Why Is it So Hard to Get an American Express Credit Card? (2024)

FAQs

Why Is it So Hard to Get an American Express Credit Card? ›

It is hard to get an American Express credit card because all cards offered by American Express require good credit or better for approval, which may be out of reach for the average consumer. Applicants need a 700 credit score and a steady income to have good approval odds for an American Express credit card.

Credit card applications can be denied for many reasons: an insufficient credit history, a low credit score, or too many card accounts opened too quickly, to name a few. If it happens, it's probably not the outcome you were hoping for.

The different fees often make or break a deal for a merchant. This is why many merchants, especially small businesses, don't accept American Express. American Express' interchange fee is just too high. Providers like Visa and Mastercard charge between 1.15% and 2.5%, while Amex charges merchants between 1.43% and 3.3%.

Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.

The easiest American Express cards to get are those that require a minimum of good credit for approval as opposed to excellent credit only. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the American Express Cash Magnet® Card are two of the easiest Amex cards to get because they only require good credit.

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Please call us at 1-800-567-1083 if you'd like us to review our decision. Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee we will change our decision. It's been our experience that applicants who were not approved for a new account at one time may qualify in the future.

It is hard to get an American Express credit card because all cards offered by American Express require good credit or better for approval, which may be out of reach for the average consumer. Applicants need a 700 credit score and a steady income to have good approval odds for an American Express credit card.

Places Where American Express is Not Accepted: Cuba, Sudan, South Sudan, Iran, Syria. Major Retailers That Accept American Express: Amazon, IKEA, Sears, Target, Walmart, Lowe's, Apple, Best Buy, Staples, CVS. Major Retailers That Don't Accept American Express: Costco, small non-chain stores/restaurants.

Where Can I Use My American Express Card? Within the U.S., American Express touts a 99% acceptance rate among merchants that accept credit cards. That generally includes most major retailers and restaurant chains, as well as several small businesses.

What is the easiest credit card to get? ›

Cards such as the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (see rates and fees) usually recommend a 670+ score. However, there is anecdotal evidence of scores in the lower 600s being approved.

What is the most prestigious credit card? One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.

A credit limit is determined based on financial details and information we receive in your application. We review this information on a regular basis and may offer you a new credit limit during your membership.

Although American Express doesn't specify any minimum credit score requirements, you'll need good credit (or better) to qualify, which means a FICO score of at least 670. A premium Amex card — say, the American Express Gold Card — likely requires a “very good” FICO score, somewhere in the range of 740 and above.

American Express and Visa are both major credit card networks, but they're certainly not the same. Using an American Express card, or Amex card, can imply a certain level of prestige and exclusivity. Amex cards often earn big rewards and, in some cases, come with ultra-high annual fees.

If your application was declined, we do not report it to the credit bureaus. This will not affect your credit score.

The most common reason you'll be denied an Amex card even with great credit is that you're already at their limit. Specifically, American Express tends to restrict each cardholder to a maximum of four "lending products" (that means revolving credit lines, like credit cards) and up to 10 charge cards.

Be sure that the Available Funds on your Serve temporary card are sufficient to cover the cost of the bill plus any anticipated gratuity. If the Serve temporary card is declined, ask the Merchant to obtain an authorization for an amount equal to or less than the Available Funds.

Yes, American Express does a hard inquiry on your credit report when you apply for a card, but it only takes place after you are approved for the card and choose to accept the offer. If your application is denied or you are approved but choose not to accept the card, there will only be a soft inquiry.