What do you say when speaking with credit card company?

[warpchant]

Just curious when people call to recon with the credit card companies. For instance, I have a new Amex BCE and requested a credit limit increase from $15,000 to $25,000. I received an email immediately asking me to contact customer service.

 

"We've finished reviewing your credit limit increase request. To get the details of our decision please contact our Customer Care team at your earliest convenience by calling 1-800-535-7790.

 

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your Card Membership.

American Express Customer Care"

I just want to do this to decrease my utilization percent. Do I tell them that? What would you answer be?

 

Thanks for any insight!

[Zobelle]

I tell them that I am in the process of receiving a LARGE inheritance from my great uncle (bless his soul) in Nigeria.

[cv91915]

The truth always works for me. Also, remember that you are talking to a person, not a company. Generally they want to help you if you are polite and honest.

[EricDET]

The truth always works for me. Also, remember that you are talking to a person, not a company. Generally they want to help you if you are polite and honest.

 

Agreed. Honestly your reasoning of I want it to decrease my utilization is a sound one. Might want to twist it in to "I'd like to use the card more but I don't want it to affect my utilization." In my experience whenever I've been on the phone with an analyst and exercised knowledge of what drives the scoring, they've always reacted positively.

Edited April 4, 2016 by EricDET

[Konrad2012]

If AMEX wants you to call them for a CLI on a new account, you are about to get a mini-FR.

[bigpoppa09]

UH OH

 

If AMEX wants you to call them for a CLI on a new account, you are about to get a mini-FR.

[warpchant]

 

UH OH

 

If AMEX wants you to call them for a CLI on a new account, you are about to get a mini-FR.

 

I'll be calling them this morning then, I hope it's not an interrogation. Thanks for the replies, I'll report back when I know something.

[yalex609]

I'm usually very up-front that I want to make a big purchase and need the CLI for that. Had good success so far, give it a shot!

[bumbay da dogg]

Hi War,

I try to chat it up a bit before getting right to the business. General stuff like:

 

1. Where are you located?

2. How is the weather?

3. If I have ever been to there city or state.

3A. I may mention how great I thought it was

3B. A tourist point of interest I saw

3C. Or the great time I had there

4. If have never been to their city or state. I might say:

4A. I always wanted to visit

4B. My relative or friend that lives there and how much they enjoy it

 

I always tell them how great the card is:

 

1. If I have card already:

1A. How respected the card is by merchants

1B. How great customer service is and everyone is so nice

1C. I want to make this my everyday charger

1D. All the benefits offered to cardholder

1E. Wanting to Grow with _____ (fill in a CC name)

 

If I don't have card already:

1A. How well respected you have observed the company to be

1B. Cardholders you know (friends, co-workers, relatives) how they rave about card, company, perks and service

1C. How great you think products are (maybe mention 1 perk)

 

Ex. Your banana-split card has no foreign transaction fees and that is great. I'm planning a trip this summer to Europe for the family. The will be a fantastic advantage to have.

 

Again if needed hit them with:

1A. Want to make it my everyday charger

1B. Wanting to grow with Company

1C. Breathe of Product line

1D. How card is highly respected by Merchants

 

You don't have to say all of these but maybe 1 or 2 depending on the scenario.

 

But I would absolutely attempt some small talk initially. If nothing else but:

1. How are you?

2. How is the weather?

3. Our weather here in _____ is?

 

I hope this reaches you before the call and can help.

 

Keep us updated and good luck!

Edited April 5, 2016 by bumbay da dogg

[bumbay da dogg]

If AMEX wants you to call them for a CLI on a new account, you are about to get a mini-FR.

Hi Konrad,

 

What is a mini-FR?

[Quietman]

FR = Financial Review

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mec]

FR = Financial Review

 

Is there a pony for that?

[Quietman]

 

FR = Financial Review

 

Is there a pony for that?

I don't normally do requests.....

 

Edited April 5, 2016 by Quietman

[warpchant]

Made the phone call. It was just to tell me that I cannot get a CLI until 6 months after last one. I have another Amex that I got a credit line increase a couple of months ago. I didn't realize the 6 months from a different card would apply.

 

Anyway, so thankful nothing nefarious going on.

 

Cheers!

[mec]

The FR pony is standing down.

 

Thanks for the pony.

[bumbay da dogg]

FR = Financial Review

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, appreciate it.

[PotO]

FR = Financial Review

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The question might be what's the difference between an FR and a "mini" FR?

[ftpwatcher]

Today I hit the love button on my Amex OBC requesting cli 11K->15K.

Received word for word same email as the OP.

I'm going to call them tomorrow. Does anyone has any advice or recent similar experiences chatting with Amex?

[ftpwatcher]

No one wants to share than I will.

Called today morning, CSR asked me some verification questions and than said: your cli request has been denied.

You're going to receive a letter with all the info. When I ask him what's in the letter he told me that my cr reflects bankruptcy and that's why they cannot increase my cl. My bk7 is from 2011. I didn't burn amex.

They started me up with 11K three months ago. My TU & EQ are in 740+ but EX is only 690 Ficos. I really want to app SPG 35K.

Should I now or maybe would be wiser to wait let's say 3 more months? Any input greatly appreciated.

[hegemony]

I bull scare and tell them I'm a BMF with a smooth food box.

[Konrad2012]

No one wants to share than I will.

Called today morning, CSR asked me some verification questions and than said: your cli request has been denied.

You're going to receive a letter with all the info. When I ask him what's in the letter he told me that my cr reflects bankruptcy and that's why they cannot increase my cl. My bk7 is from 2011. I didn't burn amex.

They started me up with 11K three months ago. My TU & EQ are in 740+ but EX is only 690 Ficos. I really want to app SPG 35K.

Should I now or maybe would be wiser to wait let's say 3 more months? Any input greatly appreciated.

AMEX **USUALLY** doesn't hard pull existing card members for denials on new apps. So on one hand, you don't have anything to lose. On the other hand, if they denied you a $4K CLI, you might not be faced with good odds. If you could use the SPG card and it's benefits/SUB, I'd go for it personally.

[Kat58]

I bull scare and tell them I'm a BMF with a smooth food box.

 

a Bowel Movement Freak?

[IH8SPM]

I tell them I'm looking to minimize my exposure by consolidating my cards and I want to establish a credit limit that matches or exceeded my current soon to be closed cards. (not)

 

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Edited March 16, 2017 by IH8SPM

[ftpwatcher]

I'll probably go for it. I don't see it but if denied I could always call recon.

Thanks.

 

 

No one wants to share than I will.
Called today morning, CSR asked me some verification questions and than said: your cli request has been denied.
You're going to receive a letter with all the info. When I ask him what's in the letter he told me that my cr reflects bankruptcy and that's why they cannot increase my cl. My bk7 is from 2011. I didn't burn amex.
They started me up with 11K three months ago. My TU & EQ are in 740+ but EX is only 690 Ficos. I really want to app SPG 35K.
Should I now or maybe would be wiser to wait let's say 3 more months? Any input greatly appreciated.

AMEX **USUALLY** doesn't hard pull existing card members for denials on new apps. So on one hand, you don't have anything to lose. On the other hand, if they denied you a $4K CLI, you might not be faced with good odds. If you could use the SPG card and it's benefits/SUB, I'd go for it personally.

 

I tell them I'm looking to minimize my exposure by consolidating my cards and I want to establish a credit limit that matches or exceeded my current soon to be closed cards. (not)

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Great line.

Thanks