Question for those who have been FR'd

[bem684]

FR means Financial Review for all of you who were about to ask that. 

I am wondering if I usually spend a certain amount per year on credit cards (lets say $10,000 for example), but i suddenly start spending a lot more (say $15,000 in 6 months for a signup bonus), is this likely to trigger FR?  And if it does, will the fact that I have been given a large gift this year - enough to cover all that spending - help appease them as to why I'm spending so much?

[bem684]

To be more clear, I'm specifically curious about Chase and AmerExp. 

[Avid Reader]

It's triggered by many things, of which unusual spending is one of them. I never heard of them accepting " a gift" as an answer though you never know. They will more like want to see your bank statements and Tax returns, and you can add proof of a gift as well.

There is another thread here about FR, better move this discussion there.

[Eli]

Apparently they bedavka F/R you while you are out of the country. Either that, or that's what triggers it. Happened to both me and a friend of mine.

[SuperFlyer]

What worked for me, was a little overpaying the amex bills and within the same month spend again*, and make sure to pay on time and gradually spending more and more.

I moved my limit from about $20k to $130k in 6 month.

*meaning that say your limit is $10k, you spend $8k, repay $8.1k and respend $9k within the same billing cycle.
Its the ultimate proof that they are limiting you to spend more, and money doesn't seem an issue.


That worked for me.
 

[SuperFlyer]

You can just take money (from bank/gemach) deposit in your amex, so that you can spend whatever you want.

[AsherO]

You can just take money (from bank/gemach) deposit in your amex, so that you can spend whatever you want.

Did you just recommend that he prepay? I'm pretty sure prepayment raises red flags...

[SuperFlyer]

Not sure , if they realize that he prepays beless braire, as their limit is much too low.

There is red flag, where a human comes in. And there is a behavior, which stimulates their computer to raise your limit.
 

[AsherO]

Not sure , if they realize that he prepays beless braire, as their limit is much too low.

There is red flag, where a human comes in. And there is a behavior, which stimulates their computer to raise your limit.
 

Fact: People have been F/R'd for this kind of behavior.

[SuperFlyer]

Fact: People have been F/R'd for this kind of behavior.

Fact, it worked for me, and people I dealt with.

Do as you please, I'm not getting commission either way.

[srap]

Not sure , if they realize that he prepays beless braire, as their limit is much too low.

There is red flag, where a human comes in. And there is a behavior, which stimulates their computer to raise your limit.

This is now four years later, but since it is referenced in the Amex F/R Master Thread wiki I am posting. 

Chase CSR davka told me to prepay as many times as I want if I want to spend more than my limit and that will show the bank that I need and am able to handle a higher limit!

[ilherman]

This is now four years later, but since it is referenced in the Amex F/R Master Thread wiki I am posting. 

Chase CSR davka told me to prepay as many times as I want if I want to spend more than my limit and that will show the bank that I need and am able to handle a higher limit!

What a CSR is telling you means zilch! An Amex rep also told me once that its good to prepay.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Chase CSR davka told me to prepay as many times as I want if I want to spend more than my limit and that will show the bank that I need and am able to handle a higher limit!

when many were shut down by Chase with the AARP card they were told CL means you can only spend that amount per month. since they did multiples oftheir CL the accounts were closed.

[srap]

What a CSR is telling you means zilch! An Amex rep also told me once that its good to prepay.

That is probably very true.  I actually checked it with another two CSRs.  It doesn't leave you with a lot of faith in the front line.  Even with triple checking you'll never know what is true and what isn't!

[srap]

when many were shut down by Chase with the AARP card they were told CL means you can only spend that amount per month. since they did multiples oftheir CL the accounts were closed.

This is crazy.  You guys have been around and know while I am only trusting what I am told by the CSRs.  Which department shuts down?  I would like to document their advice on my account.

[Super Speed]

This is crazy.  You guys have been around and know while I am only trusting what I am told by the CSRs.  Which department shuts down?  I would like to document their advice on my account.

It won't help you.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

This is crazy. 

+1 the best you can do is go by what is reported by members. that can also change tomorrow. in the end you are going to have to get a feel for these things and go with what you think is right. not much help but there are no givens in this game.

[srap]

Whatever.  Thanks guys.

[ilherman]

It won't help you.

+1.

[Novo]

+1 the best you can do is go by what is reported by members. that can also change tomorrow. in the end you are going to have to get a feel for these things and go with what you think is right. not much help but there are no givens in this game.

Well said!