AMEX rejection

[Cynicor]

Correlation isn’t causation. Nothing to say you would have been approved if you didn’t close them either.

 

[fly7689]

anybody have experience applying for a different AMEX card before waiting for the 90 day cooldown period? from my understanding the 90 days only applies for the same card. if i apply for a different card e.g. downgrade to a lower tier, is it possible i can get approved?

 

[jusoh]

I tried applying for Amex Velocity Platinum on Jan25, April25, Aug25 and got rejected for all of them. Applied for Amex Explorer right after my rejection for Amex Velocity Platinum on Aug25, and got approved for 18k limit.

Lower annual fee but also lower bonus points. Earn rate roughly similar but could transfer to more partners. Honestly, don't understand what drives their decision.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

I tried applying for Amex Velocity Platinum on Jan25, April25, Aug25 and got rejected for all of them. Applied for Amex Explorer right after my rejection for Amex Velocity Platinum on Aug25, and got approved for 18k limit.

Lower annual fee but also lower bonus points. Earn rate roughly similar but could transfer to more partners. Honestly, don't understand what drives their decision.

I personally think it can be a range of things IMHO

1. Amex does not like churners and may reject your application based on you just wanting bonus points and then cancel
2. Amex may reject if they deem that they have too many card holders for a certain card
3. You may not be within Amex's target market for that specific card

 

[LokiMc]

Threw my hat in the ring for the QF Ultimate card again, last rejected for AMEX in January 2025. Since held an ANZ card (still open) and NAB card (closed in June). Applied yesterday and received the 5-10 day email with no follow up for payslips. Income 100k+ and minimal debts.

 

[Hadun]

If you get the email requesting income verification after submitting an application, is that a positive sign regarding approval chances or still nothing guaranteed?

I convinced my wife to give their ultimate card a try since she hasn't applied for any new cards for over a year now. I don't recall ever getting asked for income verification myself after making it onto their 'churner's blacklist' so thought this might have been a positive sign. But after uploading her payslips several days ago it's been radio silence since.

 

[burmans]

If you get the email requesting income verification after submitting an application, is that a positive sign regarding approval chances or still nothing guaranteed?

I convinced my wife to give their ultimate card a try since she hasn't applied for any new cards for over a year now. I don't recall ever getting asked for income verification myself after making it onto their 'churner's blacklist' so thought this might have been a positive sign. But after uploading her payslips several days ago it's been radio silence since.

Well it’s a sign they haven’t immediately rejected! I do find sometimes they are slow to process so wouldn’t worry too much yet.

 

[cqtiger]

I have had a few rejections over the last years despite satisfying all the application requirements and when enquiring why the rejection I get stonewalled. One guy even said we are under no obligation to tell you the reason. Went to the bank ombudsman and they basically confirmed they dont have to tell you why it was rejected. So frustrating.

 

[crh66]

I wouldn’t mind if they got a bit creative and offered a “restricted” approval — maybe with reduced or no bonus points. My churning days are nearly over, and I’d like either the Explorer or Qantas Ultimate card as a keeper, since both offer decent value even without the sign-on bonus..

 

[EestiTiger]

Just adding another reference point here for anyone else playing along at home.

Recent Application, only one other CC Application this calendar year, all my numbers look very good. I am pretty sure I have been blacklisted due to prior churns. The last AMEX card I had was closed over two years ago.

It is what it is!

 

[crh66]

Well very weirdly I've now been approved for the Amex explorer... Thought I'd give it one more try nearing the end of my churning journey, it was the 3rd try this year (good wage, no debts,, but have 3 active cards).

The only thing I changed in the application was for them to choose the credit limit, a $5-6 PA salary increase, and I requested a second card for the wife..

Only questions asked were personal details, job/wages, how much do I spend per month, hit submit and went straight to the upload your docs page, wasn't requested to list existing cards/credit. Also, not sure if it's a usual Amex question but they requested 3 months of payslips.

I wasn't really expecting them to approve but will be happy to keep this one

 

[Hadun]

Well very weirdly I've now been approved for the Amex explorer... Thought I'd give it one more try nearing the end of my churning journey, it was the 3rd try this year (good wage, no debts,, but have 3 active cards).

The only thing I changed in the application was for them to choose the credit limit, a $5-6 PA salary increase, and I requested a second card for the wife..

Damn seems like you had better luck then. I also gave it a punt after seeing @jusoh 's post above but didn't let them pick the limit.. No doc upload step at the end only the dreaded 5-10 days wait please message.