Amex CLI Declined

[ScarlettHusky]

Hey y'all.

Today marked 6 months since the last CLI I apped for according to my calendar. I did receive an automatic CLI from Amex on my platinum SkyMiles card a couple months ago, but the research I've done said that auto CLIs don't reset the clock so I apped for the standard 3x increase.

I was declined, and the AA letter stated the sole reason was "Your income is insufficient for any additional credit lines or increases due to the amount of existing lines open with American Express". Unless someone can offer some insight, it sounds like I am pretty much capped at 12K with Amex unless I get a raise at work, or transfer to a higher paying role. Scores in siggy are current, reported income is 65K.

Thought y'all would like the DP.

[AverageJoesCredit]

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@ScarlettHusky wrote:

Hey y'all.

Today marked 6 months since the last CLI I apped for according to my calendar. I did receive an automatic CLI from Amex on my platinum SkyMiles card a couple months ago, but the research I've done said that auto CLIs don't reset the clock so I apped for the standard 3x increase.

I was declined, and the AA letter stated the sole reason was "Your income is insufficient for any additional credit lines or increases due to the amount of existing lines open with American Express". Unless someone can offer some insight, it sounds like I am pretty much capped at 12K with Amex unless I get a raise at work, or transfer to a higher paying role. Scores in siggy are current, reported income is 65K.

Thought y'all would like the DP.

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Sorry to read the denial. I'm kinda in same boat with Amex. My income is low  but has gone up a little  last year or so . Ever since burning them in a bk my second chance I  vowed to keep them PIF and I have done so but it doesn't matter to them I'm capped at about 14k over various cards but always get rejected on cli requests. To be fair I have alot of debt  but imho Amex will like who they like and those that don't fill those parameters  won't matter what you do.  Honestly though unless someone is using them heavy I find other lender cards have more value to me. Thanks for sharing

[4sallypat]

Yah, Amex seems to know your income more than other banks which relates to their ability to offer preapproval on a SP.

For years, I had a small business and didn't leverage that with Amex (Platinum only since 1993).

Then in 2020 when I divulged I had a small side business, apped for their Business card (Amazon Prime) with an EIN, I got a huge SL.

Last month they pre-approved me for the BCP with $10K SL -  now I have 3 AX products.

Try starting a small side gig business - might help overcome the personal card limit.

[Gregory1776]

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@4sallypat wrote:

Yah, Amex seems to know your income more than other banks which relates to their ability to offer preapproval on a SP

And how do they know that!!

[MissLiz]

I'm sorry about your denial, but do appreciate the DP's. 

[Gregory1776]

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@Gregory1776 wrote:

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@4sallypat wrote:

Yah, Amex seems to know your income more than other banks which relates to their ability to offer preapproval on a SP

And how do they know that!!

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Couldn't quote it properly. 

how does American Express find that out?

[Snook_on_the_Line]

There are many way they could know what a customers income is.      There are a number of small CRAs that deal with payroll services         One I can think of off the top of my head is called TheWorkNumber

[4sallypat]

Amex has been one of the few handful of banks that offer preapproval without a HP for new customers.

Apparently Amex has been able to glean data from not only the SP, but other sources as well when they do a SP preapproval.

For current Amex customers, they don't even do a HP when you accept a new product.

As for income, I am sure they know - based on your SP employer, etc...

[FicoMike0]

Sorry you were declined. Thanks for the data point.

For comparison, a couple of months ago, I asked for a 3X on bce, $9000 to $27000, instant approval. A few weeks later, I apped for amex hilton, approved for $1000. I took that to mean I'm at my max with them. My ficos were about 800, low util, no baddies. My reported income was $63000, close to yours.

I'm wondering at the total credit difference at about the same income. My dti is 1%. Is yours higher? It may be they look at disposable income.

I'll have another dp when the Hilton card hits 91 days and I ask for 3X to $3000. 

[creditrizz]

The last response made me wonder - has anyone ever asked AMEX to decrease the limit on one of their credit cards so that you don't end up with small limits on future amex credit cards if you're near your total max from amex?  They gave me more than I need on a BCE - I'll honestly probably never spend more than 10% of it.  I know it's good for utilization to have a high max, but I'd rather not deal with any drama or financial reviews  in the future when I want some additional cards.