Broke down and got another Amex

[Anonymous]

Well, I had said I was done apping for a while, but I decided I really need to add a charge card to my wallet. I've been putting silly money through my Amex Blue every month, and I hate having to worry about paying before the statement drops to keep util down. So I had a moment of weakness this afternoon and decided to get a Gold card so I can charge away without worrying.

I almost went for the Green, but - and I hate to admit this - it just doesn't look cool next to my Blue. And I'm not about to pay $450 for a Platinum. And since I don't have a lot of travel expense and don't have any AUs, I couldn't justify the extra $25 for the Rewards Plus. So I basically paid $30 more for a better-looking Green.

Tried to apply online and the site was having issues, so I phoned it in and got an instant approval. Ok, so now I'm *really* done apping. No, I mean it... honest.

[Anonymous]

what was the limit. and how long had it been since you last opened a new account?

[Anonymous]

There's no preset spending limit on the charge cards. There is some kind of internal cap, but they don't tell you what it is.

This is my 6th card since March.

[haulingthescoreup]

Congrats! You have the option now of getting the full rewards program with your Blue, but you have to register it.

I don't know what this would do to your current Blue rewards though, so you probably ought to thrash this out with AE customer service to make sure that you don't lose something.

[Anonymous]

broke down as well and got the preferred rewards gold card.  is there a secret formula to determine how much i can charge and not get a decline??

thanks

[Anonymous]

---

creditohio wrote:

broke down as well and got the preferred rewards gold card.  is there a secret formula to determine how much i can charge and not get a decline??

thanks

---

Yes, there is a secret formula, but it's...well...secret.

Amex CSRs won't tell you what your cap is, unless you are a prety smooth talker and happen to get a CSR with loose lips.  You can, however, call them before you make a purchase, and they will put through a test transaction for a particular amount and tell you if it will be approved.  This can save some embarassment at the checkout line if that's what you're concerned about.

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

You can, however, call them before you make a purchase, and they will put through a test transaction for a particular amount and tell you if it will be approved. This can save some embarassment at the checkout line if that's what you're concerned about.

---

I have to say I've never found the concept of playing "guess the limit" very appealing. I really don't see what the problem is with just telling us what it is like any other credit limit. Maybe they're thinking people are more likely to max it out if they know. Or something.

[Anonymous]

---

@haulingthescoreup wrote:
Congrats! You have the option now of getting the full rewards program with your Blue, but you have to register it.

---

Thanks much! Though I've never understood just exactly what the difference is between the Express and regular Rewards.

[Watchmann]

There are many factors as to how much you can charge, including how long you have owned the card.  But the most important factors are your history with AMEX and your ability to pay.  If you have previously charged large amounts they will contine to let you ratchet up the approved value each time.  If you try to go over the approved level at any time they may ask you to provide banking information via telephone so they can verify you have the funds available to pay the bill.  Contrary to popular belief the credit limit is not 'unlimited'.

I've had a Gold Card since 1980 and have run into these situations several times.  Once you provide banking data to back up the charge they will approve it.

Message Edited by Watchmann on 05-18-2008 04:17 PM

[Anonymous]

its probably safe to say,i can charge at least the same as my blue card?