topic Re: Calling Amex before purchase in Credit Cards

Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:29:21 GMT

So here's the deal, last year's income was a 4th of what I make, but i listed that since that's what I had to verify via 4506..

Anyway, $5,700 income, my address is in NJ, but I live/go to college in Boston, MA. Will a $150 dinner charge potentially get declined? Should I call them beforehand?

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

addicted_to_credit — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:32:40 GMT

I doubt it but you never really know with Amex you can always try the test charge by checking your spending ability

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:44:35 GMT

I just tested it for $500, approved. Did $200 two days ago no problem there either. Do you think they weigh the credit lines I have when assigning my soft-limit?

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

n777ua — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:10:58 GMT

Don't play with that "will my charge be approved" link too much; it can cause major issues. Trust me.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

UFGuy2006 — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:22:01 GMT

@n777ua wrote:
Don't play with that "will my charge be approved" link too much; it can cause major issues. Trust me.

+100!

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

RockinRay — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:59:07 GMT

I would not bother to call them, personally. I do not suspect you would have a problem unless this is something that is not your "normal spending pattern". That might raise some eyebrows but if you are looking at $150 max - do not worry.

Ray

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:33:44 GMT

@n777ua wrote:
Don't play with that "will my charge be approved" link too much; it can cause major issues. Trust me.

Yeah, I'm afraid to go near it. I used it ONCE before using my card for the very first time, just to make sure that everything was activated properly and I was good to go. I tested it for $200 that one time and I haven't been near it since.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:20:08 GMT

This button appears on my Delta card. Being a credit card and having no charge card with Amex I wondered why this button was there. Credit cards usually let you go to there limit. I then thought maybe its for going over the limit and typed an amount $1 over. It said if it was denied but if I linked a bank account it would be approved. This is something I find very weird and wont think of going over my limit but just thought id let you guys know.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:46:50 GMT

I will only use that feature once in a while when I really want to make sure a charge will go through.

Anyway, the bill ended up being $60, and the charge went through just fine!

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:54:44 GMT

Back when I was in college, I had listed my income as $8g when I got my AMX Blue Cash. I never wanted to list my parents income as a supplement.

Anyway, in my junior year of college, I bought a $1500 macbook, and the charge went through, no problem. I paid in full within 24 hours, but there were no issues at the mac store.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:59:43 GMT

I have never used that 'check your spending limit' button. I don't need it. If my card gets declined I will use a different card. I have plenty of credit.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:03:38 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have never used that 'check your spending limit' button. I don't need it. If my card gets declined I will use a different card. I have plenty of credit.

I just don't want to be embarrassed at a table with 6 other people...

Anyway, I agree, I have a feeling I probably have a monthly limit ~1k to start.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

brian2220 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:51:54 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
I just tested it for $500, approved. Did $200 two days ago no problem there either. Do you think they weigh the credit lines I have when assigning my soft-limit?

i think that they did this for me now because my limit 2 weeks ago was 1500 and now its 3000 with my recent approval from us bank

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:08:57 GMT

@brian2220 wrote:
@smc733 wrote:
I just tested it for $500, approved. Did $200 two days ago no problem there either. Do you think they weigh the credit lines I have when assigning my soft-limit?
i think that they did this for me now because my limit 2 weeks ago was 1500 and now its 3000 with my recent approval from us bank

Hmm,

Interesting, so I guess that means I'll have $6,000 with a reported income lower ($5,700) (I make ~$18k+ when expanded full year)

That would be hilarious. PS, Citi is on crack for giving me that limit.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

StillLearning — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:20:27 GMT

So I hate to butt in here, but... if AmEx is iffy for any payment at any time, any place, why does everyone like it so much? I've never had one, and with all the CLD's that were posted on here a year or two ago I just don't get it???

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:13:42 GMT

@StillLearning wrote:
So I hate to butt in here, but... if AmEx is iffy for any payment at any time, any place, why does everyone like it so much? I've never had one, and with all the CLD's that were posted on here a year or two ago I just don't get it???

Warranty protection, customer service, web tools, prestige, etc...

A lot of them have their reasons, but I have a feeling most people never have issues, and I just like Amex.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:23:19 GMT

@StillLearning wrote:
So I hate to butt in here, but... if AmEx is iffy for any payment at any time, any place, why does everyone like it so much? I've never had one, and with all the CLD's that were posted on here a year or two ago I just don't get it???

Everyone is likely to have his or her own reasons. For me, I did it strictly because of the backdating. I had an account with them way back in 1987, but it went bad and was closed in 1991. I found out, thanks to this forum, that if Amex issues a new card, they will backdate it to the opening date of the very first account that you had with them. Since I received a preapproved offer, it was too tempting to pass up on adding a card from a prime issuer AND bolstering my AAOA.

Most of my monthly purchases are still going on one of my MCs, though. Admittedly, I don't like feeling as if someone is looking over my shoulder at every purchase, and I do get that feeling when I use my Amex. So far, I've kept my activity to < 400/mo with Amex, just to start getting comfortable with them, and they with me. We'll see how it goes...

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:57:41 GMT

I've made two dozen purchases a month from less than $20.00 to over $2,000.00 and I haven't been declined in the thirteen months I've been a member. But it is alway a good idea to carry s back-up credit card with you just in case IMHO.

Re: Calling Amex before purchase

smc733 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:13:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I've made two dozen purchases a month from less than $20.00 to over $2,000.00 and I haven't been declined in the thirteen months I've been a member. But it is alway a good idea to carry s back-up credit card with you just in case IMHO.

Yep,

I carry my Visa and Amex. Daily things (a few bucks) go on the Visa, only certain things for the Amex. Don't see the advantage in spreading usage across more than 2 cards.