How to treat a new AMEX BCE

[Slab]

I received my AMEX BCE a little over a week ago and have charged on it 1 time and paid it off because the statement closes on the 21st. Once the new statement starts I will charge more and pay it off before the statement closes. They gave me a pretty good credit limit and I plan on asking for a CLI after it is 61 days old or later. I am carrying a 2% balance on one of my other cards. To get the best possible CLI, should I pay off the 2% balance which is on a Mastercard and have it report zero or is AMEX mainly interested in the way I am handling their card? 

As far as the way I would use the AMEX BCE is charge amounts of $30 to $200 or thereabout several times in the billing cycle and pay each charge off a few days later when it posts. Does this seem like the appropriate way to approach this for a good CLI? Also, I see a lot of reference to the 61st day after the account is created. Does it matter if I request the CLI later than the 61st day? 

If my plan is flawed, please let me know of a better course of action. Thanks a lot.

[scenery_guy]

No flaws, just too much thought. Relax. AmEx will be watching everything (just like everybody else) but pays particular attention to what you do with their card. Use it. Pay it when due (or pay before the statement posts if you will be seeking more credit in the near future). AmEx does not seem to care if you let it post or pay before it posts. They do like to see usage, or that's what I have experienced. If I used a card heavy and had to pay multiple times a month because I was approaching the limit each time I seemed to get the full 3X CLI on those cards. 

Feel free to request a 3X CLI anytime after 61 days, that is your call. Waiting longer has no bad effect. 

[chnceit]

That is a good plan, the more you charge then pay off the better your chance IMO. This will also raise your internal score in turn will give you a better chance in a higher CLI at 61 days. 

The minimum days to request a your first CLI for AMEX is 61 days - non less. But you could request a CLI beyond the 61 days. After that its 6 months on all AMEX accounts.

[Slab]

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@scenery_guy wrote:

No flaws, just too much thought. Relax. AmEx will be watching everything (just like everybody else) but pays particular attention to what you do with their card. Use it. Pay it when due (or pay before the statement posts if you will be seeking more credit in the near future). AmEx does not seem to care if you let it post or pay before it posts. They do like to see usage, or that's what I have experienced. If I used a card heavy and had to pay multiple times a month because I was approaching the limit each time I seemed to get the full 3X CLI on those cards. 

Feel free to request a 3X CLI anytime after 61 days, that is your call. Waiting longer has no bad effect. 

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Great advice! I do tend to over think and stress. I think it has to do with the dark days of No credit cards.

[Slab]

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@chnceit wrote:

That is a good plan, the more you charge then pay off the better your chance IMO. This will also raise your internal score in turn will give you a better chance in a higher CLI at 61 days. 

The minimum days to request a your first CLI for AMEX is 61 days - non less. But you could request a CLI beyond the 61 days. After that its 6 months on all AMEX accounts.

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Thanks a lot for the info Chnceit. Do you know if the CLI is a soft or hard inquiry?

[chnceit]

Anytime! Its an SP for all the CLI I have gotten from AMEX.

[Slab]

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@chnceit wrote:

Anytime! Its an SP for all the CLI I have gotten from AMEX.

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Great! Seems like AMEX is a good company to have on my side. The AMEX BCE will be my last card for quite soom time. It has made my card collection complete and you people on the forums have been so helpful over the last couple of years. Thanks a lot.

[chnceit]

Oh yes AMEX is a great company! Threat them well and they shall do the same!

[SnackTrader]

Just to the OP is aware: many have reported receiving 3x CLIs (me included) with only minimal spending on the card. There is no reason to go break the bank to show 'usage', IMO. Charge what you normally would and pay it off before the due date. That's pretty much how I did it, and it got me a $9,000 increase.

[youngandcreditwrthy]

Yeah...
Just give it good usage !!!!
Here's my approx bal history, and i've received two 3xcli.
Month1 : bal $200 pd 200
Month 2: bal 563 pd 563 cli'ed from 3500 to 10500
Month 3: bal 3200 pd 500
Month 4: bal 3400 pd 750
Month 5: bal 3700 pd 370
Month 6: bal 3900 pd 800 cli from 10,500 to $24,500

On average, I've paid about 50% of my balance.
NEVER pay the min w Amex, that will get you denied for cli fo sho.
Good luck!