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@ficojoe wrote:
@armbenderc wrote:I enrolled in autopay and make bi weekly payment for my Amex Green card. I always PIF before statement cut (don't know if this will help). I also have multiple checking accounts listed on payment center with them.
I do not like the idea of autopay when I do not know the amount. Is it possible to use autopay as a safety net? Perhaps set it for the minimum payment in case I forget to PIF?
Does having autopay make you look better to AmEx?
I enrolled in autopay, but it will never get to that point since autopay will pay your statement balance on the day of due date. I paid my card semi weekly or before the statement cut.
if the statement cut is 0 balance, autopay is 0. You will never have to worry about it if you PIF before it cuts.
@ficojoe wrote:
@TheConductor wrote:
@distantarray wrote:Amex likes LARGE charges and LARGE payments =)
pretty much if you look like you need it, you'll get it.
They seem to not only bucket people by risk, but by lifestyle...and both of those factor into what you get when you Check Spending Ability.
Yesterday I used the card for a $1.50 to buy a hot dog and $3.50 at Jack in the Box. Does that put me into a crappy lifestyle bucket?
Seriously, should I not charge some things so I get in the right bucket?
I also spent $300 online and bought gas...
As discussed in this thread yesterday, it's more about patterns than isolated expenses. As Revelate said, just live your life and spend the way you would normally spend. It's not something to get paranoid about.
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Based-on-CCC-What-are-your-thoughts/td-p/1696582
+1
@TheConductor wrote:
@ficojoe wrote:
@TheConductor wrote:
@distantarray wrote:Amex likes LARGE charges and LARGE payments =)
pretty much if you look like you need it, you'll get it.
They seem to not only bucket people by risk, but by lifestyle...and both of those factor into what you get when you Check Spending Ability.
Yesterday I used the card for a $1.50 to buy a hot dog and $3.50 at Jack in the Box. Does that put me into a crappy lifestyle bucket?
Seriously, should I not charge some things so I get in the right bucket?
I also spent $300 online and bought gas...
As discussed in this thread yesterday, it's more about patterns than isolated expenses. As Revelate said, just live your life and spend the way you would normally spend. It's not something to get paranoid about.
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Based-on-CCC-What-are-your-thoughts/td-p/1696582
Agreed. When I first got my Amex, I was a little paranoid about using it. Now I just use it for my everyday spending pattern and have had no issues. I think that more than anything else, Amex likes to see stability. Establish your normal spending pattern with them and you should be fine.
Just use it and forget about it. I've never had AA on my accounts.
@TheConductor wrote:As discussed in this thread yesterday, it's more about patterns than isolated expenses. As Revelate said, just live your life and spend the way you would normally spend. It's not something to get paranoid about.
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Based-on-CCC-What-are-your-thoughts/td-p/1696582
After reading that forum, I am wondering if I will end up with a FR since I got my AmEx the same day I got about 5 other new credit cards. So, when they soft me, they will see 6 new trade lines...
I was shocked at the approval since I have 22 inquiries, all since July of this year.
@ficojoe wrote:
@TheConductor wrote:As discussed in this thread yesterday, it's more about patterns than isolated expenses. As Revelate said, just live your life and spend the way you would normally spend. It's not something to get paranoid about.
http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Based-on-CCC-What-are-your-thoughts/td-p/1696582
After reading that forum, I am wondering if I will end up with a FR since I got my AmEx the same day I got about 5 other new credit cards. So, when they soft me, they will see 6 new trade lines...
I was shocked at the approval since I have 22 inquiries, all since July of this year.
Unlikely. FR's are usually triggered from someone spending more than what Amex thinks they could reasonably afford. They aren't Barclays .
@cranston3 wrote:DW and I use our car for everthing we can, from 35 cents bag of sugar to a 5k medical bill.
I always PIF but to get there I make multiple small payments each month.
Never had any problems or issues.
Exactly... Never a problem
The best thing to do is establish a spending pattern.Once Amex knows your spending habit, it will be no problem. I have charged $1 for coffee and have charged $65 in Whole Foods Market. I use my Zync for almost everything. It's been two months that I have been spending, on average, $1,100. I remember when I first got my ZYNC, Amex placed a hold on my account the second week of use. The reason? I used my card three times in a day. I didn't even knew my Zync was on hold until the next day. I couldn't charge anything. I then got a call from Amex identity protection to verified that I made the charges on my account the day before. I told the rep that I did and she lifted the hold. Now, I have used my card 3-4 times on some days, and no problem. The charges goes through. Develop a spending habit, and you won't having Amex doing a FR on you or whatnot.
If, by any chance, you are planning charging something out of your normal pattern, just call Amex up and inform them. I did that last month when I had to take my Golden to his vet. I even informed Amex that I have a pet insurance for my dog, and they will send me a reimburment in the mail in two weeks; so they need not to worry that I won't be able to pay the bill at the end of the month. They were totally okay with that.