Amex for bad credit?

**CC Deville** · Feb 8, 12, 4:08 pm

Originally Posted by andrewfashion

I have very bad credit right now, and honestly, it'll probably take 1-2 years before my credit is fixed. Is there any way at all to get an Amex?

I have a bunch of collections, charge offs, judgements, and a tax lien (totaling 20 negative items on my credit report) -- LOL, sounds like a stupid question I'm asking I know.

Point is, can you even get approved for an Amex with negative items on your report? Or is it impossible? How many negative items have you seen on a credit report and someone get approved?

Obviously I'm doing everything in my power to remove the negative items from my credit report and pay of all collections.

American Express is a prime credit card company. It is true that the new Zync has been opening the door to those with questionable credit, even the Zync requires a relatively clean recent past. You will need those collection accounts to age to near removal to get an Amex.

You might try for a Dillard's Amex issued by GECRB-but even then, 20 negative accounts....ouch.

Another option is Amex's pre-paid card. Obviously it is prepaid but they monitor spending etc and they may offer a charge card after a while if they believe you might be a good candidate.

https://www212.americanexpress.com/d...e=ReloadHP_GPR

That is likely your best bet at this point.

**PlatinumAMEX94** · Feb 9, 12, 1:15 pm

Originally Posted by MEHLANI

I'm a little surprised that people believe someone could get approved even with a bankruptcy. I know from experience that Amex will NOT approve if you have a bankruptcy because I've been there.

It had been nearly 8 years since I filed Chapter 7 and I had 2 more to go before it was completely off my credit reports. My credit score by this time was about 670-680. The main reason for the denial was the bankruptcy.

When I applied for the green card I actually thought, as I'm sure many others have as well, that a charge card would be easier to get approved for. I was surprised that I got denied especially because I was getting cards from major banks by this point.

It's been about 2 years later now and my bankruptcy has finally fallen off my credit reports. I just received a pre-approval from Amex for the green card in the mail. I called it in and finally got approved!

Anyways, my best advice would be to wait until THEY contact you so you don't get dinged on the credit report. I have read many reviews about people applying for Amex and looks like majority of people who receive a preapproval letter DO get approved (this is not the case with Chase Bank which sends "invitations to apply" not genuine preapprovals). In my experience, people with fair credit usually get denied automatically (especially online) when they initiate an application on their own.

Did you have an American Express card prior to your bankruptcy? And if you did, how much money did you owe them that they had to write off? I know of several people who were able to get back in with AmEx after their 7 years were up, but they had to pay back what they owed plus interest before getting another account established.

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