Best Way Of Pleasing AmEx?

[chrisw1968uk]

Hi Everyone

I recently got a BCE with a $4k limit, of couse, I'm interested in the 61+ day CLI

I will use it for the first time tomorrow - Just gas in the car or something. In order to get the best possible chance of the CLI, I'm thinking of not letting my monthly spend go over about $350 - does that sound about right to you? also, should I pay it all off once all transactions have cleared the account? - or wait for a statement? Any other pointers for me please?

Thanks All

[Anonymous]

No need to be that cautious.  Here are my recommendations:

1) Use normally, but don't exceed 30% of limit before paying.  Otherwise just pay after statement generates

2) Manage your FICO score for next 2 months.  This means manage your reported utilization and don't do things to reduce your FICO like app for more cards etc.

3) When you approach the 61 day CLI date, make sure you are at low or 0 balance for a day or two before your ask for CLI.

[09Lexie]

^^^this

[stevenngu92]

No need to go out of your way to please amex lol. Just use the card as you normally would without going over or close to the credit limit and if you can pay in full before the statement cuts. I barely used my card the first two months and they gave me the 3x. Also Crashem is spot on.

[azguy13]

Crashem got it right. I have found that the best way to please AMEX though is to make a lot of money, lol. For real though, do what Crashem said and you will be fine. With Amex, I would recommend you never pay the "minimum due"

[09Lexie]

Minimum payment...what's that?

[cleanitup]

I agree with Crashem.   I have this card, and i roll a lot of stuff thru Amex card, but i always pay 50% every month or higher.   I try to keep a 0 balance, but not always.  They do like high salary, and my card is $18k limit.  whatever you do , don't pay the minimum.   My opinion.....

[chrisw1968uk]

thanks everyone - i really appreciate it

[JonStur]

Follow everyone's advice and you'll be just fine!!!

[Bluedog23]

My experience with Amex 2days ago-- 10k CL at 61 days up from 3500 -- had a 17% util with them at time of request. Had used card extensively over 2 months and paid at least 6 times. Sometimes to 0 balance and sometimes not. Just so happens that on day 61 I had a little over 500. Only one other credit card reporting a tiny balance at 1% util. My request was,approved in about 10 seconds. So no, you don't need a zero balance. It just seems they like to see a pattern that suggests you're using credit wisely and that your payments suggest that you have the ability to pay your bills-- whether you have a zero balance at the time of app.

Not much strategy to that, I have found out. I researched a lot of posts about people NOT receiving the 3x CLI. They seemed to have in common other credit issues such as many apps after receiving their AMEX or they were borderline approved in the first place or maybe not high enough incomes to support higher CL.

Just be smart about the way you use credit in general and you'll be fine. Be SURE to ask for the whole 3x CLI . I chickened out and shorted myself by 500. Ha!