Rule

Amex 4 Credit

Quick Summary

Amex will decline your application if you already have 4 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a fifth

Understanding the Amex 4 Credit rule:

American Express has both "credit" cards (Hilton, Marriott, Delta, EveryDay, Blue Biz, and Green Personal) as well as "charge" cards (Platinum, Gold, Plum & Green Biz). The latter, charge cards, don't have preset credit limits. So they must be paid off at the end of each statement period.

American Express will decline you if you apply for a fifth "credit" card. We suggest you cancel an Amex card at least one week (going down to 3 active credit cards) before applying for another Amex "credit" card.

Amex says the limit on charge cards is 10, but since there aren't even 10 "charge" cards offered, this would be tough to trip without corporate entities.

About Approval Rules

Collecting credit card points is largely driven by understanding and abiding by bank rules regarding approval (or disapproval) of cards.  So here’s what you need to know:

  • Approval rules are rarely fully publicized by the banks
  • We use our own research and data points from other users in creating the rules listing
  • Our goal in sharing/using the rule listings is to provide you guidance to avoid getting declined
  • There can sometimes be exceptions to the rules, but we try to take a more cautious approach in advising you.

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