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First of all, there is no pre-selector method for Canadian side. I wish there is one. Maybe they will have one next year. On the good note, my score increased to 760 now. The reasons being that my recent late payment is 2 years old and that no. of cards that I utilize is 3 instead of 4 (4 made it drop, so I gained it back). At least for me, 3 cards in use seems to be good. Some time next year, I will make it 2 only. We shall see and I will keep you posted guys. Thanks,

Thanks guys for all the replies. Well this is how the story goes: Last month, I had to use a visa that I stopped using for a while and that made my number of active cards from 3 to 4 and my TU score dropped from 726 to 696. That is a good data point for myself, so from now on, I will try to keep the activity on only 3 cards and see how that effects the score. However, on a good note, my CIBC late payment is exactly 2 years old (will be more than 2 yrs after this month's statement) and that boosted the score from 696 to 737. Right now, I am hoping and waiting to see what will happen once the number of active cards will drop back to 3 this month. Hopefully, I will cross the 750 mark. Anyway, for now, I am holding on applying for Amex at least until the start of next year for the following reasons: 1. I will have reduced my debts a little bit more 2. I am expecting pay increase at work, so my income will be a little higher 3. From this point on, the score could only go up! I will keep you all posted. Btw, about the late payments, It is not in my hands anymore, I tried to get them off, but did not work and I guess I just have to wait. And about recent inquiries in the last 2 years, interestingly two of them were directly from Amex back to back, one of which, I did not authorize. I mean, they did a second one on request of reconsideration with in a 2 week period. The rest two are from MBNA with whom I already have a relationship. Thanks,

Charge card, green card. For some reason, in Canada, for green charge cards, it is paper application only. It is to my advantage as I was thinking of including a cover letter explaining the late payemnts and all and even offer to reduce my available credit limits for a conditional approval. I heard charge cards are relatively easy to get than credit cards. Right now, amex credit cards in Canada don't excite me. On top of that, Amex Canada recently introduced a very good Gold charge card, to which I plan to convert after some time if I get approved for a green charge card. Thanks,

Sorry guys if I was not clear in my OP that this has to do with Canadian side of credit cards as I am from Canada. My reason to ask here is to get general answers. I for one know that in Canada, Amex pulls only from TU. We only two Credit bureaus for that matter, TU and EQ. My EQ score three months ago was 677. I requested a new one, still waiting for it. I am not going to jump unless I am almost sure. Maybe I will just wait until next year anyway. Thanks again,

Alright a quick update guys. My TU score jumped from 664 to 726 in a matter of 2 weeks with no change to credit reports (one inquiry in the last 6 years dropped off). I still have more than a year before I pay off my debts completely. I am interested in applying for a green charge card. Should I go ahead or wait until some time next year? Next year, my recent late payment will be 2 years old and I will knock off some debt. Thanks again,

We,, I can certainly wait until next year. But, interestingly, my score jumped to 726 as of today. What do you guys think?

Alright, my new TU score is 696 without me doing much. Does my application stand any chance? Thanks for the input.

By next year this time, I should be clean of any cc debt. I have been diligently paying back. I used to have like 30k cc debt and I brought it down to 10k + 1k monthly use. Interest rates used to kill me a bit, but not any more as I got good BTs. I can not really wait until this time next year as I will be done with CC debt for good. If I plan to app for mortgage in 2013 and not apply for any new credit in 2011 and 2012, that will be only two years as there are already inquires this year:). Oh, applying for the mortgage only after saving a bit. So realistically it may not be 2013 after all but can not help it at the moment. Thanks again,

Bob Wang, you seem to be a popular guy in this forum as I was browsing this site for few days. Well, I get the message. So it is basically I try and see what happens or forget about the whole ordeal as I am not dying to have an amex. My EQ score is 677 and most institutes in Canada check EQ and they seem to be happy with my score as of now. Thanks anyway,

This is to do with Canadian side of the story. But I am looking for a general opinion on my question. I tried to good will the lates but did not work. Well, I have been toying with this idea of applying for an amex card as I want to move away from visa and mastercard as much as possible. However, my credit ratings are not in great shape. My TU score is 664. There are three late payment entries and recent inquiries and high balances on two cards and lot of available credit. The late payments were from 2006, 2007 and 2008. The recent one was from Nov 2008. 4 inquiries in the last 2 years. 2 of them are from MBNA with whom I already have a relationship. The other two are from Amex when I applied last time and got declined. They did two inquiries back to back. I was going to send in paper application (for green charge card) and explain all the details in a cover letter. Do you guys think that it is a good idea to apply now? I talked to Amex and they hinted at least 690 score for approval. or Should I wait until end of October for the recent late payment to be 2 years old? Is there going to be any increase in my score once the late payment hits 2 years ago mark? I want to apply for this card this year as I plan to freeze on applying for new credit in 2011 and 2012 to be able to apply for mortgage in 2013 if the world still exists by then, lol. If it is any useful, I have total credit limits totaling 35K and balances totaling 11k (bts done at good rates but I can not pay them back right away) but I am willing to voluntarily reduce the limits if Amex gives me a conditional approval. I make 57k/yr. Thanks for all your help. G

Well, I have been toying with this idea of applying for an amex card as I want to move away from visa and mastercard as much as possible. However, my credit ratings are not in great shape. My TU score is 664. There are three late payment entries and recent inquiries and high balances on two cards and lot of available credit. The late payments were from 2006, 2007 and 2008. The recent one was from Nov 2008. 4 inquiries in the last 2 years. 2 of them are from MBNA with whom I already have a relationship. I was going to send in paper application (for green charge card) and explain all the details in a cover letter. Do you guys think that it is a good idea to apply now? I talked to Amex and they hinted at least 690 score for approval. or Should I wait until end of October for the recent late payment to be 2 years old? Is there going to be any increase in my score once the late payment hits 2 years ago mark? I want to apply for this card this year as I plan to freeze on applying for new credit in 2011 and 2012 to be able to apply for mortgage in 2013 if the world still exists by then, lol. If it is any useful, I have total credit limits totaling 35K and balances totaling 11k (bts done at good rates but I can not pay them back right away) but I am willing to voluntarily reduce the limits if Amex gives me a conditional approval. I make 57k/yr. Thanks for all your help. G