AMEX Internal Scoring w/ Multiple Cards

[AvadaKedavra]

A couple of weeks ago I recieved an AMEX ED and PRG about a week apart from eachother. I've been trying to use both cards regularly to ensure I meet spending requirements quickly for my sign up bonuses. If I didn't have the PRG I'd just try to use the ED as often as possible and continue to pay off multiple times/PIF to show heavy usage on the card for better chances of my 3x CLI. However, since I have both, I'm splitting payments. My question is, does having heavy usage on both cards and PIF (or multiple payments) on both boost my internal score the same it would if I was just using the ED if not more? Would using my PRG instead of ED slightly hurt chances of my 61 day 3x CLI?

[weehoo]

No one except for Amex knows for sure

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say for sure but Amex seems to really like pif. I think that's prob the most important thing. Usage and pif sounds like a good plan.

[takeshi74]

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@weehoo wrote:

No one except for Amex knows for sure

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^ This.  Anecdotal evidence doesn't even seem to clearly indicate whether or not usage is a significant factor.  I'd suggest focuing on the usual stuff:

http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/whatsinyourscore.aspx

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@Anonymous wrote:
It's hard to say for sure but Amex seems to really like pif. I think that's prob the most important thing. Usage and pif sounds like a good plan.

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PIF never hurts but I've received CLI's with balances being carried on intro offers (never above 30% and utilization was probably less though I can't recall the specifics).

[Fico2Go]

My wife and I have seperate AMEX accounts and we've carried balances on AMEX without any issue when comes time to get 3X CLI.

Our UTIL ratio was over 40% at times of CLI request. 

I've come to a conclusion that AMEX internal scoring is based on usage.  Use your cards pay the bills 3-5 times over minimum due.  Every now and then PIF. 

[Anonymous]

A coworker that makes a lot more than I do and has had an Amex for 20 years has a 90k balance on his Amex 100k limit and has carried it for 8 months with no issues at 0%. His spend ability even allows him to go 25k over the limit. He's getting ready to pay 50k of it this week and the rest by Dec. Amex knows he carries a balance for a while and then pays it in chunks. It's normal for him to make 25k payments. He's never had a fr but he's made some hefty payments over the last 10 years and his credit reports are squeaky clean.

Once Amex trusts you they seem to ease up quite a bit.

[iCoop]

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@Anonymous wrote:
A coworker that makes a lot more than I do and has had an Amex for 20 years has a 90k balance on his Amex 100k limit and has carried it for 8 months with no issues at 0%. His spend ability even allows him to go 25k over the limit. He's getting ready to pay 50k of it this week and the rest by Dec. Amex knows he carries a balance for a while and then pays it in chunks. It's normal for him to make 25k payments. He's never had a fr but he's made some hefty payments over the last 10 years and his credit reports are squeaky clean.

Once Amex trusts you they seem to ease up quite a bit.

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I would have a heart attack with a credit balance that high lol.

[AvadaKedavra]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll just continue to have heavy usage on both and make multiple payments/PIF on both. We'll see what happens in October for my 3x CLI!