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Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

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urbancustoms
New Member

Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

I have had my visa black for 6 months now but debating cancelling it while it's still a new card so I can get the platinum. Since they are roughly the same annual fee it seems the platinum offers more for a little less annual fee. 

 

My one worry is that my visa black is my highest credit limit.

 

Visa Black :14,900

Capital One: 4,750

Bank of America: 4,400

Fifth Third: 3,900

Discover: 2,900

Chase: 2,700

Macy's: 2,000

 

I don't have any extreme balances on any of my cards so my utlization will still be below 10%. I was just considering closing it while it was still only 6 months old since closing an older card has more impact. I called a credit specialist today (a service I pay for) and they informed me closing my visa black will not harm me at all even though its my highest balance. Not sure if I want to believe this.

 

Also. Will I even get accepted for Amex Platinum. I heard they only check experian and that score is 740 for me.

 

Assuming I get accepted. How will it help my credit limit utilization on my credit report since their is no preset spending limit since it's a charge card.

 

Thanks

Message 1 of 17
16 REPLIES 16
Jlu
Established Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

Closing an older card has no impact since it stays on your report for 10 years following the closure. The impact is from utilization which won't be a major factor in your case but with a 15k limit (3x your next highest) it is still a difficult choice nonetheless.

I don't know. The Platinum is definitely a better card but affording two high AF cards may be an issue. I'd make sure you get a pro-rated refund of your AF before you decide to close it. I'd also secure your Platinum approval before closing it too.
AMEX BCP $35k | Citi Double Cash $30k | PenFed PlatRewards $25k | Barclaycard $40k | Chase Freedom $25k | BofA Cash Rewards $40K | US Bank Cash+ $4500 | Discover IT $25k | NASA Platinum-Advantage $40k | CapOne Quicksilver $15k | Amazon Card $10k | Ten years on myFICO from 510 to 780 scores
Message 2 of 17
OptimasPrime
Frequent Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

You could always try to open a new account with barclays and see if they will transfer some or even all of the credit limit on the visa black to another no/low af credit product that they underwrite and close the black card after. That way you might get to keep at least some of your revolving credit with barclays. 

EQ 778 | TU 776
Barclay US Airways WMC 7.5k | BCE 5.8k | BofA Travel Rewards 9.1k | Chase Marriott Premier 13k | Citi TYP WMC 6.5k | Freedom Visa Sig 8k| Discover it 10k
Message 3 of 17
Jlu
Established Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

^This is excellent advice.
AMEX BCP $35k | Citi Double Cash $30k | PenFed PlatRewards $25k | Barclaycard $40k | Chase Freedom $25k | BofA Cash Rewards $40K | US Bank Cash+ $4500 | Discover IT $25k | NASA Platinum-Advantage $40k | CapOne Quicksilver $15k | Amazon Card $10k | Ten years on myFICO from 510 to 780 scores
Message 4 of 17
urbancustoms
New Member

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

Thanks for the input. Yes I agree about the limit factor making it a tough decision. I would only close the black if I got approved for platinum. I would not want both AF's. The only thing I like about Visa Black is that I could carry a balance if I decide too. In the 6 months I have had it I have charged 42k on the card but never carried a balance luckily. But you never know. One day I might need to carry a balance and do not want to be forced to pay it in full like the AMEX.

 

 

Message 5 of 17
Jlu
Established Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

I believe AMEX allows you to revolve a balance on their charge card in some circumstances. Of course I am not sure about the APR or terms but I know they have the option.
AMEX BCP $35k | Citi Double Cash $30k | PenFed PlatRewards $25k | Barclaycard $40k | Chase Freedom $25k | BofA Cash Rewards $40K | US Bank Cash+ $4500 | Discover IT $25k | NASA Platinum-Advantage $40k | CapOne Quicksilver $15k | Amazon Card $10k | Ten years on myFICO from 510 to 780 scores
Message 6 of 17
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

The Amex Platinum is the far better card and I definitely recommend switching.  I don't think there's any need to worry about utilization since the Amex won't be factored in in any way, unless you carry high balances on your other cards.  Also, a 740 score is more than enough to get approved.  Honestly, the Platinum is not a hard card to qualify for, anything above 680-700 should be fine (people have gotten approved with less).  Also, they'll probably extend you the Select & Pay Later option after some time, I got it after 8 months.

Message 7 of 17
CreditScholar
Valued Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum


@Anonymous wrote:

The Amex Platinum is the far better card and I definitely recommend switching.  I don't think there's any need to worry about utilization since the Amex won't be factored in in any way, unless you carry high balances on your other cards.  Also, a 740 score is more than enough to get approved.  Honestly, the Platinum is not a hard card to qualify for, anything above 680-700 should be fine (people have gotten approved with less).  Also, they'll probably extend you the Select & Pay Later option after some time, I got it after 8 months.


+1

 

EX 798, EQ 789, TU 784
American Express Platinum (NPSL) || Bank of America Privileges with Travel Rewards Visa Signature - $23,200 CL
Barclays American Airlines Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard - $20,000 CL || Chase IHG Rewards World Mastercard - $25,000 CL
Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature - $12,700 CL || Chase United MileagePlus Club World Elite MasterCard - $26,500 CL
Citibank Hilton Reserve Visa Signature - $20,000 CL || J.P. Morgan Ritz Carlton Visa Signature - $23,500 CL
Message 8 of 17
MrShush
Valued Contributor

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

I don't know if the Select and Pay Later rate is standard, but mine is 15.24%.




Message 9 of 17
urbancustoms
New Member

Re: Thinking about closing Visa Black for AMEX Platinum

Coincidentally Visa Black just raised my limit 2k this week after I just hit my 6th month mark of being with them. Now the limit is 16,900. Since it more than tripples all my other credit cards in terms of limits I will just hold on to it to help further improve my score since it will help my utilization percentage as well as keep my overall spending power to 37k among my cards. Although I will never charge that much at a given time I figure it's better for me since in case I do end up charging around the 10k mark, I will still not be over the 30% utilization mark.

 

AMEX Platinum I still would agree is better. Only advantage visa has is its legal title "Black Card" which is more attractive in terms of physical card aesthetics. And I do not even consider that an advantage. More of a wasted factor because everytime somebody comments on the card I explain to them they are probably thinking AMEX Black Centurion and this is nothing like that. 

 

One of the reasons that initially attracted me to it was they gauranteed me more spending power. Also the fact that they said carbon fiber card seemed catchy. Ended up being a lighter form of plastic.

Message 10 of 17
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