AMEX rejection

[Flyfrequently]

I feel your pain @Brucetiki
I have 2 Amex cards and the one I use all the time now, Amex Ultimate has sub $11k limit and other has $26k.
Have tried several times to "swap over" and have the Amex Ultimate $ limit increased but cannot do this due to changes in the ("money laundering" ) law.
Give it 3 months and try again ?

 

[bobbinbrisco]

I feel your pain @Brucetiki
I have 2 Amex cards and the one I use all the time now, Amex Ultimate has sub $11k limit and other has $26k.
Have tried several times to "swap over" and have the Amex Ultimate $ limit increased but cannot do this due to changes in the ("money laundering" ) law.
Give it 3 months and try again ?

that amex "money laundering" excuse makes no sense

i was able to adjust limits easily a few years ago between edge and explorer

 

[Flyfrequently]

that amex "money laundering" excuse makes no sense

i was able to adjust limits easily a few years ago between edge and explorer

I agree @bobbinbrisco as the way I logically look at it, I have $37k credit available via two cards.
But that is the line they trot out. Amex has said that the rules changed not that long ago

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just ticked over 18 months for me. Applied for the Amex Explorer. Not asked for any documentation, got the "will get back to you in 5-10 working days" message.

As expected the standard rejection letter arrived in the mail today.

Given I had no other open credit cards at the time of the application and applied for only a $3K limit, there can be zero doubt remaining that AMEX have taken the firm decision to simply rejected churners immediately.

I applied for an ANZ card the day after my AMEX application and it has been approved.

 

[tac84]

Happy to provide some additional information for reference.

I held the Platinum Charge Card back when the annual fee was around $900. Closed the card back in 2017 because at the time I couldn't justify the annual fee........fast forward to June 2025 I tried to re-apply for the card and like many others, after inputting my basic information, it was unsuccessful. I re-applied tonight for the Platinum Charge Card (November 2025) and to my shock was Approved without any income evidence, no declaration of any assets and/or liabilities, just instant approval.

I'm a Banker with one of the big 4 banks so have some knowledge of how Credit Card applications are assessed, so I was very surprised to see this go through with no actual evidence of income.

 

[Dr Ralph]

so I was very surprised to see this go through with no actual evidence of income.

Quite normal for AMEX.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Happy to provide some additional information for reference.

I held the Platinum Charge Card back when the annual fee was around $900. Closed the card back in 2017 because at the time I couldn't justify the annual fee........fast forward to June 2025 I tried to re-apply for the card and like many others, after inputting my basic information, it was unsuccessful. I re-applied tonight for the Platinum Charge Card (November 2025) and to my shock was Approved without any income evidence, no declaration of any assets and/or liabilities, just instant approval.

I'm a Banker with one of the big 4 banks so have some knowledge of how Credit Card applications are assessed, so I was very surprised to see this go through with no actual evidence of income.

Welcome to AFF @tac84
That is great to hear.

 

[Waddygib]

Quite normal for AMEX.

Cos Plat is not a credit card, there is no regulatory requirement to do income verification.

It's probably the easiest card to get approved for in the market.

 

[burneracc]

Happy to provide some additional information for reference.

I held the Platinum Charge Card back when the annual fee was around $900. Closed the card back in 2017 because at the time I couldn't justify the annual fee........fast forward to June 2025 I tried to re-apply for the card and like many others, after inputting my basic information, it was unsuccessful. I re-applied tonight for the Platinum Charge Card (November 2025) and to my shock was Approved without any income evidence, no declaration of any assets and/or liabilities, just instant approval.

I'm a Banker with one of the big 4 banks so have some knowledge of how Credit Card applications are assessed, so I was very surprised to see this go through with no actual evidence of income.

They approve plat charge easier than their own cards with unsecured credit, but the initial spending limits can be quite low. Figured this out as myself and a bunch of colleagues are all graduates in early careers corporate and we got approved, but hit spending cap at 3k in the first few months before payment history is established.

 

[Hadun]

They approve plat charge easier than their own cards with unsecured credit, but the initial spending limits can be quite low. Figured this out as myself and a bunch of colleagues are all graduates in early careers corporate and we got approved, but hit spending cap at 3k in the first few months before payment history is established.

And is the annual fee still charged as soon as your card is activated/account opened?

 

[Waddygib]

And is the annual fee still charged as soon as your card is activated/account opened?

Not sure if on day 1 but it hits the first statement.

 

[tac84]

And is the annual fee still charged as soon as your card is activated/account opened?

I'll let you know. I just activated it and made a purchase.

 

[Hadun]

Not sure if on day 1 but it hits the first statement.

Thanks was just going off some older comments that mentioned it as point of a difference to the other AMEX cards. Actually never quite got the whole charge-card thing, like do they still do monthly statements or you gotta repay asap etc?

 

[Daver6]

Thanks was just going off some older comments that mentioned it as point of a difference to the other AMEX cards. Actually never quite got the whole charge-card thing, like do they still do monthly statements or you gotta repay asap etc?

Same as a credit card where you get a monthly statement, but you have to pay it off in full.

 

[tac84]

Thanks was just going off some older comments that mentioned it as point of a difference to the other AMEX cards. Actually never quite got the whole charge-card thing, like do they still do monthly statements or you gotta repay asap etc?

Yep, monthly statements and you must clear the balance in full

 

[martindagun]

Anyone know if there is a way to apply by calling etc.
I'm only looking at getting the most basic credit card to build up report and then start my US amex journey, but looks like I'm barred from all my previous churning.

 

[andyrb]

Anyone know if there is a way to apply by calling etc.

Why do you think calling - if this was even available as an application avenue - would have a different outcome?

 

[Brucetiki]

Anyone know if there is a way to apply by calling etc.
I'm only looking at getting the most basic credit card to build up report and then start my US amex journey, but looks like I'm barred from all my previous churning.

I mean, you could try but they’ll probably just be using an internal version of the website for the application and you’ll most likely get the same result.

I’ve found Amex staff to be unhelpful at best

 

[Dr Ralph]

As expected the standard rejection letter arrived in the mail today.

Exactly one month later I have applied for the same card again. Got the expected "We will notify you of the outcome within 5 - 10 business days."

Not expecting a different outcome this time around. But given I have no other credit card that I can apply for until late 2026 I'll do the same application every month with AMEX until that date. At the very least I'll cost them the $1.70 price of stamp each time!

 

[andyrb]

I'll do the same application every month with AMEX until that date

This probably isn't helping your cause at all.