@Open123 wrote:
@Happychap wrote:
One of the main reasons I wouldn't get an Amex is due to the high potential of getting declined while abroad due to a FR placing on my account. It's an uncertainty that I do not need, especially while abroad in a different country. At least with my other cards the chances of such action are very minimal or not at all. I need a reliable card not one with PMS.Salient point.
Another reason why Amex isn't really a "standalone" card anymore, aside from lesser acceptance and *only* one card with no forex fees.
I really don't understand this concern. I think it's overblown as it is so simple to carry a backup Visa/Mastercard. Everyone should carry a backup card anyway, because while Visa/Mastercard have broad acceptance, there is not complete overlap, and there can always be an unforseen issue with any bank. I don't see why someone would pass on an Amex card that would be rewarding for that person's spend pattern simply because of fear of FR, which only happens to a negligible percentage of cardholders. Even if you find FR to be intrusive, just use the card and reap the benefits until it happens, and then cancel. The overwhelming likelihood is you will never experience it.
The no forex fees issue is a more legitimate concern in my opinion. While I have the Platinum card, Amex could do better here by having more options.
Starting Score: ~500 (12/01/2008)
@Anonymous wrote:That is not neccessarily true. If the fact that you re oversees results in your spending habits change, as it surely will (charging all of your lodging, meals, entertainment and transportation tends to do that), this could trigger the system to pull an FR request. I would think that because of this, charging alot more because you are traveling, and not the actual act of traveling itself, would result in a higher chance for an FR as there is a greater chance to deviate from your patterns that would be the case were you home.
Just to be safe I will always be traveling with a second card and my deferred debit card.
The problem with your statement is you're advancing a theory of what triggers FR. Specifically, "charging alot more because you are traveling, and not the actual act of traveling itself, would result in a higher chance for an FR", you're inferring that the simple fact of charging habit devitation increases FR odds. I disagree.
I still say this is mixing declines from deviation and FR. FR is financial review, not you deviated from normal patterns. To me deviation could raise concerns of theft and increase declines/suspend the account, but if I deviate and stay within the cards CL (charge cards included) then it's quite the reach to connect FR to it.
+1 to this: Just to be safe I will always be traveling with a second card and my deferred debit card.
@jake619 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:That is not neccessarily true. If the fact that you re oversees results in your spending habits change, as it surely will (charging all of your lodging, meals, entertainment and transportation tends to do that), this could trigger the system to pull an FR request. I would think that because of this, charging alot more because you are traveling, and not the actual act of traveling itself, would result in a higher chance for an FR as there is a greater chance to deviate from your patterns that would be the case were you home.
Just to be safe I will always be traveling with a second card and my deferred debit card.
The problem with your statement is you're advancing a theory of what triggers FR. Specifically, "charging alot more because you are traveling, and not the actual act of traveling itself, would result in a higher chance for an FR", you're inferring that the simple fact of charging habit devitation increases FR odds. I disagree.
I still say this is mixing declines from deviation and FR. FR is financial review, not you deviated from normal patterns. To me deviation could raise concerns of theft and increase declines/suspend the account, but if I deviate and stay within the cards CL (charge cards included) then it's quite the reach to connect FR to it.
+1 to this: Just to be safe I will always be traveling with a second card and my deferred debit card.
I will agree and disagree. What I was referring to would raise red flags to theft for most companies, but to Amex it seems that not only is the theft flag then waiving, but also the risk that this pristine person they allowed access to the inner sanctuary may not be as shiny, so just to be certain that this person who now appears to us (amex) to be riskier, can in fact pay these charges, lets conduct an FR.
It just seems to me that Amex is so terrified of deviations being the sign of pending defaults that deviations caused by what I noted above, would be far more likely to result in an FR with Amex than any other company on earth.
@Repo-ed wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
725 fako from credit karma. My history is pretty short. Longest TL is October 2012.Bingo
High reported income + acceptable FICO + Thin File = FR.
I would just be glad they didn't ding two reports with a HP.
Oh I wasn't complaining about it, it was a sound business decision. I was actually arguing that they should do this more if there is ANY doubt as it saves the potential embarrasment of it happening later and protects Amex from potential risk.
And they did ding two reports 
