A quick update on this DP: after more than 30 days had passed since the returned payment, they applied again and were instantly approved this time. The application was for the soon-to-expire all-time-high offer on the AMEX Green Card, $2,000/45,000 + $150 Away. This bonus is just too good.

This DP comes from a friend of the author. One of their auto payments was returned by AMEX due to insufficient funds, but fortunately it did not trigger an FR.

However, when they applied within 30 days for the AMEX Hilton Surpass (the TPG all-time-high offer), they were instantly denied. (They had never been instantly denied by AMEX on any previous card application.) The denial letter is below:

The reason given was:

We are writing to let you know we cannot approve your application at this time because our records indicate that a payment was returned in the past 30 days

You may qualify for a new card in the future and are welcome to submit an application at a later date


Since we usually worry more about a returned payment triggering an AMEX FR, this type of DP is relatively uncommon. Readers in a similar situation should take note and may want to try applying again after waiting 1–2 months. (New Once more than 30 days have passed, things should return to normal.)