I only owed them $1000, but it's nice to finally be paying these old defaulted debts off. I changed jobs recently and got an $18,000 per year increase, which put me over the top to be able to save money to offer as settlements.
AMEX was first because they offered me an Optima card in return as a rebuilder card, plus they never sued. Both those things I appreciate. The Optima card has a really groovy design and it will be my second card. I have one secured card through my bank. Only a $500 limit, but I'll take it.
I was kind of embarrassed because I couldn't understand half of what the guy at AMEX was saying (he was in India) and I doubt he could understand my Southern accent, but it still worked out OK.