NEW AMEX GOLD CARD ON "HIGH ALERT REVIEW*

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Jan 8th, 2021 2:36 pm

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Dec 20th, 2020 9:40 am

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 20th, 2020 9:40 am

NEW AMEX GOLD CARD ON "HIGH ALERT REVIEW*

Could someone please help me. I just got approved for a cobalt and American express gold card. I Got the gold card already activated it started using it, linked my account to make a payments once I activated the card after 3 hours or so, I added my wife as a supplementary cardholder. And then boom all I had done was get gas and 2 online purchases and the card got declined. I called them they said to call back tomorrow, the department that handles this is closed right now. I called back this morning they said someone will call you, your card is on high alert and we cannot discuss anything. I just got the card. Anyone ever has this happen??

21 replies

Dec 20th, 2020 4:49 pm

iamthebest: Deal Addict; May 15, 2013; 1858 posts; 521 upvotes; Montreal

Dec 20th, 2020 4:49 pm

You need to give further details. First time with AMEX? Client for how long and how many credit cards have you had? Did you pay annual fees? The same questions for your wife.

+2

Dec 20th, 2020 5:42 pm

NobleFalcon1: Sr. Member; May 18, 2019; 933 posts; 509 upvotes

Dec 20th, 2020 5:42 pm

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ Could someone please help me. I just got approved for a cobalt and American express gold card. I Got the gold card already activated it started using it, linked my account to make a payments once I activated the card after 3 hours or so, I added my wife as a supplementary cardholder. And then boom all I had done was get gas and 2 online purchases and the card got declined. I called them they said to call back tomorrow, the department that handles this is closed right now. I called back this morning they said someone will call you, your card is on high alert and we cannot discuss anything. I just got the card. Anyone ever has this happen??

Could be a mismatch between your application and credit report.

+1

Dec 20th, 2020 5:58 pm

smartie: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 11822 posts; 6885 upvotes; Markham

Dec 20th, 2020 5:58 pm

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ Could someone please help me. I just got approved for a cobalt and American express gold card. I Got the gold card already activated it started using it, linked my account to make a payments once I activated the card after 3 hours or so, I added my wife as a supplementary cardholder. And then boom all I had done was get gas and 2 online purchases and the card got declined. I called them they said to call back tomorrow, the department that handles this is closed right now. I called back this morning they said someone will call you, your card is on high alert and we cannot discuss anything. I just got the card. Anyone ever has this happen??

Is your gas transaction the very first transaction? Might be fraud alert. Those not face to face transactions are risky especially if your first a few transaction

+2

Dec 20th, 2020 7:25 pm

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 20th, 2020 7:25 pm

This is my first Amex card. It's a gold American express I just got approved last week and got the card a day ago. I have never been an Amex client before. My wife I added on as a supplementary card after I got my card the same day, as my first supplementary card is free.

+1

Dec 20th, 2020 8:28 pm

IEpicDestroyer: Deal Addict; Dec 25, 2017; 2835 posts; 2093 upvotes

Dec 20th, 2020 8:28 pm

Have you tried using the card at a terminal first? Ones where you interact with a cashier, insert your card, and use your PIN or sign?

Did that get declined too?

+1

Dec 20th, 2020 11:33 pm

amplified: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2006; 2624 posts; 1074 upvotes; Burnaby

Dec 20th, 2020 11:33 pm

How much were the purchases in short succession for? And what online retailers? That might have triggered a fraud alert.

+1

Dec 20th, 2020 11:42 pm

rhw123: Deal Addict; Feb 4, 2019; 2687 posts; 4349 upvotes; BC

Dec 20th, 2020 11:42 pm

It's not unusual for a new card to get blocked after 1 or a few transactions. The fraud detection algorithm doesn't know your spending pattern yet and is easily triggered. I've had this happen many times with new cards from issuers I never had a card from before.

Just speak to their fraud people, most likely they'll want to confirm your ID and transactions before unblocking the card.

+2

Dec 20th, 2020 11:44 pm

Kiraly: Deal Guru; Jan 9, 2011; 13825 posts; 17947 upvotes; Vancouver

Dec 20th, 2020 11:44 pm

Happened to me once before with a new Amex Gold card. First purchase was for a few bucks. Second purchase was for about $500, it got declined and my phoned buzzed with a security alert from Amex. I just had to call them and say the transaction was legit, all good from there.

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+1

Dec 21st, 2020 12:16 am

jtfrogger: Sr. Member; May 26, 2009; 578 posts; 775 upvotes; Calgary

Dec 21st, 2020 12:16 am

As others have said, Amex is hypersensitive if it is your first card with them. It's not that unusual. As a side note, I'd recommend paying your first bill a few days early. I've seen a card locked the morning the day payment was due in the first month because they were being skittish. And payment was already posted in the account, but just barely.

Once you have a couple payments down, it will be much better and you shouldn't have any problems with normal transactions.

+1

Dec 25th, 2020 12:58 am

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 25th, 2020 12:58 am

Just an update. everything was fine. Security alert and the fact that I applied for cobalt and gold like 3 hours apart. I really didn't even want cobalt. I want to upgrade my gold to platinum, is that hard to do?

+2

Jan 1st, 2021 6:58 pm

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Jan 1st, 2021 6:58 pm

Just an update. Could someone please help? So I have been spending on my Amex gold card. I roughly spent 4300 paid about 1100 just as early paydown nothing is due yet, but I called today and they said they need to transfer me to the credit team, which was closed today. They said I need to speak to the credit team. I have had the card for less than a month. Could someone shed some light?

Jan 1st, 2021 7:12 pm

rychicken: Jr. Member; Feb 6, 2019; 160 posts; 223 upvotes

Jan 1st, 2021 7:12 pm

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ Just an update. Could someone please help? So I have been spending on my Amex gold card. I roughly spent 4300 paid about 1100 just as early paydown nothing is due yet, but I called today and they said they need to transfer me to the credit team, which was closed today. They said I need to speak to the credit team. I have had the card for less than a month. Could someone shed some light?

what is your credit limit?

Jan 1st, 2021 7:21 pm

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Jan 1st, 2021 7:21 pm

its a gold amex card. It's a charge card they gave me no limit.

Jan 2nd, 2021 3:44 am

coolintheshade: Deal Fanatic; Aug 24, 2016; 8912 posts; 9943 upvotes; The Prairies

Jan 2nd, 2021 3:44 am

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ Just an update. Could someone please help? So I have been spending on my Amex gold card. I roughly spent 4300 paid about 1100 just as early paydown nothing is due yet, but I called today and they said they need to transfer me to the credit team, which was closed today. They said I need to speak to the credit team. I have had the card for less than a month. Could someone shed some light?

You say you spent this, and paid that, but you don’t say the reason you called them.
Did you start getting transactions declined?

Jan 2nd, 2021 3:59 am

Delight: Sr. Member; Dec 20, 2017; 790 posts; 946 upvotes

Jan 2nd, 2021 3:59 am

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ its a gold amex card. It's a charge card they gave me no limit.

All Amex charge cards have a hidden limit. It's your first month, and based on your income you put in the application, and Amex's algorithms, you've reached your cap til you pay it off this month. The limit will gradually grow as your spend increases at roughly 2-3x your monthly spend.

💳 Collected: RBC VIP for Private Banking, TD VIP, BMO VIP, HSBC Premier WE MC, Amex PP, Amex BP, Amex BG, Amex Cobalt, BMO WE MC, CDC Indigo

+3

Jan 2nd, 2021 11:17 am

creditbeginner [OP]: Newbie; Dec 19, 2020; 13 posts; 4 upvotes

Jan 2nd, 2021 11:17 am

yes, i got a decline on a 90 dollar charge. there is no message on my account when I login, but when I called they said I need to talk to the credit department.

Jan 3rd, 2021 12:47 am

lmcjipo: Deal Addict; Sep 14, 2012; 2282 posts; 1701 upvotes; Montreal, QC

Jan 3rd, 2021 12:47 am

creditbeginner wrote: ↑ its a gold amex card. It's a charge card they gave me no limit.

There is a (hidden) limit on their charge cards. Often times, the limit will surprise you (on how low it is).

You can get an idea of your limit if you check your credit report from Transunion (or any probably service which uses Transunion). If you get your free (once a month) credit customer disclosure at https://ocs.transunion.ca/ocs/home.html

As you start using the card more and more, your (hidden) limit will get increased. I believe it is based on your highest spending for a particular month since being a "member" of American Express.

Jan 4th, 2021 11:06 am

admiralackbar: Deal Addict; Dec 4, 2011; 2196 posts; 2121 upvotes; Montréal

Jan 4th, 2021 11:06 am

lmcjipo wrote: ↑ There is a (hidden) limit on their charge cards. Often times, the limit will surprise you (on how low it is).

You can get an idea of your limit if you check your credit report from Transunion (or any probably service which uses Transunion). If you get your free (once a month) credit customer disclosure at https://ocs.transunion.ca/ocs/home.html

As you start using the card more and more, your (hidden) limit will get increased. I believe it is based on your highest spending for a particular month since being a "member" of American Express.

There is also the "check spending power" link on the AMEX website where you can test out an amount and see if it is approved.

Jan 4th, 2021 2:09 pm

lmcjipo: Deal Addict; Sep 14, 2012; 2282 posts; 1701 upvotes; Montreal, QC

Jan 4th, 2021 2:09 pm

admiralackbar wrote: ↑ There is also the "check spending power" link on the AMEX website where you can test out an amount and see if it is approved.

Yes you can also do that and doing it on their website is more accurate than what appears on Transunion's credit report since what appears on Transunion is lower than what is accessible for purchases with the card (but it does show something).

+1

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