How do non-Amex-issued Amex cards affect your position with Amex?

reclusive46

Maestro. wrote: »

I imagine the charge cards are easier to get as they charge quite a high price for the privilege. Is it also correct that you've got no S75 on charge cards?

No S75 protection, although they contractually offer the same thing, so it effectively means the same thing. (I believe its AXA that insures them).

The gold card is also free for the first year, so I doubt that makes much difference. Only one of its credit cards is fee free now anyway.

InsideInsurance

For their chargecards they have a particular dislike of seeing outstanding balances on your other cards from my anecdotal experience. If you wanted to rationalise it then it'd be because they'd think if you are spending more than you can afford to pay off on that card whats to stop you doing the same with the chargecard

w211

Interesting replies, thanks.

I first applied for the American Express Platinum Cashback Credit card, one year after being self-employed (to ensure I met their criteria), used it for everything, all business expenditure, ensuring I pay it off in full every month.

Then applied for their Platinum Charge Card a year later, which I wasn't sure I was going to get, as it was a charge card, but was instantly approved - now I see why from the responses above.

w211

reclusive46 wrote: »

give you a low starting exposure limit.

Is there any idea how you find this out?

My average monthly balance is about £1,200, but this month I've booked a holiday (flights + hotel), and bought new tyres for the car, so the balance is now about £2,500 (the highest it's ever been).

There's still a week left on the monthly billing cycle - don't want to be refused for further transactions!

Stephen_C.

InsideInsurance wrote: »

For their chargecards they have a particular dislike of seeing outstanding balances on your other cards from my anecdotal experience. If you wanted to rationalise it then it'd be because they'd think if you are spending more than you can afford to pay off on that card whats to stop you doing the same with the chargecard

By outstanding balances do you mean ones that you are paying interest on and have not paid off fully after the end of the month?

reclusive46

w211 wrote: »

Is there any idea how you find this out?

My average monthly balance is about £1,200, but this month I've booked a holiday (flights + hotel), and bought new tyres for the car, so the balance is now about £2,500 (the highest it's ever been).

There's still a week left on the monthly billing cycle - don't want to be refused for further transactions!

I couldn't say, I've never hit the limit though, if you have the odd expensive month they don't care. From what I hear they send you a text and an email when you are within 10% of it. They also don't generally block purchases like restaurants etc. without calling you (Unless you've ignored emails etc) as it could be very embarrassing.

My normal balance is around £1750 but I've gone over £20,000 when buying a car and they didn't seem to care when I called them (I don't think calling them made any difference).

InsideInsurance

w211 wrote: »

Is there any idea how you find this out?

My average monthly balance is about £1,200, but this month I've booked a holiday (flights + hotel), and bought new tyres for the car, so the balance is now about £2,500 (the highest it's ever been).

There's still a week left on the monthly billing cycle - don't want to be refused for further transactions!

They aren't open about what your exposure limit is and it is more complicated than a simple limit as per a credit card.

If you call them they will simply test to see if your card is going to accept a purchase for £x by dummying put that amount through. Just because £x is rejected it doesnt mean you cannot make multiple lower payments that does get up to £x.

I've only once had them contact me about my chargecard balance and that was when the card was ten times its normal balance due to a mistake at a travel agents and even then they said transactions under £100 would be fine but over were likely to be rejected until the balance was brought down. Probably spent another £500 after that call in smallish transactions (£50-£75) before the refunds came through.