AMEX myth busters.. three from me..

[Fico2Go]

As everyone knows I've been on a mission to see how AMEX would respond to our spending behaviors.  So I'd like to share three events that transpired this month simultaneously. 

One relates to AMEX not liking members who carry balances. WRONG.

Another is about AMEX not giving auto CLI with high balances.  WRONG

A third about AMEX not liking members who go over the CL.  WRONG

Read all about it folks... while data is hot.

Anyways, my wife has two AMEX cards.  BCE and BC

BC April Statement:

CARD Limit 7500

High balance 7980

Payment 4500

NEW Charge $2300

New BALANCE: $5780 in May

BCE April Statement

Card limit $3000

High Balance: $2700

Payment:  $500

New Balance 2575

Payment made $500

CLI =====>   $4300

It appears AMEX does in fact likes members that use up credit lines.  They do in fact like people that go over the limit.  And they  like people that carry balances. 

I think it has to do with how active you are in using the available CL that determines whether AMEX will CLD, CLI, or FR the account.  Obviously my wife keeps her account active and we typically PIF after statement is cut but before due date.  We let statement balances report and we make effort to let high balances report on our CRs. 

The next few months I will be testing my personal AMEX accts on how auto CLIs effect 3X CLIs.  

Hope this helps you in some way in trying to understand the Amex experience.

[Creditaddict]

well on the flip side you were granted a $1300 CLI out of a possible $6k line so they didn't like all of you. but of course their is always going to be exceptions to all rules or thoughts of how things work.

[Fico2Go]

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@Creditaddict wrote:

well on the flip side you were granted a $1300 CLI out of a possible $6k line so they didn't like all of you. but of course their is always going to be exceptions to all rules or thoughts of how things work.

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Did I mention this was AUTO CLI?   When the time comes I'm sure we would bite on the additional 3X increase opportunity.. 

[Gornet]

Not to sound rude... but i think they tell you that you can go over your credit limit. They mention it to me over the phone that it is no problem at all, and the amex not liking balances myth was busted awhile ago aswell. I mean it is kind of common sense *scratches head*

[Kenny]

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@Gornet wrote:

Not to sound rude... but i think they tell you that you can go over your credit limit. They mention it to me over the phone that it is no problem at all, and the amex not liking balances myth was busted awhile ago aswell. I mean it is kind of common sense *scratches head*

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Anything that begins with "not to sound rude" usually will always equal a rude-ish post. Let's just remember to be friendly, respectful, and supportive...

[Fico2Go]

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@Gornet wrote:

Not to sound rude... but i think they tell you that you can go over your credit limit. They mention it to me over the phone that it is no problem at all, and the amex not liking balances myth was busted awhile ago aswell. I mean it is kind of common sense *scratches head*

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It's okay.  I can appreciate some positive rudeness.    ..J/K.

I would invite however to look at this as a simultaneous event and not merely isolated.  For example.. going over the limt and paying in PIF right away shouldn't be construed as being similar to going over the limit and reporting the high balance.

In the respect I would never consider comparing what just happened to going over the limit and carrying the balance over an extended period of time.  

[One7]

Good info, thanks for sharing

[Pat94108]

There are always going to be exceptions to every rule . Also, something tells me that Amex look at just more than your spending, I guess they take into consideration your payment pattern, income etc. As for going over the limit, I never thought it was a myth, I have heard of people going over their limit with no problem. 

In the end, Amex might tolerate certain things with you that they won't tolerate with 50 other customers. I think the one thing I learned by visiting this board is that what works with one customer might not work with another. There are so many different credit profiles out there that may trigger red flags for Amex for one customer but not for another so not sure I am entirely convinced by your myth busting theory yet :-)

[Anonymous]

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@Pat94108 wrote:

. I think the one thing I learned by visiting this board is that what works with one customer might not work with another. There are so many different credit profiles out there that may trigger red flags for Amex for one customer but not for another so not sure I am entirely convinced by your myth busting theory yet :-)

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This is very true.  And, as what appears to be part of internet style, individual experiences are presented as universal truths.

[SunriseEarth]

Interesting data points.   What's your overall UTIL like?   AMEX does seem to like a low overall UTIL a lot.