Multiple cards with AMEX questions

[burneracc]

Hi all,

I am receiving mixed details when I check this query with the amex credit department directly so thought I'd check here. Some agents say yes, some say no. Currently held an amex plat for 8 months, push 6k through on average. No idea if this counts for anything but figured I'd include any useful context up front.

1. I was wondering for any members here who hold multiple amex cards, whether they received a second hard check on their credit score as part of applying? In the states at least, I am aware that a pre-existing relationship with amex holds some value with them, allowing them to process applications with just a soft check.

I personally was looking at adding the qantas ultimate as with the travel credit the card pays for itself, and when booking expensive qf flights directly the 2x higher points earn is actually a pretty great perk. Quite literally double the platinums earn rate. Reason for asking this question is that I'd prefer to keep my credit checks to a minimum if I can (who wouldn't?), especially as a ton of credit checks at my age / demographics looks particularly bad.

2. On a related note, how many people are utilising multiple amex cards with actual value outside of the grandfathered plat reserve travel credit people? Or is the platinum enough for most? I read on here that some people were able to link gateway cards (?) to their ascent premium but it seemed exceedingly rare. Would love to know what combination of cards people are using and why.

3. Final / bonus q - what card are people using outside of amex, particularly for when overseas? I am starting to look for a decent supplementary card outside of the amex network - would particularly enjoy a no foreign TX fee card, but would be great to know if there are any good points earning options outside of debit. Would also be rather opportunistic to grab a sign up bonus at the same time which is why I am in my research phase right now. I have done some looking and so far found the commbank offering, but it requires a fixed monthly spend to avoid the monthly fee. There's also the Bankwest one with a farcical SUB spend requirement of 35k which I have also ruled out.

TIA

 

[sudoer]

Reason for asking this question is that I'd prefer to keep my credit checks to a minimum if I can (who wouldn't?), especially as a ton of credit checks at my age / demographics looks particularly bad.

You're overthinking it. IME Aus banks don't care about enquiries, they only care about open lines of credit in determining your ability to service a line of credit. Enquiries make very little difference to credit score also.

In 2023 I applied for my first mortgage, was in my early 30s. We had 18 new card enquiries showing on my file, and around 13 on my wife's across the prior 5 years. The broker and bank did not bat an eyelid, they just wanted account closure letters from some recently cancelled cards that hadn't yet reflected on the file.

what card are people using outside of amex, particularly for when overseas? I am starting to look for a decent supplementary card outside of the amex network - would particularly enjoy a no foreign TX fee card, but would be great to know if there are any good points earning options outside of debit.

CBA and NAB both have no FX QFF earning cards.

Otherwise do an Amex GT and pickup a no FX US card.

 

[burneracc]

We had 18 new card enquiries showing on my file

I was at this figure at first but then thought about some of the US credit rules like chase's 5/24 and actually it falls within those bounds so fair enough, that makes sense. Probably you are right, I am over thinking it, especially as by the sounds of it if you go to a broker as a self confessed churner I assume they will have seen plenty of these cases before.

 

[Doctore1003]

Agree with the comment earlier - the number of card applications is far less important that the amount of credit you have access to (and your repayment history).

I hold both the Amex Platinum and Qantas Ultimate cards. As you say, the latter pays for itself. The main reason I hold it is to get the referral bonuses (I share my link here on AFF, as well as OZB, Facebook groups and friends). This helps me get Points Club each year, and hence the ability to earn status credits on reward bookings - which I really want.

I prefer to use MR points for other airlines, like SQ.

I use Bankwest World as my non Amex card - great for places that don’t take Amex as well as foreign transactions (no fee). The travel insurance is also very easy to activate, so it’s a nice backup to have. Shame the sign up offer is so ridiculous.