topic Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates in Credit Cards

Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:27:54 GMT

I recently acquired an Amex Hilton Honors card. We like to use it and pay it off for the points but its not like my other credit cards where I can pay whatever the balance is when I want.

For example, we used it on a trip out of town, I want to payoff the $500 balance but its only showing a total balance of $178, remaining statement balance $0 - no payment due and no ability to pay off the current charges.

I want to pay it before the amount hits my credit report. Anyone have any insight? If this has been asked before, can someone point me in the direction of the post?

Thank you!

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

thornback — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:36:18 GMT

Amex won't show a payment due until your statement cuts. However, you can pay prior to that. You should be able to just click on "make a payment" and select the option to pay current balance.

If only $178 is showing for current balance, it's possible the other charges are still pending.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:36:41 GMT

That's whats confusing...when I hit "Make a Payment" it says "No Payment due at this time" and doesn't allow me anywhere to make any payments....

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Dalmus — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:38:42 GMT

Is the charge still "pending?" It won't reflect on your current balance line until it leaves the pending status. I've had charges sit as pending for sometimes 3-4 days before they clear. I don't believe Amex will let you pay more than what is listed as your current balance.

Also, if this is your first month with the card, you'll only be able to make ONE payment for the month. After the first statement cuts, you can make multiple payments.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:39:13 GMT

I'm new with Amex as well, and here are some rules I've read on the forums:

Amex doesn't like more than one payment source the first statement cycle.
Amex won't report until the second statement, so your balance the first statement doesn't matter as it won't report.

So there's really no reason for you to worry. Make your first payment on time, whenever, and then play utilization reporting games before the 2nd statement posts.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:51:10 GMT

This what I see:

But then its saying my available balance is ~$300

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

thornback — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:50:44 GMT

Why not call them? Or use the chat feature? Maybe they can clarify - better than the rest of us guessing. I've always been able to pay prior to statement cut... even in my very first month of having the card. So it's very odd you don't even have the option.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:52:50 GMT

Forgot about the chat option - I will try that

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

SBR249 — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:55:00 GMT

AmEx should allow you to make a payment even if your balance shows nothing and there's no limit (that I'm aware of) as to how much you can prepay. I'm on my BCE page and I have one pending charge, no posted balance, and I can enter any amount I'd like to pay even more than 10X the amount of the pending charge.

The only thing I can think of is if AmEx maintains a different website for these co-branded cards compared to its own cards. It looks like the interface is different so I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case and in that case, the functionality to prepay may not be enabled.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

thornback — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:59:21 GMT

Thats a good point. I have BCE too and did not consider the account interfaces may differ.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:59:39 GMT

You were right about this - I added a new bank account and if you do so AMEX won't allow you to pay more than your current balance....

If I want to pay, I have to send a physical check

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm new with Amex as well, and here are some rules I've read on the forums:

Amex doesn't like more than one payment source the first statement cycle.
Amex won't report until the second statement, so your balance the first statement doesn't matter as it won't report.
So there's really no reason for you to worry. Make your first payment on time, whenever, and then play utilization reporting games before the 2nd statement posts.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

HeavenOhio — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:08:19 GMT

During the first month that your payment account is hooked up, there are some (somewhat complicated) payment restrictions. You can pay as many times as you want as long as you haven't yet paid your statement balance. And I believe you can make one prepayment beyond that.

The restrictions will rinse and repeat if you set up a new payment account. However, they won't repeat if you use an existing payment account on a new card. If you set up a new payment account, the best thing is to still be able to use your previous account during the transition. That way, the restrictions on the new account shouldn't get in the way.

If you set up your payment account immediately after opening your AMEX card, you'll be fine. As mentioned, the first statement balance is very unlikely to hit the bureaus. And the restrictions will be lifted well before your first due date and second statement date. The only people who might be significantly inconvenienced are those with low limits and are relying on multiple payments in order to meet a sign-up bonus.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Dalmus — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:12:16 GMT

Edit:

Nevermind. OP got her answer. Customer Service I assume.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

thornback — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:12:47 GMT

Great data points - thanks for taking the time to update! I set up my payment account at time of activation and have never changed it, I guess that's why I never ran into any issues. Good thing they don't report right away! Enjoy your card...

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:18:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
You were right about this - I added a new bank account and if you do so AMEX won't allow you to pay more than your current balance....

If I want to pay, I have to send a physical check

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm new with Amex as well, and here are some rules I've read on the forums:

Amex doesn't like more than one payment source the first statement cycle.
Amex won't report until the second statement, so your balance the first statement doesn't matter as it won't report.
So there's really no reason for you to worry. Make your first payment on time, whenever, and then play utilization reporting games before the 2nd statement posts.

You don't have to send a check, you can use your bank's "bill pay" to submit a payment and they may do it electronically and quickly. This is called "pushing" a payment.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

HeavenOhio — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 20:14:29 GMT

@thornback wrote:
Great data points - thanks for taking the time to update! I set up my payment account at time of activation and have never changed it, I guess that's why I never ran into any issues. Good thing they don't report right away! Enjoy your card...

I set mine up a couple of hours after being approved for the card.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

RicHowe — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 20:42:30 GMT

Just call the number on the back of your card. Ask to make a payment. The CSR will not be able to make it and will transfer you to a payment specialist, who will be happy to process your payment from your bank account.

Re: Understanding AMEX Statement Payments & Dates

expatCanuck — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 23:26:05 GMT

@Dalmus wrote:
...
Also, if this is your first month with the card, you'll only be able to make ONE payment for the month. After the first statement cuts, you can make multiple payments.

Perhaps the BCE is different. It's new -- and I made five payments during my first statement period (4 pushes & 1 pull).

I'll add that I'm not a fan of the Amex musical due dates or the statement (which, IMHO, obfuscates the statement period dates). It's easily the least straightforward statement of the 7 cards I've been issued (surpassed in lack of clarity only by the Amex website).