Apping Amex When at Max Exposure

[sillykitty1]

I need to do some juggling with my Amex credit cards and limits.  I'm at max exposure, $50K, so I'm not sure what the best strategy is.

Current cads & limits

Amex Plat - NPSL

Delta Gold - $25K

SPG - $15K

Blue Sky - $10K

Amex Plat

I want to cancel my Amex Plat immediately.  The main reason I had this card was Delta Sky Club access, which I now have via status.  Additionally the increased fee, and partnership with Uber rubs me the wrong way.  But I want to preserve my MR points.  I could just transfer them to Delta, but I'd rather get a new MR card and keep them growing and flexible.

Delta Gold

I want to keep this until I reach $25K spend for my MQD waiver (for Delta status).  In about August, switch to the Delta Reserve card

SPG

Keeping this for the time being

Blue Sky

No need for this at all

Easiest solution

PC Blue Sky to EDP (is this possible?)

PC Delta Gold to Delta Reserve in August

But .... if I PC I will miss out on the sign up bonuses, 15K MR for the EDP and for the Reserve 10K Skymiles & MQD.

These aren't huge bonuses, but I'd rather not walk from the sign up bonus if I don't have to.

Anyone have any experience apping with Amex when you're at max exposure?

[Anonymous]

How do you know you are at max exposure?

[sillykitty1]

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@Anonymous wrote:

How do you know you are at max exposure?

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Well, I can't be positive, but Amex has been more cautious with me than other lenders.  I suspect because I burned them about 15 yrs ago.  CLI's have been few and far between, and even flat out denied when sending in the 4506-T.  They SP me all the time, like 3x's per month usually.  I just apped for the SPG about a month ago, and that brought my total CL w Amex up to exactly $50K, which I figure is max exposure.  Currently my EX is 758, was up to 791 last month when I apped SPG

[DeeBee78]

I would app, and see what happens. $50K isn't a hard-set exposure limit for Amex, so you might just coincidentally be at that number. 

[SecretAzure]

Their partnership with Uber rubs you the wrong way? That's a reason you listed? Like...seriously? Generally people are upset at lack of partnerships among big businessess. Think of this as opening a door for others such as Lyft to maybe get in on the same type of deal. This helps everybody...despite what you and many others think of Uber. If you seriously have a problem with Uber, you wouldn't do business with Amex at all...not just stop using one card.

Also, I'm of the same mind as the person above me. You should app, I don't think you've hit max exposure...it might just be max for what you currently have.

Good luck!

[odd_dog]

OP UNLESS Amex gives you a bonus for PCing the Delta, you are WAY better off just apping for the Reserve for the sign up bonus.....Good Luck whatever you decide to do.

[sillykitty1]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm hesitant to app because there is no recon at Amex.  For Chase, I suspected I was at max exposure.  I knew if I apped I could call and have the CL's shifted, and get approved.  But that's not a possibility at Amex

If I do app and am denied, can I PC the Blue Sky to a EDP?

As for me canceling the Amex Plat, the main reason is I'm not finding value in the $450-$550 AF.  But the partnership with Uber does bother me.  They didn't make it a ridesharing credit, they made it an Uber credit.  The values of the senior management of Uber are not consistent with my own.  IMO, the Amex partnership helps to legitimize Uber.  I'm not going to end my relationship with Amex completely because overall I benefit from it, and secondly, by canceling my Plat it is a more pointed message on what business practices I disagree with.  I'm not advocating anyone one else should do this, or even agree with me.

[DeeBee78]

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@sillykitty1 wrote:

Thanks for the advice.  I'm hesitant to app because there is no recon at Amex.  For Chase, I suspected I was at max exposure.  I knew if I apped I could call and have the CL's shifted, and get approved.  But that's not a possibility at Amex

If I do app and am denied, can I PC the Blue Sky to a EDP?

As for me canceling the Amex Plat, the main reason is I'm not finding value in the $450-$550 AF.  But the partnership with Uber does bother me.  They didn't make it a ridesharing credit, they made it an Uber credit.  The values of the senior management of Uber are not consistent with my own.  IMO, the Amex partnership helps to legitimize Uber.  I'm not going to end my relationship with Amex completely because overall I benefit from it, and secondly, by canceling my Plat it is a more pointed message on what business practices I disagree with.  I'm not advocating anyone one else should do this, or even agree with me.

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Just an FYI, as an existing Amex cardholder, a denial doesn't always result in a HP (approvals either, for that matter- Amex is strange!). Log into your account before applying. 

[K-in-Boston]

To add to DeeBee78's post, I got an SPG this month with no HP and several others have reported not getting a HP for new cards. There are many data points of existing customers not getting HPs for denials.

[NRB525]

Have you considered PC from Delta Gold to Delta Platinum? That can get some miles for you, and then when you pass $25k of spend, you will get another 10,000 MQMs.

Id just close the Blue Sky if they won't PC to ED or EDP. Then app for ED or EDP.

I presume you have activated cross-over rewards between Delta and SPG?