If you read my post the other day, you’ll know I was excited
about applying for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) American Express card since
the signup bonus was just bumped from 25,000 to 30,000 points for a limited
time.
Well, after I filled out the application and submitted it, I
got the dreaded “your application is pending further review” message. In these
days of instant online approval, pending review seems like one step away from a
denial. I’m still pretty new to the “game,” so I have yet to be denied, but it
is definitely a fear.
But there was no need to despair or even wait 14 days for a
letter in the mail as instructed. On the advice of The Points Guy, I waited
about 15 minutes and then checked my application status online.
And, just like that, I was approved! The six-month clock
(20,000 additional points for $5,000 spend in six months) starts ticking from
the date of approval, so I’m ready to get my card and start using it.
Unfortunately, it takes 7-10 days to receive it in the mail.
If I my application status had still said “pending,” my next
move would have been to call the Amex reconsideration line at 1-800-582-6471 to
see if there was anything they or I could do to speed my application approval
along, but thankfully that was unnecessary. But keep that advice in your back
pocket if you need it.
To think, before I started “churning,” I never even knew
credit card reconsideration lines existed.
I forgot to mention in my post the other day that Amex allows
existing cardmembers to refer new cardmembers to the SPG card for a 5,000-point
bonus. So if you have currently have a card, be sure to refer your friends and
family. You’ll get an extra 5,000 Starpoints. And if you are looking to get a
card, ask your friends or family if they want to refer you so they can get
5,000 points.
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