Thread: How to get an American Express after bankruptcy & increase credit

Question 1: I had a USAA Amx and then had to file Chapter 7. Would I be able to get an AMX card directly from American Express almost 2 years after filing bankruptcy with a credit score of 693? I was able to get two other secured credit cards, one with Capital One and one with Orchard Bank 6 months after the bankruptcy was complete, each with credit limits of $750.
Question 2: Is it better for your credit score to request another credit card or just request an increase in the available credit on your current cards.
Thanks for the feedback!

You can get a Zync card fairly easily, probably even an AMEX green. As far as their credit cards go, I can guarantee you that you'll be denied. I have a FICO of ~740 with low balances on all my cards, perfect credit history, no BK, absolutely spotless with an 85k household income and my application was denied (after waiting for them to review it forever) because 1. "I havent been an AMEX member for long" (actually have an AMEX green) and 2. "too many recent credit inquiries" (I have 2 hard inquiries in the past 6 months, 1 from AMEX themselves...)

AMEX is VERY twitchy when it comes to negatives on credit report. I read somewhere in their terms that the absolutely and permanently ban anyone with a BK or anyone who ever defaulted on an AMEX no matter how minor or how long ago. Now, anecdotes from others seem to indicate that is not completely true but that is what they say.

I think you are fighting an uphill battle with this.

As for being better to get an increase on an existing card vs getting a new card, it is better to get an increase. That will generally not produce a hard inquiry.

Thanks...appreciate feedback!

Just an FYI - Your USAA AmEx will not "blacklist" you from AmEx as it is not a card issued by Centurion (American Express) Bank. It was issued by USAA and processed on the AmEx network. A bankruptcy 3 years old will probably decline you on AmEx but if you decide to go for it go for a charge card as their requirements are less stringent.