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Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?

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DaveInAZ
Senior Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@Anonymouswrote:
My AmEx Everyday card is at credit limit of $9,000. Using the a 3xCli request would place me at a $27,000 credit limit.

I have heard that AmEx starts a financial review on people that get around $28,000. How likely am I to trigger a Financial review?

My AmEx profile:
I usually pay my balance off in full, as such I never paid interest to AmEx. I regular get physical mail, email, and account page offers for the Platinum Card, Gold Card, Blue Cash Everyday, Pre-Approved for a full $26,000 loan at their lowest rate, and recently I started getting offers for a card I wasn't familiar with called the SimplyCash Plus card. My stated income is $60,000.

My FICO 8 scores are Equifax 752, Transunion 754, and Experian 747

In my opinion Everyday is one of their least attractive credit cards, only 2% rewards on grocery & 1% all else. I have an ED, but frankly only took the pre-approval offer for the SUB and 15 month 0%, including BTs. Instead of trying for a 3x CLI I suggest you go for the Blue Cash Everyday pre-approval - should be a nice SUB + 0% for 12-15 months, and better rewards - 3% groceries, 2% gas. I much prefer my BCE over my ED.

 

I tread carefully with Amex as I would never agree to giving them access to my tax records. For a low interest mortgage, home equity, or car loan you get all the proof of income you want. For a credit card with interest rate in the teens, take a hike.

Message 11 of 49
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@DaveInAZwrote:

@Anonymouswrote:
My AmEx Everyday card is at credit limit of $9,000. Using the a 3xCli request would place me at a $27,000 credit limit.

I have heard that AmEx starts a financial review on people that get around $28,000. How likely am I to trigger a Financial review?

My AmEx profile:
I usually pay my balance off in full, as such I never paid interest to AmEx. I regular get physical mail, email, and account page offers for the Platinum Card, Gold Card, Blue Cash Everyday, Pre-Approved for a full $26,000 loan at their lowest rate, and recently I started getting offers for a card I wasn't familiar with called the SimplyCash Plus card. My stated income is $60,000.

My FICO 8 scores are Equifax 752, Transunion 754, and Experian 747

In my opinion Everyday is one of their least attractive credit cards, only 2% rewards on grocery & 1% all else. I have an ED, but frankly only took the pre-approval offer for the SUB and 15 month 0%, including BTs. Instead of trying for a 3x CLI I suggest you go for the Blue Cash Everyday pre-approval - should be a nice SUB + 0% for 12-15 months, and better rewards - 3% groceries, 2% gas. I much prefer my BCE over my ED.

 

I tread carefully with Amex as I would never agree to giving them access to my tax records. For a low interest mortgage, home equity, or car loan you get all the proof of income you want. For a credit card with interest rate in the teens, take a hike.


Everyday is one of the best cards of it's kind in the industry. 

 

If you reach the bonus you get 2.4x and 1.2x with no AF that can transfer to travel partners. 

 

There isn't another card with no AF in the industry that transfers to airline and hotel partners without a "big brother" card attached to it. 

Message 12 of 49
DaveInAZ
Senior Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@Anonymouswrote:

@DaveInAZwrote:



In my opinion Everyday is one of their least attractive credit cards, only 2% rewards on grocery & 1% all else. I have an ED, but frankly only took the pre-approval offer for the SUB and 15 month 0%, including BTs. Instead of trying for a 3x CLI I suggest you go for the Blue Cash Everyday pre-approval - should be a nice SUB + 0% for 12-15 months, and better rewards - 3% groceries, 2% gas. I much prefer my BCE over my ED.

 

I tread carefully with Amex as I would never agree to giving them access to my tax records. For a low interest mortgage, home equity, or car loan you get all the proof of income you want. For a credit card with interest rate in the teens, take a hike.


Everyday is one of the best cards of it's kind in the industry. 

 

If you reach the bonus you get 2.4x and 1.2x with no AF that can transfer to travel partners. 

 

There isn't another card with no AF in the industry that transfers to airline and hotel partners without a "big brother" card attached to it. 


I guess I should have prefaced that with: I very rarely travel, and when I do I much prefer a driving trip. I haven't had to climb into an airplane since 2010, and hope it's another 8 years before I do again. So, airline points are useless to me I usually use my MR points for Amazon purchases, making them only worth 7/10ths of a cent, instead of the 1pt=1cent for my BCE statement credits.

Message 13 of 49
HeavenOhio
Senior Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?

@Anonymous, as explained above, you won't be prompted for financial review. I don't think you'll be asked for proof of income either. But as stated, if they do ask, hit the back button and try again. BrutalBodyShots did this 21 times during one CLI request. A week later, he received 21 rubber-banded POI forms in the mail that he could safely ignore.

 

If they don't want to give you the full CLI, my guess is that you'll be presented with a counteroffer.

Message 14 of 49
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@DaveInAZwrote:

@Anonymouswrote:

@DaveInAZwrote:



In my opinion Everyday is one of their least attractive credit cards, only 2% rewards on grocery & 1% all else. I have an ED, but frankly only took the pre-approval offer for the SUB and 15 month 0%, including BTs. Instead of trying for a 3x CLI I suggest you go for the Blue Cash Everyday pre-approval - should be a nice SUB + 0% for 12-15 months, and better rewards - 3% groceries, 2% gas. I much prefer my BCE over my ED.

 

I tread carefully with Amex as I would never agree to giving them access to my tax records. For a low interest mortgage, home equity, or car loan you get all the proof of income you want. For a credit card with interest rate in the teens, take a hike.


Everyday is one of the best cards of it's kind in the industry. 

 

If you reach the bonus you get 2.4x and 1.2x with no AF that can transfer to travel partners. 

 

There isn't another card with no AF in the industry that transfers to airline and hotel partners without a "big brother" card attached to it. 


I guess I should have prefaced that with: I very rarely travel, and when I do I much prefer a driving trip. I haven't had to climb into an airplane since 2010, and hope it's another 8 years before I do again. So, airline points are useless to me I usually use my MR points for Amazon purchases, making them only worth 7/10ths of a cent, instead of the 1pt=1cent for my BCE statement credits.


Still. It's a travel card. So when used for travel, it's exceptional for the $$ AF cost ($0). 

Message 15 of 49
K-in-Boston
Credit Mentor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@pip3manwrote:

with Amex the AGI listed on your 1040 or 1040A should be what you report as your primary income. I believe there's an option to include a secondary source of income where u would enter other revenue u receive. Because in the event of comprehensive financial review, they will be requesting your tax return only to verify your income on the 4506-T. And may God help you if it doesn't match or at least within a reasonable range cos it's either one out of these two will happen - a hard limit imposed on your accounts definitely/indefinitely or they shut u down completely and temporarily blacklist you. So thread carefully...


There is absolutely no reason to use AGI rather than your actual gross income.  They're getting a transcript of the 1040, not just box 37 that lists the AGI.  I would assume that the vast majority of people submitting 4506-T forms for very high credit lines have itemized deductions far higher than the standard deduction.  (I know I do.)  It also doesn't take into account very common pretax deductions like health/dental insurance, HSAs, FSAs, retirement contributions, etc.  Within reason, Amex can and will expect there to be some variation.  Without looking it up for exact numbers, the AGI listed on the returns Amex just got from my 4506-T (or hopefully got by now) is probably off by at least $25-30k from the "wages" which are listed below as types of income to include. 

 

When requesting a CLI with Amex there is one spot for "Total Annual Income."

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Message 16 of 49
NRB525
Super Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?

OP if your stated income is $60k, the full request of $27k might be a stretch. As others have clarified, you would be requested to provide the 4506-T as proof of income, not FR.
High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765
Message 17 of 49
simplynoir
Community Leader
Mega Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?

I will also add variance is normal and to be expected as far as reporting income compared to your tax form as K-i-B pointed out. In my 4506T case a few months ago I normally underreport my stated income with lenders not because I'm worried of proving it but because of the expected difference between what you report and what you take home (AGI). But at least with AMEX what I've discovered is not that they "do not care" necessarily but that you're not overstating your income to the point you basically outright lied on your app to get the limits you received from them. This is all based off the rep that called me and I spoke to several days before approving my new SL on my SPG.

Message 18 of 49
simplynoir
Community Leader
Mega Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?


@NRB525wrote:
OP if your stated income is $60k, the full request of $27k might be a stretch. As others have clarified, you would be requested to provide the 4506-T as proof of income, not FR.

I don't know about that. There have been several datapoints I've seen recently where people have been able to get total limits almost equal to their yearly income. It has mystified me to find some type of ryhme or reason for it.

Message 19 of 49
NRB525
Super Contributor

Re: Will I trigger an AmEx Financial Review?

Total limits across several cards, or on one reavolver? I do not doubt AMEX will keep adding nice limits when you sign up for multiple AF cards. With a single revolver, however it seems quite unlikely.
High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765
Message 20 of 49
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