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Amex statement balances questions

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CreditScoreImprovement24
Valued Member

Amex statement balances questions

So, I was approved for a 4K limit Amex BCP about 1 month ago.

 

On my first cycle I spent  1300 dollars total and my very first statement posted a 1300 balance (out of 4000 credit limit).  

 

The very next day after receiving the statement, so wayy before due date.....I made a 1300 payment on the card, thus paying it in full.  

 

***Is this a good start if I am trying for a 3x CLI at 91 days/after 3 statements?  Did I spend too much?  

 

***Next statement balance will be about 250 dollars which I will pay off in full the day immediately after statement posts.....Would I need to increase my spend the next statement to get the 3x CLI?

 

***How likely do you think 4K to 12K CLI would be at the 91 day mark?  Are 3X CLI common on the BCP in its first year/after 3 months?

 

***I also have an Amex Everyday Card with a 2000 limit and I recently spent $1050 of that limit so 54% utilization and paid it off in full the day after statement received.......will this hurt me at all in regards to getting the 3x cli on my other card?

 

***I have a 700+ score and practicing AZEO with aggregate utilization at but I opened quite a few accounts recently....Is amex sensitive to this in regards to cli?  Or are they looking for payment history mostly and just checking credit history for bad stuff?

 

Message 1 of 5
4 REPLIES 4
Varsity_Lu
Established Contributor

Re: Amex statement balances questions

@CreditScoreImprovement24 

 

My BCP is a little more than 1 year old. I literally paid my balance weekly for the first nine months I had it and I'm not sure it ever posted a statement balance. It went from $2k to $6k to $18k in nine months. I think your income and paying in full each month are the biggest drivers of CLIs for AmEx. Their business model is to make their money off of transaction/swipes, not necessarily interest, so carrying a high balance isn't necessarily what they are looking for. They want you to swipe, swipe, swipe and then pay it off promptly.

SavorQuicksilverBlue Cash PreferredBlue Cash Everyday (AU)Hilton HonorsVoice Rewards + Perks CheckingCapital One 360 CheckingAmerican Express Rewards CheckingFidelity Cash ManagementHuntington National Bank Perks Checking
Capital One, N.A.American Express National BankFidelity InvestmentsHuntington National Bank
FICO® 8: 802 (Eq) · 795 (Ex) · 775 (TU)

Message 2 of 5
Seatac
Regular Contributor

Re: Amex statement balances questions

I am a little concerned about your phrasing and understanding of credit utilization. 

 

AMEX KNOWS how much you spend. The don't need you credit report to know what you spent with them.

 

Letting a card post with a High Balance/amount owed just tells other creditors how much you spend with their competitors. 

 

Use your card normal. To make it attractive maybe charge 50 to 80 percent of CL. That is fine but PAY IT OFF before the statement closes.

 

If the card is your AEZO card leave 6 to 9 percent of balance owed then pay that after close date.

 

When a statement closes any amount owed is counted towards utilization both of the card and of your Total Credit Lines.

 

Pls get in the habit if AZEO. Just so you know FiCO 10, 10T treat habits as trends over the last 24 months to give a more granular view of customer risk. Ppl who carry balances will suffer under 10 and 10T. 

 

With 10 and 10 T utilization will gain limited memory in the trended data.

 

BTW it is 91 days not 3 statements which could be off if Feb is part of the equation. 

 

Message 3 of 5
FicoMike0
Valued Contributor

Re: Amex statement balances questions

Ditto @Seatac , @Varsity_Lu 

I don't think amex is even real sensitive to spend amount. I've gotten 3x when I didn't spend a lot. They do seem to look at total exposure and income. The same month they went $9000 to $27000 on bce, I apped for hilton, only got $1000. Obviously, I was maxed for that month. At 91 days, they went to $3000. Since, I apped for $3000 to $9000, got $5900. I'm close to 50% reported income now.

 

Message 4 of 5
JSUB
Contributor

Re: Amex statement balances questions

I opened my BCP March 8th. SL 2K. Paid balance of $1114 on April 7th before statement cut on April 8th. Just paid $1063 today before statement cuts tomorrow May 8th. Plan on doing the same thing in June then I'll request a 3X CLI. I understand the spend isn't a big deal with Amex. I just wanted to get the 3K spend for the SUB out of the way asap so I can move my monthly recurring charges back to my other cards.

Message 5 of 5
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