Last week there were some great limited time American Express credit card offers coming to an end. I personally applied for the Amex SimplyCash Plus due to the doubled welcome offer, no annual fee, and another card to take advantage of Amex Offers. I also liked that it was a business credit card since many of the really good Amex Offers are sometimes only targeted to business cards and not personal cards. With American Express, I always knew there was a maximum number of credit cards you were theoretically able to have – 4 credit cards and 4 charge cards. Although, last year there were numerous reports that American Express was being a little more lenient on those limits and approving folks for more. I knew I was taking a chance as I already have 4 Amex credit cards – Amex Starwood Personal, Amex Starwood Business, Amex EveryDay, and Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles, but I decided to go for it anyways.
I applied for the card and got the “We are reviewing your application notice.” I was hopeful since it was a business application and many times a call to confirm my business needs is required. Unfortunately though, about an hour later I received the dreaded “Your application has been denied” email.
In the letter, it explicitly states that I was denied due to already having the maximum number of American Express cards allowed. With that being said, after a call to American Express I was able to cancel my Delta credit card and was approved for the Amex SimplyCash Plus.
It seems like some folks have been able to be approved for more then 4 credit cards (which is awesome!), but my experience was not as promising.
For those of you wondering what American Express cards fall into being a credit card vs. charge card, here you go:
American Express Credit Cards
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express
- Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
- Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
- Hilton HHonors™ Card from American Express
- Hilton HHonors™ Card from American Express
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card From American Express
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
- Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
- Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
- The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express
- The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
- The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
American Express Charge Cards
- American Express Mercedes-Benz Platinum
- Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express
- The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN
- The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
Overall…
Unfortunately, it looks like the rule of 4 still holds true, although some folks have been lucky in being able to get approved for more. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason on why some can get approved for more and some can’t. Fortunately though, being an authorized user on a card does not count against your limit. Additionally, third-party American Express cards also do not count, such as Bloomingdales Amex, Macy’s Amex, etc. – those that you cannot pay directly from your AmericanExpress.com account.
Feel free to share your experience below.
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For most (if not all) of the people that I have seen be successful for a 5th credit card, one of those 5 credit cards was the Amex Everyday or Amex Everyday Preferred.
In Sept I had 2 Delta (platinum personal, gold business), 1 Hilton, 1 SPG and approved for another Delta (gold personal). A month later I canceled SPG when annual fee came due.
On 2/1 I had the 3 Delta and 1 Hilton, and approved for a Delta (platinum business).
I would like to add an EveryDay at some point if they’ll let me get to 6, which I think unlikely.
i have 5 and was not rejected for any yet. maybe the 6th?
I just got the same, called in, they put me on hold, and approved the 5th, reversing the auto-denial. Same for me back in Sep.
I also have 5 AMEX cards: the free Hilton, 2 Deltas, Everyday Preferred, and the SPG card.
Will be applying for another in June or July once some of the inquiries drop off my TRW. The formula I use for AMEX is one card in no less than 6 months intervals.
I have 9 AMEX accounts – Delta Platinum Business, Delta Reserve, Hilton Surpass, Mercedes Benz, SPG Business, Personal Platinum, Business Platinum, Plum Card, and Premier Rewards Gold.
I believe 5 credit and no limit on the charge card is what AMEX will let you have. I’ve been a member since 1996.