The Definitive Amex 3X CLI Guide

[SomewhereIn505]

I’m planning out for attempt on 3x and wanted to get your input. 

I have 2 AmEx revolvers - EDC on $500 steps. I utilize below 30% and PIF. A month later I got BCE $1400 which reported at a high 61% on its first statement,  but knocking it down (will report this statement at 48%). 

Had and an unexpected event in January (MIL died) and I’ve got high utilization across the board. Scores crapped out and I’m paying it all off as quickly as possible to get utilization down and back under control. I’m also not using any of my cards at all. 

Here comes the questions, or my attempt to confirm what I understand 

I was planning on CLI BCE since it has the higher limit. I’m leaving EDC alone and just using it to meet step requirements. I assume should try any CLI before the steps graduation. I don’t want to be locked out of a CLI when the steps graduate. 

Should I hold off till I get ALL my cards back with low utilization or try once AmEx under control? 

When I ask for CLI, I’m assuming AmEx will SP my EX file. That’s why I’m hesitating on doing anything until my scores comes back up. 

TIA

[Anonymous]

When your EDC graduates from Amex's "credit steps" after 5 statement cuts you will be given an auto-CLI; typically its 2X so your EDC will then have a $1,000 CL.

Since its an auto-CLI it does not count against the 180/181 day rule so it wouldn't impact  you requesting a CLI on your BCE.  But I would suggest waiting until the auto-CLI appears on your account before going for the BCE CLI.

There's a little known trick that if you wait until you get the auto-CLI; a week or two later you can request a 3X CLI and its usually been granted. so its also possible to get your EDC up to $3,000 rather quickly.

---

wrote:

I’m planning out for attempt on 3x and wanted to get your input. 

I have 2 AmEx revolvers - EDC on $500 steps. I utilize below 30% and PIF. A month later I got BCE $1400 which reported at a high 61% on its first statement,  but knocking it down (will report this statement at 48%). 

Had and an unexpected event in January (MIL died) and I’ve got high utilization across the board. Scores crapped out and I’m paying it all off as quickly as possible to get utilization down and back under control. I’m also not using any of my cards at all. 

Here comes the questions, or my attempt to confirm what I understand 

I was planning on CLI BCE since it has the higher limit. I’m leaving EDC alone and just using it to meet step requirements. I assume should try any CLI before the steps graduation. I don’t want to be locked out of a CLI when the steps graduate. 

Should I hold off till I get ALL my cards back with low utilization or try once AmEx under control? 

When I ask for CLI, I’m assuming AmEx will SP my EX file. That’s why I’m hesitating on doing anything until my scores comes back up. 

TIA

---

[SomewhereIn505]

That does make sense not to 3x the EDC on steps till it graduates.

I was thinking of trying it on BCE ($1400 x 3 = $4200 potentially). That’s the one I want to really grow. 

[2GreenThumbs]

After an auto CLI from AMEX, how long do I have to wait before I can request a CLI?  Got an auto 3x CLI from them on August 26, 2017.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have to wait.  As far as I'm aware the 180-day rule only applies to CLIs initiated by the customer.  If Amex grants you a CLI without you requesting one, it doesn't reset the clock.  There's no harm in asking now; if they turn you down it will only be a soft pull.

---

wrote:

After an auto CLI from AMEX, how long do I have to wait before I can request a CLI?  Got an auto 3x CLI from them on August 26, 2017.

---

[Anonymous]

Yep. I agree. It doesn’t reset the clock. Amex gave me a auto cli for three times my starting limit. That same day or the next I went in and requested three times my new credit limit. In the span of a few days I went from a 2k limit to 18k.

[2GreenThumbs]

Great!  Thanks for your responses.  Here's another question.  I currently have a small balance on the card.  I get paid on Wednesday so will pay it off before requesting.  I recently asked EX to EE my discharged Ch. 13 BK but they said no.  I read more on the topic in the BK forum and saw that EX will usually do an EE about 3 months early.  For me, that would be end of Feb. 2018.  Would it be better to wait until then, or should I just try my luck now?  If I were to try now, would the clock reset and then I have to wait 90n days before asking again?  Or will I be able to ask again at the date I would have been eligible to try?

[jlitnns]

---

wrote:

You shouldn't have to wait.  As far as I'm aware the 180-day rule only applies to CLIs initiated by the customer.  If Amex grants you a CLI without you requesting one, it doesn't reset the clock.  There's no harm in asking now; if they turn you down it will only be a soft pull.

---

wrote:

After an auto CLI from AMEX, how long do I have to wait before I can request a CLI?  Got an auto 3x CLI from them on August 26, 2017.

---

---

Never even thought about this...maybe I'll see an auto CLI in the future.

 

[Anonymous]

Dec 2nd was my open date for 2K SL so im gearing up for Feb 1st. Anyone have any data points on if this is time zone specific lol

[jlitnns]

Need some advice...I have BCP for 6 months got my 3x CLI in Dec 2017. I saw I was pre-approved for just about everything and decided to app for BCE because I'm not sure that the BCP AF is worth it to me (currently at $57 CB and AF is $95 in June). Anyway, I got a toy limit of $1k, so I'm wondering if I should try and move that $1k over to the BCP or move the $3k BCP limit over to the BCE?