Amex Charge limits

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I feel like the "check spending" feature for a NPSL card is a red flag in and of itself...

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I use the button at least once a month and haven't had any sort of problem. In the earliest days of my relationship, I also called in for purchases above my 'spending power' and was approved for purchase with a pretty simple conversation, no hard proof of repayment required (Chase denied me for a CLI to make the same purchase, btw.) I take what they say at face value: 1) there isn't necessarily a hard spending limit, but they'll need to review and consider if you're way outside your normal spend and 2) they expect people to use the button so they can make big ticket purchases with charge cards. They also clearly value PIF repayment history for major purchases as evidenced by my account status after little more than a year relationship.

[Anonymous]

Frst month I had my AMEX PRG it cut off at $8500 and was declined, I called and PIF and in the same month the next decline happed almost at the $11K mark, I am now on my second month (first statement cut 8 days ago) and I am up to over $18k now declines or phone calls yet.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I feel like the "check spending" feature for a NPSL card is a red flag in and of itself...

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If they don't want you to use it why have it there?  

[Anonymous]

When you use this function, you are telling the system that you WILL be using your card for that purchase within 8 days. Don't play with it!

[mitchblue]

For me, $10,000 yes, $20,000 no. So somewhere between..  I wouldn't use it over and over again.

[K-in-Boston]

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@Anonymous wrote:
When you use this function, you are telling the system that you WILL be using your card for that purchase within 8 days. Don't play with it!

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Thank you for confirming this.  For some reason I was under the impression that you had previously stated that occasional use was OK; it's possible that I may have previously attributed that to you, so please accept my apologies if that's the case.

[UncleB]

I've taken @Anonymous's previous advice to use the 'button' as a way to let the Amex system know a larger-than-usual purchase was coming (both on my PRG and revolvers), and so far it's worked like a charm... the charges were drama-free. 

Also, the OP's question was directed at people who didn't have POT on their account, but really the question about NPSL 'limits' applies to everyone equally (POT or not).  My own POT is $35k, but I am quite sure that Amex would cut me off well before I ever got to that amount.  Actually, it's only recently that I've seen people with a POT amount lower than $35k (that seemed to be the 'default' amount for a while). 

[ExplicitElicit]

I'm not sure how this button works or calculates. I average ~10K month through the card however the platinum has become my daily card for most expenses. I was showing a buddy of mine and we did 100K and it said it would be approved but I don't think I've ever had a statement balance over $20K so not sure how they calculated that number.

[K-in-Boston]

It's a very YMMV thing. Yes $35k used to be the standard on POT and I was surprised to hear about so many people getting lower lines now. For some people in practice Amex would cut off well before that, for other they'll let you go far beyond. ExplicitElicit, I think my highest statement balance on one of my charge cards was around $25-30k (don't have a credit report handy to look up high balance) and when I did hit the button for Check Spending $75k would be approved. It comes down to their confidence in your ability to repay.