How much to use charge card?

[JenniferinFL]

My husband just app'ed for Amex Zync and added me as an authorized user. Not sure yet what the restrictions on it will be. This is the first charge card either of us has ever had, but, hey, sometimes it's good to try something new.

How much should we use it to keep Amex happy? If you use it too little do they close it? How do you use your charge cards? Overall, just thought this would be a good way to get into Amex, gives us experience with a new kind of account and hopefully will let me backdate 6 or 7 years from now when I may have a chance of qualifying.

[Anonymous]

Use it as you would any other card. The only thing special/different is that you must pif. Dont go crazy with it but dont be afraid to use it. Always keep a backup from another company.

[halos24]

I have had my Zync card for over a year and for the first few months was restricted I want to say to $1k I don't remember. From what they told me over the phone is they like to see spending habits and so on first. Now I have put anywhere between $2-3500 a month! My husband is an AU on the card as well and we both know it has to be PIF.

[Anonymous]

I just got mine last week and really only charged $30, I don't think I'll be using it on much cause I'd rather use my better reward cards.. I will charge only my phone cable and Internet which is roughly 220.. Hopefully amex doesn't take it the wrong way lol I say use it for bills only.. Because you're obligated to pay them.. Things like gas, groceries, department stores I pay with my reward cards. (if you have perks on his zync then add that to your card charges) I have no perks right now mostly because I applied in a hurry (excitement) haha

[LS2982]

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@JenniferinFL wrote:

My husband just app'ed for Amex Zync and added me as an authorized user. Not sure yet what the restrictions on it will be. This is the first charge card either of us has ever had, but, hey, sometimes it's good to try something new.

How much should we use it to keep Amex happy? If you use it too little do they close it? How do you use your charge cards? Overall, just thought this would be a good way to get into Amex, gives us experience with a new kind of account and hopefully will let me backdate 6 or 7 years from now when I may have a chance of qualifying.

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Only use what you can afford to PIF in 1 month. A charge requires you to PIF every month.

[pizzadude]

Also AMEX seems to be better than most companies about not closing idle accounts, so if you happen to stow it in the sock drawer for a few months you'll probably be fine.....

[Anonymous]

I use mine for alot of everyday charges that I don't conflict with discover rotating categories... Usually between 500-1500 a month

[LS2982]

@pizzadude it is a known sin to SD an AMEX.

[espnjunkie]

I'm loving my amex charge card. With less than a year of credit history I called the customer service to notify them of international travel this morning and ask about what my available credit was. Withing two months it has increased from 2,200.00 to 5,000.00 just by paying my first two statements on time and in full! TYhat's more than enough of a limit for what I need right now and I feel like with amex I have truly landed in primeville haha. Charge cards do give the most generous limits it seems and allow you to spend oon the card with confidence knowing they have you covered. Pay them back and in full always and the limit will continue to grow and grow with you.

[Open123]

To me, I like to break in a new charge card, just as I do a new car.

Vary the spending, use it consistently but not yet excessively, and charge a large variety of things you would normally buy.  I'll do this for a few months.  If I think I can charge $5k, I'd probably go up to $1,000 - $1,500 the first month, then $2,000 - $2,500, then I'd go freely to any amount.  Just like a new race car.  Just because it can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 187, you should vary the speed and never exceed 60 - 70 mph for the first 1,000 miles.  

Once it's broken it, then use the card as it was intended.