconsideration calls, but reviewing it in advance can also avoid unnecessary calls and confusion, as well.
Be Prompt
Keeping track of the above information and policies enables individuals to more promptly, confidently call for an Amex card reconsideration. Over the long haul, timely applications, reconsiderations, and approvals help individuals maximize rewards with Amex even more. The more quickly you follow-up, the more cards can be reconsidered and approved, leading to more points more quickly. (Yes, that’s a lot of “more,” but that’s the point. Get it?)
By being prompt, one also has more flexibility to go after a wide variety of elevated Amex card offers scattered across the calendar. And, in my view, they always happen more often than I initially think. Being sedentary gets in the way of doing bigger things.
Be Polite and Proactive
Over time, I’ve noticed Amex card reconsideration reps are some of the more helpful, can-do people with the bank. I don’t ever recall having a negative experience with any call. From my perspective, these individuals come from a place of “let’s see how we can we make this work” rather than a “this isn’t going to work out” mindset.
That said, not every call is completely smooth. My wife and I have had a few bumpy ones, especially over the last couple years. Of course, the reps are polite, and so are we. But in a few instances, it’s been clear the agents and I have talked past each other. Sometimes, it appears we may know the rules better than a given rep. My wife and I reset the conversation, maybe explaining the situation a different way or gently correcting dates and other info. By the end of each call, I’m confident we’re all on the same page. An approval doesn’t necessarily come during each of those calls, but that’s fine.
Be Patient
No approval during the call? No problem. That’s because I know the plan. While many reconsideration calls do end up with an approval over the phone, I’ve noticed more frequently in the past few years that my application requires a review which can’t be conducted that quickly. In these instances, I’ve gotten an email update with an approval anywhere from a few minutes to a few days after the reconsideration call. Regardless, I let the reconsideration process calmly play out. In the meantime, I don’t recontact Amex, asking for updates or providing questionably-helpful info, which may just confuse the process more.
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Be Perceptive
I and many of you are familiar with the reconsideration-related emails asking us to accept the card. Do not miss these! If you don’t accept a card in the prescribed timeframe, Amex can cancel the application. This can have a major impact on your Amex goals, as it can render a previously-elevated offer useless, slow down the high card turnover process, and lead to fewer rewards.
Also, be cognizant of how reconsideration and approval timing can impact your other Amex card acquisition strategies. Just as important, know that intentionally avoiding an immediate approval and subsequently leveraging the reconsideration process can lead to increased flexibility and options with Amex.
Conclusion
By mastering these practices, my wife and I have set ourselves up for success with our Amex strategy of high card turnover, which is heavily reliant on Amex card reconsideration. I know many of you go deep into the weeds on this same topic. Please let me know what other tactics have helped you along the way. Even in my relative state of quiet with Amex right now, I still consider it the most fun bank out there. Taking reconsideration to the next level is a big part of that.
What has sped along your American Express card reconsideration success through the years?
