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How to Get Pre-Approved for an AmEx Credit Card?

Irina Tsymbaliuk
How to Get Pre-Approved for an AmEx Credit Card?

American Express (Amex) has a variety of credit card options to meet the needs of any customer. From entry bonuses to more substantial rewards cardholders have to earn, there are a lot of benefits to choosing Amex as your financial partner. However, these cards also come with an annual fee and specific customer requirements, including a minimum credit score of 670.

While other requirements may vary depending on the card type you choose—Green, Gold, or Platinum—the 670-point threshold stays the same for all three. Thankfully, there are American Express credit card pre-approval procedures, allowing you to check if you meet the bank’s criteria and determine your eligibility before applying for a card.

Pre-Approval and Types of Programs

Pre-Approval and Types of Programs

The key issue with all payment card applications in the US is the impact of the application process on your credit score. Each time you apply, the bank conducts a series of checks, making inquiries to various credit agencies. These inquiries can leave a mark on your credit history, potentially lowering your score by several points.

The AmEx pre-approval check program allows you to gently check your eligibility without suffering the negative consequences (although if you choose to apply the card, the drop will still happen). Actually, there are several types of this process, which we will discuss below.

Pre-Approval

American Express pre-approval check is a soft verification of the user’s credit score by the bank. Accordingly, this query has no real impact on your rating.

This way, the bank can preliminarily assess the user’s compliance with the basic requirements and conditions for the provision of cards with an extended bonus system, namely Green, Gold, and Platinum.

If the customer passes the screening, the bank may send an offer to submit a formal application for a card. While this does not guarantee that the application will be approved, especially if the more thorough check will reveal some new financial data, the procedure goes well more often than not.

Pre-Qualification

American Express pre-approval can also be conducted in the pre-qualified format. The key difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved is that pre-qualification is more of a marketing component.

This means that the bank checks information about the client and makes a conclusion, for example, about the pre-approved status of a potential application. In other words, it is not a request but an offer from the bank to a prospective client.

Somewhat counterintuitively, pre-approval also does not mean that the application is as good as approved. Instead, it signals that the account has automatically passed the confidence soft check, meaning that the user is eligible to receive approval if they submit a request. Banks often use pre-qualification forms to offer some additional services to their customers, but there is no guarantee that a membership in a bonus program or a Green/Gold/Platinum card will be a part of the deal.

Formal Approval

Eligibility to submit a formal request means that the account status has a card match and meets the conditions for granting access to premium opportunities. However, when you create an application, the issuer will start pulling data about you from a certain term, for example, the last year.

The bank is mostly interested in your financial history, like your largest one-time cash spending and odd transactions. Then, Amex will generate a report indicating the percentage of your compatibility with the requirements for bonus card candidates.

How to Use the Amex Apply With Confidence Feature

How to Use the Amex Apply With Confidence Feature

American Express introduced the Apply with Confidence feature in 2022, setting itself apart from other card issuers. This innovative option allows potential customers to apply for a card through a soft credit inquiry, which won’t impact their credit score.

Here are the steps to apply for an American Express credit card using the Apply With Confidence option.

  1. Collect the necessary details, such as your Social Security number and income.
  2. Visit the American Express website and choose the credit card you wish to apply for.
  3. Click the “Apply Now” button to begin.
  4. Complete the form with your personal information as prompted.
  5. Review the terms and conditions carefully.
  6. If you agree, click “Accept and Apply” to submit your application.

Once you have completed these steps, you can apply for an American Express credit card using the Apply with Confidence option.

Steps to Amex Credit Card Pre-Approval

Steps to Amex Credit Card Pre-Approval

How to get approved for American Express? Well, here’s a step-by-step guide:

  • Before you apply, check your credit score. American Express usually requires good to excellent credit scores for their cards.
  • Ensure your credit report is error-free before applying, as inaccuracies could impact your approval chances. You can obtain a free copy of your report from any of the three major bureaus.
  • Check out the American Express cards available and choose the one that fits your spending habits and goals. Each card has different benefits, rewards, and annual fees.
  • Head to the American Express website and utilize their pre-qualification tools to discover which cards you might be eligible for. This is not the same as passing the application check, but it also won’t affect your credit score in any way.
  • Be prepared to provide information such as your income, job details, home value, and any debts you may have.

American Express often sends pre-approval offers to potential customers. Keep an eye on your physical mail or email for these. Once you’re confident about your credit score and eligibility, you can apply online. Same as before, make sure the information in  your application form is accurate to improve your chances.

Do not expect to receive an American Express pre-approved card on the first try. In some instances, the bank may require additional verification before reaching a final decision. Furthermore, the chances of approval are not always close to 100%. Therefore, you should think about what to do if you don’t get pre-approved.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Receive an Amex Pre-Approval?

What Should I Do If I Don’t Receive an Amex Pre-Approval?

There are many reasons an application can be refused by Amex, but the most common ones include an insufficient credit rating, reputation issues (e.g., ongoing investigations for fraud, money laundering, etc.), or a simple lack of income verification documents.

If your credit score falls below the recommended range, focus on improving it before applying. This includes paying off existing debts, making timely payments, and not opening any new credit accounts. Addressing reputation issues is more complicated, as any pending proceedings must be resolved before your chances of approval can improve. This might mean waiting until the investigation is closed and a verdict is reached.

If your documentation is missing or insufficient, you can reapply by submitting all the necessary documents. If your application is denied for another reason, contact the bank directly to clarify the issue and seek guidance on how to proceed.

Conclusion

So, how to get approved for Amex? Even if you meet the preliminary requirements, this does not mean that the actual application will be 100% supported by the bank. However, if you proactively work on your credit rating, your chances of getting a card will increase significantly. If approved, activate your card as soon as you receive it. As always, it’s a good idea to use it responsibly, as it builds your credit score and allows you to utilize all of its benefits.