Com'on AMEX, you are killing me!

 I have a love-hate relationship with American Express. I'm so happy when they approved my Zync and Premiers Reward Gold cards instantly 3 months ago. Not only that, they backdated all of my accounts to 2010, effectively making my credit report look much older than before. Creditors also love to see AMEX on credit reports because AMEX has the lowest default rate in the industry. They helped me to churn other cards that I otherwise wouldn't be able to because of my limited credit history.

However, life is not that easy. AMEX charges cards are advertised to have "no pre-set limit". Truth is there is, but they don't tell you until when you receive this:

I got this email when I was on a trip to NYC last month. I was expecting the worst when I called them: a financial review. Fortunately (or not), the pleasant agent told me I was approaching my limit and asked me to pay my last month's bill early. She also asked me some questions regarding my upcoming spending patterns and gave me a fixed number for my credit limit. This is a little surprise for me since AMEX is well known for not disclosing charge cards' credit limit. My credit limit with them is around $4k so it is well possible that I will get another exact letter this month :) If I didn't check my email that day, I probably wouldn't be able to check in at the hotel and my trip would have been ruined. A little more transparency would be much appreciated!

Yesterday, I applied for the Starwood Preferred Guest card and was approved easily. However, when I called in to check my credit limit (SPG is a credit card, not a charge card), all they give me is $1k. I was speechless. How on earth a mainstream credit card has a $1k credit limit??? My promo is to spend $5k in 6 months for 25k SPG points, which mean I will have to max out several times to be able to meet the requirement. It's ridiculous! A simple search on flyertalk revealed that I'm not the only one in this situation. There are several cusomters who are with them for years also got $1k limit.

AMEX better do something to improve this. Otherwise,  Chase is taking away their customers, fast.

Com'on, AMEX!!!!