American Express Membership Rewards - amex credit line reductions in Canada?

Hi

I just got my first AMEX charge card on Friday (in Canada) and have been reading all about the credit line decreases in the US, how people are having their cards denied at restaurants and having their cards taken away or credit reduced because of where they shop being that is where people with less than stellar credit also shop.

Is this also happening in Canada? Should I be careful where I use my new card? I would be terribly embarassed if I were at dinner with guests and had my card declined.

Any news on the Canadian front regarding this?

Thanks!

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

I think that you probably won't have any trouble with charges, but you should be aware that AmEx generally takes some time to "get to know you" and your charging habits, but they generally will not deny charges right out of the gate. If you are concerned about a specific event/charge you can always call the number on the back of your card and ask if a charge for $NNN will be approved and they should tell you.

I also think that the tales here and as reported elsewhere of credit suddenly going to zero for AmEx cardholders are greatly exaggerated. I'm not suggesting that it isn't happening, as several FT members are proof that it is, but they are a small subset of even the FT community, and other FTers are seeing limits going up, so it isn't all doom and brimstone around here.

No Credit Reductions here in Canada for me -- I have been holding my Amex Costco Platinum since 2006 and seen no reductions.

Sanosuke!

Not in Canada, but my Amex limit was slashed in half yesterday. Right before my Las Vegas trip this weekend. Was planning on putting everything on the card and paying it off at the end of the month..gonna need to come up with an alternate plan now :(

Not in Canada, but my Amex limit was slashed in half yesterday. Right before my Las Vegas trip this weekend. Was planning on putting everything on the card and paying it off at the end of the month..gonna need to come up with an alternate plan now :(

Maybe they saw your travel plans and don't want to be on the hook if your luck in the casinos isn't so good. ;)

Thanks for all of the comments.

I've had it a week now and I was very careful where I used it (as I read on other boards that they judge you by where you shop).

I found out though that outside of restaurants almost no stores here take AMEX outside of large chain stores. I was able to use it at one or two stores but not at about 10 that I tried.