Planning timing and "shaping spend" for CLIs (Amex and Citi)

[uncredited]

Now that I have my BCE going, the first charge posted on it, and the first $10 test bill pay scheduled for it since I definitely don't want any real balance reporting on a $2k limit card util-wise, and they don't let you pull before first statement, I'm trying to plan and make sure I don't mess up the correct way to do anything CLI-wise over the next 6mo.

Current cards:
Disco 5k (CLI last month, Oct)

Citi 5.4k (CLI July)

Amex 2k (new)

Now that Disco and Citi are 5k I'm not too worried about CLIs on them, really, but might as well try when the time comes at least once more. Disco would be April if I wanted to give it 6mo.

Citi would be 180 days late January, however, did I read correctly in another post that Citi doesn't do CLIs if you have any new accounts under 6mo?  If so that would mean I'd try Citi again in late May/early June before the next app after BCE is 6mo.

The big one is Amex of course, I'd like to get that up, and the current thinking is the 103 day thing and "3x", so that would put it mid-late Feb to try to get it to 6k. A few questions for Amex CLI:

1. Is "3x" normal, or is that "pushing it" and it's wiser to request below?
2. Does Amex need to see a lot of spend relative to limit to grant CLI, or is just frequent use sufficient? I could move most spend to it, but then I'd burn through the category spend in a matter of months, and then not have a ton of rewards use on the card after that for the remainder of the year as a 1%, so it would be nicer to spread it out and keep DC as the consistent daily driver since there's no cap to burn. I do hear Disco needs to see a lot of spend near limit for CLI, but so far that hasn't been true for me, I don't come close to the CL and they've been granting CLIs so far. I just spend normally on it.

With any of these cards, is there a certain point were it's best to just stop requesting CLIs and leave the limits where they are because any more starts looking like they're overextending and begging to be CLD'd?  I'd like higher limits for util purposes, especially if I'm ever using any of the 0% or Plan options where any use implodes single account util, for future SLs, and for hopefully being able to just let statements report naturally someday rather than frantically AZEOing everything to no more than $500 reporting as I'm currently in position to do. But while it would be nice and convenient to keep going for higher limits, I'm not obsessed with the idea if it's more a negative than positive to do. I'd be content where the Citi and Disco are, or maybe one more increase, and with Amex assuming I get that first 3x if that's the wise course.

And no, this won't be a 500 post thread!

[SouthJamaica]

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@uncredited wrote:

Now that I have my BCE going, the first charge posted on it, and the first $10 test bill pay scheduled for it since I definitely don't want any real balance reporting on a $2k limit card util-wise, and they don't let you pull before first statement, I'm trying to plan and make sure I don't mess up the correct way to do anything CLI-wise over the next 6mo.

Current cards:
Disco 5k (CLI last month, Oct)

Citi 5.4k (CLI July)

Amex 2k (new)

Now that Disco and Citi are 5k I'm not too worried about CLIs on them, really, but might as well try when the time comes at least once more. Disco would be April if I wanted to give it 6mo.

Citi would be 180 days late January, however, did I read correctly in another post that Citi doesn't do CLIs if you have any new accounts under 6mo?  If so that would mean I'd try Citi again in late May/early June before the next app after BCE is 6mo.

The big one is Amex of course, I'd like to get that up, and the current thinking is the 103 day thing and "3x", so that would put it mid-late Feb to try to get it to 6k. A few questions for Amex CLI:

1. Is "3x" normal, or is that "pushing it" and it's wiser to request below?
2. Does Amex need to see a lot of spend relative to limit to grant CLI, or is just frequent use sufficient? I could move most spend to it, but then I'd burn through the category spend in a matter of months, and then not have a ton of rewards use on the card after that for the remainder of the year as a 1%, so it would be nicer to spread it out and keep DC as the consistent daily driver since there's no cap to burn. I do hear Disco needs to see a lot of spend near limit for CLI, but so far that hasn't been true for me, I don't come close to the CL and they've been granting CLIs so far. I just spend normally on it.

With any of these cards, is there a certain point were it's best to just stop requesting CLIs and leave the limits where they are because any more starts looking like they're overextending and begging to be CLD'd?  I'd like higher limits for util purposes, especially if I'm ever using any of the 0% or Plan options where any use implodes single account util, for future SLs, and for hopefully being able to just let statements report naturally someday rather than frantically AZEOing everything to no more than $500 reporting as I'm currently in position to do. But while it would be nice and convenient to keep going for higher limits, I'm not obsessed with the idea if it's more a negative than positive to do. I'd be content where the Citi and Disco are, or maybe one more increase, and with Amex assuming I get that first 3x if that's the wise course.

And no, this won't be a 500 post thread!

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1. It's normal the first time around.

2. No, Amex doesn't need to see a lot of spend.

3. What you "hear" about Disco isn't accurate. Disco doesn't have one consistent approach to CLI's. People's experiences are all over the place, as you yourself have demonstrated.

4. With those 3 lenders I wouldn't worry about asking for too much. They will give you what they feel like giving you, and won't CLD you just because you have large limits.

[uncredited]

All good news!  Thanks. And to be absolutely certain when the time comes, for a 2000 sl, the request would be "6000" exact? or is the request for how much to increase it by (4000)?

Other than that hopefully someone knows about Citi policy if new accounts under 6mo (bce) prevent cli.  I saw someone say something about that in some thread, but it's hazy and they could have meant new Citi cards and not any cards.  Doesn't matter either way, but just determines if I'd check jan/Feb vs May/June

[FinStar]

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@uncredited wrote:

All good news!  Thanks. And to be absolutely certain when the time comes, for a 2000 sl, the request would be "6000" exact? or is the request for how much to increase it by (4000)?

Other than that hopefully someone knows about Citi policy if new accounts under 6mo (bce) prevent cli.  I saw someone say something about that in some thread, but it's hazy and they could have meant new Citi cards and not any cards.  Doesn't matter either way, but just determines if I'd check jan/Feb vs May/June

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The max amount you'd qualify for AmEx will be $6K if your present limit is $2K. There is no guarantee that you'll get $6K (it could be less), but when requesting the CLI, you can leverage that figure as the top max.

Citi's CLI policies for new accounts can be YMMV. If within 30 days of approval, one can request a CLI, but bear in mind a HP will be incurred with no guarantees you'd get the CLI. Seasoned, positive profiles tend to get a higher amount than originally approved in some cases. If you want to avoid the HP, then monitor your account periodically to determine whether the CLI request link appears and the SP language is confirmed. Be patient, do not obsess over it, do not overanalyze it. It will be there when least expected. Every account/profile is different and some people can see it much sooner than others.

[uncredited]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@uncredited wrote:

All good news!  Thanks. And to be absolutely certain when the time comes, for a 2000 sl, the request would be "6000" exact? or is the request for how much to increase it by (4000)?

Other than that hopefully someone knows about Citi policy if new accounts under 6mo (bce) prevent cli.  I saw someone say something about that in some thread, but it's hazy and they could have meant new Citi cards and not any cards.  Doesn't matter either way, but just determines if I'd check jan/Feb vs May/June

---

The max amount you'd qualify for AmEx will be $6K if your present limit is $2K. There is no guarantee that you'll get $6K (it could be less), but when requesting the CLI, you can leverage that figure as the top max.

Citi's CLI policies for new accounts can be YMMV. If within 30 days of approval, one can request a CLI, but bear in mind a HP will be incurred with no guarantees you'd get the CLI. Seasoned, positive profiles tend to get a higher amount than originally approved in some cases. If you want to avoid the HP, then monitor your account periodically to determine whether the CLI request link appears and the SP language is confirmed. Be patient, do not obsess over it, do not overanalyze it. It will be there when least expected. Every account/profile is different and some people can see it much sooner than others.

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Amex: Perfect, thanks!

Citi: Sorry, I think I wasn't clear on that.  Account was opened March, and I successfully got a $1500 SP CLI in July.  That would place the 6mo window in either late Jan (if they go by date) or Feb (if they go by month) to check again.  But my actual question was that I'd seen someone in some post at some point in time mention something about some Citi "rule" that if you have a new account (other than the one you're requesting CLI for) under 6mo they won't approve CLIs.  I.E. Citi would not approve CLIs until BCE is 6mo old (meaning don't check until May/June.) But I'm not sure if that person was really talking about "any" card (meaning BCE included), or if they meant "another Citi card" etc.

I'm not in a rush, it's my highest limit now actually, just preventatively checking that I don't step afoul of any "known" policies next time I request and reset any clocks.

[FinStar]

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@uncredited wrote:

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@FinStar wrote:

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@uncredited wrote:

All good news!  Thanks. And to be absolutely certain when the time comes, for a 2000 sl, the request would be "6000" exact? or is the request for how much to increase it by (4000)?

Other than that hopefully someone knows about Citi policy if new accounts under 6mo (bce) prevent cli.  I saw someone say something about that in some thread, but it's hazy and they could have meant new Citi cards and not any cards.  Doesn't matter either way, but just determines if I'd check jan/Feb vs May/June

---

The max amount you'd qualify for AmEx will be $6K if your present limit is $2K. There is no guarantee that you'll get $6K (it could be less), but when requesting the CLI, you can leverage that figure as the top max.

Citi's CLI policies for new accounts can be YMMV. If within 30 days of approval, one can request a CLI, but bear in mind a HP will be incurred with no guarantees you'd get the CLI. Seasoned, positive profiles tend to get a higher amount than originally approved in some cases. If you want to avoid the HP, then monitor your account periodically to determine whether the CLI request link appears and the SP language is confirmed. Be patient, do not obsess over it, do not overanalyze it. It will be there when least expected. Every account/profile is different and some people can see it much sooner than others.

---

Amex: Perfect, thanks!

Citi: Sorry, I think I wasn't clear on that.  Account was opened March, and I successfully got a $1500 SP CLI in July.  That would place the 6mo window in either late Jan (if they go by date) or Feb (if they go by month) to check again.  But my actual question was that I'd seen someone in some post at some point in time mention something about some Citi "rule" that if you have a new account (other than the one you're requesting CLI for) under 6mo they won't approve CLIs.  I.E. Citi would not approve CLIs until BCE is 6mo old (meaning don't check until May/June.) But I'm not sure if that person was really talking about "any" card (meaning BCE included), or if they meant "another Citi card" etc.

I'm not in a rush, it's my highest limit now actually, just preventatively checking that I don't step afoul of any "known" policies next time I request and reset any clocks.

---

Citi SPs your report periodically as part of standard account reviews. Since someone else's report will be vastly different than yours, all you can do is try when eligible for a SP CLI and see whether you can get approved for it. If approved, great! Otherwise, Citi will inform you why the CLI could not be approved so you can position your profile for that opportunity in the future.

[uncredited]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@uncredited wrote:

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@FinStar wrote:

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@uncredited wrote:

All good news!  Thanks. And to be absolutely certain when the time comes, for a 2000 sl, the request would be "6000" exact? or is the request for how much to increase it by (4000)?

Other than that hopefully someone knows about Citi policy if new accounts under 6mo (bce) prevent cli.  I saw someone say something about that in some thread, but it's hazy and they could have meant new Citi cards and not any cards.  Doesn't matter either way, but just determines if I'd check jan/Feb vs May/June

---

The max amount you'd qualify for AmEx will be $6K if your present limit is $2K. There is no guarantee that you'll get $6K (it could be less), but when requesting the CLI, you can leverage that figure as the top max.

Citi's CLI policies for new accounts can be YMMV. If within 30 days of approval, one can request a CLI, but bear in mind a HP will be incurred with no guarantees you'd get the CLI. Seasoned, positive profiles tend to get a higher amount than originally approved in some cases. If you want to avoid the HP, then monitor your account periodically to determine whether the CLI request link appears and the SP language is confirmed. Be patient, do not obsess over it, do not overanalyze it. It will be there when least expected. Every account/profile is different and some people can see it much sooner than others.

---

Amex: Perfect, thanks!

Citi: Sorry, I think I wasn't clear on that.  Account was opened March, and I successfully got a $1500 SP CLI in July.  That would place the 6mo window in either late Jan (if they go by date) or Feb (if they go by month) to check again.  But my actual question was that I'd seen someone in some post at some point in time mention something about some Citi "rule" that if you have a new account (other than the one you're requesting CLI for) under 6mo they won't approve CLIs.  I.E. Citi would not approve CLIs until BCE is 6mo old (meaning don't check until May/June.) But I'm not sure if that person was really talking about "any" card (meaning BCE included), or if they meant "another Citi card" etc.

I'm not in a rush, it's my highest limit now actually, just preventatively checking that I don't step afoul of any "known" policies next time I request and reset any clocks.

---

Citi SPs your report periodically as part of standard account reviews. Since someone else's report will be vastly different than yours, all you can do is try when eligible for a SP CLI and see whether you can get approved for it. If approved, great! Otherwise, Citi will inform you why the CLI could not be approved so you can position your profile for that opportunity in the future.

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I had a feeling it might be something like that. Just wanted to be sure it wasn't one of those 5/24, USB 1-2/12 amex 91-103 day type known rules.  I'll give it a go in Feb then.

Thanks!!

[BigK1995]

I just hit my like 95 day mark with my bce and tried to get a 3x cli from 1,000 to 3,000. I got a 7-10 day message. Which i assume means I'm denied which sucks lol. I hope they atleast bump it up some with a counter offer. I've put decent spend on my card and paid in full every month 

[uncredited]

I've seen it mentioned her that that $1000 approvals are considered "borderline" and sometimes take more time than average to receive CLIs.  That might be the case for that one.  Either that or the discussion around "91 days" becoming "103" days is it?  Curious what your letter will say is the reason.

[BigK1995]

Yeah im curious to know also. Guess I'll find out soon. My reported income is currently pretty low because I'm still a student. So it's not that big of a deal. If it's completely denied I'll just wait another like 3 months when I'm completely done with school and can work more for a higher income