topic Re: Amex as primary card in Credit Cards

Amex as primary card

smc733 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:33:17 GMT

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this? I was thinking of using my BCE for EVERYTHING, recurring payments, wal-mart, gas, etc... And use my Visa only for places that don't take Amex. I'm betting Amex would like the usage and perhaps be more willing to bump up my $2k to $5k or so.

Does anyone do the Amex for all method?

Re: Amex as primary card

Red1Blue — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:35:59 GMT

I use my Amex Platinum pretty much for every thing. I use my Penfed Visa where they don't accept Amex.

Re: Amex as primary card

p- — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:42:27 GMT

@smc733 wrote:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this? I was thinking of using my BCE for EVERYTHING, recurring payments, wal-mart, gas, etc... And use my Visa only for places that don't take Amex. I'm betting Amex would like the usage and perhaps be more willing to bump up my $2k to $5k or so.

Does anyone do the Amex for all method?

I tried but kept coming up with places that don't take it. I can't even use it at my local KFC! My wie was going to use it for her work expense card, but had the same problem.

Now it sites at the back of my wallet, and I just break it out for major purchases or when I want the extended warranty.

Re: Amex as primary card

SevenNEW — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:51:33 GMT

@Red1Blue wrote:
I use my Amex Platinum pretty much for every thing. I use my Penfed Visa where they don't accept Amex.

Ditto -- BCP everywhere and Chase Freedom for rotating categories. I also use Cap 1 abroad, because it has no FTF. (I am trying to move up from the wretched Platinum to a Venture One).

Re: Amex as primary card

Walt_K — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:07:53 GMT

I use Amex PRG and SPG for almost everything. I think the only places I regularly have to use a different card are the pediatrician's office and the store where we buy pet food.

Re: Amex as primary card

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:04:46 GMT

Yep. Everything goes on my PR Gold. I believe I have 4 bills that auto pay on it as well. Ive used it for everything from a Vegas trip to McDonalds to Costco to the liquor store to the adult toy shop. All my groceries and gas go on it too.

<3 Amex.

Re: Amex as primary card

Skinnyminnie — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:07:28 GMT

to the liquor store to the adult toy shop.

<3 Amex.

*Giggles

Re: Amex as primary card

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:11:07 GMT

Up until this week I had been using my Chase Freedom for everything, but lately I've been using AMEX exclusively (except where not accepted). I agree that they may view the usage as a plus and be more willing to give me a CLI.

Re: Amex as primary card

tntexans72 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:39:55 GMT

I use my Amex spg for pretty much everything, only time I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred is for dinning and booking travel through Ultimate Rewards. I think it's not just me but most ppl carry at least 2 cards if Amex is the other. I know Amex is not accepted everyhere but for my needs, Amex is always excepted.

Re: Amex as primary card

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:48:01 GMT

I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.

Re: Amex as primary card

SevenNEW — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:10:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.

Have you tried calling? They only do a soft pull...

Re: Amex as primary card

Odiseous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:38:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.

One doesn't need a small auto CLI; when you can get a large CLI (soft pull) every 6 months, just by calling (or clicking the link online).

Here's my experience with major cards:

Card - Date opened - opening CL - Current CL - Status

- AmEx Blue Cash - 12/2010 - $2,000 -> $10,800 (2 manual CLIs $4k + $4.8k) - Bringing it to the front of my wallet once it hits 1 year (this one has a tier, I'll hit quickly this year)

- Cap 1 Platinum - 12/2010 - $2,000 -> $2,500 (1 Auto CLI, Manual CLIs declined) - Will be Socked, once my AmEx Anniversary hits

- Chase Freedom - 2/2011 - $2000 -> $2,000 (No CLIs at all) - Socked

- BofA Cash Rewards - 5/2011 - $2,000 (on recon, when first obtained) -> $2,000 (No futher CLIs after recon, Manual CLIs declined) - Socked, except my normal bills (Car insurance, Cell Phone, Etc..)

- Mercedes AmEx - 8/2011 - $2,000 -> $2,000 (this one gets the next AmEx manual CLI) -> Still use for Gas & Car Service at the dealership.

As you can see: by clicking the butten every 6 months for AmEx, they have *FAR* exceeded any of the other major cards I have; which all started at the same exact same $2,000 CL.

And as far as how much use I've given them: My BofA and Cap 1 have seen *substantially* more use than the AmEx(s). This will change in December.

So: In my experience; it comes down to these 2 options:

- Clicking a link for a soft pull, for a $4,000 CLI every 6 months, with AmEx

- Waiting for a piddly $500 CLI every blue moon, for everyone else

Re: Amex as primary card

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:51:41 GMT

@SevenNEW wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.
Have you tried calling? They only do a soft pull...

No, I'm not going to ask. I have other cards with higher limits and automatic increases.

Re: Amex as primary card

SevenNEW — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:13:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@SevenNEW wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.
Have you tried calling? They only do a soft pull...
No, I'm not going to ask. I have other cards with higher limits and automatic increases.

Well, it is a fact that different CCC work in different ways. From what I understand, if you want a CLI from Amex you need to call or click on their site. No automatic CLIs in 6 or in 66 years. If this is too humbling, yes, there are plenty of other companies out there, many awsome. But don't think it's personal, it's just the way they operate.

Re: Amex as primary card

tntexans72 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:24:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@SevenNEW wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.
Have you tried calling? They only do a soft pull...
No, I'm not going to ask. I have other cards with higher limits and automatic increases.

If you call the # on the back of the card, it's an automated process, takes less than 5 mins. Ask for 3x the current CL and you will get approved. It's that simple.

Re: Amex as primary card

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:54:19 GMT

@tntexans72 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@SevenNEW wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I used Amex almost exclusively in the past because it was one of my first cards but not anymore. My card is 6 years old and not one automatic CLI.
Have you tried calling? They only do a soft pull...
No, I'm not going to ask. I have other cards with higher limits and automatic increases.

If you call the # on the back of the card, it's an automated process, takes less than 5 mins. Ask for 3x the current CL and you will get approved. It's that simple.

Agreed, I had my Blue Cash 61 days (initial 2kCL) I only ran about 400-500 thru it in the first 60 days (my scores were lower then too EX 720ish) I called the 61st day and requested a 4K increase, instant approval, now at 6K, and the 6 month mark is the 2nd of Dec, but I think I'm going to skip the CLI request on my Blue Cash card and go for a CLI on my Blue Cash Preferred (5K CL now) I think the 61st day will be the 9th of Dec and I'll only ask for an additional 5K bringing my BCP to 10K.

Best of Luck!