I don't pretend to know exactly how AMEX logic works, but I have a hunch (one that I am willing to test anyways). I don't think AMEX would mind carrying a balance and I also think the amount you spend on their cards weighs very very heavily in regards to them giving you a CLI.
I guess what I am saying is, they aren't a pack of gum lender. Even people spending 200-300 a month on their cards aren't really what they are looking for either. I think so long as the balance cut is less than 10% util on their card, and you spend over 1000 a month on their higher end revolvers, that they would treat anyone just fine.
Right now I have a balance of ~1500 on my EDP and I have another month for my 61 day CLI. I put $2500 through the card the first statement, and I will probably be close to that for the second and I will carry ~1500 for the second statement as well - then I will request the CLI and see what happens. If they give me the whole $12,000 that's great, if they don't - I was wrong.
I will probably do the same thing at the 6 month mark as well if all goes well for the 61 day CLI and try for 30k to see if I can get it without a counter and without the tax form. All of this is under a 9% APR promo, so it doesn't really hurt me to try. I'll probably spark up a thread with some datapoints later when I try it.
TLDR - I don't think carrying a balance or PIF matters in regards to CLI's as much as people think, with any bank; although, it is a good habit to get into if for nothing else.
@Xistaben2 wrote:A lot of times, homeowners are the ones who tend to carry balances for large (and a lot of times unexpected) purchases that can't be paid in full at the time. Prime example now is my refridgerator is dying and spoiling my food, if I didn't have my 0% APR promo on my EDP, I would most likely use my Ring for such a purchase because the interest is my lowest.
Things like home repair, auto repair and other stuff are prime examples of why folks would carry. Then there is always the HELOC argument for the lower interest rate, but I would carry a balance on a credit card with 15% APR before I give up my home as collateral with a HELOC. Not a chance.
This is what a savings account is for. 
Of course I understand the mindset, but I much rather have a few extra thousand rotting away in savings to save me the hassle of dealing with debt in case of an emergency. Right now, I have a little extra because my A/C is due to die any month now. Not that I would be happy if all of my appliances died the same day, but it wouldn't be a big deal.
On a side note: credit card companies make a LOT of money on interchange fees - aka "swipe fees" and certain rewards cards cost more to swipe - so that's another way they're paying us reward happy folks - by siphoning extra money from businesses.
@CatOfSpades wrote:
@Xistaben2 wrote:A lot of times, homeowners are the ones who tend to carry balances for large (and a lot of times unexpected) purchases that can't be paid in full at the time. Prime example now is my refridgerator is dying and spoiling my food, if I didn't have my 0% APR promo on my EDP, I would most likely use my Ring for such a purchase because the interest is my lowest.
Things like home repair, auto repair and other stuff are prime examples of why folks would carry. Then there is always the HELOC argument for the lower interest rate, but I would carry a balance on a credit card with 15% APR before I give up my home as collateral with a HELOC. Not a chance.
This is what a savings account is for.
Of course I understand the mindset, but I much rather have a few extra thousand rotting away in savings to save me the hassle of dealing with debt in case of an emergency.
I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, it's not an option for some people, like me.
I'm on SSI due to significant disability. If my total accounts ever go above 2K then I have to report it, and if the stay above 2K for a calendar month then I lose income for that month. And every month until my total acounts drop below 2K again. Saving money would literally stop my income.
I would definitely prefer to address emergencies through savings, but since I cannot do that I address them through 0%APR cards. I carry a balance and deal with the hassle of debt. Every. Single. Emergency.
@Anonymous wrote:
@CatOfSpades wrote:
@Xistaben2 wrote:A lot of times, homeowners are the ones who tend to carry balances for large (and a lot of times unexpected) purchases that can't be paid in full at the time. Prime example now is my refridgerator is dying and spoiling my food, if I didn't have my 0% APR promo on my EDP, I would most likely use my Ring for such a purchase because the interest is my lowest.
Things like home repair, auto repair and other stuff are prime examples of why folks would carry. Then there is always the HELOC argument for the lower interest rate, but I would carry a balance on a credit card with 15% APR before I give up my home as collateral with a HELOC. Not a chance.
This is what a savings account is for.
Of course I understand the mindset, but I much rather have a few extra thousand rotting away in savings to save me the hassle of dealing with debt in case of an emergency.
I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, it's not an option for some people, like me.
I'm on SSI due to significant disability. If my total accounts ever go above 2K then I have to report it, and if the stay above 2K for a calendar month then I lose income for that month. And every month until my total acounts drop below 2K again. Saving money would literally stop my income.
I would definitely prefer to address emergencies through savings, but since I cannot do that I address them through 0%APR cards. I carry a balance and deal with the hassle of debt. Every. Single. Emergency.
That's so crazy that they penalize people for having money. Learn something every day...
