Consumer complaint received 2020-11-13
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: UT
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-issue: Application denied

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2020, I applied for the XXXX XXXX from American Express. Upon completion of the application, I received a message stating that American Express could not approve my application. I checked my email, and received a message from amex stating that they had finished processing my application. This message provided a link for me to check the application atatus. After providing my personal information, I was given access to my application decision letter. 
After reading it carefully, I noticed some problems with the application decision. 

The following were the reasons for the decision : 1. The number of creditors who have reviewed your credit report : The problem that I have with this point is : how meny hard inquiries is too many? 
Without knowing what this number is : how can I know when I can apply, and when I should wait? 

2. Your credit report indicates that you have one or more seriously delinquent or collections and or derogatory public records on file : There are multiple issues with this point : A. Which is it : one or more seriously delinquent? collections? derogatory public records?

B. I paid off a collection account five years ago, why was it not an issue when I applied for my first card nearly two years ago? 

Further down the letter there is a section titled " information about your FICO Score. '' Under the information provided there is yet another list of reasons that my application was not approved. Once again, there are issues with these reasons : 1. Derogatory public record or collection filed : Again, the account was paid five years ago. Why was this not an issue when I applied for my first card nearly two years ago? 

2. Lack of recent information on installment accounts : A. Why is it a requirement to have installment accounts in order to obtain a new card?

B. When I applied for my first card nearly two years ago, I did not have any installment accounts. Why was this not an issue back then?

C. I have no use for an installment account at this point in my life. I am no longer a student. I can not XXXX XXXX a vehicle, therefore, I would not be able to obtain an auto loan. 

3. Too many inquiries in the last 12 months : As asked above : how many inquiries it " too many ''?

4. Length of time accounts have been established : According to my XXXX credit file, my average age of accounts is 5 years. 
Why is that not long enough for American Express? 

I have had these same issues with American Express in the past. I feel as though the corporate office simply provides a rubber-stamped answer to me, hoping that I will just go away. I have fulfilled all of my credit obligations, yet American Express refuses to XXXX credit line increases, open new cards, or reinstate my XXXX XXXX XXXX that I had mistakenly closed. I feel that I am wasting my time in filing a CFPB complaint, because American Express will not acknowledge or address my concerns

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief