topic Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating! in Credit Cards

Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

JenW83 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 03:00:18 GMT

I've had my Delta Platinum card for almost a year, and the account open for almost 2 years. (2 years in February 2022; I upgraded from the Delta Gold a year ago) I've spent almost 40k on my Delta Platinum card this year, and still I sit at 1k. I've never been late with a payment (actually I make multiple payments a month so I can use the card) so I was hoping at some point they would throw me a bone and at least double my limit.

I know that the 1k SL means I barely got approved initially, but how many years of being a good member before they'll allow for an increase? Has anyone had any success in getting a CLI after 2 years of faithful card membership?

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

FinStar — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 05:09:27 GMT

Some folks have eventually been set free from the $1k 'purgatory', but it is profile-dependent. Others are known to remain there for a while regardless how much $$$ they're cycling through their cards.

When you apply for your CLIs, since I assume you have tried several times, what are the reason(s) AmEx is providing on those letters for declining your requests, @JenW83?

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

shalimarcat — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 03:49:30 GMT

That sounds very frustrating. You could make them jealous by getting a Chase or Discover card.....several years ago I noticed that when I got a Discover card with a higher limit, soon after I got a generous CLI on my Amex....doesn't seem like a coincidence to me....

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

Red1Blue — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 04:27:31 GMT

Can you try apply for a new Amex Card. They might give more Credit Limit on the new card

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

jasonbourne84 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 04:43:02 GMT

My Amex that I opened in Dec 2017 was stuck at $1K forever. I eventually reallocated $900 from my Hilton Amex to bring the CL to $1900 - which made it *somewhat* more usable - barely.

Just this month, Amex auto CLI'd me to $4900, and then approved me for a 3X CLI on top of that. Limit is now just under $15K.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

CreditInspired — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 04:43:07 GMT

@JenW83 wrote:
I've had my Delta Platinum card for almost a year, and the account open for almost 2 years. (2 years in February 2022; I upgraded from the Delta Gold a year ago) I've spent almost 40k on my Delta Platinum card this year, and still I sit at 1k. I've never been late with a payment (actually I make multiple payments a month so I can use the card) so I was hoping at some point they would throw me a bone and at least double my limit.

I know that the 1k SL means I barely got approved initially, but how many years of being a good member before they'll allow for an increase? Has anyone had any success in getting a CLI after 2 years of faithful card membership?

Do you have a BK or any other baddies on your CRs?

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

JenW83 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 12:42:31 GMT

No BK ever.. but yes, I have a couple of baddies from 2017 I'm waiting to fall off my credit report. 😔 I was laid off a job in 2016 because the company closed, so it threw my whole world for a loop. I've been extremely dilligent since then, never missing a payment on anything. I figured with the age of those, and my past good payment with AMEX, that maybe they had a certain number of years of membership that they rewarded despite that.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

jasonbourne84 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:26:35 GMT

@JenW83 I was very frustrated as well. I opened mine as a Delta Gold in 2017, and upgraded it to a Delta Reserve in 2019. I then proceeded to give it more than $30K spend a year (while simultaneously spending more than $100K on my Amex Platinum and Hilton Aspire), and my CL wouldn't budge. Until suddenly, it leaped forward. Amex basically gave me a 7x CLI overnight, while my overall utilization was in the 80s and I still have a TON of lates on my credit report.

In other words, you are correct - Amex will reward the loyalty and spend. You just need to be more patient.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

jasonbourne84 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:39:20 GMT

@shalimarcat wrote:
That sounds very frustrating. You could make them jealous by getting a Chase or Discover card.....several years ago I noticed that when I got a Discover card with a higher limit, soon after I got a generous CLI on my Amex....doesn't seem like a coincidence to me....

lol. While it is true that AR can take other limits into account, don't confuse causation with correlation. What caused the higher limit Disco approval is most certainly what caused the increased Amex CL.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

Thammer — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:53:55 GMT

Amex is a fickle one for sure. I'm sure when those old baddies fall off and your history with them they'll bump you up. I carried a $2k limit BCP for years before they finally started showing me some love. For me it was always "Not enough experience with current credit line" or something along those lines. Keep using it, paying it off, and you'll be good in no time.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

C6 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:27:01 GMT

I'd fire Amex or downgrade to a no fee card. There is no way I'd pay a $250 fee for a $1000 toy limit. This is just another example of what amounts to another Amex Platinum prepaid card with an insane fee. There are many better banks / credit unions available. Go where you're treated best.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

NRB525 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 15:17:31 GMT

@C6 wrote:
I'd fire Amex or downgrade to a no fee card. There is no way I'd pay a $250 fee for a $1000 toy limit. This is just another example of what amounts to another Amex Platinum prepaid card with an insane fee. There are many better banks / credit unions available. Go where you're treated best.

The Delta Platinum comes with a number of perks. With the spend volume OP has, it is easier to maintain Medallion status with Delta. The annual Companion Pass usually covers the AF, especially if coast to coast. Free checked bags, decent earnings on spend... The headline AF is only the entry fee to join the partay. Time with good payments habits is what AMEX is monitoring now.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:10:32 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@C6 wrote:
I'd fire Amex or downgrade to a no fee card. There is no way I'd pay a $250 fee for a $1000 toy limit. This is just another example of what amounts to another Amex Platinum prepaid card with an insane fee. There are many better banks / credit unions available. Go where you're treated best.
The Delta Platinum comes with a number of perks. With the spend volume OP has, it is easier to maintain Medallion status with Delta. The annual Companion Pass usually covers the AF, especially if coast to coast. Free checked bags, decent earnings on spend... The headline AF is only the entry fee to join the partay. Time with good payments habits is what AMEX is monitoring now.

Right, you always need to consider the perks and rewards along with the AF. Sure, a very bad fee harvester card might also charge (via monthly fees) the equivalent of 25% of the credit limit, but this is a very different value proposition.

Re: Amex 1k Purgatory Is So Frustrating!

ChargedUp — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 20:14:38 GMT

@JenW83 wrote:
I've had my Delta Platinum card for almost a year, and the account open for almost 2 years. (2 years in February 2022; I upgraded from the Delta Gold a year ago) I've spent almost 40k on my Delta Platinum card this year, and still I sit at 1k. I've never been late with a payment (actually I make multiple payments a month so I can use the card) so I was hoping at some point they would throw me a bone and at least double my limit.

I know that the 1k SL means I barely got approved initially, but how many years of being a good member before they'll allow for an increase? Has anyone had any success in getting a CLI after 2 years of faithful card membership?

It took *forever* for my BCE (now BCP) to grow from $1K, even with no derog's, but they finally opened up to me after about 2-3 years. They gave me double CLI's up to $8K and then finally gave me a triple to $24K. Recently gave me another $3K.

Just keep up what you're doing and they'll come around 😎👍