The number of cards reporting a balance will affect different people different ways. I usually have 20+ accounts reporting a balance at any given time.
OP, if you are dissatisfied with American Express balance chasing you the best course of action would be to pay the cards off and not continue using them. If they balance chase you and you continue to use the cards, this will only keep your utilization high. But if the cards are showing a $0 balance, even slashing a credit line to $1 would show 0% utilization. It's important to note that the $5000 spending limit that has been imposed on your Business Platinum does not affect you at all. That limit is not reported to the credit reporting agencies, and any spending on the card will not affect modern credit scoring algorithms (but will be weighed against highest ever reported balance on older credit scoring models), and that is only if it is reported on your personal credit report which they usually are not.
@Anonymous wrote:
@PutThatMoneyOnTheTable wrote:Also note that credit card companies are obligated to report factual information to the credit reporting agencies. These agencies have different algorithms in place to arrive at a "score". It is in my belief that no credit card company in out there intentionally trying to "mess up" an individual report/score. With that said, last month I let all of my cards report a balance (all less that 2% utilization) and my score tanked 26-28 points between agencies due to " too many accounts reporting a balance". So that could be a factor for the poor scores you currently have and what spooked Amex to credit chase you.
You also mentioned "paying on time" but paying on time does not equal paying in full after each statement. Only paying the minimum or slightly more but still carrying a balance (a consistent amount or increasing amount) could spook conservative lenders (or any lenders period).
As for my previous reply, I was not aware that the CSR stated where they were located but it seems logical that companies (such as Amex) will have systems in place to protect customers information.
Not to go OT, but quickly, I always report a balance on all cards. If you lost 26 pts by doing it, will I gain 26 for not doing that? lol I bet not.
I will post about this once I report only 3 cards w/balances early next year to see effect on score, and then 0 cards with balances after that. I have a hunch that there is a hidden upside to "score stability" by reporting balances on all every month. Kind of like a pipe in cement. Hard to budge it.
I usually have 1 or 2 card with a balance, so I dont know if it was the sudden change but I had a **bleep** moment and will be going back to regular schedule programming this month.
Edit: thanks mod, I'll watch my language. 
@Anonymous wrote:Sorry I could have sworn I answered this in another response to another member but I my credit limit was unlimited when I made the $10k purchase. My CL was lowered to $5,000 after they declined it.
I have never taken a cash advance from AMEX or ANY other of my cards... I have plenty of cash, so much I have to deposit it often so there is no need for a cash advance. Lot's of cash money in my line of work.
My advice to you is this, don't use your AMEX Business for a large purchase because once they get wind of the fact you make large transaction payments they will think up a reason to reduce your no-pre set limit..
Anyone in here every pop and AMEX Platinum for over $10k on a single transaction? What happend? Be honest!
I have made purchases in excess of $10,000 on my own personal Amex charge cards numerous times over the past 17 years or so. (Generally day care, summer camp, and private school tuition.) I have also carried combined Pay Over Time balances on those two cards in excess of $50,000 for prolonged periods of time.
I regularly make $10-$50,000 purchases on the Business Platinum card that I am an authorized user on at work.
All I want to do now is apply for Amex 🤷♀️
