Amex is overrated, IMO

[smc733]

Ok, warning, rant below.

 

Ever since building my credit, I have been striving for Amex, and finally got one in September of last year, a BCE, 2000 limit, 22.24% APR now knocked down to 10.24%. Great. In January, I opened a Blue regular (was denied for a CLI), but opted to close it after getting a $2,000 card I wouldn't ever use. Fast forward to May, denied a CLI. How can I get another $2k on a new card, but NOT on a CLI. I called the executive office today and they transfer me to a stock, script-reader that tells me the criteria for a CLI is different than a new card... Blah, BLAH BLAH...

 

This line is anemic to my other cards, and while I do have student loan debt, other lenders aren't afraid to give me the modest $5k I'm asking for to be happy. The service is rude, outsourced, and pretty bad. It takes an extra statement for rewards to post, and after the payment clears (statement + 5 or so days, and I always PIF). Chase and Discover post rewards immediately. I bought an engagement ring for 4k on my BofA, while I wanted to give the business to Amex, the anemic line prevented that from happening.

 

Discover has tons of gotchas and catches to screw you out of rewards and be sub-prime for so many other reasons. And now, while Amex has pretty decent rewards and such, the service is lackluster and nothing special, and it makes me wonder whether or not it is worth it to put up with the lepper-like acceptance of this card for really no extra benefits over my World MasterCard and Visa Signature products... I see Discover is accepted a LOT more than Amex here (almost on par with Visa/MC).

 

For the average joe (Student/full time worker), and someone who doesn't travel, can anyone explain to me why it is worth me even having this card?

[BobWang]

20 years from now, you won't be asking.

[smc733]

20 years from now, you won't be asking.

 

Because? I've never been the traveling type, and that seems to be the ones that love Amex the most...

[OwNt]

They back date new cards to your original membership date.

 

Besides, who else gives you a $25,000 credit limit after 61 days, with no docs required?

[BobWang]

As I said...

[Chupacabras]

It's worth it because I don't have the problems you do?

[smc733]

They back date new cards to your original membership date.

 

Besides, who else gives you a $25,000 credit limit after 61 days, with no docs required?

 

#1, I'm not particular about having more than 1 card with the same issuer, or obsessing over a 810 vs 801 FICO.

 

#2, not for me they didn't :/ Virtually every other issuer has been more open with credit for me.

[smc733]

It's worth it because I don't have the problems you do?

 

Aside from my problems, with the rewards, lacking CS and acceptance, do you find issues with any of them? Honest question, not a loaded one, I'm genuinely curious.

[Chupacabras]

I use it for gas, groceries and department stores, all of which accept Amex. In my city, Amex and Discover are about even on acceptance by small businesses, usually they'll accept one or the other.

 

They are also the ones that give me the best CLI's, which is bringing all my other limits up. The CS's I've spoken with have always been helpful.

 

I'm pretty sure my rewards post a couple days after the statement date for me, but all my big spending goes through my Forward so I don't pay a lot of attention to it.

[OwNt]

smc733,

 

I do agree with you about their customer service and acceptance with certain merchants. Other than those two things, my BCP has excellent rewards and I haven't had any other issues. They even raised my initial $16,500 line to $25,000 after just two months, and I can always count on backdating if I ever get a new card with them.

 

While they have certain...quirks...I have not had a major problem with them yet.

 

I guess it just comes down to individual experiences. Virtually all my creditors (Chase, Citi, Discover, AmEx, BofA, FNBOmaha, US Bank, etc..) have been almost as generous as AmEx.

 

You must not have tried to join DCU yet.

[Lummy]

Ok, warning, rant below.

 

Ever since building my credit, I have been striving for Amex, and finally got one in September of last year, a BCE, 2000 limit, 22.24% APR now knocked down to 10.24%. Great. In January, I opened a Blue regular (was denied for a CLI), but opted to close it after getting a $2,000 card I wouldn't ever use. Fast forward to May, denied a CLI. How can I get another $2k on a new card, but NOT on a CLI. I called the executive office today and they transfer me to a stock, script-reader that tells me the criteria for a CLI is different than a new card... Blah, BLAH BLAH...

 

This line is anemic to my other cards, and while I do have student loan debt, other lenders aren't afraid to give me the modest $5k I'm asking for to be happy. The service is rude, outsourced, and pretty bad. It takes an extra statement for rewards to post, and after the payment clears (statement + 5 or so days, and I always PIF). Chase and Discover post rewards immediately. I bought an engagement ring for 4k on my BofA, while I wanted to give the business to Amex, the anemic line prevented that from happening.

 

Discover has tons of gotchas and catches to screw you out of rewards and be sub-prime for so many other reasons. And now, while Amex has pretty decent rewards and such, the service is lackluster and nothing special, and it makes me wonder whether or not it is worth it to put up with the lepper-like acceptance of this card for really no extra benefits over my World MasterCard and Visa Signature products... I see Discover is accepted a LOT more than Amex here (almost on par with Visa/MC).

 

For the average joe (Student/full time worker), and someone who doesn't travel, can anyone explain to me why it is worth me even having this card?

 

 

How'd you get them to lower the APR?

[Link2k]

If an issuer treats you badly fire them. Ownt had a bad experience with DCU you with Amex both offer unique features but nothing that you can not do without.

 

The reason people like any issuer is the benefits they provide be it backdating, soft pulls for cli's or providing free FICO's.

 

I would say Amex is far from universally beloved have you seen LKH's signature or the sticky about FR's

 

Edit:Typo

Edited August 2, 2012 by Link2k

[kayvebear]

Amex is so sexy, in nearly every way. They cater to upper middle class and upper class. Treat them classy, they treat you in turn the same.

 

Food snobs spend a lot on groceries. 6% back... *purrs like a kitten*

[BobWang]

Jess: You made a woman meow?

[cputrwz]

Jess: You made a woman meow?

 

With the right moves Bob, a woman can meow, purr, growl and nibble all in the same night.

[BobWang]

You should come with a warning label.

[Violentb01]

#1. Customer service is A+ for me. They have instantly taken my side in the 3 disputes I've had to open in the last 3 years. Answered my questions and helped me any time I asked.

 

#2 Their car rental coverage (Not the automatic kind you get with most CC's) is only $24.95 per rental period. I read through the terms and agreements and it's pretty solid. I rent cars in Las Vegas (Death Race anyone?) three times a year and I refuse to let my own car insurance take a hit if there is an accident.

 

#3. The APR sucks on the card but they were the first company to issue me a card over $5,000 unsecured.

 

My opinion is based on experiences. Yours will differ naturally.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Violentb01

[Link2k]

#1. Customer service is A+ for me. They have instantly taken my side in the 3 disputes I've had to open in the last 3 years. Answered my questions and helped me any time I asked.

 

#2 Their car rental coverage (Not the automatic kind you get with most CC's) is only $24.95 per rental period. I read through the terms and agreements and it's pretty solid. I rent cars in Las Vegas (Death Race anyone?) three times a year and I refuse to let my own car insurance take a hit if there is an accident.

 

#3. The APR sucks on the card but they were the first company to issue me a card over $5,000 unsecured.

 

My opinion is based on experiences. Yours will differ naturally.

 

Just fyi your insurance will still go up if you have an accident regardless of who pays out. Insurance rates for risk not to recoup losses.

 

While there are benefits to having the waiver CCs provide its not keeping your rates low if there is an accident.

[DAR77]

im sure we will find people on both sides of the fence. i love AMEX. i burned them in the past got back in. only called cust serv one time and the wants a problem. my only grip with them is their platinum reservations line can never get me into the 'HOT' restaurant in vegas. they seem to quote whats on open table.

 

on my BCP started with a 9k limit 61 days bumped to 20k i have no issues.

 

and as bob said above !!!

[Violentb01]

#1. Customer service is A+ for me. They have instantly taken my side in the 3 disputes I've had to open in the last 3 years. Answered my questions and helped me any time I asked.

 

#2 Their car rental coverage (Not the automatic kind you get with most CC's) is only $24.95 per rental period. I read through the terms and agreements and it's pretty solid. I rent cars in Las Vegas (Death Race anyone?) three times a year and I refuse to let my own car insurance take a hit if there is an accident.

 

#3. The APR sucks on the card but they were the first company to issue me a card over $5,000 unsecured.

 

My opinion is based on experiences. Yours will differ naturally.

 

Just fyi your insurance will still go up if you have an accident regardless of who pays out. Insurance rates for risk not to recoup losses.

 

While there are benefits to having the waiver CCs provide its not keeping your rates low if there is an accident.

 

 

Someone needs to read the interstate insurance compact. My insurance isn't touched under the Amex insurance policy and my insurance company is not notified across country.

 

Example: I had three accidents in a few years in Mass under a North Carolina drivers license/car. None of my accidents or the two tickets I received in that time were forwarded out of state.

[LustfortheMoment]

I still use my tried and true "old" Blue Cash. What other issuer provides 5% cashback on one card for groceries,drugstores, and fuel? AMEX won't hassle you unless you start to carry balances; they prefer PIF.

 

Good Luck,

[qwerty4]

Ok, warning, rant below.

 

Ever since building my credit, I have been striving for Amex, and finally got one in September of last year, a BCE, 2000 limit, 22.24% APR now knocked down to 10.24%. Great. In January, I opened a Blue regular (was denied for a CLI), but opted to close it after getting a $2,000 card I wouldn't ever use. Fast forward to May, denied a CLI. How can I get another $2k on a new card, but NOT on a CLI. I called the executive office today and they transfer me to a stock, script-reader that tells me the criteria for a CLI is different than a new card... Blah, BLAH BLAH...

 

This line is anemic to my other cards, and while I do have student loan debt, other lenders aren't afraid to give me the modest $5k I'm asking for to be happy. The service is rude, outsourced, and pretty bad. It takes an extra statement for rewards to post, and after the payment clears (statement + 5 or so days, and I always PIF). Chase and Discover post rewards immediately. I bought an engagement ring for 4k on my BofA, while I wanted to give the business to Amex, the anemic line prevented that from happening.

 

Discover has tons of gotchas and catches to screw you out of rewards and be sub-prime for so many other reasons. And now, while Amex has pretty decent rewards and such, the service is lackluster and nothing special, and it makes me wonder whether or not it is worth it to put up with the lepper-like acceptance of this card for really no extra benefits over my World MasterCard and Visa Signature products... I see Discover is accepted a LOT more than Amex here (almost on par with Visa/MC).

 

For the average joe (Student/full time worker), and someone who doesn't travel, can anyone explain to me why it is worth me even having this card?

George?

[BDK]

Ok, warning, rant below.

 

Ever since building my credit, I have been striving for Amex, and finally got one in September of last year, a BCE, 2000 limit, 22.24% APR now knocked down to 10.24%. Great. In January, I opened a Blue regular (was denied for a CLI), but opted to close it after getting a $2,000 card I wouldn't ever use. Fast forward to May, denied a CLI. How can I get another $2k on a new card, but NOT on a CLI. I called the executive office today and they transfer me to a stock, script-reader that tells me the criteria for a CLI is different than a new card... Blah, BLAH BLAH...

 

This line is anemic to my other cards, and while I do have student loan debt, other lenders aren't afraid to give me the modest $5k I'm asking for to be happy. The service is rude, outsourced, and pretty bad. It takes an extra statement for rewards to post, and after the payment clears (statement + 5 or so days, and I always PIF). Chase and Discover post rewards immediately. I bought an engagement ring for 4k on my BofA, while I wanted to give the business to Amex, the anemic line prevented that from happening.

 

Discover has tons of gotchas and catches to screw you out of rewards and be sub-prime for so many other reasons. And now, while Amex has pretty decent rewards and such, the service is lackluster and nothing special, and it makes me wonder whether or not it is worth it to put up with the lepper-like acceptance of this card for really no extra benefits over my World MasterCard and Visa Signature products... I see Discover is accepted a LOT more than Amex here (almost on par with Visa/MC).

 

For the average joe (Student/full time worker), and someone who doesn't travel, can anyone explain to me why it is worth me even having this card?

 

I guess it depends on how you use it. How much cashback have you received so far? Do you ever carry a balance?

[hegemony]

the only time in the past 5 years I was somewhere that amex was not accepted was at a small B&B in Europe. who are these merchants you claim don't take amex?

[hegemony]

oh, and APR does not matter if you use cards wisely.

 

no issuer is perfect. amex is great for perks and service but rather spotty on rewards.