Corporate Amex Card (Not Guarenteed)

[PBXBear]

Sorry if this is a repeat posting. I didn't see the "Before" / "After" Discharge sections...

Hi everyone. New to the forum. Wish I saw this forum about 1 1/2 years ago.

I filed for Chapter 7 in August 2005, it was discharged in Feb. 2006 in NJ. (See post regarding why it took so long and how horrible my lawyer was.)

My corporation is asking me to do a lot of corporate travel - which involves international traveling. I can't "front" that kind of money from my savings/checking. My corporation "offers" a Corporate American express card - but they DO NOT guarentee the card.

My credit is currently around 650. I have a $300 non-secure Orchard Bank credit card that I've been paying off 100% every month after their supposed reporting date for about 6 months. I also got a new car in April that I've been paying on time with for the last 6 months.

The bankruptcy was SUCH a horrible experience I'm paranoid in applying for new credit unless I absolutely need to.

I need this corporate amex card for work - but I'm nervous to apply for it. They were one of the creditor that were discharged. And the amount was large and two cards...

Any suggestions on how I could handle this? Needless to say, work isn't very "accepting" why I haven't gotten the corporate card yet. I'm nervous that amex will reject me and that will cause larger issues at my job and my ability to perform my responsibilities.

Regards,

Chris

[SinkingFast]

First, PBX,.......... Welcome to the Forum!

I did take the liberty of removing your other post in the Ch 7 section. You're more likely to get the most responses in this section. And, it's best to keep them all together.

You are right. AMEX is not BK Friendly.

I know it's easy to run up quite a tab on a biz trip in no time flat. Especially if you have to stay at a Resort type Hotel for a Conference or a Convention. Add in airfare and a rental car for the trip. Poof!

When you say the Company won't guarantee the card, does that mean it will have your name and the Company's name, but the bills will be sent direct to you. You fill out expense reports, get reimbursed, and pay the bill yourself??

Hubby's had those kind of cards in the past. I don't ever recall any of the CC companies checking Hubby's credit or reporting on Hubby's Credit Report.

Wonder if AMEX would issue you a card on "the good faith and credit" of the company??!!

[PBXBear]

Sinking-

Yes you are correct. It will have my name, the company's name and the bills are my responsibility. I have to fill out a T&E, get reimbursed and pay myself.

I truly learned my lesson - but I have a job to do as well.

[Sickthing]

to open any business account, the creditor will either need a business tax id #, or a ss#. which would you rather give them.? i wouldn't give them your ss#, even though it may have the biz name on the card and you will eventually be reimbursed, you will still be resp for all charges on the card. not your company. if they want you to have a card, then they need to add your as an auth user to THEIR account. are you part of the corporation? or just an employee? as an employee there's no way they can make you spend out of pocket.

also, i wouldn't bother applying. amex isn't bky friendly at all.

[poorme]

I've been thru this. There are two different platforms that AMEX has for their corporate accounts. The one you describe does have alternatives that aren't usually spoken of, it goes like this. Your company has a designated amex representative who deals directly with his/her AMEX account manager for your company. The company CAN guarantee your expenses if they want to, but you usually have to have the corporate AMEX person or an officer 'okay' it. Then, AMEX will issue the card on the company's approval but you're still obligated for the T&E's, timely reimbursement, etc. I know this is tough, but you'll likely have to explain your circumstances - in confidence - to someone in your company and ask for this option. You don't necessarily have to reveal the bk, but simply that your credit isn't sterling and you would probably not be approved by AMEX's stricter standards. Otherwise, can they give you a travel advance which you repay and renew before each trip?

[PBXBear]

Poor thanks for the information. I'm in conversations with HR at the moment. My company has a strict policy against travel advances... They don't make it very easy to do corporate travel as they assume everyone has either a personal credit card that can carry the charges or that the person has sterling credit to get the corporate card. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[poorme]

Well, good luck - I know the tast of humble pie! Fortunately, I was under the leadership of an understanding VP who went on the limb for me after I explained why I was having credit problems. The communications between he, me, and the amex coordinator were handled professionally, which I appreciated. Let us know how it goes.