topic Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link in Credit Cards

AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

js0319 — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:07:05 GMT

I received my AMEX PRG cards in the mail Saturday after I was approved on Friday morning. Yesterday, I was on the website to register the account and set up billing and I noticed the "Will my charges be approved?" link. I initially put in $1,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $2,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $3,000, and it locked me out and said I had to call AMEX. I called them today to ask if I had done something wrong, and they said it's a security safeguard that's built into the system and it locks you out after two attempts. The rep even said they can't submit approval amounts more than twice before it kicks them out.

While I was speaking with the rep, she asked if I was looking for a certain amount. I told her I just wanted to avoid any embarassment of getting declined. She tried $3,000, and it was approved. I was ok with that, but she tried $5,000 while we were continuing to talk - and that was approved too. She also said that I was gain access again tomorrow morning. So - does this mean my internal limit on the card is at least $5,000 at this point?

I know they will continue to monitor my purchases and everything to get an idea of my spending habits. I usually don't spend more than $4,000 in a normal month, but after closing on my house last month I have run $7k-$8k through my credit union CC. If I only spend $3k-$4k per month, do you think they would drop the internal limit?

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

09Lexie — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:11:39 GMT

Amex will sp your cr frequently to change your internal limit. It may be $5k on Mon and $1 the following week based on your spending patterns , income, assets and your util.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

myjourney — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:16:22 GMT

@js0319 wrote:
I received my AMEX PRG cards in the mail Saturday after I was approved on Friday morning. Yesterday, I was on the website to register the account and set up billing and I noticed the "Will my charges be approved?" link. I initially put in $1,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $2,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $3,000, and it locked me out and said I had to call AMEX. I called them today to ask if I had done something wrong, and they said it's a security safeguard that's built into the system and it locks you out after two attempts. The rep even said they can't submit approval amounts more than twice before it kicks them out.

While I was speaking with the rep, she asked if I was looking for a certain amount. I told her I just wanted to avoid any embarassment of getting declined. She tried $3,000, and it was approved. I was ok with that, but she tried $5,000 while we were continuing to talk - and that was approved too. She also said that I was gain access again tomorrow morning. So - does this mean my internal limit on the card is at least $5,000 at this point?

I know they will continue to monitor my purchases and everything to get an idea of my spending habits. I usually don't spend more than $4,000 in a normal month, but after closing on my house last month I have run $7k-$8k through my credit union CC. If I only spend $3k-$4k per month, do you think they would drop the internal limit?

You found out the hard way yes don't play with the button to much on the same day

Your internal limit moves based on your spending habits over time today it may take 5k next month it maybe 10k

just use it and if you have a big purchase then check the button to be safe but don't play with it ...it sometimes has lead to FA which you don't want and is probably who you spoke with...

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

myjourney — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:17:28 GMT

@09Lexie wrote:
Amex will sp your cr frequently to change your internal limit. It may be $5k on Mon and $1 the following week based on your spending patterns , income, assets and your util.

Yes what Lexie said beat me again Huh

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

ezdoesit — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:19:31 GMT

@js0319 wrote:
I received my AMEX PRG cards in the mail Saturday after I was approved on Friday morning. Yesterday, I was on the website to register the account and set up billing and I noticed the "Will my charges be approved?" link. I initially put in $1,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $2,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $3,000, and it locked me out and said I had to call AMEX. I called them today to ask if I had done something wrong, and they said it's a security safeguard that's built into the system and it locks you out after two attempts. The rep even said they can't submit approval amounts more than twice before it kicks them out.

While I was speaking with the rep, she asked if I was looking for a certain amount. I told her I just wanted to avoid any embarassment of getting declined. She tried $3,000, and it was approved. I was ok with that, but she tried $5,000 while we were continuing to talk - and that was approved too. She also said that I was gain access again tomorrow morning. So - does this mean my internal limit on the card is at least $5,000 at this point?

I know they will continue to monitor my purchases and everything to get an idea of my spending habits. I usually don't spend more than $4,000 in a normal month, but after closing on my house last month I have run $7k-$8k through my credit union CC. If I only spend $3k-$4k per month, do you think they would drop the internal limit?

I doubt if you spent 3-4k a month then they would drop your internal limit to that. That would mean they would expect you to max out your cl every month with no wiggle room.

I also have the PRG and when I was on the phone with them recently I asked what my limit was and they said it was 20k now the CSR did say it would change depending on my spending pattern and I would expect it would because I don't plan on putting that much a month on the card 5-6k max. So if you call them back and ask they have that info in case you are concerned.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

js0319 — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:20:27 GMT

I called the regular customer service number, and they said that they get those types of calls quite frequently (getting locked out). I think as long as a keep my AMEX and my CU Visa in my wallet (just in case), I'll be fine.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

Odiseous — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:39:33 GMT

@myjourney wrote:
@js0319 wrote:
I received my AMEX PRG cards in the mail Saturday after I was approved on Friday morning. Yesterday, I was on the website to register the account and set up billing and I noticed the "Will my charges be approved?" link. I initially put in $1,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $2,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $3,000, and it locked me out and said I had to call AMEX. I called them today to ask if I had done something wrong, and they said it's a security safeguard that's built into the system and it locks you out after two attempts. The rep even said they can't submit approval amounts more than twice before it kicks them out.

While I was speaking with the rep, she asked if I was looking for a certain amount. I told her I just wanted to avoid any embarassment of getting declined. She tried $3,000, and it was approved. I was ok with that, but she tried $5,000 while we were continuing to talk - and that was approved too. She also said that I was gain access again tomorrow morning. So - does this mean my internal limit on the card is at least $5,000 at this point?

I know they will continue to monitor my purchases and everything to get an idea of my spending habits. I usually don't spend more than $4,000 in a normal month, but after closing on my house last month I have run $7k-$8k through my credit union CC. If I only spend $3k-$4k per month, do you think they would drop the internal limit?
You found out the hard way yes don't play with the button to much on the same day
Your internal limit moves based on your spending habits over time today it may take 5k next month it maybe 10k
just use it and if you have a big purchase then check the button to be safe but don't play with it ...it sometimes has lead to FA which you don't want and is probably who you spoke with...

Yep. Don't play with the button.

If you are going to make a large purchase, or spending a lot in places you normally don't spend at, CALL THEM FIRST.

With any credit card I have; if I am making a major purchase, that isn't part of my normal spend pattern (example: I recently bought new hardwood floors for my house, 5.6k just in materials), I call the CC company first to warn them. They'll notate the account for the estimated amount (I ended up going over my estimate by about $600). When the transaction hits, the fraud prevention people will see the notation, and the transaction should clear with no problem.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

cashnocredit — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:58:01 GMT

I've only had an Amex for a couple years and I average about 8k/mo on it but the median (typical) month is much smaller, perhaps3k. On occcasion I need to charge large amounts. I use the "button" when those charges are so much higher that it seems the better part of valor to check first. I've been approved (and charged) amounts that exceeded 20k and 50k. I have no idea what their internal limit is but feel pretty comfortable that I will not need to exceed it.

I was once worried that I would run up against a wall with them since the whole idea of an unknown limit made me reluctant to use the card. These concerns have proven unfounded. I've nothing but good things to say about Amex.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

Pat94108 — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 04:06:16 GMT

@Odiseous wrote:
@myjourney wrote:
@js0319 wrote:
I received my AMEX PRG cards in the mail Saturday after I was approved on Friday morning. Yesterday, I was on the website to register the account and set up billing and I noticed the "Will my charges be approved?" link. I initially put in $1,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $2,000, and it said approved. Then I tried $3,000, and it locked me out and said I had to call AMEX. I called them today to ask if I had done something wrong, and they said it's a security safeguard that's built into the system and it locks you out after two attempts. The rep even said they can't submit approval amounts more than twice before it kicks them out.

While I was speaking with the rep, she asked if I was looking for a certain amount. I told her I just wanted to avoid any embarassment of getting declined. She tried $3,000, and it was approved. I was ok with that, but she tried $5,000 while we were continuing to talk - and that was approved too. She also said that I was gain access again tomorrow morning. So - does this mean my internal limit on the card is at least $5,000 at this point?

I know they will continue to monitor my purchases and everything to get an idea of my spending habits. I usually don't spend more than $4,000 in a normal month, but after closing on my house last month I have run $7k-$8k through my credit union CC. If I only spend $3k-$4k per month, do you think they would drop the internal limit?
You found out the hard way yes don't play with the button to much on the same day
Your internal limit moves based on your spending habits over time today it may take 5k next month it maybe 10k
just use it and if you have a big purchase then check the button to be safe but don't play with it ...it sometimes has lead to FA which you don't want and is probably who you spoke with...
Yep. Don't play with the button.

If you are going to make a large purchase, or spending a lot in places you normally don't spend at, CALL THEM FIRST.

With any credit card I have; if I am making a major purchase, that isn't part of my normal spend pattern (example: I recently bought new hardwood floors for my house, 5.6k just in materials), I call the CC company first to warn them. They'll notate the account for the estimated amount (I ended up going over my estimate by about $600). When the transaction hits, the fraud prevention people will see the notation, and the transaction should clear with no problem.

+1 Agree. I'd call them first before for any unusual amount that's large. I knew I read somewhere that they don't like customers playing too much with that button so not surprised the OP was locked out.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 16:20:08 GMT

I have a bce with 3600 limit. I tried 4000 and it said approved. Does that mean the bce had npsl?

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

cashnocredit — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 20:05:34 GMT

I think all Amex cards are NPSL to some degree. There have been many reports of people exceeding CLs without a problem. I'm not aware of a formal position.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 01:41:00 GMT

I tried 5000 today and it said approved. Hopefully they will feel the same way when at 61 days lol. May try a higher amount later in the week. Dont want to lock it.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

jgodfrey82 — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 02:47:55 GMT

I had to chime in on this one.. I've had my zync with NPSL since 2010.. I run about 3-5K a month of expenses through it. Ive sat and played with the tool and never been locked out. Also ive successfully been able to "approve" 35k+ requests.

Ive never tried to really make any purchase over around 2k, but it sure is cool to see I could go buy a new jetski or two if I wanted.

At the same time, my costco amex is stuck at a 6k limit, just denied for a CLI last week. . Gotta get my util down a little and try again.

Can anyone tell me how this NPSL card works with my util %? If im trying to boost scores, should I let it go to 0 for a month? Obviously I always PIF on the due date, should I pay it earlier than its due?

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

09Lexie — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 03:07:37 GMT

@jgodfrey82

Your Zync card will not factor into your util at all. If your util is high on your other rev cc's then your chances of getting a CLI on your TE are slim.

Re: AMEX - "Will my charges be approved?" link

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 03:38:29 GMT

I have 5 cards with AMEX between pers and bus. Just got a second Bus. Gold and before I even used it once I tried the button for 35k. It said approved. The most I spent with my first gold was maybe 6-7k a month but that was last year. since then, I never went over 2k any given month. I also have limits of 18k on BCP, 8k on Simply cash and 8.1k on a 3 weeks old Lowes Amex.
I guess your history with them plays a big role in this....