topic Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking? in Credit Cards

American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

minski — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 01:30:01 GMT

I just got my AmEx Platinum and I have spent the day paying for part of an upcoming (expensive) Disney/Universal trip. I am just wondering whether AmEx will be spooked by the sudden spend on a new card or will their algorithms take into account my spend history from my other two AmEx cards? e.g. I have run expenses just under $2000 on both cards in the past and my Delta Platinum currently holds a balance under $1500.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:34:04 GMT

IMO break it in quickly although since it is a charge card you might not really know what your NPSL really is since new. If around 5k or so should be fine, but no one knows for sure. One way to find out charge it up and have back-up ready in case

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

wasCB14 — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:33:09 GMT

@minski wrote:
I just got my AmEx Platinum and I have spent the day paying for part of an upcoming (expensive) Disney/Universal trip. I am just wondering whether AmEx will be spooked by the sudden spend on a new card or will their algorithms take into account my spend history from my other two AmEx cards? e.g. I have run expenses just under $2000 on both cards in the past and my Delta Platinum currently holds a balance under $1500.

How much do you plan to spend? What's are you CLs on Delta and the other previously existing card? Is that $1500 accruing interest as a carried balance or you PIF/have it at 0%?

In my experience history with other Amex cards definitely helps get big charges through on new accounts.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

minski — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:36:43 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@minski wrote:
I just got my AmEx Platinum and I have spent the day paying for part of an upcoming (expensive) Disney/Universal trip. I am just wondering whether AmEx will be spooked by the sudden spend on a new card or will their algorithms take into account my spend history from my other two AmEx cards? e.g. I have run expenses just under $2000 on both cards in the past and my Delta Platinum currently holds a balance under $1500.
How much do you plan to spend? What's are you CLs on Delta and the other previously existing card? Is that $1500 accruing interest as a carried balance or you PIF/have it at 0%?

Not much more than what it is right now. Most likely spend will pick up next month when the trip starts.

Marriott (original Starwood Preferred) $15,000

Delta CL $6000

I always PIF.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:51:13 GMT

SPG at 15k and the 6K Delta you should be plenty fine always paying in full. No guarantees but they should know you well enough.

You're in the low single K digits and not blowing through significantly abnormal spend. People go on vacations.

Enjoy your trip.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

wasCB14 — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:56:15 GMT

@minski wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
@minski wrote:
I just got my AmEx Platinum and I have spent the day paying for part of an upcoming (expensive) Disney/Universal trip. I am just wondering whether AmEx will be spooked by the sudden spend on a new card or will their algorithms take into account my spend history from my other two AmEx cards? e.g. I have run expenses just under $2000 on both cards in the past and my Delta Platinum currently holds a balance under $1500.
How much do you plan to spend? What's are you CLs on Delta and the other previously existing card? Is that $1500 accruing interest as a carried balance or you PIF/have it at 0%?
Not much more than what it is right now. Most likely spend will pick up next month when the trip starts.
Marriott (original Starwood Preferred) $15,000
Delta CL $6000

I always PIF.

I wouldn't worry. ~$20k in available revolving and low overall Amex utilization clearly shows they're comfortable with you spending a few thousand.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

eyam — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 03:01:25 GMT

@minski wrote:
I just got my AmEx Platinum and I have spent the day paying for part of an upcoming (expensive) Disney/Universal trip. I am just wondering whether AmEx will be spooked by the sudden spend on a new card or will their algorithms take into account my spend history from my other two AmEx cards? e.g. I have run expenses just under $2000 on both cards in the past and my Delta Platinum currently holds a balance under $1500.

I too just got an Amex Plat and I ran just over $11K through it over the last couple of weeks. I did have to make a payment once I hit about $5.5k in spend, other than that they didn't seem to mind one bit. Also, I didn't have a previous relationship with Amex like you do.

Have an amazing trip!

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

minski — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 03:05:16 GMT

Thanks, all!

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

Trooper2003 — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 03:33:50 GMT

It's fine, I had the similar situation last year on my platinum I spent 8 k in a month on some vacation expenses I just called ahead of time and told the that I was about to make significant charges , Amex everything is good go ahead.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

ccquest — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 15:16:20 GMT

From what I've read about Amex charge cards...they'll definitely let you know if you're "spooking" them. Plenty of stories out there of people getting calls from them saying they need to make a payment.

Re: American Express - New Card Spend - Spooking?

brk1971 — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:23:32 GMT

Also, note that the type of spend matters.

Amex as a company (with their Sabre relationship) essentially operates the backend of many travel subsystems, which is one reason why they don't require advanced notice while traveling. As your spend is travel related, they certainly have the ability to place it properly in their risk register.