What balance does Amex report? Do they let anyone make payments before statement close date?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Before I make this phone call,  I thought I'd check here first.

Does Amex allow BE card holders (or any card holders) to pay the balance down before the statement close date?
What balance does Amex report to the bureaus?

I usually pay down my non-Amex accounts to $0 before the reported statement close date, but Amex isn't letting me do this.

The rep I had an online chat with just went on about how they report 7-10 days after the statement close date and that I can make any payments I want after the statement close date. He didn't confirm which balance they report though. Is it the statement close balance or whatever the balance happens to be when they report 7-10 days later?

If I have a balance of $450 on SCD 9/8

I pay $450 on 9/9 and make no charges

When they report 7-10 days later, do they report $450 or $0.

Thank you,

-F

[Anonymous]

Amex reports the statement balance the day after it closes. I'm guessing Amex won't let you make multiple payments because you're new as well as the payment account, Amex limits you to 1 payment for the first 30 days after linking a new payment account. You can bypass this by pushing the payment in from the payment account.

[Anonymous]

$450.

[MrDFinance]

When i first started the account they did not let me do this and stated I needed to wait til after my first statement and then I could make as many payments a week I wanted... And that's exactly what happened...... So don't worry... After your first statement prints you will be able to pay beofe the statement date as usual... At least that's how it was in my case and what was told to. Me over the phone..Even if they report 7-10 days after the SCD they will always report the balance that the account had on the SCD...

[Anonymous]

Thanks! By pushing the payment in do mean pay it through my bank versus the Amex website?

[Anonymous]

That's right, use your bank's billpay to pay the card. After 30 days, you will be able to make multiple payments through Amex website.

[HeavenOhio]

As mentioned, AMEX will report the statement balance on or soon after the statement date. My card usually updates about 5 or 6 days after the statement date, but your mileage may vary, and the seven to ten day esitmate by customer service is reasonable. Also, they won't report until the second statement has cut.

Payments are limited in the first 30 days after setting up your payment account. You can make as many payments as it takes you to reach your statement balance, and you'll likely be allowed one "prepayment" beyond that. You'll also likely be allowed to make one payment before the first statement cuts. If you set up your payment account promptly after being approved, the restrictions should be lifted well before your first due date.

[Loquat]

OP,  you can always call in and ask Amex to take a payment over the phone; they're pretty decent about that.