Well, since you have two MR cards, with substantial AF, my suggestion is to get the ED card. This gets you a revolver, no AF, no conflict with groceries MR earning on Gold, and the potential to get 1.2MR in general spend.
Hopefully you get a good SL, though the length of time with AMEX could be the most important factor.
Was there an answer to how recently your scores ramped up? That is relevant because as an existing AMEX cardholder, your next card is most likely going to use SP data. If that SP is (as commented above) when your scores were lower, the SL will probably be lower than it could be.
Hopefully you get a good SL, though the length of time with AMEX could be the most important factor.
Was there an answer to how recently your scores ramped up? That is relevant because as an existing AMEX cardholder, your next card is most likely going to use SP data. If that SP is (as commented above) when your scores were lower, the SL will probably be lower than it could be.
@seattlecredit08 wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:Just out of interest: what is the motivation for trying to optimize TCL? IMO, optimizing rewards is more important, which goes to the question of whether to go cashback or MR....
Utilization padding. OP has been on this quest for a while now. Don't you read every thread???
Actually, not exactly. Utilization padding is more of a big curiosity for me, what I would call a byproduct of my TCL "hobby." By the way, I first got the idea of this hobby from reading the legendary stories of TCL barons on this board...
So utilization padding is not my goal but more of a curiosity. I like to PIF everything and this is actually one issue I have with this hobby-- even with my modest TCL, I already have to manage a decently complex Excel...
As for curiosity around utilization padding, perhaps it also stemms from being over-worried.... In these uncertain times, what if, what if...
Thanks!!
I am going to have to disagree based on 5-7 previous threads, except this thread is different because you've lifted TU restriction.
I am not sure why you think you'd be safer in these "uncertain times" by having high unused SL.
Those may be the first ones to go in case of any mishap.
It would be a whole lot better if you stop thinking about it as a 'hobby' and view it as a financial tool.
I would just like to add that those with 'legendary stories of TCL barons on this board' did not acquire them over night or in the course of a year. You said your oldest open TL is around a year old.
You're trying to move way to fast.
Anyway , as always, good luck
@FinStar wrote:
Is this part of your total "domination" strategy for TCL?
I think "domination" is all relative... I come from very, very humble "credit beginnings" 
, so what may be my personal "domination" goals would be peanuts / cake walk for the legeds on this board ( @Mahraja , @Gmood1 and others here...)
Thanks!!
@seattlecredit08 wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Is this part of your total "domination" strategy for TCL?I think "domination" is all relative... I come from very, very humble "credit beginnings"
Thanks!!
@Remedios brings up a very excellent point OP. I didn't achieve any of the ~$2.5MM (personal and biz) overnight and I am a high income earner/transactor. A good, solid and flexible strategy is key. Lots of other members with very high and seasoned portfolios like @Gmood1, @Ron1, @Mahraja, @CreditCuriosity, etc., had different strategies for such goals, but I can honestly tell you that it wasn't TCL "domination". Sorry but that Dr Evil reference still plays in my head since you brought up the domination aspect of your hobby.
Also, keep in mind the TCL risks associated with the 'hobby' and today's cyclic environment. Of noteworthy, some of these other 'barons' as you call them, also lost a good chunk of their portfolios due to the aggressive nature of pursuing such goals, I can recall a couple of members whose AA resulted in the loss of their entire Chase and Barclays portfolios, others have lost vast amounts of TCL from Citi, AmEx, SYNCB, Comenity and so on.
@FinStar wrote:
@seattlecredit08 wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Is this part of your total "domination" strategy for TCL?I think "domination" is all relative... I come from very, very humble "credit beginnings"
Thanks!!
@Remedios brings up a very excellent point OP. I didn't achieve any of the ~$2.5MM (personal and biz) overnight and I am a high income earner/transactor. A good, solid and flexible strategy is key. Lots of other members with very high and seasoned portfolios like @Gmood1, @Ron1, @Mahraja, @CreditCuriosity, etc., had different strategies for such goals, but I can honestly tell you that it wasn't TCL "domination". Sorry but that Dr Evil reference still plays in my head since you brought up the domination aspect of your hobby.
Also, keep in mind the TCL risks associated with the 'hobby' and today's cyclic environment. Of noteworthy, some of these other 'barons' as you call them, also lost a good chunk of their portfolios due to the aggressive nature of pursuing such goals, I can recall a couple of members whose AA resulted in the loss of their entire Chase and Barclays portfolios, others have lost vast amounts of TCL from Citi, AmEx, SYNCB, Comenity and so on.
All excellent points!!
Just to clarify:
- I never used the term "total domination" (correct, me if I am wrong, of course!) I did use the term, in another post, "TCL domination." I think there is a big difference here...
It's certainly flattering to know that someone else thinks so highly of my plans but personally I never had and don't have "total domination" ambitions... By the way, I never got into Austin Powers' movies but always liked Dr. Evil memes! - I am fully aware of the dangers and pitfalls of trying to grow TCL too quickly. I think it took folks like @Mahraja about 2-3 years to get to their goals, and that's the most aggressive results with a lot of resources applied toward the goals. My goals are much, much humbler but my timeframe is still about 2+ years.
- And BIG Congrats on achieving ~2.5MM TCL!!
- Last but not least, I really like these forums and the supportive community that was built over MANY YEARS... I have learned a ton and I hope to be able to contribute whatever I can as I move along my very own HUMBLE "TCL domination" journey (a.k.a. personal and business credit development - I like that actually much better)...
I hope this helps clear things up a bit...
Now back to the original question-- it appears that the consensus here is that AMEX UW algorithm determining SLs is most likely the same or similar for all AMEX revolvers (BCE, BCP, ED, EDP, Cash Magnet). If someone has a difference experience, I would definitely be very curious to know...
Thanks in advance!!
