topic Re: AMEX CLI Increase? in Credit Card Applications

AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 12:05:13 GMT

Hello!

I am trying to see whether I should try to get a CLI from AMEX for my Bonvoy AMEX. I have 800 TU, 788 EX, and 806 EQ (all FICO). Income over 100,000.No derogs. I have tried in the past to raise my CLI by 5,000, to no avail. The letters I receive alude to having requested a CLI within 90 days, but I have been a cardholder since 2002 (AMEX Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, and AMEX Bonvoy (former Starwood)). Any advice? Should I call and request one telephonically? My last two requests were online. Thanks!

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

Ficoproblems247 — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 13:34:10 GMT

@jeliop wrote:
Hello!

I am trying to see whether I should try to get a CLI from AMEX for my Bonvoy AMEX. I have 800 TU, 788 EX, and 806 EQ (all FICO). Income over 100,000.No derogs. I have tried in the past to raise my CLI by 5,000, to no avail. The letters I receive alude to having requested a CLI within 90 days, but I have been a cardholder since 2002 (AMEX Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, and AMEX Bonvoy (former Starwood)). Any advice? Should I call and request one telephonically? My last two requests were online. Thanks!

You've started us off with some good info already, but maybe a couple of more specifics just to the card you're trying to increase may help people to better steer you in the right direction. When did you open the Bonvoy, what was the SL, what is the current CL, when were the attempts made for the first two CLIs you requested online, and lastly did you make ANY requests for CLIs for ANY other AMEX card(s) within the 90 day/180 day window of requesting the two CLIs you had mentioned for your Bonvoy card?

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:19:40 GMT

Hi, sorry I wasn't very clear initially. I opened the Bonvoy (then Starwood) in March of 2002. The SL was $10,000.00 (the same as now). The first attempt was last year (AUGUST 2020) and the second on DECEMBER of last year (2020). I have not tried to increase the credit limit on my other two (Delta Reserve Skymiles=$15,000 and AMEX Platinum Charge Card (no set limit)). Right now, this is mostly a matter of principal, considering I've been a member for over 18.5 years and in good standing, high income, excellent credit scores, etc. Thanks again!

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

coldfusion — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 16:57:22 GMT

How much spend do you put on these cards?

As long as you maintain a clean and stable profile there's minimal risk of a CLD given that you have multiple high-AF cards with them but there would be a correlation between the amount of your spend and their willingness to grant a CLI.

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

K-in-Boston — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:06:19 GMT

All credit line increases will be automatically rejected if any Amex card you have has either received a credit line increase in the past 181 days or been denied for one in the past 91 days. Whether calling or online, the result is the same and there is no way to have anyone override that policy. So whatever the December 2020 date is that you asked, you would need to add 91 days to that before even being able to ask again without an automatic denial, unless the reason actually was asking within a 90 day window in which case no counter is reset. Are you positive it was August and not September on the previous attempt? Because in that case the 90 day window would make sense and you should be able to request again now. If the August one was denied for the 90 day reason, I'm not sure what is going on there if you had never asked previously. In all of my years with Amex I have never had an issue with it incorrectly stating that I asked again too soon.

CLI requests are not possible on charge cards and you stated that you have not asked for one on your Delta Reserve. Prior to the 90 day message, what denial reason(s) was/were listed on the letter mailed to you on your last request? Do you have a significant amount of spend on your Amex cards supporting a need for a CLI?

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 04:31:36 GMT

Thank you! I will wait 91 days. If I get rejected again for no good reason, I will cancel my card (or even better, THREATEN to cancel). We'll see what happens.

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:57:48 GMT

I don't spend a lot now, but I used to. Not much travel last year. Thanks!

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

wingennis — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:45:16 GMT

@jeliop wrote:
Thank you! I will wait 91 days. If I get rejected again for no good reason, I will cancel my card (or even better, THREATEN to cancel). We'll see what happens.

Amex isn't afraid of threats to cancel. If you want to keep these cards, you might want to reconsider taking that risk with them.

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 13:19:44 GMT

Then I guess I'll cancel. Thanks!

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

Remedios — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:02:47 GMT

@jeliop wrote:
Thank you! I will wait 91 days. If I get rejected again for no good reason, I will cancel my card (or even better, THREATEN to cancel). We'll see what happens.

Before "threatening" any FI, it's best to look up their financials statements, then decide if your spend would make a dent in billions they make.

Amex is pretty clear (and honest) with their denial letters. If you are getting denied for any reason other than asking too soon, read those letters. The reason for denial is on them, and untill corrected, same action will have same outcome.

Good luck on your next try

Re: AMEX CLI Increase?

jeliop — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:39:45 GMT

I'm absolutely terrified. Thank you very much!