Before the COVID-19 pandemic, American Express India was known for being generous with credit limit enhancements on its credit cards and providing strong support on charge cards. During the initial phase of the pandemic, Amex paused automatic limit increases for a few months. They resumed accepting requests and issuing enhancements from around January 2021, but increases were generally smaller than what cardholders had come to expect—especially for customers who already had credit limits above INR 2 lakh.
Recently, however, the pattern appears to have shifted back toward the more generous approach seen before the pandemic. In early 2024 I’ve observed multiple examples of solid limit increases, including auto-adjustments communicated by email and SMS.
- One cardholder’s limit rose from INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,20,000 (a 60% increase).
- Another saw a jump from INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,25,000 (a 125% increase).
These increases reflect the historical trend: cardholders with lower starting limits often receive larger percentage hikes, while those with higher limits receive meaningful but smaller percentage increases. The size of any enhancement still aligns with factors such as income, overall relationship with the bank, and card spending.
If you haven’t received an automatic credit limit enhancement but your spending on the card is strong, it’s worth contacting American Express customer support and requesting a limit increase. For faster handling, call during daytime hours when the credits team is available. Many cardholders report receiving similar uplifts after making a manual request.
Given these recent examples, it appears the conservative stance Amex adopted during the pandemic may be fading. While the exact timing of the renewed generosity is unclear, improvements likely began in late 2023 or early 2024.
For those who do not yet hold an Amex card and are interested in sizeable credit limits, now is a favorable time to apply. Several American Express cards are available with a first-year fee waiver, making them attractive entry points:
- Amex Plat Travel (First Year FREE)
- Amex MRCC (First Year FREE)
Have you received a credit limit enhancement on your American Express card recently? Share your experience in the comments below.