I have read on this forum several success stories of folks getting approved and sharing their experiences for the Optima card. Just wanted to say thanks to all, as it helped and lessen my stress during my process. Excited to share that I received my approval this morning!
When I woke up this morning I saw several notifications from Experian, Credit Karma and WalletHub stating my credit was pulled by Amex. It looks like Amex did a double pull from my Experian and TransUnion report. Nothing from Equifax at the moment, but I will update if it was pulled as well.
When I sent my application via USPS, I still had one charge-off from Amex that I did not pay off yet but settled the balance two days later.
Timeline:
2/23/2024
PIF my Amex balance using the Amex link provided. This Optima offer was from Amex directly. But I also received an Optima offer on my other Amex charge off from First Advantage, who was the 3rd party handling that Amex account
2/24/2024
Received an email from Amex stating I was enrolled in the Optima program and that I will be receiving the application in the mail. I called Amex a few times to ask how long it would take for the application to arrive, some agents said two weeks and some said no more than 35 days.
3/18/2024
I received the application in the mail and mailed it out the same day at a USPS location right next to the airport. I thought about mailing it express but it was going to cost $30 to get there in 2 days max and I needed to put the provided envelope by Amex in another USPS envelope. Given the price and having in a different envelope than the one provided by Amex I decided not to ship it express. For some reason I thought it might process faster if was in the same envelop that Amex provided and no mix up on which department it should go to. So the envelope provided has a first class stamp and the USPS agent said it would arrive by Friday (3/22/2024).
3/21/2024
I paid off in a settlement my last remaining charge-off with Amex, through First Advantage. The reps were pushing me to take regain Amex membership through the Optima offer and PIF. But I told them I already submitted an Optima application.
3/26/2024
Around 3:30am CST, I recevied notifications from Experian, Credit Karma and Wallet Hub that American Express did a hard pulll on my credit reports. So I can check the application status link (which I found in this forum, Thanks!) Status Check Authentication (americanexpress.com), and it said I was approved on March 25, 2024.
Pre-Amex Optima Hard Pull Scores
Experian Account: EX: 654 TU: 625 EQ: 628
Credit Karma: TU: 642 EQ: 626
WalletHub: TU: 640
My Scores were a bit higher in Feb 2024 but I had a lot of activity in February and March.
Approvals
Capital One Savor One: 2/2024 (via pre-approval)
Discover IT Secured: 2/2024
Avant Personal Loan: 3/2024, I used it to payoff charge-off accounts Truist, Bank of America, Barclays, and one Amex
Denials
Bilt MasterCard: 2/2024
PayPal Credit Card: 2/2024 (no hard pull)
BOA Business Unlimited: (unsecured & secured, only 1 hard pull for both applications): 3/2024: I plan on calling the reconsideration line
Apple Card: 3/2024 (no hard pull)
Pending
U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured: 3/2024, I deposited $1,000 for my credit limit
Post-Amex Optima Hard Pull Scores
- Only my Credit Karma TransUnion score decreased after Amex pull my credit report (-2 points)
Current Cards
Capital One QuickSilver One Unsecured with $39 annual fee: $500 limit
Capital One Savor One Mastercard Elite: $2,000 limit
Discover IT Secured: $200 limit
American Express Optima: $500 limit
If I get approved for the U.S. Bank Cash+ card, I might try for the Alttiude GO as I have seen data points on this forum of people getting two secured cards from U.S. Bank within a short time frame. Then after that I will move into gardening mode!
Now I can apply for the Amex Business Checking account without fear of having it screw up my Optima application!
Thanks again everyone for all the advice and support!
Personal Cards
C1 Quickslilver One $500 | C1 Savor One $2,000 | Discover IT Secured $200 | Amex Optima $500 | U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured $1,000 | C1 Venture X $30,000 (AU)
BOA Cards with Preferred Rewards Platinum (50% boost)
Travel Rewards $18,000 (AU) | Bank Americard $2,100 (AU) | Customized Cash Rewards $22,000 (AU) | Premium Rewards $19,400 (AU)
Business Cards
Nav Prime $11,000 | Amex Blue Business Plus $12,800(AU)
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