AMEX FR Avoidance

[Anonymous]

Hi Friends,

I have been using this forum passively for a few years now and it has helped me get lots of relevant information, and build a solid portfolio of cards.

I finally decided to take a plunge and register because I was confused about what I should do.

So I have been a Amex customer for 3 years now and have 5 cards from them.

2 charge cards (Plat and GRP)
3 credit cards (BCP+DeltaPlat+Everyday)

The 3 credit cards have limit of $35000 (25000, 9000, 1000), as you can guess I primarily use my BCP and have also added my wife to it as we put all usual groceries etc expenses on it.

Now starts the dilemma, I recently got invited for the Starwood luxury card with a targeted offer of 125000 points, and I decided to take the plunge considering I do live in Marriott and Starwood properties a few times a year. I was going to pull the trigger and I remembered (and cross checked researching) that I am already at $35000 for Amex Credit card portfolio and $25000 for an individual card, both of which are commonly accepted as red lines which trigger financial review if crossed.

So I was wondering what should I do and what do the community experts recommend. Should I go ahead and apply and risk a FR ?

I do have annual income of $185000, and around 15 other cards from other bank issuers/store cards.

Thanks !

[Anonymous]

You're confusing FR with IV (Income Verification), the 2 figures you quoted are associated with CLI IV requests which you can ignore, different from Financial Review. With your income, as long as you're not swiping the cards at yours/relatives' terminal or sending money to yourself and family members via PayPal, you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

As long as you have been trutful about your income on your credit applications, you have nothing to worry about, even if they FR you. I’d go for it if you really want the offer.