If I have bad credit, can I get a small business gold card from American Express!?
I would be using and EIN on the application in addition to my SSN...Would American Express overlook my bad, in fact, absolutely terrible personal credit history?
No. American Express is very picky on customers. CNBC once ran a story on AMEX and it said they reject 40% of all applications. This is compared to less than 10% for you average VISA/MC issuer. AMEX has an upscale image and they don't want average Joes with average Joe income and credit score holding their plastic (not refering to you). AMEX prefers to make money on merchant and annual fees over interest.
I hate to be the bearer of terrible news but I believe that you have little chance of being approved by American Express for a credit card. I say this based upon your self-analysis of your 'absolutely terrible personal credit history'.
I applied for a gold card and was shocked when I got it, I have got a terrible credit rating, and they gave me a $3000 limit on the card (I live in Australia)