You Can Now Apply for an Amex Credit Card Without Affecting Your Credit Score

The application process for American Express credit cards is changing.

As part of a new pilot, select applicants for personal American Express cards in the U.S. will be able to find out if they qualify for a card without affecting their credit score. Just note that if you’re approved and choose to accept the card, your credit score may be impacted.

“We know that consumers value transparency and certainty,” said Sara Milsten, American Express Executive Vice President of U.S. Consumer Marketing. “With our new application experience, prospective Card Members can apply for a specific Card — and know if they are approved — without having to worry about whether their application will change their credit score until they accept the Card.

Here’s what you can expect from Amex’s new card application process.

Amex New Credit Score Protection

From now on, a soft inquiry will be made on card applicants’ credit which will have no negative impact on their score.

This will hopefully make the credit card application process more accessible to those who struggle with negative credit or who are afraid of being denied a card and then their credit score being subsequently damaged.

“We hope this new, more transparent application experience encourages anyone with an interest in American Express membership to apply,” said Milsten.

Hot Tip: Your credit score is something everyone should be familiar with especially when it comes to how it can impact financial decisions in your life.

Once the soft inquiry has been made, the applicant will find out with 100% certainty whether or not they would be accepted for their chosen card.

Next, the applicant will be asked whether they’d like to take out the card in question and officially start the process. If they opt-in, then a regular hard credit check is carried out on the applicant.

The new application process will initially only be available on American Express cards through the American Express website with co-branded cards set to follow suit in the future.

The new application experience is currently available for individuals applying for a U.S. Personal Card via Upgraded Points, at AmericanExpress.com/us/credit-cards, or by calling American Express and is not available if you apply for a Card after you log into an existing Card Member Account.

American Express Personal Credit Cards

There is a wide range of American Express cards out there: some are American Express cards like The Platinum Card^® from American Express, while the rest are co-branded credit cards like the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card.

For more information about the best American Express cards, including their benefits and annual fees, check out our guide.

Final Thoughts

American Express is making applying for its credit cards more accessible by reducing the risk of credit scores being negatively affected during the process.

The new “soft inquiry” process should give confidence to those who might previously have been unsure about applying.