AMEX won't take my payment - new account!

[turninganewleaf]

I opened an AMEX account on 9/12 - converted to Blue Cash upon receipt of Delta Gold card on 10/3.

My first statement had a balance of $83.27 which I paid in full when it was due.  My statement closing date this time around is Nov 4 and I currently owe $335.00.  I was planning on making a payment of $245.00 today before the statement cut to get my utilization at 9%.  I didn't have an option to make a payment online because it says I do not owe anything at this time (new statement has not processed).  So, I called CS and was told I can't make an additional payment to bring my util down until Nov 5, which is when the statement cuts but I could make another payment of $83.27 as a pay by phone option.  So, now I'm looking at my account being reported at 25% util!  My CL is $1000.00.

I'm planning on applying for a home in a couple of weeks and although my AMEX hasn't shown up on my CR's yet, my luck, it will and this account with a 25% util this month might drop my FICO score.  Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Who knew a CCC wouldn't take a payment!  Ha!

[Anonymous]

For me AMEX reported my First statement balance when they cut my 2nd statement.

I have used my Banks online bill pay to get around this myself- Amex did not complain too much.

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@turninganewleaf wrote:

I opened an AMEX account on 9/12 - converted to Blue Cash upon receipt of Delta Gold card on 10/3.

My first statement had a balance of $83.27 which I paid in full when it was due. My statement closing date this time around is Nov 4 and I currently owe $335.00. I was planning on making a payment of $245.00 today before the statement cut to get my utilization at 9%. I didn't have an option to make a payment online because it says I do not owe anything at this time (new statement has not processed). So, I called CS and was told I can't make an additional payment to bring my util down until Nov 5, which is when the statement cuts but I could make another payment of $83.27 as a pay by phone option. So, now I'm looking at my account being reported at 25% util! My CL is $1000.00.

I'm planning on applying for a home in a couple of weeks and although my AMEX hasn't shown up on my CR's yet, my luck, it will and this account with a 25% util this month might drop my FICO score. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Who knew a CCC wouldn't take a payment! Ha!

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[turninganewleaf]

So, there's a chance then that my first statement balance will be the one to show up when the mortage lender looks at my CR?  If so, then that's good.

Should I try to use my checking account's online bill pay to make the additional payment that I want to make before my next statement cuts?  What do you mean AMEX didn't complain "too much".

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Timothy wrote:
For me AMEX reported my First statement balance when they cut my 2nd statement.

I have used my Banks online bill pay to get around this myself- Amex did not complain too much.

[Anonymous]

I am not going to elaborate on this- YMMV

The worse thing that could happen is they refuse your payment and the $ is in limbo a few days.

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@turninganewleaf wrote:

So, there's a chance then that my first statement balance will be the one to show up when the mortage lender looks at my CR? If so, then that's good.

Should I try to use my checking account's online bill pay to make the additional payment that I want to make before my next statement cuts? What do you mean AMEX didn't complain "too much".

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@Anonymous wrote:
For me AMEX reported my First statement balance when they cut my 2nd statement.

I have used my Banks online bill pay to get around this myself- Amex did not complain too much.

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[turninganewleaf]

What is YMMV?  What part will you not elaborate on?  The part about what the mortage lender sees or the part about what AMEX will report?

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Timothy wrote:
I am not going to elaborate on this- YMMV

The worse thing that could happen is they refuse your payment and the $ is in limbo a few days.

[Anonymous]

YMMV- Your millage may very
The part about Amex taking the payment.

Message Edited by Timothy on 10-30-2007 08:23 AM

[turninganewleaf]

I'm confused, but...

Will I not EVER be able to make a payment in between statements?  If not, then I'll only charge one small payment and continue to PIF each month to keep my 1-9% util.

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Timothy wrote:
YMMV- Your millage may very
The part about Amex taking the payment.

Message Edited by Timothy on 10-30-2007 08:23 AM

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[Anonymous]

Of course you'll be able to make interim payments to them!

I do online banking, too. And I have 3 brand new cc's. When I received them, I immediately registered with them, to see the activity going on. I could see the charges mounting, and WANTED to make an interim payment, even before the first statement arrived in the mail, or e-mail.

But I wanted to be absolutely, certain, for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that when I set up the ccc in my
'new payee section' of my online banking, that I have the CORRECT information. I'm not about to call someone, and asking them the address, etc to send the check to. I wanted to see it in writing. After all, people can and DO make errors when talking to them on the phone.

And the only way to see that, is to simply wait for first statement. THEN, I set up all contact info. Fully realizing I would have 34% utils on the first statement.

Just a comfort level I insist on. Now I can make several interim payments, with confidence and peace of mind.

Just my thoughts.

[turninganewleaf]

Well, AMEX confirmed that I currently cannot make another payment because they allow 30 days for banking information to process.  Meaning:  I set up my checking account information when I paid my first statement which was 10/6 and 30 days would be 11/5.  So, it looks like I"m going to be hit with a 25% util when it reports to the CRA's. 

However, after 11/5, I will be able to make interim payments (only one per 24 hours allowed).  So, I'm screwed for a month.  Once I make that PIF and start keeping my util b/n 1-9% util and, if necessary, make intermim payments, will I see my FICO go back up the following month?

Another question, I have an $11.00 balance on a Target CC that the statement also closes on 11/4.  Should I go ahead and PIF now although I don't think that $11.00 will affect my FICO that much and may hurt it more if it doesn't carry a balance this month.  What do you think?

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Sylviatob wrote:
Of course you'll be able to make interim payments to them!

I do online banking, too. And I have 3 brand new cc's. When I received them, I immediately registered with them, to see the activity going on. I could see the charges mounting, and WANTED to make an interim payment, even before the first statement arrived in the mail, or e-mail.

But I wanted to be absolutely, certain, for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that when I set up the ccc in my
'new payee section' of my online banking, that I have the CORRECT information. I'm not about to call someone, and asking them the address, etc to send the check to. I wanted to see it in writing. After all, people can and DO make errors when talking to them on the phone.

And the only way to see that, is to simply wait for first statement. THEN, I set up all contact info. Fully realizing I would have 34% utils on the first statement.

Just a comfort level I insist on. Now I can make several interim payments, with confidence and peace of mind.

Just my thoughts.

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[MidnightVoice]

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Sylviatob wrote:
Of course you'll be able to make interim payments to them!

I do online banking, too. And I have 3 brand new cc's. When I received them, I immediately registered with them, to see the activity going on. I could see the charges mounting, and WANTED to make an interim payment, even before the first statement arrived in the mail, or e-mail.

But I wanted to be absolutely, certain, for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that when I set up the ccc in my
'new payee section' of my online banking, that I have the CORRECT information. I'm not about to call someone, and asking them the address, etc to send the check to. I wanted to see it in writing. After all, people can and DO make errors when talking to them on the phone.

And the only way to see that, is to simply wait for first statement. THEN, I set up all contact info. Fully realizing I would have 34% utils on the first statement.

Just a comfort level I insist on. Now I can make several interim payments, with confidence and peace of mind.

Just my thoughts.

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With a new card I wait for the first statement, send twice the minimum via snail mail at once (to be safe), and set up on line payment from my account and send twice the minium that way.  I then wait to see when the electronic payment hits, and to make sure it does, and send the rest electronically from that point on.