AMEX BCP Annual Fee, Utilization?

[supervelous]

I am contemplating apping 1 more credit card before I garden, so I am trying to only have 1 card report a balance.  I already have Amazon reporting 18% utilization, I have paid it off but it doesn't report again to the CB's till 9/28/13, and I may app before then.  Might not be able to wait, since the card I want is apply in branch only, and I will only be in the region where this bank has branches from 9/23/13 - 9/27/13, traveling on business.

So, with all my other cards reporting 0 currently, I am wondering about my Amex BCP.  I used it and have paid it to zero, and my first statement cuts 9/20/13.  I know this card has a $75 annual fee which I understand will be charged.  Will that report as a balance on first reporting to the CB's?  Can I pay the $75 in advance of first closing date to ensure a $0 balance reporting?  

My limit is $2,000.  So $75 would be low util but I'm trying to avoid reporting balances on 2 cards.

[john398]

You can push your payment to pay the $75 fee in advance before statement cuts, I was able to get BCE with 22% or so reporting overall

Good luck

[minipoly1]

I though the annual fee is waived 1st year?

[supervelous]

I didn't think AMEX BCP was waived year 1, didn't see anything about that.

[mongstradamus]

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@minipoly1 wrote:

I though the annual fee is waived 1st year?

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I think only amex charge cards like the PRG have first year AF waived, but don't quote me on that because i am not 100% sure

[leoment]

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@minipoly1 wrote:

I though the annual fee is waived 1st year?

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For the BCP, it's not waived.

OP, I was approved with ~30% util.. Clean file with no derogs & AAoA > 2 years

[supervelous]

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@leoment wrote:

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@minipoly1 wrote:

I though the annual fee is waived 1st year?

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For the BCP, it's not waived.

OP, I was approved with ~30% util.. Clean file with no derogs & AAoA > 2 years

Thanks but to clarify, I am not apping for the BCP.  I already have it.  I am considering app for US Bank Cash+, because they accept applications in branch only and I will be in Chicago from 9/23-9/27.  I am trying to only have 1 card reporting, and thus do not want my BCP to report a balance on first reporting, which I assume will be soon since first closing date is 9/20/13.  I have already paid to zero, but wondering if the BCP will report $75 on first reporting to the Credit Bureaus, as I assume they charge annual fee on 1st statement.  

I am trying to figure out how to avoid them reporting a balance (ie. pay $75 on a current $0 balance, negating annual fee so Amex reports $0 on first reporting to credit bureaus.  

[leoment]

I apologize for mis-reading..

You can just push a payment through to them.  I pay my card through my bank's online bill-pay, and I have sent overpayments without issues to Amex.