Re: The Definitive Amex 3X CLI Guide

Anonymous · ‎03-26-2021

@Curious_George2 wrote:
I have what might be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it because I think I've read contradictory things around here.

Fact 1: Amex shows its members an EX8 score, which is updated approximately monthly (sometimes more often, but let's ignore that).

Fact 2: When evaluating a CLI request, Amex typically uses an EX8 score it has on hand instead of pulling a fresh one.

Question: Does the CLI algorithm use the score mentioned in Fact 1 as soon as it's available, or is there sometimes a lag such that the CLI decision uses an older score than the one the cardmember can see?

I appreciate any and all answers, and particularly those based on first-hand experience.

@Curious_George2 pretty sure it uses it as soon as available, otherwise that would be an inefficient, present a higher risk and definitely not be American Express-like in my humble opinion.

I can't see them paying for a score and not using it and instead using older data. American Express is one of the few that pretty much has their act together in my opinion, so I can't see them using an old one when they have a fresh one, but just my opinion, I can't prove it.

Ivylicious1908 · ‎03-29-2021

Good Afternoon my fellow AMEX Holders,

So I appt for a 2nd card AMEX (Hilton Honors: 2K SL) 20 days ago and I thought because my credit score went up to 756 that I would get a higher SL than my current card (Blue Cash Everyday: SL 2k, increased at 90 days to 6k).

My 180 days on BCE is April 1, can I still ask for a CLI?

KLEXH25 · ‎03-30-2021

@Curious_George2 wrote:
I have what might be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it because I think I've read contradictory things around here.

Fact 1: Amex shows its members an EX8 score, which is updated approximately monthly (sometimes more often, but let's ignore that).

Fact 2: When evaluating a CLI request, Amex typically uses an EX8 score it has on hand instead of pulling a fresh one.

Question: Does the CLI algorithm use the score mentioned in Fact 1 as soon as it's available, or is there sometimes a lag such that the CLI decision uses an older score than the one the cardmember can see?

I appreciate any and all answers, and particularly those based on first-hand experience.

Based on several posts I've seen on various Amex threads here, it appears that Amex doesn't use the most recent FICO score update right away. The general consensus is to wait 2-3 weeks after your score with Amex updates to be sure.

LunaBuna · ‎03-30-2021

Amex has been very very good to me. Took a 45K limit today, to 60K. Did not ask for more, and may or may not have left money on the table. Just decided that 60 was fine, and that is what I asked for. Had been a little more then 7 months since my last increase. By previous increase, i went from 22,500 to 45,000, which again, that was what I asked for.

In less than three years, i went from 2500 to 60K on a blue cash. Nothing special ever asked by Amex, just how much did I want and what is my income.

Curious_George2 · ‎03-31-2021

@LunaBuna wrote:
Amex has been very very good to me. Took a 45K limit today, to 60K. Did not ask for more, and may or may not have left money on the table. Just decided that 60 was fine, and that is what I asked for. Had been a little more then 7 months since my last increase. By previous increase, i went from 22,500 to 45,000, which again, that was what I asked for.

In less than three years, i went from 2500 to 60K on a blue cash. Nothing special ever asked by Amex, just how much did I want and what is my income.

That's awesome! Very rare to see such a large jump at that high level without a request for IV. I think the last comparable one reported here was just before COVID hit. The increase you got seven months ago was also a whopper. Seems like Amex is very comfortable with you. Do you have a long history with them or is there something else you can point to as the reason for their fondness?

Congrats!

Repairman · ‎03-31-2021

@Anonymous wrote:
@Curious_George2 wrote:
I have what might be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it because I think I've read contradictory things around here.

Fact 1: Amex shows its members an EX8 score, which is updated approximately monthly (sometimes more often, but let's ignore that).

Fact 2: When evaluating a CLI request, Amex typically uses an EX8 score it has on hand instead of pulling a fresh one.

Question: Does the CLI algorithm use the score mentioned in Fact 1 as soon as it's available, or is there sometimes a lag such that the CLI decision uses an older score than the one the cardmember can see?

I appreciate any and all answers, and particularly those based on first-hand experience.

@Curious_George2 pretty sure it uses it as soon as available, otherwise that would be an inefficient, present a higher risk and definitely not be American Express-like in my humble opinion.

I can't see them paying for a score and not using it and instead using older data. American Express is one of the few that pretty much has their act together in my opinion, so I can't see them using an old one when they have a fresh one, but just my opinion, I can't prove it.

just fyi, I recently applied for 2 new AMEX cards. I waited until my new FICO score showed up on my Experian report ( a few weeks after it showed up on My Fico). I then applied for the Delta Gold AMEX, they did a soft pull and the OLD score was still used. Exactly 1 week later, I applied for the BCE AMEX, they did a soft pull, and the NEW score was used.

LunaBuna · ‎03-31-2021

I have a strange history with them. They have me as a member since 2006, however I have not had a CC card with them that long. I believe I somehow get credit for a Company card with a previous employer however left them in 2008. Currently I have a Platinum and the BCP. My Platinum was originally a Gold, but I upgraded. I have had both for the same time which will be three years in July.

I have expected a IV request the last two increases but nothing. I am surprised myself, especially due to not running a ton through the BCP. I did run charges in excess of 10k twice while paying off before posting each time. I have no need, at least today, for high limit, but I am still not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I will continue to let it rise and see if I can get it to 100K. My next high card is a Chase Saphire Pref., that is at 22,400, and has been since issuance.

Curious_George2 · ‎03-31-2021

Thanks @Repairman. When in that timeline did your FICO score shown on the Amex site/app update?

Curious_George2 · ‎03-31-2021

@LunaBuna wrote:
I have a strange history with them. They have me as a member since 2006, however I have not had a CC card with them that long. I believe I somehow get credit for a Company card with a previous employer however left them in 2008. Currently I have a Platinum and the BCP. My Platinum was originally a Gold, but I upgraded. I have had both for the same time which will be three years in July.

I have expected a IV request the last two increases but nothing. I am surprised myself, especially due to not running a ton through the BCP. I did run charges in excess of 10k twice while paying off before posting each time. I have no need, at least today, for high limit, but I am still not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I will continue to let it rise and see if I can get it to 100K. My next high card is a Chase Saphire Pref., that is at 22,400, and has been since issuance.

That is a funky history. To me, it seems like three years probably isn't enough to get you the VIP treatment, so maybe they view you as a fifteen-year member. (Sweet!) Or maybe your demonstrated ability to pay 10k/mo was the thing that did it. I can certainly see them liking that.

Thanks for sharing the details. And congrats again on your fantastic CLIs!

Repairman · ‎03-31-2021

@Curious_George2 wrote:
Thanks @Repairman. When in that timeline did your FICO score shown on the Amex site/app update?

I can't 100% remember, but I want to say it was updated already on the site before I applied for the 1st card. I believe that's why I finally apped, because Experian and the site updated. I actually didn't even realize they used an old score until last week actually, as I was looking through the letters they sent with the cards. When I got the instant approval I was certain the new score was used. I was really surprised that the 2 cards had different scores used.

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