American Express - credit limits vs ease of application

JenIttels

Hi all - I didn't want to post this in the Amex discussion area as, after reading a load of the posts, I found it was more about making money than just general use of credit cards! Hope nobody minds me posting here.

I need to get a high limit Amex card in order to build up some Amex credit history ready to transfer it to the states (i've been told this is one of the easier ways for a foreigner to get a credit history over there).

Unfortunately I've left this quite late so will need to apply and get the card asap in order to get some use out of the thing before I go to America!

Anyway, can some Amex users tell me about their experience of various cards (the platinum, blue and red unless I'm missing a biggie) so I can get a gauge for which one to go for.

I'd really appreciate it!

PS I pay off my balance every month.

PPS I'm even more confused having had another look at some of the amex pages. Is the blue card only for americans? I'm sure I've missed the point somewhere.

Phoenix79_2

There has been a lot of posts recently about Amex slashing limits recently.

I have recently cancelled a Blue card. It had of limit of £2800.

My Dad has just got the platinum credit card....he earns about 3 times the required income for having the card, and has plenty of savings etc. His limit - £750! He already had the Blue card with a limit of £8500 so maybe that was a factor.

As for using the card I had....it wasn't as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard but i'm sure you knew that anyway. Most of the major shops will accept it but you may struggle at the off-licence! The customer service was good. Thats about all i can say! Hope this helps

loveandlight

I have got an Amex Platinum with a credit limit of £5,500. I was granted it in January this year for £4600 and they upped it by another £900 in June.

I don't know who told you that but I've been told Amex in the U.K. and other similar cards have nothing to do with the U.S. credit system. The U.K. credit system is also separate from the U.S.

GunJack

I've had Amex platinum for about 3-4 yrs. Contrary to some people's experiences on this site, I've had no bother with Amex at all. Started off with LOB transfer and £5k limit, used it for this and as a general card, and they send repeat offers once or twice a year and have increased my credit limit to almost double.

A word of warning - I went to L.A. earlier this year, and was suprised that some places out there didn't take Amex !!! So if you're using in the States ensure you have a Visa or Mastercard as backup.

ayeaye

My OH recently (last month) got the American Express Nectar card - with a £14.4K credit limit which really wasn't expecting given the threads about limits being reduced.

Was quite a slow application process - around 3-4 weeks from applying to first phone call from them advising that the application had been approved.

M_Thomson

JenIttels wrote:

Hi all - I didn't want to post this in the Amex discussion area as, after reading a load of the posts, I found it was more about making money than just general use of credit cards! Hope nobody minds me posting here.

I need to get a high limit Amex card in order to build up some Amex credit history ready to transfer it to the states (i've been told this is one of the easier ways for a foreigner to get a credit history over there).

Unfortunately I've left this quite late so will need to apply and get the card asap in order to get some use out of the thing before I go to America!

Anyway, can some Amex users tell me about their experience of various cards (the platinum, blue and red unless I'm missing a biggie) so I can get a gauge for which one to go for.

I'd really appreciate it!

PS I pay off my balance every month.

PPS I'm even more confused having had another look at some of the amex pages. Is the blue card only for americans? I'm sure I've missed the point somewhere.

Hi there,
The Blue card is available here, but you cannot apply online for it. You have to apply on the telephone. It has a really cool transparent design! I also have the Platinum Credit card and the Gold Charge Card. In terms of cashback, Blue and Platinum have to same rates unless you spend more then 10K, then the platinum pays a higher rate of cashback. How soon are you going to the states? You may not get a huge limit intially. It will depend on your credit history and your credit score with Amex.

M_Thomson

GunJack wrote:

I've had Amex platinum for about 3-4 yrs. Contrary to some people's experiences on this site, I've had no bother with Amex at all. Started off with LOB transfer and £5k limit, used it for this and as a general card, and they send repeat offers once or twice a year and have increased my credit limit to almost double.

A word of warning - I went to L.A. earlier this year, and was suprised that some places out there didn't take Amex !!! So if you're using in the States ensure you have a Visa or Mastercard as backup.

Which places were these? Even a lot of small stores I visited took it when I was there.

M_Thomson

loveandlight wrote:

I don't know who told you that but I've been told Amex in the U.K. and other similar cards have nothing to do with the U.S. credit system. The U.K. credit system is also separate from the U.S.

Agreed, but as the OP mentions, if you relocate to America, Amex is one of the few cards which will let you transfer your account with them to America.

Fait_accompli

Hiya - I've never had any trouble with Amex; quite the opposite! I received the Blue card when I was 19, was offered the Gold chargecard at 20, got the Gold (NORMAL) card at 21 and Platinum card at 22 (every time I applied to take advantage of promotional offers - except for the chargecard, I was just offered that out of the blue)

I have a total credit limit of £5,600 spread across all three cards. In the past I've been allowed to move my limits from one card to the next depending on which card offered the promotional rate, plus I haven't had any limits slashed yet.

To be honest, I'm quite surprised Amex has never turned me down - especially as I got them all during my student days. To me Amex really isn't as exclusive or particular about its clientle as many make out to believe; but then, I haven't tried for Amex Black yet

JenIttels

Thanks all. Some really useful info.

Anyone happen to know if the platinum level gets pulled if your salary later drops below 20k or you're out of work for any period of time?

Phoenix79_2

JenIttels wrote:

Thanks all. Some really useful info.

Anyone happen to know if the platinum level gets pulled if your salary later drops below 20k or you're out of work for any period of time?

How would they know?!