American Express and ANZ's "unwritten rules" automatically declining cc applications

[Graham Atkinson]

I churn a lot of credit cards and have been doing so successfully for years.

Most of the time I am successful, but I have had difficulty for a number of years now ONLY with American Express and ANZ.

I've been told AMEX algorithms will automatically decline an application where you have been declined a credit card in the last 6 months (and that's having been declined ANY CARD in the last 6 months, not just declined an AMEX card).

If this is correct it would explain why I never get AMEX cards. The last AMEX card I had was in '21 but I guess each time I've applied since that time, if this theory is right, then it must have been the case that I did it within 6 months of being declined a different card?

ANZ is the same. I used to successfully churn ANZ Frequent Flyer cards over and over, but I haven't had one approved for years now and again I am presuming they operate with the same sort of algorithm that automatically declines any CC application within 6 months of a declined application (for any card - not necessarily ANZ).

I last had an AMEX in '21 and last had an ANZ in '22, but have successfully been approved for and churned many, many other cards in that time so this is what I'm thinking must be doing it.

Can anyone shed light on this from actual knowledge? If it's correct, I'm determined to wait out exactly 6 months from my last decline before making any further AMEX or ANZ applications, and in the meantime just make sure every application I do make is a pretty sure bet...otherwise the 6 months starts all over again!

 

[Phoenix-1]

How do they know an application has been declined? Aren't all enquiries the same?

 

[Cynicor]

Yeah; I didn’t think it was obvious there was a decline, but that could definitely have changed. Also not sure it’s correct at all because my wife got an Amex and I would have to check the times, but got declined for a card or 2 recently prior

 

[sudoer]

How do they know an application has been declined? Aren't all enquiries the same?

I guess they could deduce it from the presence of a credit pull without any account eventuating with that institution.

 

[Daver6]

There's an entire thread on the Amex side of this AMEX rejection

 

[Big John]

I've had a different experience with Amex and ANZ.

I think ANZ (and for that matter, other banks) tend to be more accommodating when you are an existing customer. At least, that has been my experience.

Needless to say, YMMV.

 

[sudoer]

I think ANZ (and for that matter, other banks) tend to be more accommodating when you are an existing customer. At least, that has been my experience.

Agree. I churn a lot but never have any issues, my mortgage is with ANZ.