Preface: Was unemployed at the time of application, in the country for 3 months on a 1 year visa, holder of a UK AMEX with a £13k limit for 2 years. Excellent credit score in the UK.
Generally very incompetent/unhelpful. Their advice and website guidance actively caused me to lose an initially approved card. When I described my displeasure to them on the phone they told me because we told you there is a chance you get rejected it's not our problem.
Overall summary of events:
- Applied for the Gold Preferred Rewards card online.
- Added name in katakana since there was no English input for cardholder name. Nothing on the website saying you should call or otherwise to input for English name.
- Was approved 2 weeks later. However, could not produce a photo ID with a katakana name and hence the card was sent back to AMEX JP.
- AMEX JP on call suggested I reapply for the card with my English name and that rather than editing the existing already approved application, I have to reapply. This comes with risk of rejection etc. Having no other visible choice I did and was immediately rejected.
- After a lot of googling, I registered a 通称目 (common name) with my local ward office and got it printed on MyNumber/Driving License etc.
- Called AMEX JP to get them to resend my approved card if possible as I now have an ID. Note: AMEX JP never even bothered to mention the possibility of registering a 通称目. They said since I did a new application this card was cancelled and I would have to reapply. Also, because I was technically approved once, I am no longer eligible for new cardholder benefits on that specific card.
- I tried applying for the green card this time. Was also rejected immediately.
I understand my position was not one in which credit cards are easily approved for. However, this is my experience with AMEX JP as an existing customer in another country. Absolutely horrible and a waste of time.
by BurberryC06