LOL Boyfriend got rejected from AmEx...

IntlSet · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:10 AM

I'm a little tickled... and also confused.

My SO has never had a credit card. He's in the finance industry and is very, very good with his own personal finances. He's only uses cash and a debit card.

Now that we are traveling together (just got back from Italy last month and we're going to China in August), I'd like him to rack up some frequent flier miles or at least some cash rewards... anything, since right now he gets no benefits out of his debit card. Plus, imagine if he had to do a chargeback: you can't do that with debit cards.

Anyway, he applied for an AmEx Blue card. And was REJECTED!!! LOL Like immediately rejected online! They didn't give a reason, but said to call if he wanted details... he called but the complicated phone system wouldn't let him press "0" and he couldn't figure out how to talk to anyone.

I just find it hilarious because he makes significantly more money than I do, has a credit history at least with utilities (he rents, pay his own electric, gas, etc.), has zero debt... and I have an AmEx Blue card.

What went wrong? He jokes that maybe it's a sign and he just shouldn't get a credit card!

kbell · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Utilities aren't credit history - they do not get reported to the credit bureau - so despite his responsible money management - to anyone checking he has NO credit history - unless he's had an auto loan, mortgage, or something else other than a credit card.

Virgo · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Its probably cuz he doesn't have a credit history that includes credit cards. He should apply for a Visa or Mastercard, maybe they are less strict than AMEX?

A lot of people don't want to have a credit card and I understand that, but its better - credit history wise, to have one.

IntlSet · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbell

Utilities aren't credit history - they do not get reported to the credit bureau - so despite his responsible money management - to anyone checking he has NO credit history - unless he's had an auto loan, mortgage, or something else other than a credit card.

Wow, really?! That's interesting! I figured that anyone who can send creditors after you and wreck your credit would also be able to build your credit... I'm pretty sure that after many unpaid bills, ComEd and other electric/utilities companies will report to the credit bureau.

Wow, poor SO has no credit history...

kbell · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntlSet

Wow, really?! That's interesting! I figured that anyone who can send creditors after you and wreck your credit would also be able to build your credit... I'm pretty sure that after many unpaid bills, ComEd and other electric/utilities companies will report to the credit bureau.

Wow, poor SO has no credit history...

Despite the gas, electric, or phone co telling you they can ruin your credit - they probably won't. Those aren't on any of my credit reports - just credit cards & structured loans. Your SO should get a credit card - just to establish good credit should he ever need/want a car/home loan.

IntlSet · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:29 AM

Thank you, ladies. I guess we'll try to get him an easier-to-be-approved credit card... too bad, AmEx is my favorite card.

Cristina · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbell

Despite the gas, electric, or phone co telling you they can ruin your credit - they probably won't. Those aren't on any of my credit reports - just credit cards & structured loans. Your SO should get a credit card - just to establish good credit should he ever need/want a car/home loan.

AmEx cards can sometimes be difficult to get a credit card from - they typically want to see good credit history at least established before approving you for an AmEx card. Since your SO doesn't have credit history, that is more than likely what caused AmEx to reject his application. He should apply for a Visa or MC, keep it for a while and use it regularly, paying it off monthly, then apply for an AmEx.

twiggers · Jun 9th, 2008, 10:59 AM

Have him try Macy's or a Visa...they are much easier!

socalgem · Jun 9th, 2008, 11:04 AM

He needs to get some kind of credit. Amex isn't going to give him credit until he does. And the Blue card is one of the harder card to be approve for.

He needs to get a store or gas card. He can even get a secured card that reports to the CRA's.

Does he know his credit scores?

uafly1 · Jun 9th, 2008, 12:32 PM

As for his debit card, have him check with is bank to see if they have a rewards for debit cards. I bank with Citibank and for $60 I get 1 mile per $1 on American. I know that Chase was offering 1 mile for $2 on United.
I agree with you, make you $ work for you.

twin53 · Jun 9th, 2008, 12:53 PM

when DH and i were first married in 1975 i had a sears credit card and numerous store charge cards during college - he had none... all he could first get was an amoco gas card due to my credit history. once he started applying for them tho he was a navy flight officer and had a car loan with the navy credit union then he was approved all over the place....credit history was especially important when we started buying houses in 1981. you have to start somewhere....

guccimamma · Jun 9th, 2008, 01:08 PM

i never had a credit card until i was 24, and all my friends did...my had been in financial industry...as long as they were supporting me in any way, no credit cards.

amex was my 1st card, i was so proud to get one...they turned down all my friends!

i am sure there are a bazillion cards that would be happy to have him as a customer, amex will be begging for his business as soon as he gets a credit history.

funny though, i can see how you got a little smile out of it.

addisonshopper · Jun 9th, 2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntlSet

Wow, really?! That's interesting! I figured that anyone who can send creditors after you and wreck your credit would also be able to build your credit... I'm pretty sure that after many unpaid bills, ComEd and other electric/utilities companies will report to the credit bureau.

Wow, poor SO has no credit history...

in my local area- phone bills (verizon) are put on your credit.. also I have seen cases were a pepco bill and a water bill are put on you credit.. and not old bills- current

kbell · Jun 9th, 2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addisonshopper

in my local area- phone bills (verizon) are put on your credit.. also I have seen cases were a pepco bill and a water bill are put on you credit.. and not old bills- current

Hmmm - This must be a state by state thing then? I work for one of those utility companies - we do not report to the credit bureau. I have also pulled my own credit reports from the big 3 over the years and never have had a utility bill on there, no phone, electric, gas, cable - I have Verizon for home & cell & internet and have for years - not on there.

Virgo · Jun 9th, 2008, 01:48 PM

Its good you are finding this out prior to him going for a mortgage or another major line of credit and finding out he doesn't really have a credit history. This will give him time to get a great credit history going so when he goes for a mortgage he has a excellent credit score and thus a low interest rate.

Jun 9th, 2008, 10:10 AM	#1
IntlSet Bonjour! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,660	I'm a little tickled... and also confused. My SO has never had a credit card. He's in the finance industry and is very, very good with his own personal finances. He's only uses cash and a debit card. Now that we are traveling together (just got back from Italy last month and we're going to China in August), I'd like him to rack up some frequent flier miles or at least some cash rewards... anything, since right now he gets no benefits out of his debit card. Plus, imagine if he had to do a chargeback: you can't do that with debit cards. Anyway, he applied for an AmEx Blue card. And was REJECTED!!! LOL Like immediately rejected online! They didn't give a reason, but said to call if he wanted details... he called but the complicated phone system wouldn't let him press "0" and he couldn't figure out how to talk to anyone. I just find it hilarious because he makes significantly more money than I do, has a credit history at least with utilities (he rents, pay his own electric, gas, etc.), has zero debt... and I have an AmEx Blue card. What went wrong? He jokes that maybe it's a sign and he just shouldn't get a credit card! __________________ http://drinkmorechampagne.wordpress.com/

Jun 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM	#2
kbell Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 1,933	Utilities aren't credit history - they do not get reported to the credit bureau - so despite his responsible money management - to anyone checking he has NO credit history - unless he's had an auto loan, mortgage, or something else other than a credit card. __________________ Is it football season yet? All out ban in progress

Jun 9th, 2008, 10:23 AM	#3
Virgo Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,532	Its probably cuz he doesn't have a credit history that includes credit cards. He should apply for a Visa or Mastercard, maybe they are less strict than AMEX? A lot of people don't want to have a credit card and I understand that, but its better - credit history wise, to have one. __________________ Virgo

Jun 9th, 2008, 10:29 AM	#6
IntlSet Bonjour! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,660	Thank you, ladies. I guess we'll try to get him an easier-to-be-approved credit card... too bad, AmEx is my favorite card. __________________ http://drinkmorechampagne.wordpress.com/

Jun 9th, 2008, 10:59 AM	#8
twiggers Earning my PhD Joined: May 2006 Location: The Library Posts: 19,865	Have him try Macy's or a Visa...they are much easier! __________________ Check out my new blog.....and see how I eliminated $50,000 in credit card debt in just 7 months.... COME JOIN THE COOLEST CLUB AROUND...THE CURBING CONSUMERISM CLUB

Jun 9th, 2008, 11:04 AM	#9
socalgem Because I can... Joined: Apr 2007 Location: California Posts: 4,364	He needs to get some kind of credit. Amex isn't going to give him credit until he does. And the Blue card is one of the harder card to be approve for. He needs to get a store or gas card. He can even get a secured card that reports to the CRA's. Does he know his credit scores?

Jun 9th, 2008, 12:32 PM	#10
uafly1 Member Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 224	As for his debit card, have him check with is bank to see if they have a rewards for debit cards. I bank with Citibank and for $60 I get 1 mile per $1 on American. I know that Chase was offering 1 mile for $2 on United. I agree with you, make you $ work for you.

Jun 9th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#11
twin53 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,235	when DH and i were first married in 1975 i had a sears credit card and numerous store charge cards during college - he had none... all he could first get was an amoco gas card due to my credit history. once he started applying for them tho he was a navy flight officer and had a car loan with the navy credit union then he was approved all over the place....credit history was especially important when we started buying houses in 1981. you have to start somewhere....

Jun 9th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#12
guccimamma guccimamma Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,668	i never had a credit card until i was 24, and all my friends did...my had been in financial industry...as long as they were supporting me in any way, no credit cards. amex was my 1st card, i was so proud to get one...they turned down all my friends! i am sure there are a bazillion cards that would be happy to have him as a customer, amex will be begging for his business as soon as he gets a credit history. funny though, i can see how you got a little smile out of it.

Jun 9th, 2008, 01:48 PM	#15
Virgo Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,532	Its good you are finding this out prior to him going for a mortgage or another major line of credit and finding out he doesn't really have a credit history. This will give him time to get a great credit history going so when he goes for a mortgage he has a excellent credit score and thus a low interest rate. __________________ Virgo