American Express Card Forum 

Date:            21/03/2007

I had (until today) two American Express cards.  I went to buy a plane ticket online and my card was denied.

It should be noted:

· I am not a deadbeat. 
· I always pay my bills. 
· I make a lot of money.
· I am not late on any account. 

When I checked my email, there was no correspondence from American Express regarding my accounts, except for those offering me more credit.  When I checked their website, there was no problem reported with my account or my ability to charge? When I called their automated line, there was no problem reported with my ability to charge?

When I finally got an operator, I was told, I’m sorry, but we don’t like your spending patterns. You will have to pay 'X' to be able to charge the amount of that ticket.  Hmmm, I confirmed that this was a Gold Card with no defined spending limit.  “Yes.”  I confirmed I wasn’t late on any account.  “Yes” again.

So they unilaterally decided to shut my card off without any notice or notification?  Based on?

I paid both cards in full, all $10K and cancelled my cards. 

American Express can bite me!

I love your site!

Date:            29/06/2007

Amex is the most dishoured card in Pakistan. I wonder why they have issued Amex cards here when they cant find establishments accepting their card.

Date:            1/07/2007

Cute, I hate AMEX as well, No need for the details at the moment. I love the thread about the www.american-express-card.com domain which is no longer here but actually sucked up by a real cyber squatter!
 

Date:            1/07/2007

Personally I work for American Express.....I must agree they do suck as a cardmember, but as an employee.....Lets just say we get a credit card with $1000 limit instant benifits ect.
 

Date:            1/07/2007

I agree they're horrible. I cancelled my card because they said I had to spend repeated amounts to be able to use it for that amount (for instance, my spending habits are sporadic: maybe $50 one month, $1500 the next. They would repeatedly refuse (( very embarassing )) my larger transactions, saying my purchasing history didn't warrant that amount.) That's about the most inconvenient card I could possibly want!
 

Date:            2/07/2007

AMEX is not for everyone. Do not apply unless your IQ is above 100. I read everyone of these comments and find that 99% of the negatives are from absolutely CLUELESS individuals. To the "young jerk", I would have had that guys butt. You should have called right back and asked to speak with a supervisor. I would have chased that all the way to the pres of the Co. Other than that, you people should stick to VISA and Mastercard and high interest rates. AMEX (except for the revolving credit lines like the Blue Card) is not a CREDIT card. It is a charge card. There are very distinct differences, most notedly that a charge card requires repayment at the end of the month since they are not offering you "credit". Get a life and a VISA folks and leave AMEX to the adults.
 

Date:            2/07/2007

Have had 2 Amex cards for 2 years and always paid in full and on-time. Recently applied for and received the Platinum card. Then they call expecting me to fork over my tax returns for the last 2 years because they wanted to do a "financial review". When I refused - the closed all of my accounts. I had just paid the $450 for the Platinum card membership. I'd better get that back. We'll see...

Moral of the story: Stay away from American Express!
 

Date:            2/07/2007

I actually was a fan of Amex. Platinum member for seven years. I have been based overseas for over five years. So I always pay via overseas transfer. I actually do not use the card that much as I have a Hong Kong Platinum Amex. My wife had used the card in April and did gorgot to tell me. It was a 1900 USD purchase. I used the CARD for 280.00 and paid that amount as I was unaware of anything else.
Our card was subsequently cancelled. Now I paid tthe entire balance the day I found out. I realize its my responsibility to pay on time, but I never eeven got a phone ( I only get my mail evrey 3 months). very upset 1. i am sure this wrecks my credit. 2. we are moving back to the US in a few months and I really would like having my AMEX back
 

Date:            29/07/2007
 

Let amex fall as the public starts to see the truth. when no one will accept them, and no one will use them, they will fall. I hope and pray that that day is today.

Date:            30/07/2007
 

Years ago, beyond the statute of limitations, someone fraudulently signed me up for AMEX and used a PO Box to have the bills sent to. I discovered the card years later...when whoever did it went into default. AMEX made zero effort to identify the other person(s) on the card...there was a name, but AMEX said they investigated and found nothing. Since I never signed a signature card, I told them I disputed this debt. I filed this complaint with the DA, but since I was now in a different state from discovery, the DA did nothing. I would have to start paying attorneys legal fees to clear my name. Three years after closing the account, AMEX updated my account fraudulently in order to affect my credit. AMEX refused to have this amended. Now that I am beyond the statute of limitations, I have received correspondence which threatens legal action--despite the statute of limitations passing (they try to edit the account to make it appear as if there was activity on the account to prevent the statute of limitations from being invoked). Stay away from this company!

Date:            08/08/2007

AMX does not feel that it is important to comply with subpoena's regarding third party disputes. They should be punished or at least comsumers should know there is no presitige in having a pay for the use of their credit card. The world has past them by. They are an anacronism. They are disingenuous to the consumer and the devil to the merchant.
 

Date:            27/08/2007

American express sucks! They did a "financial review" for no apparent reason, so I had to get my tax returns. I got them but AMEX bites! They will put a "freeze" without first contacting you.
 

Date:            31/08/2007
 

I was defrauded in China a year ago for a tea tasting that should have cost $8 that came up as a $300 + bill. Amex blew me off even though I showed them that a tea tasting in London at Fortnum and Masons would have cost less than $150. They know full well that this amount would employ someone several months not 90 minutes. I cancelled my card saving the $200 annual fee and I will be using Visa & Mastercard until they have the decency to admit their error - refund my $300 and cease their fraudulent adverts on the US Tennis Open as to how they protect you. They Lie - It is Bs&it that the protect you!!!!!!!!!!

John Milner
Cold Spring USA
 

Date:            08/09/2007
 

Amex is indeed one of the worst if not the worst in reference to customer service. Amex begins with a simple position. We are right and you are wrong. I am currently on hold with them as I try to work out an error they made but will not accept any responsibility for. They messed up my account by placing charges in play that has been in question. We challenged the charges and the so-called “investigation unit” simply took the vendors word that the charges were valid. No need for proof. The same vendor had been challenged by at least six other Amex clients at the same time, was found guilty of consumer fraud, under investigation by the State and yet Amex juts took the vendor’s word.

(By the way, I am on the phone with Amex now and was sent to a wrong person by the first flak catcher. I was just told that number 2 flak catcher is not the one who can resolve the issue. When asked why I was sent to her, a nice but very unhelpful Miss Humphrey’s (Amex may make a mistake but we didn’t”) Ms. Humphreys told me the front line people “do not have a clue” who the proper person is to send the call to. But after she asked me what I was calling about she engaged me in conversation for 20 minutes before telling me she was not the right person to help me. This is classic shuffle strategy meant to wear the caller down and quit. I am now on the three to five minute between call wait meant to discourage and tick me off so I quit. Not quitting.)

In any case, Amex is not a company to have a credit card with. They do not care about the consumer. They are fairly good at sham customer service but will not admit any mistakes even when they recognize that they made some. In my case, I was told not to pay until the dispute was resolved. I was actually told not to make payments on my bill. It was a substantial amount of money from the above-mentioned vendor. Then I received no bills for three months. Receiving no bills seemed to be in accordance with being told not to make any payments. They say they made phone calls to me which I never received. Might be because I switched to Vonage and they could not let me keep my number. Amex “wasn’t sure what number” they called but repeated they called me. Finally they refused the dispute and told me I owed over $240 in late fees and would inform my credit on my late payment. They told me, they did it as good will gesture after closing my account. Yuh right!

They suddenly want to show goodwill after they cancel the card because I did what their person told me to do. They showed only ill will when I was a very good customer over many years. They added to their “goodwill” by reporting to the credit bureau that I had late payments. Late payments because what they told me. Goodwill has been maligned by Amex.

They screwed up and screwed me but will do nothing about it. Yes, leave home without it.
 

Date:            11/09/2007

American Express is the worst credit card i have ever had. Only card that has given me problems. 1.Too little time to pay payment. If you dont send it in almost immediately after receiving payment, your screwed. Others give you atleast two wks. 2.Automated phone payment is annoying and slow. They try to cut time by having you talk to an electronic receiving system, then it doesnt understand you most of the time, then it goes through the push #1, push #2 crap. When you finally get through all that, it has consumed twice as much of your time then what other cards would have. And then you may even be transferred to a rep after all that! 3. They do not keep to their word. I have never been late with any other card. But, since this card gives you a whopping 3 days for which you better get it in the mail, I called to pay. I was a day late on payment, because of a 2 wk vacation i took, and the rep understood. I came back and there was a bill in the mail and it was due. Anyway, she said, I wouldnt be charged and my % rate would stay the same, which was 0% fixed till paid off (a special balance transfer rate). Now, I just got my bill, guess what. $38 late fee, and an unbelievable 30.24% rate. WHAT!!!! I called them and amazingly kept my cool while i explained this mess. After a 15 min. wait, they said all they could do is drop it to 14.9% rate (variable). I then explained to them I would transfer the balance ASAP.
BTW, my balance is apx 6000. I normally dont have big balances and whether I do or not, I have awesome credit, pay on time, and pay off the balances fairly fast.
From now on NO MORE AMERICAN EXPRESS card in my wallet.
 

Date:            11/09/2007

american express is the worst mistake you can ever make i will ratther go bankrupt then give them any payments .hasan k

 

Date:  12/09/2007

The service really sucks!!!!
They´ve lasted more than one month and a half in returning my money to cancel a card The telephone service is bad and they provide erroneous information. The account statements are confuse Well it really stinks!!

Date:   15/10/2007
 

American Express lied to me? Me…a card member for 25 years. Me…who has three Amex cards. Me…and my wife, who also has been an Amex card member for many years, who have charged untold hundreds of thousands of dollars on our cards. Me…who started a new business in April and got an American Express Business Card. Me…who has made payments on time. Me…who was told I had unlimited charge privileges. And that’s the lie. It seems it is not unlimited, but based on some undecipherable formula that even their customer service representative could not adequately explain when I called to ask why a business expense had been declined, causing me a great deal of embarrassment. Me…who thankfully has a number of other major credit cards in his wallet just waiting to get out and take my charges. Yes, American Express lied to me.
 

Date: 15/10/2007

Hello, I am a web designer that pulls an easy 100 grand a year. Recently I applied for a Delta skymiles card and was easily approved and sent one....well only few days ago I applied for but a simple Amex green card and was declined!!!!!! This company is the most absurd bunch of B.S Ive ever heard of in that I am easily approved by other card companies as well as was approved for the Delta card but declined for the Green card???? They say that I do not have enough high credit limits lol yet of all my cards none has a single balance owed on them and I have a few mastercards with 5k limits and paid off. Amex is a B.s company and does not deserve to have any consumer interested in them and I am here to tell you that Mastercard is by far a greater avenue for you
 

Date:  19/10/2007

I am currently in a position to pay off my credit cards and american express has me over limit paying 33% every month. There is no way unless they work with me that i can continue this tempo. I have asked and all they do is put me on hold until i cant wait any longer (usually half an hour to 45 minutes) THIS COMPANY SUCKS FOR THE SOLE FACT THAT THEY ADVERTISE HOW GREAT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS. RECOVERY IS A HUGE PART OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WILL NEVER USE AMERICAN EXPRESS AGAIN. Same goes for you AMERIPRISE! What a jip, yall arent hiding anything.
 

Date: 30/11/2007

In 2006, I applied for and was granted an American Express Blue Card. It’s reasonable to assume that my credit was checked prior to approving and issuing the card to me. I believe the initial credit limit was approximately $5000. In the period of time between card issuance and my subsequent request to discontinue my credit relationship with American Express, my card’s credit limit was raised incrementally to approximately $17,000.

On a business trip over the Thanksgiving holiday I discover, at the car rental agency, that my card, at that time, which is supposed to have approximately $10,000 worth of available credit line has been declined. On a phone call to your company, I discover that you have decided that, upon review of my credit history, I am a poor credit risk and my limit should be reduced to approximately $7,000. After listening to your representative’s explanation about my “poor credit history”, I decided then and there to cancel the card.

Since I have had the “Blue” card, I have been paying more than the minimum balance and have been conscientious about paying on time. It appears that a credit report with old and disputed data is more important than my track record since being issued the card. The reasonable question to ask is: Why did you approve the card at all, if my credit is so bad? Further, why would you increase the credit limits if my credit history is poor?

There is indeed a negative mark on my credit report due to a disputed and already paid hospital bill for $321.00. The credit bureaus should all have the dispute & explanation on file… but that’s a separate matter for me to deal with.

American Express decided to knock down my credit limit without notification of any kind, while I was on a business trip. As it happens, I have enough cash to make it through this trip without any undue hardship… no thanks to your company. Your actions show poor overall form with dealing customers and I have chosen to end my dealings with you and pay off the balance owed. It seems that a credit bureau database of questionable accuracy is more important than a current customer’s good track record.

I am only one person and my impact may be miniscule in your grand scheme of things, but I will make it my personal mission to advise everyone I come in contact with to avoid your company and its cards given this review policy of yours. I will start a blog and prominently display this letter. I am very disappointed, but I believe things like this happen for a reason and that I will be better off without American Express.

former card member since 2006
 

Date:    30/11/2007
 

When I graduated college and got my first job, My father told me that one of the most important things I need to do is to get an American Express card. I then told him that I did not agree, as I did not see a reason to pay for a card, when so many other banks offer cards for free. I went on to argue that the credit card companies already earn a percentage on my purchases from the fees they charge to merchants, and that there was no reason to for me to give them more money on top of that. My father then explained that American Express is more than a Credit card, rather it is a service that is designed to help you in a wide arrange of situations you will encounter in your life, If I remember the quote correctly, he said “from renting a car to a major incident, AMEX is there”. Trusting my fathers words, At a very young age, I applied and received a AMEX card.
Becoming an international business consultant, I found my fathers advice to be very helpful. Having the American Express Platinum card in my pocket made my traveling life much easier. I received assistance from AMEX from situations like the airlines loosing my luggage, Car Rental accidents, finding hotels in far away cities, to helping me get a new card and some local currency, when my wallet was stolen, within hours. Anytime I had a problem, I would call the International service center and it seemed that someone would do whatever they could to assist me in my time of need. I never doubted that the 500 dollar a year membership fee was not worth it.
In 2002 due to my extensive time in Europe, I set up a second residence in Germany. For the first three years, I relied on my US AMEX card for all of my needs. As time went on, and it became clear that I would live in Germany on a more fixed basis, I decided to apply for an AMEX card in Germany. Due to my good credit status, I was granted a Platinum AMEX card from American Express Germany. Since I traveled mostly within Europe, I began to use this card for more and more things. As with the US based card, I felt I received the same service with this card. As time went on, American Express offered me a line of credit. Being a consultant, who deals with complex, multicurrency contracts, a line of credit in Germany, my current home base, seemed like a good idea. From then until now, I used the card and the line of credit often, NEVER missing or being late on any payment.
At the beginning of this week, I went out to a restaurant with a client. At the end of the meal I took out my AMEX card, and gave it to the waiter. He processed it, returned to the table, and then informed me that the card was rejected. After being embarrassed, I pulled out my US based AMEX card and asked him to use that one. He returned with a receipt for me to sign, as the card was happily accepted. Upon returning home that night, I found two separate letters from American Express Germany informing me that for no particular reason they were cancelling both my Platinum card and my line of credit. Fearful that someone had tampered with my account, I wrote a fax and sent it out that night, asking for a call back.
As I expected, following all of the other service I received in the past, I received a call the next morning from a woman called Frau Schallau. She informed me that the accounts had been cancelled due to them receiving a letter from the Schufa ,the German credit reporting agency, informing them that there is some kind of bad account that is under my name at a bank that has no affiliation with any branch of American Express. As soon as she said this, I was aware of the issue she was speaking about.
Earlier the prior week, I had received a letter from Barclay Bank Germany, issuers of my local Visa and Master Cards asking me to call them. During my call to them, I was informed of a letter they received from Schufa stating that I had a delinquent account. Knowing that I always pay my bills Barclay Bank told me that this would not affect my account, but I should check into it. The same day I requested a copy of my report, and received it 3 days later. On this report, there appeared some strange entries stating I owed a debt since the year 2003. I acted upon this information by sending the documentation to my lawyer, and having him begin the proper measures to remove this error from the record. After Frau Schallau finished explaining that since the Schufa sent her a letter, she HAD to close all of my accounts. I then began to inform the woman that I had been a customer for years in the US and for the past years here in Germany. I added that if she would look into her system, she would see that this must be a mistake, as my balance is often in the thousands of Euros, and I have never missed a payment, Period. I then explained the story above. Throughout my dialogue, Frau Schallau, listened carefully, and did not interrupt. I figured that she would look up my file, see the backup to what I was saying, and then open my accounts. When I finished, she repeated her line that she could do nothing, but she told me that when the lawyers do fix the situation, she would be “more than happy” to reinstate my accounts and “even give me a credit for the membership fee” during the “days” this would last. If you live in Germany, you know that very few things take days, especially when there are lawyers involved. I told the lady that I think that this will last at least some weeks, and that taking my card away now, when I am probably mostly in need of its services, is a huge breach of confidence. I let her know that this IS the reason that I pay 500 Euros a year for the “privilege” of membership. She again listened, apologized, and repeated her promise to refund the membership fee for this period. I thanked her and then hung up. What it seems like to me is that American Express Germany, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express USA, does not really care to uphold the commitment to card members as the main branch does. This kind of treatment I would have expected if I missed a payment to American Express, which I have not. I was surprised how the extreme difference how I was treated from American Express, a card that costs 500 Euros a year, verses Barclay card, a card that costs 30 Euros per year. Since this has happened I have looked at the possibility to switch to the Barclay Card Platinum product. It seems that they do not abandon their customers for no reasons, and their platinum services seem to match American Express.
 

Date: 30/11/2007

I applied for a gold card after taking a new job where I would be doing heavy travel in decent hotels so I wouldn't have to worry about the fee. Despite pulling in six figures, having great credit and owning a home, I have been sequentially embarrassed by holds put on my account. Despite paying every bill ON TIME since getting the card, apparently the fact that I spend anywhere from $2K to $6K over the last 4 months (90% business expenses) and pay it off is unimpressive. They had the audacity to 1) suspend my charging privileges and 2) harass me by phone after I had paid the previous month's balance due IN FULL and was awaiting reimbursement for the charges NOT YET DUE.

I initially was debating going to the Platinum, but after this messiness, I'm looking to put that card in the shredder. Apparently, membership does not have its privileges.
 

Date:   23/01/2008

I have been a member for 24 years and never had a problem.
 

Date: 23/01/2008

I recently looked at my American Express bill online and noticed that AMEX was charging outrageous late fees and additional charges. Some charges were the same day!! I contacted AMEX and explained that on a $5,000 credit limit - over $1,200 came from fees. I was extremely upset and asked if I could do anything. I was told that I should have "done a better job looking at" my bill. I work 2 jobs and go to school - all my billing is done online. I never received a phone call regarding my account.

What I am most upset about is that I have *NEVER* missed a payment. My mistake was that it was delivered on the wrong date. I have pleaded and pleaded with AMEX to please waive some of the fees in November and December of 2007 the fees were over $500. I haven't used my AMEX card in months.

I'm looking at having to take out a personal loan now because of this mess. The interest rate is 30%!! No one will work with me at AMEX to help alleviate the situation. I could understand if I were skipping payments or not making full payments, but this is clearly a case of ensuring that payments are received on the correct day. An HONEST error!!
 

Date: 23/01/2008

I have worked for amex and have their card and I can tell you now that they suck. You go to pay the bill online to pay it off after knowing you have made charges on the card. Not only does it over 24 hours and sometimes days to show up as an outstanding balance on the online statement but where is says balance or payment due it says $0 and is meant to trick people to thinking they don't have anything to pay. tsk tsk.
 

Date: 23/01/2008

I'm 19, and have had credit cards for the past 13 months. I started out with $2,500 in collective credit, and in the past year I have almost $10,000 in credit and a car lease. I've never missed a payment and have charged somewhere in the low five digits on the lives of the credit limits.

Now, I finally have my AMEX Gold Card. Here's the funny thing. I'm freshman in college with just $3,500/mo in parental support, and I can manage an AMEX Card without bitching and moaning.

Pay it off, don't overspend based on your income, and get over yourselves!

Half this site is lies, and the other half is bitter complaining from people whose credit score is lower than their IQ.

Shut up and deal with a Visa.

 

Date: 08/02/2008

They suck, We did a balance transfer at a low rate and in 3 months they jacked the interest rate up, when we asked about it they something about reading the fine print. That is BS they knew what they where doing.
 

Date: 08/02/2008

I had an 8,000 dollar AMEX Delta Gold card sent to me in 2004-2005. I used it fairly often and kept a balance of around 1500-3000 dollars with regular payments made slightly above minimum. I do work overseas so occasionally I would miss a payment and double up the next month. But I would also occasionally make a much larger payment to reduce my overall debt.
This seemed to be agreeable because between Jan 2005 and May 2006 AMEX raised my limit four times without my request, eventually reaching 32,000.
What luck I thought!!!...when chances to invest in a project and then buy a house came along I used it to help cover expenses based upon being able to afford the minimum payment at around 12-15% interest. In late 2006, AMEX raised their minimum payments significantly, which made it just a bit harder to pay but not impossible. I still occasionally missed a payment but was not a huge abuser. In May 2007, I made a 4000 dollar payment all at once to reduce my debt. I then missed my June payment because of travel (not an excuse just what was going on). Around then, AMEX kicked in a punitive 28% rate on me...and then, with the dollar exchange rate dropping in Europe I found myself unable to always eat, pay for my house in the UK and pay that damn bill! A few months passed, they were still getting paid but I was late a bit more so they canceled my account with the reason that they "could not verify my account or contact me." This was a lie as they previously had called me at home here in the UK and they even had my email address...no sign they ever tried to contact. In November 2007 they sent my account to an independent collection agency while still sending me bills--only complicating the issue as the collection company implied I could only pay them. I made arrangements--they took almost three weeks to forward each payment to AMEX making me even more late (min payment 900 earning 28%). I am now within 600 of being caught up so a payment this month for 1500 (directly to AMEX) should get me there. Here's my advice: 1. Stay away from ALL credit cards (use debit), they are EVIL 2. If you must have them, stay away from AMEX! 3. If you have AMEX, don't accept the credit increases, they are a trap 4. If you get into trouble with AMEX try and talk to them and don't EVER send your money to an outside collection agency 5. Thought for the day: during Medieval times they allowed torture, slavery, and religious intolerance...but at least THEY would never allow a banker to loan money at 28 PERCENT!

Date: 09/04/2008

American Express sucks! I tried to be very calm when dealing with American Express, but they simply drive me crazy. I applied for American Express Corporate card and it took 3 months and 3 credit cards for them to get it right what was worst... I was an former American Express employee, and they can not even deliver the card correctly to the American Express Headquarter. Now that I am at a new company, I applied for American Express Corporate Card and again, they did not get it right. When will they get it right?

Date:  09/04/2008

What nonsense...I've been an AMEX member for 26 years. Sure I've had the occasional problem with a vendor, but AMEX promptly took care of it. This garbage of AMEX supposedly suspending your account because the payment was not received by the due date is a partial truth. If you demonstrate in increasing pattern of late pays AMEX will ultimately terminate your ass.

Date: 09/04/2008

My brother and I are internet marketers our company is RoMac Marketing Group working with The Rainmakers) and spend frequently on advertising for our website, to spread the word about our amazing product My Internet Business (shameless plug I know :-)), and we used to use American Express for a lot of our transactions. We paid our bills on time and usually paid just under the entire amount due each month. Well they cancelled our card because of our perfect credit history with no warning! I guess doing the right thing and making enough money to pay all your bills is something American Express feels they should punish you for! NEVER again will we use their services, especially for business purposes!!

Date: 09/04/2008

This is a copy of letter I sent to American express recently.

"I do not know who you are but you must be some one important at Amrerican Express. If you are not, forward this to some one who is. I am a customer of American express for last 25 years. First I had a regular card, then a gold and now a Platinum. I have always paid my bills on time. I have a credit score above most people.

I am about to cancel my card. I recently tried to make a purchase from apple computer, to be delivered to my office address (that I have had for last 13 years). Card got declined for "security reasons". Since that time I have made FOUR phone calls. Last time I was on phone for 31 minutes. I got some Chinese person who kept saying "I understand your problem (which they did not) and I am sorry you had a problem (which they were not)". I have no problem with the Chinese and I think they are great people, but they had no ability to make any type of decision as they appeared to be some low level call center people. I still have not been able to resolve the problem even though I assured them that I did order the product from Apple. I asked to talk to a supervisor and sent an e mail to that effect. So far no response.

Let me help you understand what this means in real business terms. I have ordered several computers from Dell. The apple was going to be part of the net work. I am a busy physician with staff of six. I had to change my installation schedule because of incompetence of Amreican Express people who still have not resolved my problem. Tomorow I will use my Visa or Discover to get this thing taken care of. I cannot cancel my American Express as I have important trips in April and may (Hyatt Regency Chicago booking can be viewed on my account along with American Airlines tickets for April 18, Holiday Inn Boston two suites May 18 for my daughter's graduation), but rest assure that I will not be a sucker and pay for this expensive card for less than average service after that. Hence forth I will never use my card unless it is for incidental expenses.

I wish I can pass this to the Chairman of your company, but not having their E mail, I thought I would write to you. I will bring up this matter on any blogs, discussion boards etc. to educate people about the potential misfortune of having a Platinum card from your company. I am angry and helpless but I can help others from not being in my predicament.

So far the Chinese phone operators have not been able to get me any one who can give me a straight answer."

Date: 09/04/2008

They stiffed me by sending a balance xfer offer at 4.99 percent for life of balance. I signed up. The first statement shows up charging 14.99%. I call and I am told you missed the deadline for transfer by 2 days. In protest I questioned why the transfer was effected at this higher rate without any contact or consent from me. I get the "oh well we can't do anything about it, but offer 9% cards if you like. I did better and transferred it right the hell out of their greedy lil hands. They could have made a nice profit if they were reasonable. Since they were not I had the option to take it away and did. All this after they have been pestering me to re-open an account after leaving them for over six years. They remind me of Bank of America another den of thieves.

Date: 09/04/2008

They lowered my credit to 500.00 because of an error on my credit report, which has since been corrected now amex refuses to restore my credit to its prior useable level unless I pay for a FICO report and send it to them

I've never missed a payment or been late and pay my balance in full every month
Being treated like trash and I don't like it

Customer service tells me something different every time I speak to them

Date: 09/04/2008

I had an Amex card for over 5 years. I started out with a green card, got updated to a gold card, and was offered platinum but declined because I saw no benefit and didn't want to pay the increased annual fee.

I used it often, had things like my EZPass linked to it, etc. I paid it in full every month like you are supposed to. One day, I went to use it at a store I regularly shop at. It came up declined. They tried it 2x. I assumed it was some problem with their credit system so I paid cash I thought nothing of it, until I tried to use the card again a few days later someplace else and the same thing happened.

So, I called Amex when I got home. They told me they did a "review" and closed my account because I had a delinquency on my credit report (not with them). This delinquency was due to a mistake by another company. They never called me or anything, just shut the card off.

I had paperwork to prove it was a mistake and have even been able to get it expunged from my credit report. I could have gotten my Amex account reinstated but decided it wasn't worth it. I refuse to be embarrassed like that again at a store where I shop regularly. They can go screw.

Date: 09/04/2008

"I'm freshman in college with just $3,500/mo in parental support, and I can manage an AMEX Card without bitching and moaning."

Anyone who lives off the tit of mommy and daddy has no credibility to talk about the finances of others.

Date: 09/04/2008

I use to like AMEX, seriously; I had no trouble with them for 7 years. Suddenly my card was canceled due to a credit snafu from ANOTHER lender (it was the lender's mistake mind you and I got it corrected). Without notice, they cut off my card, told me to repay in full right away or else they would report me to the credit agency's. So I paid off all my debt to AMEX; gathered evidence of my corrected credit and called back for reinstatement. They told me I had to make a new card; No one told me that I had 30 days to spend my points or else I would lose them (I had to discover that on my own). Needless to say; I don't have any rewards points; and I don't have an AMEX now. All I have to say now is, thank god; I'll use Citibank as an alternative -__-.

Date: 09/04/2008

right now, I'm in a dispute. like most of you have been concerning amer express. the guy told me that they can go after my assets (house, car etc.) to reclaim the 3000.00 owed. is this possible??. yes, i did get behind, but they don't want to hear it, pay us total or we will make you pay. i offered 4 installments and they said nope. any help here.?