topic Re: Question for Amex Cardholders.... in Credit Cards

Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:18:31 GMT

Is there a reason why you want (or have) more than plenty o' cards with Amex? I have one and I'm pretty satisfied with it. No pun intended or anything, but I just want to know why. I may want to join you guys lol, but right now... I'm just not in the mood for more Amex cards.

So is there some sort of plan you have by having more than one Amex cards? If so, what is your plan? Are they going to like you more or value more as a customer by having more than one card with them?

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:53:35 GMT

I have the AMEX Gold Rewards and the AMEX Starwoods. I have 2 because one is a charge card and on is a credit card.

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:11:20 GMT

I prefer having AMEX Cards. I have several cards but I find that AMEX is the most professional customer service folks I have dealt with. I have other prime cards but they pale to AMEX. I am not hassled about CLs and I have had a FR. Which I triggered, at least I think I did.

I strongly dislike BOA because of the very poor customer service. They have sent me cards in my husband's name even though he has his own card. They check two CAs twice to tell me I don't make enough money for a CL increase! I make $20K more than my spouse. The list goes on and on.

I had problems with them before with a checking and savings account. But I thought I would give them another chance. Big mistake.

I have Chase as well and they are nice. But I prefer AMEX. I have their charge cards and credit cards. I love the fact I can allocate my CLs at will. This comes in handy for someone like me who lives in the hosptial. When I need to pay medical bills and get my money back from the insurance company, my interest rates are very low.

I am a AMEX card holder for life.

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:20:15 GMT

ragcajun wrote:
I love the fact I can allocate my CLs at will.

That's one of my favorite features as well

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:49:10 GMT

Some people git m, ore AMEX cards and then combine balances and credit limits in to one card and convert all in 1. Really the smartest move. Look, if you have 3 amex cards with 10K each in limit, if you convert them all into 1, say Blue Cash, then you have a 30K card......guess what? Now you go and apply for a CC and git another 30K visa or MC.

....hint... most people ( here on this forum at least....wil not share this)

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:34:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Some people git m, ore AMEX cards and then combine balances and credit limits in to one card and convert all in 1. Really the smartest move. Look, if you have 3 amex cards with 10K each in limit, if you convert them all into 1, say Blue Cash, then you have a 30K card......guess what? Now you go and apply for a CC and git another 30K visa or MC.
....hint... most people ( here on this forum at least....wil not share this)

Hmm... Interesting. So I thought they easily give their customers CLI, which I KNOW they do. Why would I want to apply for two or three other credit cards just so I can combine them to get a higher limit when I can just simply hit the LUV button once every 3 months or so? Any move you make WILL trigger an FR, so why not just make the most of it by LUVing one Amex card? hahaha lololol. Am I right?

I do agree that Amex is a card that is worth getting FR-ed for no apparent reason at all. LOL. Too bad it's not accepted everywhere I want to be.

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

notmyname — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:44:11 GMT

I use the green card only for telephone, internet type transactions so if there is a problem it is easy to trace and my "big" card doesn't get screwed up.

I use the gold card (with my s/o as an a/u) for the things we do together that are split down the middle. This card is used the most and generates the second most points which I always apply to travel.

I use the platinum card as my personal do everything card. Buy a new tv, stereo, really big dinner out, weekend away and big travel costs. This card is used second most but generates the largest percentage of points due to size of purchases and doubling and tripling of points in special programs. I also get the best trip planning and discounts with this card. It definitely always pays for its a/f.

I use the blue card simply for credit . If I know for sure I do not want to pay in full right away or I do not want to extend the payments on the other cards, this is the one. And of course , more points.

I think if you are going to have a charge card and a credit card ; it is good that they are both contributing to the same point programs. This could be a major inducement for holding multiple amex cards.

I think you asked a great question. I feel like I have a great system and it has worked for me for many years. For this to work however , one really needs to charge almost everything to one card or the other to keep the points high.

Also , I have read a couple people referring to not being able to use the card everwhere. I just don't find this to be the case in the past fifteen years. Before that , yes to some degree ; but now only at mom and pop places. National and regional businesses , all hotels and airlines, rental cars, all stores , groceries , pharmacies ......even at my doctors and hospitals. There is one place; my p/t, and I have given him notice he will take it or I am gone. (I don't want to miss the points)

Good luck to all,

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:57:40 GMT

Neat! Thanks for sharing RB. One more question, do you know which other Amex card is compatible with the Blue Sky? Compatible as in having the same rewards and what not. A charge card perhaps?

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:07:46 GMT

jzoe182

great post! I am not combing my amex cards, just working my way up to $20K and beyond. As I get promoted and make more money my HH will climb. I will adjust my credit line to fit.

If you tell the truth and follow some of the good advice for folks like Brammy. I think you will be fine with FRs. I made it though mines with no problems.

I am just loving AMEX. I find myself not shopping at places that don't take AMEX!

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

fused — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:40:48 GMT

ragcajun wrote:

jzoe182

great post! I am not combing my amex cards, just working my way up to $20K and beyond. As I get promoted and make more money my HH will climb. I will adjust my credit line to fit.

If you tell the truth and follow some of the good advice for folks like Brammy. I think you will be fine with FRs. I made it though mines with no problems.

I am just loving AMEX. I find myself not shopping at places that don't take AMEX!

I doubt Amex will request a FR from me but if they ever did I would acquiesce. After I pass I will close all of my accounts and tell them to shove the cards where the sun....!

Message Edited by fused111 on 09-14-2007 03:40 PM

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:52:58 GMT

here they come...LOL

I had no problem doing the FR. Heck my bank wanted more info from me to buy my car than AMEX.

I have some friends that did send them packing. It's all good. You have to do what you feel is right.

that is why I kicked BOA to the curve!

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

SpecFile — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:56:19 GMT

read curb! lol

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:01:41 GMT

spec,

good looking out! thanks for having my back... i am so tired.

I am trying to watch In the Line of Fire with Clint Eastwood. I remember living in Louisiana and never imaged I would ever live in DC at one point in my life.

I guess i should worry about my postings instead.

hope you have a great weekend

Message Edited by ragcajun on 09-14-2007 07:00 PM

Message Edited by ragcajun on 09-14-2007 07:01 PM

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:04:00 GMT

You guys are so knowledgeable on here! Thanks, you are a great resource. I really want an AMEX Blue card but some of the posts on here are making me apprehensive in applying. First off, I don't understand why you have to "convert" to a Blue card instead of applying for one straight out.

Next, after reading all the posts about FICO scores, I'm afraid mine will be lowered if I apply for another card. My current score is 771 and I've applied for (and received) 3 cards this year starting in May, latest one being in June.

All together I have:

WAMU Platinum MC with a cl of 7k (balance 136.00)

Wells Fargo platinum Visa with a cl of 9k (balance 150.00)

Chase Plat Visa with a cl of 7k (328.00)

2 Pentagon Federal Credit Union Visas, one with a 10k cl (balance 138.00) and the other with a 23,9k cl (balance 3088.00 because I did a balance transfer)

Macy's charge which I've had forever (zero balance).

I also have a small ELOC from WAMU of 65k (zero balance) which has the lowest interest rate and which I'm thinking of buying a new car with next year.

I really want that AMEX card but if they turn me down I will be upset!! They might say I have too much credit? All my cards are rewards cards but I must say the WAMU one is the worst one as far as rewards. Their program is tacky. I'm not going to cancel it but I was going to keep it but use the AMEX one in it's stead. It goes in the "sock drawer"!

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:07:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
You guys are so knowledgeable on here! Thanks, you are a great resource. I really want an AMEX Blue card but some of the posts on here are making me apprehensive in applying. First off, I don't understand why you have to "convert" to a Blue card instead of applying for one straight out.
Next, after reading all the posts about FICO scores, I'm afraid mine will be lowered if I apply for another card. My current score is 771 and I've applied for (and received) 3 cards this year starting in May, latest one being in June.
All together I have:
WAMU Platinum MC with a cl of 7k (balance 136.00)
Wells Fargo platinum Visa with a cl of 9k (balance 150.00)
Chase Plat Visa with a cl of 7k (328.00)
2 Pentagon Federal Credit Union Visas, one with a 10k cl (balance 138.00) and the other with a 23,9k cl (balance 3088.00 because I did a balance transfer)
Macy's charge which I've had forever (zero balance).
I also have a small ELOC from WAMU of 65k (zero balance) which has the lowest interest rate and which I'm thinking of buying a new car with next year.
I really want that AMEX card but if they turn me down I will be upset!! They might say I have too much credit? All my cards are rewards cards but I must say the WAMU one is the worst one as far as rewards. Their program is tacky. I'm not going to cancel it but I was going to keep it but use the AMEX one in it's stead. It goes in the "sock drawer"!

Queen... you can get a Blue card. No need to convert. Just apply for the Blue. That's all there is to it.

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:14:18 GMT

Queen,

you should have no problem. I was approved for two Amex cards in one week, both with CLs over $10K. I never applied for a card and converted. I went straight for the Clear.

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:28:15 GMT

Thanks. I am just afraid they will say I have too much credit. Who doesn't?

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:56:38 GMT

hi, msqueen,

just go for it

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:48:20 GMT

Well all, I did apply and guess what? I didn't get a "60 second approval!" They gave some message about their system being worked on and I could check the status. Boy, that's a shocker.

I applied for the rewards Blue, not the cash back one. They got some nerve not approving me right away. We shall see but I am not going to keep going to their site to check my application status. Either I get it or I don't. Only thing is I HATE having another "hit" on my credit if it's not approved. I'll let you all know...

Re: Question for Amex Cardholders....

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:49:14 GMT

good luck!