Thread: Prior AmEx charge off, will I get a second chance?

Hi...my first post, so please take it easy on me.

I had a green card about 8 years ago. About 5 years ago I fell on tough times and wasn't able to pay my balance off. My account was eventually canceled by AmEx; and I paid off the remaining balance a few months later.

Fast forward to today, my financial situation is much improved as well as my FICO scores. I would like to get an AmEx again...but am wondering if its even worth it for me to apply considering my past with them. Thoughts?

I absoutley think it's worth applying again, the bad economy is not your fault, I'm sure there are some people who have charged important items and are having problems paying back. I would certainly apply for the green card again. explain to them what happened and tell them about your improved fico scores. what's the worst that could happen, they may say you don't qualify or they may give you a card you never know. they may also say you don't qualify for the premium cards but you qualify for the smaller cards like Blue cash, Blue
or the clear card would you then be intrested?

I would definitely give it a shot. But you might want to consider applying for the basic gold card. Two of my friends applied for the entry level gold amex and they were accepted and their FICO scores were only slightly above average.

Thanks for the help, guys. The card I really wanted was the Delta Gold Sky Miles...but I chickened out and applied for the Zync card...which I was approved for.

I am assuming I have to wait 12 months before upgrading to a Delta card. Does that sound right?

10 years ago I had a business failure and defaulted on a Platinum card as well as an Amex Delta Sky Miles Card, owing more than $50,000 in total. Amex never sued me, they simply turned me over to a collections agency who only wrote me letters for a few years.

I never declared bankruptcy, rather I chose to just ride out the impaired credit for seven years and rebuild my life.

Now, I've re-established myself financially and my credit scores are in the 770 range. I've re-established credit with other vendors.

Will I ever be able to get another Amex card? If I apply, will they try to collect the old debts?

There is a possibility that they will try to collect, in my opinion i recommend you stay away. Why wake a sleeping lion? While I understand why you will like to have an Amex Card, why not settle for Chase Ink if it is for business or Sapphire Preferred

Originally Posted by Great_Credit_Now

10 years ago I had a business failure and defaulted on a Platinum card as well as an Amex Delta Sky Miles Card, owing more than $50,000 in total. Amex never sued me, they simply turned me over to a collections agency who only wrote me letters for a few years.

I never declared bankruptcy, rather I chose to just ride out the impaired credit for seven years and rebuild my life.

Now, I've re-established myself financially and my credit scores are in the 770 range. I've re-established credit with other vendors.

Will I ever be able to get another Amex card? If I apply, will they try to collect the old debts?

They cannot attempt to collect on the debt as the statute of limitations has run out. But they will not give you another card after you stuck them for $50,000.

I mean, I don't want to sound rude or judgemental, but this would be the same thing like if you allowed your neighbor to borrow your $50,000 car and he wrecked it, would you really let him borrow your new replacement car? You actually got off lucky, Amex usually doesn't play like that (simply sending to collections) and they usually go after people who screw them over with a judgement.

if you really want an Amex-branded card you may have to look into Citibank, BofA, Macys/Bloomingdales or GEMB-Dillard's Amex. Basically, a bank-issued Amex.

The only problem here CC D is depending on the state GREAT reside, the statute of limitation can be completely different from your state. Various states allow anywhere from 2 to 15 years to collect delinquent debt , some even more, with the amount involved, my only recommendation is to stay away and let the lion sleep. As you indicated they have/had the option to go above and beyond to collect what is legally owed to them but they choose not to. I don’t think any card American Express offer is worth the headache.
Even if nothing, the denial rate is 98.99%