topic Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit in Credit Cards

AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

ArisGreek — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:09:59 GMT

So on my Zync I am buying 2 macbook airs. One for me and one for my parents, as well as two iPad 2's. I did the "Check Spending" option for AMEX and I did the run through for the exact amount which was a little over $3700. It said I was approved for the transaction. What's interesting is it says LIMIT DETAILS - Spending Limit: No Pre-set Spending under total. There is no asterisk or anything on it. It just says below "Any changes in the status of your account such as additional charges, an overdue payment, or card expiration may affect the approval decision." Does this mean I do not have a cap on my Zync?

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:41:06 GMT

Same here. What it means is that there is no disclosed limit. There is a limit on all accounts but it's fluid and based on your spending habits and how much they feel you can repay. The limit itself is per transaction and based on their internal algorithm. I believe they call it "maximinum exposure" internally. I've seen quite a few posts on this. If you feel uncomfortable about putting that charge through you can also push the money in there first.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:10:06 GMT

@ArisGreek wrote:
So on my Zync I am buying 2 macbook airs. One for me and one for my parents, as well as two iPad 2's. I did the "Check Spending" option for AMEX and I did the run through for the exact amount which was a little over $3700. It said I was approved for the transaction. What's interesting is it says LIMIT DETAILS - Spending Limit: No Pre-set Spending under total. There is no asterisk or anything on it. It just says below "Any changes in the status of your account such as additional charges, an overdue payment, or card expiration may affect the approval decision." Does this mean I do not have a cap on my Zync?

Amex charge cards normally have "no pre-set limit" which, for you, means that Amex can accept or decline any purchase.

In practice it means that Amex has an internal spending limit (that they don't tell you about). If you exceed this limit, Amex may suspend charging priviledges until you make a payment.

Some users, usually those who undergo a financial review, have an actual hard cap (a real credit limit) assigned to their account.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

spankyspanky — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:16:05 GMT

FWIW, I believe that AMEX looks across all of your accounts to decide what you would be approved for while clicking that button. I do not use my Zync card, well, ever, but I am a very very heavy user of my Amex Blue Cash card, and I just tried $12,000 on my zync and it said I was approved. I ran $5100 through my zync card in the first two months of the year, and the only other charges on that card is my comcast bill which is auto-pay. I never got around to switching it over to my blue cash card.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

scottwagnon — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:21:08 GMT

i just tried this on both of my cards.

for blue cash.

your interest of purchasing 9500 is APPROVED

credit line 9300

available credit 9419

for hhonors

credit line 5000

available credit 4979

your interest of purchasing 5100 is APPROVED

i believe most if not all amex centurion bank cards, like visa signature and world mastercard operate with almost the same intention. No Preset Spending Limit. they may not advertise this, and be it that it also reports the revolving limit, you can appear to max the card out even though you are not maxing it out necessarily. since there are NO overlimit fees, it is expected that a well to do amex cardholder will occasionally go over the limit, and pay most of it off and perhaps keep a balance with a high monthly payment. this is a profitable cardholder to them.

so no i don't think the check spending ability function is broken. this is american express not only proving, but also encouraging responsible cardholders to "max" their card out occasionally.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:49:51 GMT

but also be aware playing with this function is not good

read msg #4

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Where-on-Amex-web-site-is-the-quot-spending-limit-quot-listed/td-p/944190

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Creditaddict — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:27:33 GMT

To the poster that checked spending ability to over CL, I would not be to surprised if you requested CLI you would get it.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

scottwagnon — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:15:49 GMT

i always get a kick out of doing this. (don't do it too often though, only like one a month or two.)

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

n777ua — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 07:04:37 GMT

Playing with that button too much is a short cut to a FR. Trust me on this.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

scottwagnon — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:20:44 GMT

i've read that someone did this often and when he/she just started out (two months) and tripped FR. i started with them in oct 2010, even though i have been a card member since june 2005. (i had a gold card for two weeks and then closed it.)

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

tntexans72 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:21:25 GMT

Why a shortcut to FR?

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Watchmann — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:17:45 GMT

Quit playing around with this button, it is not an innocent exercise as you are asking AMEX to do some calculations as to whether you will be approved for an ANTICIPATED charge. If you aren't going to go through with the charge why ask to be approved for it.? There is no sense using an internet stick to poke the sleeping bear of AMEX. After 31 years as a cardmember I have found the less contact you have with AMEX the better; you leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Too many new cardholders feel they have to have some personal relationship with AMEX.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

flyingmd — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:42:19 GMT

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

sybo40 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:52:28 GMT

Okay, THIS POST just made me scream with laughter! BUT, I believe it to be true. I did this three times after receiving the card (checked for $5K, $10K, and $15K) and BOING...what happened after the first 42 days with the card? FR! I think we all feel as though we should get immediate acknowldgement, respect, and admiration from AMEX simply because we were approved and "got into the club." I would CERTAINLY follow the advice of someone who has been with AMEX for as long as this poster has (30+ years) and just use the card responsibly. They can cut you off at any time FOR ANY REASON, so there is no point in trying to develop a personal relationship with them...it's ALL BUSINESS! Just my two cents.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

CS800 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:27:23 GMT

One of the factor with AMEX is that the NPSL is not really a NPSL. But as many have said, don't push your luck and stay under the radar. You don't want AMEX to start micromanaging you.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:14:28 GMT

@CS800 wrote:
One of the factor with AMEX is that the NPSL is not really a NPSL. But as many have said, don't push your luck and stay under the radar. You don't want AMEX to start micromanaging you.

I only used the Check Your Spending button once. It was the day that I received the card and I wanted to make sure that it was good to go. I only tested a $200 charge, nothing outrageous. After that, I've stayed far, far away from the button.

I just use my card for reasonable purchases -- things that I KNOW that I can afford to pay for right away -- and then PIF as soon as the statement cuts. I prefer to stay well under the radar and not draw any attention to myself.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

scottwagnon — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:10:10 GMT

i have had the dreaded Account Review come up on my CR a dozen or so times. they did it like every 2 weeks for like the first 3 months i had my blue cash. somehow i have steered clear of the radar.

poke. poke. poke.

and i did just get approved for the pr gold card. i plan to close it anyway next year so i don't have to pay the fee. i don't plan on using the check your spending ability for my new gold card until at least 60 days. in fact i plan on using the card as little as possible. i only got it so i could boost my open AAoA, that and so i could say i had it at one time.

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

SevenNEW — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:16:40 GMT

Never touched the button!!

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:55:27 GMT

@sybo40 wrote:
Okay, THIS POST just made me scream with laughter! BUT, I believe it to be true. I did this three times after receiving the card (checked for $5K, $10K, and $15K) and BOING...what happened after the first 42 days with the card? FR! I think we all feel as though we should get immediate acknowldgement, respect, and admiration from AMEX simply because we were approved and "got into the club." I would CERTAINLY follow the advice of someone who has been with AMEX for as long as this poster has (30+ years) and just use the card responsibly. They can cut you off at any time FOR ANY REASON, so there is no point in trying to develop a personal relationship with them...it's ALL BUSINESS! Just my two cents.

There it is. Don't tempt fate and DON'T touch the button!!!

Re: AMEX: Check Your Spending Limit

OhioCPA — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:07:31 GMT

I used the spending limit button a lot when I first opened my three accounts in May. Most of the time I had a legitimate purpose in checking different limits. So far, no FR.

As far as other activity that supposedly cause FR, I have used my card at McD and Wendy's and for other small purchases. I did tell DS who is an AU on one of the accounts to not use it as Walmart. He has other cards available so no need to risk that one.

While I don't fear a FR, there does appear to be certain activity that could cause a FR that have been reported here and elsewhere. Using an Amex to rent furniture or appliances seems to get their attention. Having multiple AU's who don't use their cards or having an AU who used the card more than the primary card holder all seem to be high risk for FR.