AMEX NPSL

[redpat]

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@K-in-Boston wrote:

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@iced wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

This. I have also never had a declined charge since I have had AMEX. Just don't go buying a yacht during you first few statements and you will be fine 

@K-in-Boston wrote:
I should also point out that once Amex is comfortable with you, you should have no issues with declined charges. I have NEVER had a declined charge from Amex in 16 years.

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I know this was intended as a bit tongue-in-cheek, but now I'm a bit worried. I was planning to meet the sign-up bonus for the Platinum by buying two international business-class tickets since that's the easiest/only way to hit the SUB with a 5x category. Are they going to decline it because I'm coming out of the gate with what they might consider too large of a purchase?

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@iced if your credit profile and income are sufficient for it, there shouldn't be a problem at all.  If you're doing intl biz, you may want to try ringing Platinum Travel Service to see what they can offer you as well.  In no way do I mean this as a dis to @QuakerOatmeal, but my understanding of your profile is that it is significantly different.

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There is a $39 fee but well worth it for their International Airline Program but you can save 10% - 20% on First or business,t you can also purchase premium economy also.

[Anonymous]

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@K-in-Boston wrote:
I should also point out that once Amex is comfortable with you, you should have no issues with declined charges. I have NEVER had a declined charge from Amex in 16 years.

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Whereas I had a declined charge today!   Well, maybe.   This was a $9.95 charge at Wholefoods, and it got declined, with the register printing out declined.   So I did it again and it went through.   Online, it shows two pending charges, which I don't quite understand as it means that both transactions did reach Amex (as compared to the first one not getting there properly).    For those lucky enough to have had declined charges, do they show as pending?

[wasCB14]

My recent experience with the CA DMV website payment processor:

I tried to pay a $199 registration fee with my BBP. The DMV processor's website said the charge was rejected but the Amex website showed a $1 pending transaction (but nothing for $199). I called Amex and the rep said no charges had been declined. About a week later, the pending charge was still there but nothing had posted. I went on the DMV processor's website again and tried to pay again with the BBP. This time everything went smoothly and I had a $199 pending charge and a second $1 pending charge. A few days later the $199 posted and both $1 pending transactions disappeared.

[Anonymous]

That's pretty common with all of my cards not even just AMEX. Think of it like that annoying $99 pending gas charge the sometimes comes up when you swipe your card at the gas station. I think they just do that to make sure the payment method is valid and then they normally replace the pending charge with the real transaction.

But back on topic, that temporary $1 charge you saw should always stay in pending and never post; but can take a while to disappear.

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@wasCB14 wrote:

My recent experience with the CA DMV website payment processor:

I tried to pay a $199 registration fee with my BBP. The DMV processor's website said the charge was rejected but the Amex website showed a $1 pending transaction (but nothing for $199). I called Amex and the rep said no charges had been declined. About a week later, the pending charge was still there but nothing had posted. I went on the DMV processor's website again and tried to pay again with the BBP. This time everything went smoothly and I had a $199 pending charge and a second $1 pending charge. A few days later the $199 posted and both $1 pending transactions disappeared.

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[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

That's pretty common with all of my cards not even just AMEX. Think of it like that annoying $99 pending gas charge the sometimes comes up when you swipe your card at the gas station. I think they just do that to make sure the payment method is valid and then they normally replace the pending charge with the real transaction.

But back on topic, that temporary $1 charge you saw should always stay in pending and never post; but can take a while to disappear.

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@wasCB14 wrote:

My recent experience with the CA DMV website payment processor:

I tried to pay a $199 registration fee with my BBP. The DMV processor's website said the charge was rejected but the Amex website showed a $1 pending transaction (but nothing for $199). I called Amex and the rep said no charges had been declined. About a week later, the pending charge was still there but nothing had posted. I went on the DMV processor's website again and tried to pay again with the BBP. This time everything went smoothly and I had a $199 pending charge and a second $1 pending charge. A few days later the $199 posted and both $1 pending transactions disappeared.

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The point is that the first time around, the DMV processor successfully put a pending charge on the card...and then said it was invalid and asked me to use a different card.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like witchcraft...

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

That's pretty common with all of my cards not even just AMEX. Think of it like that annoying $99 pending gas charge the sometimes comes up when you swipe your card at the gas station. I think they just do that to make sure the payment method is valid and then they normally replace the pending charge with the real transaction.

But back on topic, that temporary $1 charge you saw should always stay in pending and never post; but can take a while to disappear.

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@wasCB14 wrote:

My recent experience with the CA DMV website payment processor:

I tried to pay a $199 registration fee with my BBP. The DMV processor's website said the charge was rejected but the Amex website showed a $1 pending transaction (but nothing for $199). I called Amex and the rep said no charges had been declined. About a week later, the pending charge was still there but nothing had posted. I went on the DMV processor's website again and tried to pay again with the BBP. This time everything went smoothly and I had a $199 pending charge and a second $1 pending charge. A few days later the $199 posted and both $1 pending transactions disappeared.

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The point is that the first time around, the DMV processor successfully put a pending charge on the card...and then said it was invalid and asked me to use a different card.

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[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Sounds like witchcraft...

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I think the only witchcraft in this thread is your use of quotes at the end of your posts.

[Anonymous]

I really hate quotes at the beginning it's so confusing. It makes you feel like the post you are reading is repeating what the previus poster said. Don't worry you will get used to it like I have gotten used to your quotes before your post 

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Sounds like witchcraft...

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I think the only witchcraft in this thread is your use of quotes at the end of your posts.

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[K-in-Boston]

@K-in-Boston wrote:

Both of those scenarios sound like payment gateway issues rather than actual declines.

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Both of those scenarios sound like payment gateway issues rather than actual declines. Everyone good with the quote compromise?

@K-in-Boston wrote:

Both of those scenarios sound like payment gateway issues rather than actual declines.

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[Loquat]

If you think you're going to have an issue out of the gate with the purchase of the airlines tickets just give Amex a call ahead of time and let them know of the charge.  They're pretty decent in regards to such.  The day I received my Platinum card I knocked out the spend requirement.  My wife and I had just purchased new vehicles and the sales tax on the both of them was over $5k. 

I had already used the Check Spend button for just a flat $5k and it said the transaction would not be approved.  I called Amex and explained the transaction I wanted to make and informed the gentleman that the charge was saying it would declined on the website.  He put me on hold for a few minutes and I'm not sure what he did but he said that I should be okay to charge up to $6.5k on the transaction. 

Walked into the DMV and paid...no issues.  A little over $5,800 went through just like he said it would.

If your account is new or your charge is outside your normal spending...just give them a ring and hopefully you'll have the same outcome as I...or at the very least spare yourself the embarrassment of having your card declined.