![How To Check Your Amex Credit Card Application Status [+ Reconsideration Line Tips]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Couple-Sititng-on-Couch-Excited-with-Laptop.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, F.
Updated: August 21, 2024, 9:45am CDT43 Published Articles 3389 Edited Articles
Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r.
Director of Operations & Compliance
6 Published Articles 1204 Edited Articles
Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c.
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Applying for a new credit card can be stressful, especially if you don’t get an immediate approval. The good news is that there are ways to check your application status while waiting for approval.
This post will cover everything you need to know about your American Express credit card application status and what to do if you aren’t approved immediately.
There are many reasons you might not get immediate approval on your American Express credit card application. Here are a few reasons why your approval could be delayed:
Hot Tip: If you are under 21 years old (without your parent’s permission), don’t have a Social Security number, or are unemployed, you most likely won’t be approved for an American Express credit card.
Each bank has different rules when it comes to applying for credit cards, and American Express is no exception. Here are a few “rules” you’ll want to keep in mind before applying for an American Express card.
You’ll only be approved for a maximum of 2 credit cards every rolling 90-day period.
You’ll only be approved for a maximum of 1 credit card every 5 rolling days.
American Express limits customers to having 5 or fewer credit cards at 1 time. This includes business cards but excludes charge cards (now just called “cards” by American Express). According to crowdsourced data, this limit can be as low as 4 cards, while some report it’s as high as 6.
Unlike other banks, American Express limits your eligibility to earn a welcome bonus to once per lifetime. This applies to each card individually, not necessarily families of cards. For example, if you’ve earned a welcome bonus on the American Express ® Gold Card, you could still earn a bonus on the American Express ® Business Gold Card.
In addition, Amex will sometime target cardholders for a product they’ve already had. These targeted offers will often exclude the “lifetime language” in the terms, meaning you’d be eligible for the welcome offer even though you’ve already earned it before. You’ll find these offers in the
Bottom Line: American Express has “rules” about how often you can apply for credit cards and how many credit cards you can hold at 1 time. Keep in mind these guidelines don’t apply to all cards (i.e. cards formerly called “charge card”). While there may be an occasional exception to these rules, most of the time, they will apply.
If you don’t get the instant credit card approval you were looking for, the easiest way to check your Amex application status is by using Amex’s online application status page.
If you prefer to speak to someone, call 877-239-3491 for personal cards and 800-567-1085 for business card applications. Amex’s general Customer Service line is 800-528-4800.
If your credit card application is pending or was declined, you can call 800-567-1083 to speak to a customer service representative about the decision. You may be able to provide more information to have your application decision reversed.
Applying for a credit card can be fun, but it can also be stressful if you don’t get immediate approval. The good news is that you can check your application status easily online or by phone.
Remember that not getting an instant approval doesn’t mean you’re automatically declined. Many factors go into a credit card application, so be patient during the process.
For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here.
You can check the status of your American Express credit card application by calling 877-239-3491 for personal cards or 800-567-1085 for business cards. You can also check your credit card application status online.
Many American Express credit card applications will be approved immediately. However, if your application status is pending it can take up to 60 days to get a decision. If that happens, you’ll be notified by mail once a decision is made.
The credit score required for American Express credit cards varies based on the card, but generally, you’ll want to shoot for a credit score that is over 700. If you have a low credit score you’ll want to work to increase it and you can also take a look at these credit cards for bad credit.
Yes, many times you’ll be instantly approved for an American Express credit card. You may even be eligible to get an instant credit card number so you can use your card right away.
Was this page helpful?
Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.
INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™
Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts.
Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.
We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.
Top Partner Offers
Our Selection Approach
LIMITED TIME OFFER!
Earn $900 Cash Back
BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
Earn 80,000 Points 75,000 miles
Top Partner Offers - Our Selection Approach
At Upgraded Points, our team has rigorously evaluated nearly every travel and rewards credit card available for both consumers and businesses. Our recommendations are based on direct experience: we endorse cards that we’re currently using, cards we’ve used in the past and found valuable, or cards that we truly believe could offer real benefits to our readers.
Credit Card Reviews
Credit Card Comparisons
UP's Bonus Valuation
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
Upgrade your travel experience
© 2024 Upgraded Points™, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice.
Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.
Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer.
