True! Amex has changed how they're reporting the highest balance. They're reporting your "average" highest balance. Its my understanding that they are taking the average of your last 12-18 months of charges (not necessarily your statement balances). So, if you spend more, your "average" highest balance will increase. If you spend less like I have, your "average" highest balance will decrease. My highest balance in the past was over 12K, now its closer to 3K.
As for your questions on Amex charge cards and how their util can affect scores, it pretty straightforward. EQ and EX do not factor Amex charge cards in FICO util scoring calculations. TU might or might not, it depends on which TU FICO scoring model is being used. The TU FICO that can be purchased in these forums is TU 98 and this model does factor in Amex charge cards in its util scoring calculations. TU 04 does not factor in Amex charge cards in util scoring calculations.
If this is doable, here is my advice to you. I would stop charging about 5-6 days before your statement cuts, and PIF your bill a few days before your statement cuts. Keep doing this for as long as you have the card. For FICO scoring purposes, you can always leave a balance of a few dollars on one of your revolving cards, and have all of your other cards reporting a $0 balance along with your Amex charge card reporting a $0 balance. I believe this will net you the max util scoring points. It certainly worked for me. All of my scores are over 800.
