American Express Cut our Credit Card Limits because we live in Arizona and shopped at discount stores!

7/6/2010

During the fall of 2008 our business had three American Express credit card accounts which were always paid current and our credit was excellent.

We relied on those particular cards to finance our wholesale sales businesses. Without notice or reason suddenly American Express cut all three of our credit card accounts to the amounts we owed, and as we lowered those balances they would lower our credit card limits.

They ruined our businesses when our vendors charges to our cards were denied. We filed an Arbitration with AM. ARB. ASSOC. against them (am/exp) and it will be going to trial in August or September of this year in Tucson, AZ.

Of course, American Express refuses to produce any of their internal records of how they were terminating or limiting customer's credit card accounts without notice or reason in the 2008-2009 period.

Anyone out there who had some treatment from American Express is urged to contact me and compare notes.

Bob W
bobbysvisa@aol.com
Anyone

Lowered my Limit AGAIN?!?!?!?

4/15/2010 UT

Once again AMEX has decided to lower my limit. This is the 2nd time in a year. I've NEVER been late. I usually pay off my balance within a couple of months. And each time they lower my limit; it hurts my credit scores.

And nothing ever in writting either... just by phone. The Automated message that says "Please Call Us". Then to be given some lame and unsubstantiated reason as to lowering my limit.

I'll be using my tax return to pay them their 2500.00 blalance and will NEVER Be used again. Way to go AMEX you've lost my business personally and my company's corporate business too. We will be changing. WE as consumers do not deserve this treatment. Without US, there is NO "them"

Good Bye AMEX.

In need of training

4/1/2010

It took a long time for me to decide on which awards programs we were going to join. We finally decided on Hilton Honors because we liked going to Hilton but didn't like the idea that we had to join American Express. I have to say now after a few months that they have by far the worst customer service of any credit card I have ever had. The representatives are rude, uninformative, and not at all accomodating. I signed up for the card and then after a few months have passed they call me to tell me that I need to verify who I am and send them the necessary paperwork. I explain that I am traveling and cannot get to any documents and then they tell me that I have 15 days or they will cancel my card. It didn't matter that I had been paying my bills in full each month or that I had great credit rating. they needed a piece of paper stating that I was who I was and I lived at my address. If it wasn't for losing the Hilton points I would have canceled right then and there.

Terrible customer service and a terrible company

3/29/2010

I have been very careful with credit cards my whole life. As a result, I have an excellent credit score (776), but I don't have a huge credit history. Nevertheless, like most people, I am inundated with offers for new credit cards, but as I said, I am careful. I have had a corporate AMEX card for 5 years and I've paid it in full each month. I've also had a VISA platinum for 10+ years. So, when I finally decided to get a cash rewards card, I decided to go with AMEX Blue Cash, thinking that in addition to my credit score, they would see my good history with them and offer me good terms. However, the card they sent me has a credit line of $2,000 and an APR of 22%; I could get better terms by walking into Macy's and applying for a card.
I've called and emailed with AMEX for 3 weeks asking for someone (anyone!) to contact me and explain why they decided to give me such a raw deal. After 2 weeks, the accounts supervisor (Jerene Nelson) finally called and left her number on my voice mail, however, when I phoned the number I reached a sex chat line! It took another week for her to finally call me back and she was incredibly rude. I just don't get this company. I am a very, very careful credit user. I understand they are reigning in credit and hedging their risk, but to offer such poor customer service just baffles me.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what I can do about it. They've already pulled my credit report, so if I go and apply for a different card so soon, that will affect my credit score. This is a real short coming of our system. We apply for a credit card without knowing what terms we are agreeing to. We can cancel the card but that hurts our credit score.

Given my interaction with AMEX, I would *NOT* recommend this company. I am planning to cancel both this and my corporate card, just as soon as I can *reach* any one at AMEX - I've been trying but somehow they always manage to have a problem with their phones. Really an awful, awful company! Do yourself a favor and select any other credit card.

Credit score error

3/10/2010

I applied for an American Express Skymiles card and wanted to transfer my miles from NW Airlines World Perks to Delta Skymiles because NW had merged with Delta. AmEx told me that I didn't qualify because I didn't have an adequate credit record. I sent them a copy of my Experian credit report showing a very high credit score--within the best 3 percent of all people. But they never apologized or took any initiative to reactivate my card request, and I was to fed up to bother to apply again.

False Advertising - Lack of customer service

2/8/2010

I bought two airline tickets using reward points based on the advertising that the tickets did not have any restrictions (Amex advertises that airlines tickets bought with points do not have blackout dates and/or restrictions). When I called the Airline to request upgrades using my airline points I was told that due to the ticket fare it was not upgradable.
When I contacted American Express I was told that they were going to look into the problem, I ended traveling and after returning I contacted Amex again and I was told that I never contacted the airline (???) and that the tickets did not have any restrictions.
I sent a letter to AMEX with the following attachments: photocopy of the tickets issued by their travel agency, photocopy of the airline regulations with respect to fares in which it read very clear that the fare in question was not upgradable.
As of today (more that a year went by) they are still giving me the round around and not taking responsibility for their mistake.

AmEx canceled my credit card for No reason and hurt my credit.

2/7/2010

January 4, 2010

American Express
Vice President for Public Relations and Consumer Affairs
200 Vesey Street
N. Y., N. Y. 10285
fax: (212) 640-9238

Dear Sir:

This letter is to complain about the way I and my brother
have been treated by American Express’s Blue Card Division.
Our card number is xxxxxxxxxx. I am a graduating senior at the University of Chicago, and I already have a family income of about $100,000. Our Blue Card has a very modest credit limit of $1,600. As the attached payment history shows, we have a perfect payment history, having paid substantially more than the minimum amount each month for two years.

In December, 2009, we paid American Express $1,591.99 on our account. On December 30, 2010, Blue Card Division’s Customer Service Department responded by cancelling our account. When we called to find out why, we were told that there were two reasons. (1) In October, we had a minimum payment due of $30, and we paid $65, but we drew our credit down by more than $65 by using our card. (2) Supposedly we have increased our debt level by taking out other credit cards.

The first answer is loony. There cannot be a secret rule
that one cannot use one’s Blue Card more than the amount of one’s
monthly payment. If there were such a rule, the Blue Card would not be a credit card. It would be some sort of dysfunctional debit card.

With regard to the second answer, I pointed out to Customer Service that I have neither applied for, nor received, any additional credit of any kind during the past 12 months. I have had other credit cards for years, and they too are in perfectly good standing. I asked Customer Service what negative information they have to the contrary, and they refused to tell me! I then asked them what information I might send them to correct the false information that they seem to have but will not share with me, and they said that there is nothing I can do.

When I was told that there is nothing I can do, I asked for your fax number. The Customer Service agent refused to tell me what it is. My brother had to call back and threaten the supervisor to obtain this fax number.

I conclude from this experience that Customer Service canceled our account because we broke some secret rule, and they will not tell us what it is. I guess that the secret rule is that we are not supposed to pay off the balance on our account, because that will reduce the amount of interest you can charge us. (The cancellation occurred immediately after we made our largest payment this year.) I also conclude that Customer Service is either loony or was lying to us. Probably both. So we canceled authorization for our third payment in December that seems to have set off these events. And we of course will continue to make (now minimum) monthly payments until our balance is paid in full.

Lastly, I conclude from this experience that I cannot count on American Express to follow its own rules. I cannot even depend on American Express not to lie to me. No one needs this. We did nothing to deserve this. Are you really so desperate that you have to treat good customers this way?


Yours very truly,


Katharine H. Stone

Impeding on business progess

1/26/2010

American Express offers access to world-class Credit Cards, Charge Cards, rewards, travel, financial and business services including Corporate Cards and more...so American Express says. What American Express doesn't offer is help to the small business owner. The benefits of the Card and the rewards of membership mean nothing compare to the disappointments the card brings to a small business owner. Get low web fares, vacation ideas & more for your next trip on your Corporate Card, means nothing when American Express declines you when you spend more than American Express "thinks you should". Imagine booking a business Travel or FX International trip and getting denied by American Express because the month you booked the business Travel or FX International trip, and purchased other items pertinent for your business, American Express felt you'd over spent. Even though your account is in good standing and you'd never had a delinquent payment on the account since 2002, when first becoming an American Express Business Gold Card member. What about the ad line "never worry about being denied while paying for dinner with American Express"(remember the commercials) ...I guess it's just false advertising and a bogus claim. Just proves American Express, is not the right card for you...or anyone.

Awful, just plain AWFUL!

1/14/2010

From the first month of having my American Express card I hated the customer service. For a no-limit card, I was capped off at $1,000 and had to call customer service to find out what was going on. I was told until they could determine I could repay my debt to them I would continue to have caps. I went along with it though I find it very embarrasssing to have a my card declined for small purchases because I was too close (didn't go over mind you) to my "cap". The culmination came when they cancelled my account without any notice due to my having high debt on my other credit cards - not even with them! - even though, and I quote, "You do not show as being negative with your other creditors, you just have too much debt on your other accounts right now". HELLO! I don't show negative because I pay my bills and common sense, Christmas just passed, of course I, along with millions of other consumers, have high credit debt right now after shopping for presents! I didn't get cancelled for failure to pay or even any late payments - which I've never had - but because I have too much debt on my other credit cards for the past month. I will never seek an American Express credit card again in my life! Horrible experience!

Tell Costco to stop accepting American Express

1/12/2010

American Express is the only card accepted by Costco, and given the lousy treatment of consumers by AmEX and the pretty good treatment by Costco, I think we should all write or convey to Costco that other cards are much easier to use, and treat most of the customers like humans.
For example, go to www.KOIN6.com, look at special sections, go to "Don't mess with my money" and see a great example of how American Express treats folks.

Lowered Credit Limit

12/18/2009

I called to complain about a denial of a purchase. Long story short, customer service said there was a glitch in the system. That was that. Then I asked why my limit got lowered all of a sudden. I've been a loyal customer for 13 years and I never missed any payments and pay all my bills except two that I am having a problem with. They said that they are doing this to all customers because of the bad economy. I said that is not acceptable and that I wanted to speak to a supervisor. They told me that one would call me the next day by 8 A.M. They diidn't call. I called at 1:30 P.M. complaining about the situation. I finally got to talk to a supervisor to try to raise my limit again. She told me that if I paid right now, I would get my limit raised. I said that my bill wasn't due till 2 more weeks. That's all they could do. I said who was the person that lowered my limit, which by the way only left me with less than $300 to spend for the rest of the the 2 weeks, who obviously made a mistake. They said they couldn't do anything. I wasn't satisfied at all. I asked to speak to their supervisor. She said yes and 10 seconds later she hangs up on me. I was furious. I called back and they told me to hold. After 10 minutes she tells me that they are busy and that they will call me back within 24 hours. I said I was told I would be called at 8 A.M. and wasn't and now I have to wait another 24hours??? WHAT LOUSY SERVICE!!!

Great Service

12/9/2009

Great Service, lost my wallet in Malaysia, got a replacement card within one day in Malaysia. Thanks American Express.

POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

12/8/2009

I have been a card holder for 12 years. I can't believe how bad American Express Customer Service has become. I was at an charity auction and my Amex Platinum charges did not go through for only a few hundred dollars. A lot of people in my industry were there, and the volunteers running the card machine were supposed to call in but they didn't know what was going on so they made comments about my credit card in front of everybody. It became a big joke at my expense. I called Amex and spoke to a supervisor. I explained the situation and he told me there was nothing he could do, it was standard fraud protection. It had never happened to me in 12 years so I don't know why he would say it is standard. In a non-appologetic tone, he told me he could do nothing to prevent embrassing machine card checks like that one. I thought Amex Platinum holders got personal phone calls if there was an issue not card machine checks? Is that not the personal service card members pay a yearly fee for?

They sure know how to lose my business

11/25/2009

I normally don't write reviews, but this one has dragged on for too long and finally ended my account with AMEX as of today. I recently moved to another state and went in to change my account information and contact info online as I normally do. Security Department put my account on hold and when I called to verify my identity which I did very thoroughly from all asked information, all of the old phone numbers on the account, old addresses, basically everything but my actual DNA, not sure that would have helped either! They told me the only method to opening my account back up would be to fax to them a copy of the following: Passport or other govt ID, SS#, W-2 form, utility bill, paycheck stub, etc... Talk about identity concern, there is no way in hell I would fax all that information which would recreate my identity if someone got their hands on it.
So I went online, paid my outstanding bill in its entirety and called them to explain to them that that should be enough to verify my identity and that the card has not been compromised, they told me it was not and if I did not send them the info, they would close my account. Told them to go ahead and do it, and that they lost a good paying customer for life. What a crummy way to do business... Why do they have security questions, if they do not honor the answers to verify identity???

Two faced company

11/25/2009

I was able to keep up with my payments until last yr February 2008, Had a harship and they put me on a hardship plan. that helped a lot.
Now in June 2009 the economy hit my business.
American express said they cannot over me the hardship program again. So I couldnot get them to reduce my interest rates and I chose to close the account. Now they say they closed the account and transferred my account to a collection service called G C. These people are rude and threatening. They tell you that you need to find somemoney, suggest to borrow money from people, treat you like you are a stupid person, and ask you how are you going to rectify this situation. To top it all off today I get a letter from American express saying that if I pay a certain balance or pay it off I can get another card called optima. no thank you.

I'm Insulted By The Way I Was Treated

11/20/2009

On 11/18/2009 I was reviewing my account an availabe balance of $700.00. I call the company and requested an express pin to withdraw $200.00 from the ATM. On 11/20/2009 at the ATM I went to use the card and it was cancelled by AMEX. Mine you I never had a late payment and never miss a payment on my credit..ALSO NOTE MY CREDIT REPORT IS SPOTLESS OF LATE PAYMENTS COLLECTIONS, ETC. When I call the representative she stated that nothing was wrong with my card and try again. When I told her I than it was working she put me on hold for about 5 minutes and told me that AMEX has cancelled my card. I thought somebody stole my card. When I get transferred to the Credit dept. She automatically start doing the speech of Sorry you wasn't informed in advance but when canceled your card due to review your credit report and it showing that you have a high balance on some other cards. MIND YOU I never had a late payment on my credit report EVER!!!!!!I usually paid that cards off in a few months.. She then informed my that any pending transaction are not showing up and may not be honored due to being cancelled. I then stated to her that I made a large purchase two days ago and I can't believe that the card work then but now I cut off. ANYWHOO!!! I felt so bad on the way the just stop me from using the card after I have been with them since 1999. I WILL NEVER EVER GET AMEX CARD AGAIN!!!!!!!!MIND YOU I WAS NEVER LATE ON THE CARD!!!!!!!!!

GOOD RIDDANCE to American Express!

10/8/2009

Just like a lot of the bad reviews American Express has been getting. We experienced the same thing today. We've been excellent customers for about 10 years now that is why we have the Platinum card. Never late on payments and paid off all charges every time we use this card.

In June 2009, they sent us a letter telling us that "Given the difficult economic environment ... we have had to make the difficult decision to lover your credit limit . . . to $3,300 (from a credit limit of $20,800). I still used this card for groceries and gas at Costco because this is the only credit card Costco accepts. We continued to be good customers and paid it off the entire amount due each month long before the due dates.

Lo and behold today while trying to pay for my Costco purchase, my AMEX card purchase was denied! Fortunately, I had cash on hand to pay for it. I called AMEX right away when I got home and they told me they decided to close our account today and they can only talk to my husband about it since he's the primary holder in our account. My husband couldn't believe it. He said he just used it this morning to buy gas at Costco.

He called AMEX and all they can say is that we have too many revolving credit in our account. It doesn't even matter to them that we have a good track record with them and no late payments with all our other credit cards. They said they have the right to close our account at anytime.

What awful business practice! They don't care about their customers at all. I'm only glad that I found out about it because we have several bills we do automatic payments each month through AMEX. Thankfuly none of them were due today!

The only thing that worried me is that this card is linked to our DELTA miles account and at this time we have over 357,000 miles to use for travel. I called DELTA to ask about our miles and thankfully they said it is safe and AMEX can't touch it! Thank you DELTA!

Is this practice even legal? I wish there would be an agressive lawyer out there who would put together a class action lawsuit against AMEX! Count me in!

Now I understand why AMEX is not accepted in a lot of countries. We have travelled to EUROPE and ASIA and tried to use it, but even the well established places we went to didn't accept AMEX. No wonder VISA is the most widely used card in the world. They treat their customers well and they have good customer service people who are actually in the USA (not INDIA) who knows what we're talking about!

TO AMERICAN EXPRESS I SAY GOOD RIDDANCE!!! YOU'RE DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO BE MISSED!!! WE WISH YOU ALL THE BAD KARMA IN THE UNIVERSE BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU TREAT YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS!

Bad Business Practices

10/8/2009

After being a loyal customer with American Express ( Since 1988) and millions of dollars in business with excellent history they decide to cut my credit limits without ever calling or notifying to their intent. They claim delinquent reports on my credit files but nothing has changed and when I reviewed my report nothing shows up

After several calls and no straight answers I have cancelled their card after a (good 20 year + relationship. All outstanding balances on this profitable card (for them) has unfortunately also been paid in full.

Amex does not deserve my business or any business. Do not do business and as a business owner do not accept American Express... as they clearly are not loyal to their good customers. If they continue to drive away their good customers they will suffer in the future. Loyalty is earned and works both ways.

AMEX BUSINESS PREACTICE

10/7/2009 Spring TX

We had been with Amex sonce 2003, with both the business and Platinum cards, Never late with payments. Suddenly they reduced the Creidit limit from $20k to $8k, I contacted them and they said it wa sbecause of the credit report late payments. As I had the credit report in front of me, I disputed this as there was no such thing. The lady then got extremely rude and said there was nothing they were going to do.
A few months later, they again reduced the credit limit, the amount on this card at the time was at $7k, and they rediced the limit to $7.5k, I again called them, same rude replies. nothing was able to be done, in this time also the Fico score dropped due to them reducing the credit limit.
We cancelled both the accounts with Amex. Now using Visa for our business. I would like to inform people that it is not only themselves this is happening to, but seems to be a general thing for there old customers. We are very happy with the Visa Card services from our own Bank now. Everyone should go to there own bank and get a better service, with no fees either.

Never missed payments/AmEX cancelled card without notification

9/20/2009

Been a member since 2000.. Never missed one payment. Always paid bill in full. I went to the grocery store on Sept 19, 2009 and bought $27 worth of groceries and was declined by my American Express card without any advance notification. I went home and check my American Express account online and found out my account had been cancelled.

Amex must be run by a whole fleet of 17th Century Scrooges

9/18/2009 Toronto, Ontario

This company continues to disspoint me in how they relate to their customers. Here are two recent examples:

1. They can't even include a clickable URL for their web site in their customer EMAILs. I get a monthly email reminder that my Amex bill has been posted on line. The EMAIL states "..Login to Online Services at Americanexpress. ca to review your recent account activity..." How hard is ist to do what every other company on the face of the earth does in their EMAILs?

2. If a customer has a suggestion to make or a complaint about sevice to register, you have to phone a 1-800 number or mail in a letter. There is no EMAIL address or URL on the web site where you can register a simple suggestion.

American Express Leave home without them

9/11/2009


August 9, 2009

To: Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Chenault, American Express
Executive Offices 
American Express Company 

200 Vesey Street

New York, New York 10285

212-640-2000

From: American Express member since 2002
Gold Business Account
Platinum Account



RE: This is a letter seeking redress of our $40,000 credit limit reduced to $6,000. Please read our letter and we await your timely response.

Time to leave home without American Express!

As long time customers of American Express let us share our frustration and disappointment in the way this company has been treating us and indeed many card members during this past year. Our cascading grief is over American Express reduction of our credit limits, and raising credit card interest rates. American Express is reacting to the financial crisis out of fear. The financial damage to American Express will be long lasting and far-reaching.

Let us give you a little history as to what type of customers we have been. Our payments are always on time to all our creditors. Our story is like so many other card members. We have two open accounts with American Express. We have been members for seven years, perfect credit with long established payment history, FICO scores over 800 but only Amex has tampered with our credit limits. Only Amex has seen this pressing need to reduce our credit limits. We called Costco and took off the auto renewal for Amex, we no longer want American Express to continue any further unilateral credit damage to our pristine credit portfolio. American Express can no longer be trusted with our credit. We have stayed the course but American Express has run into the economic ditch!

We have called several times, talked to numerous staff, those who survived, faxed our request with supporting documentation and now we are writing to you for redress. In the past it was a punishment to raise interest rates for those who could not pay their debt on time. Is this our reward for being loyal card members with established credit histories, to raise our interest rates for paying our debt on time? We suggest, just as American Express looks ever so closely at our credit worthiness, we look to the executive board and CEO for leadership worthiness!

These actions take us back to a time where perhaps Pony Express might be a better company name. American Express is in total freefall. American Express is failing to provide customer service with a total disregard for ethics and indifference to the many card members. It seems we are going back in time with Pony American Express. 


We just recently read of American Express filing a lawsuit against the infamous Courtney Love. Legal papers showed the rocker owes $352,059.67 in unpaid charges and fees on her Amex Gold Card – which has since been suspended by the company.

So let us understand, American Express trusted a well-known drug addict, notorious for her litigation in not paying bills and American Express extended credit on a gold card for $350,000 but Amex cannot restore our previous credit limit of $40,000? We pay all our bills on time, never been late on any of our payments and we are not drug addicts, in fact we do not even use drugs, not even the good kind!

American Express will never need to file litigation against us but we know so many who want to file a class action lawsuit against American Express.

We jumped through the languishing morass of the many hoops of fire and sent in our full credit report, tax returns and listed assets along with an overall financial statement.
We are writing to inform you that, after reviewing your letter of August 2009 denying us our credit increase, with obfuscated contrived reasons we will not accept this treatment from American Express.
We are financially solid and have not changed, we are not sure the same can be said of the financial hemorrhaging of American Express that will hold another round of layoffs, after cutting 7,000 jobs in October 2008, decimating its work force along with frozen salaries and good luck with that Courtney Love lawsuit. It was sadly, no surprise, when we read your computer-generated letter of indifference. The famous words of Thomas Jefferson rang so true “Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.”
In July of 2009, American Express itself stated second-quarter net income came in at $337 million, down 48% from 2008 when the company made $653 million. This net income attributable to common shareholders was only 9 cents a share, down from 56 cents a share in the year-ago quarter, according to the company.
At the same time net write-offs for the company were 10% of total loans in American Express's U.S. card-services business in the second quarter. Loans that were at least 30 days delinquent represented 4.4% of total loans in the latest period, up from 3.3% a year earlier. We do read the Wall Street Journal.
Yet with all this bad news, there was one bright spot as stated by the financial leader of American Express, Chief Executive Kenneth Chenault:
“The number of card members who are falling behind in their payments, the volume of bankruptcy filings and the level of loan write-offs were better than we had expected.”
“If these trends continue, we expect U.S. lending write-off rates on a managed basis to be below 10% for the second half of the year, which is lower than the outlook we offered earlier this year,” Mr. Chenault added.
Yet American Express continues to punish us, the good card members, why? Is it out of fear that we might increase the financial bloodletting? I do not think you need our help for that! May I suggest a bold new direction, take care of the customer first and the bottom line will follow!
American Express appears, as a company, to be in poor financial shape, and undercapitalized. Since we take our financial life seriously, we cannot be associated with a financial company that manages to loose so many employees, assets and runs its own affairs so poorly.
We are not proud of our American Express relationship, are you proud of your leadership? In addition, American Express has too many bad reviews within the consumer community, and your overall rating on every consumer site, is a very poor rating.
I looked, in vain, for a POSITIVE review of your company from any person or news source, and could not find even one except for the mysterious award from JD Powers. Even JD Powers would not return my calls when I asked them to define further what criteria they used to base American Express only award of “good customer service.”
This recession will not last forever. When it is over, and people choose the few credit cards they are willing to use, there will be fewer companies and cards to choose from. The ones who will survive are the ones who realize that the only thing that keeps a credit card company afloat are customers who accept a card, use it, and pay their bills. The companies who will be in business then are the ones who take care of that good group of people today. You are clearly NOT taking care of your good customers today, so I don’t expect you to be in business then.

American Express has raised our interest rates on not only new purchases but on all existing balances. In fact when Congress passed the Credit Card Reform Act, this is exactly what they wanted to prevent Credit Card Companies from doing.

We also found this very interesting from Financial News USA. WASHINGTON (AP) -- American Express Co. spent $710,000 lobbying the federal government in the second quarter on legislation touching on an array of financial issues, a recent disclosure report shows. The article continues with American Express lobbied lawmakers on legislation related to credit card fees and practices, data security and consumer privacy.

American Express also lobbied in the April-June period on consumer bankruptcy, advertising and taxes.
 Beside Congress, the company lobbied the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Office of Thrift Supervision, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Internal Revenue Service and Executive Office of the President, according to the report filed July 20 with the House clerk's office.
The $710,000 spent by American Express in the second quarter compares with $830,000 in the first quarter, and nearly $1.1 million in the year-ago period. We were amazed to find American Express on the fast track to being granted banking status in just a 30 day period. This usually takes much longer. Of course with this banking status, the company gained over 3 billion in TARP funds.
It was not so nice for American Express to get credit but deny the card members credit.
Our final question, was the $710,000 well spent for the persuasion of influence in Washington DC? While your company is loosing funding, market share, customers, bad debt write offs, against a backdrop of massive company layoffs and your increasing salary of over 42 million with a base salary, cash bonus, stock and other options was it all worth it? Just curious!
So Mr. Kenneth Chenault can you redress this issue with our credit limit or do we need to hold American Express accountable in the court of public opinion? The choice is yours.

Waiting your reply,


Curtis

American Express gift card scam

8/27/2009 Salt Lake City UT

American Express is defrauding people - not limited to their own customers - with their so-called "Gift Cards." They intentionally tie up funds for no reason, even when a merchant tries to expedite a transaction.

I tried to use a 2.5month-old $100 gift card on 8/26/09 for a purchase of $81.26, and the transaction failed 4x. The merchant takes AmEx and tried to resolve the situation. AmEx claimed various fraudulent excuses: they authorized the funds, but the merchant declined; the merchant must not have gotten AmEx's authorization; the merchant needed to call AmEx and verbally provide their merchant code or else the funds would disappear for SEVEN DAYS; etc - different excuse from each AmEx representative

"Richard" the non-listening, non-responsive, snotty "floor supervisor" in the Salt Lake office repeatedly told me 8/27/09 "THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO" before even hearing the end of a question. He should not be in customer service, let alone a supervisor, although he fits right in at AmEx. The merchant went out of their way to get the transaction completed - which is what I and the merchant both wanted - but AmEx completely failed to do what they and their gift cards are supposed to do: help people make purchases.

The merchant contacted me and AmEx several times to exchange any necessary codes, authorizations, etc. to move the single transaction along, and AmEx kept giving conflicting stories to me & the merchant and NOT HELPING to resolve a problem that could have easily been overridden.

AND THIS HASSLE/HOURS OF RUNAROUND/COMPLETE LACK OF SERVICE IS MY BIRTHDAY GIFT!?! THIS IS NOT WHAT MY SISTER INTENDED WHEN SHE SPENT OVER $100 TO GIVE ME A GIFT CARD. Disgusting.

American Express is not user friendly

8/19/2009

I had a 30,000 credit limit that I used for business and personal. I have a 765 credit score with no lates, repos, or anything else negative. I had an interest rate of 6.5 per cent. Four months ago they raise that to 10.5 and lowered my limit to my balance before I was going on a trip. I use this card for my traveling. This cut my legs out from under me. I had to scrabble to get another card. Now I just got a notice that they were now going to raise my interest again to 15.5 per cent. 9 per cent raise in 6 months. After being with them for 20+ years I decided I wasn't go to put up with this and decided to cancel the card, figuring that it would freeze the interest rate...they said nothing with stop the increase. It was across the board and affects everyone....what a bunch of loan sharks....I am still going to cancel and transfer the balance....anyone know if they can raise interest on a close acount...would not seem legal to me......

American Express

8/5/2009 Greensboro NC

I would like to share my terrible experience that I had with American Express so that it doesn't happen to any one else. I have been a card member with American Express for many years. I had always paid my bill on time, I had never been late and never even came close to my available credit limit. On August 04, 2009 my loyal dog of 11 years needed to see a specialist because she had been sick and her regular vet could not pin point what was wrong with her. I placed a call to American Express to see how much credit was available on my card. They said I had 7000.00 available for credit. My dog was taken to the specialist and had to have immediate tests done. When my dog was out of surgery and was ready to be released to me I had to pay the bill. I gave them my American Express card and it was denied on the first swipe. I knew that it had to be a mistake because I had called earlier that day. I called American Express from the vets office and was put on hold for 30 minutes, only to be told that my account was frozen and up for a review decrease. I had told the representative that I had not received a notice that my account was frozen and under review for a decrease. The representatives name Watson, out of the Greensboro North Carolina, call center, was so very cold and callous and did not care at all about my situation. She refused to approve the charge in the amount of 1100. I explained to her that I only had my American Express Card with me and that I had no other form of payment. I asked to speak to a Team Leader only to be pushed off to a floor supervisor who would not budge on the approval. I was left stranded and abandoned by American Express. My dog was diagnosed with cancer that day. Trying to deal with American Express on one of the darkest days of my life was a total nightmare. American Express is not there for you when you need them, they turn there backs on you when you need them.

Don't get an American Express Card

7/11/2009

This company treats its customers with disrespect and as if they are sub human.

I was a long term customer. I never missed a payment. Due to my wedding I was using my American Express to make most of the payments. Just before the wedding I paid off several large amounts one up to $3000 just a few days before the wedding. We wanted to use that card for our honeymoon. Without notification they lowered my credit available to below my balance. I could no longer use the card. We struggled to come up with the cash to have our honeymoon. Thanks to some good friends and family we did. When I spoke to American express they said we were in good standing but they felt my credit was too high. It is not the company policy to inform its customers until after the available credit has been lowered. After speaking with a representative I cancelled my credit card with American Express and was told I could still see my account on line and get statements. I was also told I would stop getting statements once I no longer owed money. I made regular payments every two weeks for 2 months ranging from $250 - $1000 all well above my min balance. These jerks then called me today. Stating I missed my payment in June. The due date for my account was 5 June. I made payment on May 25 $250 and 10 June $500 and 15 June $1000. Since the 10 June and 15 June were after my due date. This should have been put onto my July statement. However, I got a call today stating I missed my July payment and that it was due today. It turns out American express has a period of 10 days after the due date where any payments made during this time would be on the previous bill. So I am now late due to some crazy policy this company has. Because my account was closed they denied me access to the online account and because I had an online account I no longer get paper bills. So I no longer get any access to how much money I owe. This company makes no sense. I have seen mentally handicapped children handle a lemonade stand business better. I will not use any of their products again. In fact I avoid places that only accept American express as a result. They treated me like a criminal and lowered my credit score because of some nuts company policy. I hate them and everything they have done to us as a result. I did have perfect credit until these jerk faces came up with insane ideas on how to keep customers. I would use harsher language but don't want to offend anyone. But take it from me. If a company every deserved economic hardship it is these Jerk Faces (man I want to say something worse there.)

These Jerks just about ruined my wedding, my honeymoon and now are just calling me nonstop about a payment I haven't really missed except in some fantasy world they have created they call customer service.

If you have a card with American Express, get rid of it fast.

If you are thinking about a card don't

If you think after this you are going to keep your card. Just shoot yourself now and save Darwin the trouble.

Heartless

7/9/2009

I was an American Express cardholder in good standing since 1974. In late 2006, I had a number of personal problems (Dad with severe Alzheimer's disease, Mom had a stroke, and company I worked for filed bankruptcy.) I ended up up anxiety attacks and depression and was unable to work for three months for which I had to pay COBRA insurance rates to cover my family. I had to cover a lot of costs for instrumental care for my parents. I couldn't pay my American Express amount due of $2,300 which I had charged up with airplane tickets, renting cars and hotels, etc while trying to care for my parents. I offered to pay what I could but the rude customer representative would have nothing to do with it. I did pay $300 for two months anyway and was finally able to pay the amount due in full when I returned to work - 90 days late(except for the the $300 payments which accounted for nothing to Amex) American Express cancelled my card. Ok, I can live with that. They continued to send me my statements and I continued to pay on the Sign and Travel portion of the card for the last three and a half years on time and often more or double the amount due gradually reducing the balance. They had originally increased my interest rate to 27%. I was able to get it reduced to 15.5% and then 9.9%.

This year, my husband and I tried to buy a townhouse and sell our large family home. We were unable to get a mortgage because of one adverse American Express report of a Collection Account to the credit bureaus.

I had never been notified that this was a Collection Account, I received no collection calls or letters. I receive my statement every month saying "Past Due amount $0, Balance: $1,800 (or whatever it is), and Amount due: $45". I continued to pay off the debt in the best way I could and on-time. The first I knew it was a Collection Account was on the credit bureau report when we applied for a loan. Since a number of other items were incorrect (including a "Collection" that didn't belong to us) on the credit reports, I thought "Collection Account" was incorrect as well.

I wrote certified letters to American Express and to the credit bureaus stating that American Express was not in collection and was being paid, but was delinquent in 2006. I was paying on time and as agreed since that time. What a nightmare trying to contact or get information from these companies. I talked to a number of very rude customer service reps from other countries whom I could not understand and would not give me information unless I purchased credit reporting packages. American Express never responded to my letters. When my mortgage was denied, I called the American Express credit bureau number again. I was rudely told, "You have called about this before, why are you calling again?" (Could it be because my future is in your hands?) When I asked why they were reporting using the derogatory term "Collection Account". I was told it was an "internal collection" and "All cancelled accounts are collection accounts, everybody knows that." Well, I didn't know that. I asked them if they could at least report the payment history so it doesn't look like I'm just not paying this bill. I was told, "American Express doesn't do that, we only report the outstanding balance" They report as "Past due since July 2006." - with no indication of my payment history.

The customer service representative at the AMEX credit bureau was extremely rude. I think she took lessons from the woman I dealt with in 2006. They would do nothing to indicate that I have been paying off this card. "We can't help you. That's our policy." Even if I paid off the balance in full - the negative Collection Account notation would remain on credit report for 4 more years and I have heard that paying it off can actually lower your credit score.

I worked for a large company that got federal and state government bail-outs, filed for bankruptcy and caused thousands of employees to lose their jobs and incomes. Today, their executives are treated like wonderboys for pulling it off. Now, I am dealing with a credit card company that took TARP funds to bail themselves out. The penalty? Executives get a "verbal lashing" from Congress for their tactics in dealing with credit consumers. Yet, no one is willing to give me the tiniest break.

American Express is unwilling to honor my small request and report that my account was delinquent in 2006 but has been paid on-time and as agreed since then.

Americans should rally and protest their treatment by the credit card companies, banks and credit bureaus. Fair Issac my eye! There is NOTHING fair about these organizations.

REWARDS POINTS

7/7/2009

I have been a member of American express since 1993. Over the years I ve gained a lot of points.
close to 400,000.. here I am thinking that my retirement portfolio is growinng. You know trips when I retire and such.
So any how, I had a series of liens put on my credit from sales taxes for my business.
AMerican Express closed my account and made me forfiet all my points. They would not let me use them or transfer them. Just gone!
That is what they must do to everyone who has a lot of points.. There is no loyalty at all.
I feel I earned those points they should be mine. I got rid of those liens and they say it too late there gone.

Terrible Service

7/1/2009

I had my wallet/identity stolen on may 13th 2009. I had seen on my credit report that someone had tried opening a credit card with American express under my name on June 8th so I called Amex fraud department that day and they told me that if I had sent them a police report they could fax/send me a copy of the online application that this person had filled out for my police investigation. They wouldn't send it to my new adDress so they said they could send it to my old adDress which wouldn't be beneficial anyways because the person who stole my wallet had my old adDress (which is my mom's house) on my license and was stealing our mail from that mailbox. They said if I didn't receive it in a week to call them back. So two weeks went by and I never received it. When I called them again they had no tracking or information at all on 'this case' after being transferred to 5 different people and holding for a loooong period of time! Then they finally claim they found it but can't fax ot or forward it to my new adDress so therefore I will never receive it because even if it doesn't get stolen by that person who stole my identity it will get forwarded back to Amex and not forwarded on to my new adDress because it is 'confidential.' So my case goes cold :(

How Dare They Drop Our Limit!

6/25/2009

We need your help exposing AMEX for their terrible customer service and
lack of loyalty to their customers. Thank you in advance for reading this
email.

We have been a member of Platinum American Express since 2000. We have
used our cards, which we pay a fee of $400+ each for the privilege of
spending money with them, for our corporations, our personal expenses, and
travel. Over the years we have probably spent over $700,000 with American
Express! We ALWAYS paid the balance off when due and at times at meant a
$50,000 monthly payment.

During the last 6 months, we have used our American Express cards less and
less. One reason is that we had some charge problems using the card in
Mexico that went largely unresolved for all parties because no one in
India (Which is where their call center is for this "American" company)
could comprehend the intricacies of our problem because it was quite
simply a matter best dealt with by an American. Even someone from Mexico
would have understood it better.

Secondly, we were using other cards that gave us the mileage points we
needed for an airline.

The problem is that because we have NOT been using our cards very much,
they have cut us off at $500! Now that we need it...we got cut off at
$500. For no reason. We have no payment due until July 2nd and our balance
is only $443.27. We have carried balances in the 10s of thousands in the
past and now we can only have $500. Which is less than our annual fee
we've paid this "American" company. What if we were out with clients
wining/dining and our card was declined? That would be so embarrasssing.

So we called and complained. Who did we get? Some smug kid in India who
put us on hold for 20 minutes and told us that "the computer says you have
not used your card much in the last 6 months, so your balance and
available credit is $500." HOW DOES THIS MAKE SENSE WHEN THEY ADVERTISE
THEMSELVES AS A NO SPENDING LIMIT CARD? AND WE ARE PLATINUM CARDHOLDERS TO
BOOT!

Such B S!!

6/8/2009

I've been screwed by AmEx too. I have been a loyal customer for well over 8 years. I have had late payments, but they were maybe a day late. But...I have NEVER missed one single payment. November 2008 I opened my bill to examine it, as we have been upgrading out home, and used this card for purchases for flooring, paint...etc. I was informed that my credit limit of $25000.00 had been reduced. And my interest had been increased to almost 28%....yes, 27.98% folks! Unbelievable. I placed a call to Amex to find out why, and they told me that I had been late twice in the last 12 months, and that raises my interest rate. Again, I have never missed a payment, and I always pay well up and over the minimum each month. I have paid my account off in full in the past. Our tax dollars have bailed these credit card companies' asses out, and this is what we get? Screwed over? I have read several of the other complaints. Seems AmEx is due for an awakening. They need to take a step back and appreciate the loyal customers who pay their bill. Stop punishing those who send their checks in. There are a lot more people who have lost their jobs and homes or filed bankruptcy. The rest of us who have the comfort of employment would appreciate a little returned respect.....I will never use Amex again. I have canceled my card and will never look back.

Poor Customer Service From American Express

6/5/2009

A while back American Express cancelled my credit card account due to false information contained in my credit report. Once I had the corrected credit report I wrote to American Express to either have them re-instate my account or remove from my credit report that the account was closed at the creditor's request.

I have sent four letters to two addresses since February and have yet to receive any acknowledgment from American Express.

Betrayed by American Express

5/21/2009 Henderson NV

I have had two American Express credit cards since 2003. I have never been late to pay my balance and it was full payment all the time. Then guess what? American Express just cancelled my credit cards all of sudden on May 1st 2009. The reason is that I have high debt, which is, they said, my mortgage for my house. I checked my credit report and score. My credit score is over 740. Everything was in good standing, never late. I can’t still believe it. Nonsense. I guess they may cancel anyone who has a house and pays mortgage since it will be considered as debt, which seems American Express doesn't want to have its business any more.

I can say I have been a LOYAL customer to AMEX. The AMEXs were my major ones about 70% of my total credit cards. All the time I used to use AMEX rather than the others. But then they did not appreciate it at all. They don't know the importance of loyalty at all. It will be an excellent example of customer loyalty for my marketing class. It is not really enough about what I feel now, though. But I am not going to argue this with them since it is not my loss, but their loss.

"Customer service" is a misnomer

5/20/2009

I am writing to inform you of my recent experience with your business partner American Express. It is very sad to see Costco, the pinnacle of customer service and customer loyalty, partnering up with a company that has a corporate culture which has no respect for its customer base and considers them totally replaceable. They do not understand the concept of customer service and have no insight to blatant flaws in their system processes.

Briefly

I changed my autopay banking info on line in a timely manner, clearly documented, however Amex continued to bill/debit my old bank account. The old bank account did not have sufficient funds so they immediately cancelled my card. No discussion with me, a 7 year old customer, credit score of 750+ who always pay his balance in full. I call to discuss and request reactivation, Impossible...automatic hold on card for 7 days, I request direct debits to the old account be stopped since I incur a $30 fee for each attempt since there was no money in that account. Impossible...I would have to pay those charges( my bank has no authority by Federal law to stop direct debits...they must be stopped by the sender!). I asked to pay off my AMEX account in full from the new bank account ...yes you guessed it ..Impossible!I was told I can only make a payment from the old account... I ask the logic behind that..."sir that is all I can offer you"

Three hours later I reached someone who would accept $5700 payment to bring a zero balance to my account. Unfortunately that still did not stop the two subsequent direct debits to my account and a total of $90 in insufficient fees charged by my old bank account.

I asked Amex customer service to to reimburse me for those charges... 5 hours later....Impossible. It was all my fault...I ask why was it my fault?

I obviously did not update Autopay in a timely fashion was the Amex reason. I updated on April 19th 2009 which was well within the 4 days required prior to the future debit schedueled on MAy 5th 2009.

So now is it still my fault...even when I asked Amex to stop debits an May 7th...which would have saved at least $60 in bank fees.

Amex response was go to our bank... to which I asked...and what should I do when I go to the bank.

Amex response...We cannot advise you what to do..


I had my Amex card cancelled for a week which was a major inconvenience for my corporation, I was insulted by Amex customer "service" supervisors, I incurred $90 in bank fees despite doing everything I was supposed to do in a timely manner. AMEX also decided to charge me $38 in interest and late fees for good measure...why not he' s got the cash and we are hurting for it so screw him while we can....the AMEX motto I believe.

AMEX sucks big time. It is a disgrace that Costco has got into bed with these thieves. Your customers desrve better and Costco name should not be seen next to Amex.

Attached is a further sampling Amex customer relation experiences. I urge Costco to review this matter for its customer sake and renegotiate a credit facility with a corporation with a culture more aligned to Costco

http://www.my3cents.com/companyReview.cgi?compid=235&subcat=6

I appreciate you taking the time to consider this experience

Sincerly

21 year customer

5/19/2009 Riverside CA

I just closed my Amex. gold card after having it for 21 years. Use to charge all my day to day charges on the card, I have paid my bill on time and they put a $1600.00 limit on the card and want me to pay $75.00 a year for using the card. I just called them to remove the limit and they won't. They have just lost a good customer of 21 years and they don't care. Good luck AMEX you won't last much longer treating good customers like this.
Michael Maxson

Seriously, Can This Be Legal?

5/13/2009 Jacksonville FL

We have been a customer of Amex since 2005. It seems reading through comments, the story is all to common. We are a small business owner and carry a personal and business Amex card. We started getting our credit limit lower back in 2008 on business card, then 2/2009 the personal was lowered from $6500 to $5400. What took the cake was 4/2009 the lowering from $5400 to $4100. I was irate! The customer service with this company is down right ridiculous, a joke to say the least. Last week a CSR advised that no where could she find a reason why this happened and that it would be reviewed by CSR supervisor, they would get back within 3 days. Never heard back from Amex. I called 5/11/2009 and was on hold, pass to numerous departments of Amex. All departments agreed this shouldn't have happened. I was told that they don't see the credit limit was ever lower on either account, that it was always the lowered amount.

Again the CSR would get with (this time) a manager, then get back with me in 3 days. The next day I received my statement showing my personal limit at $5400. Now I have always been advised that the decisions to make changes on accounts occur before a new statement cuts. I called back on 5/12/2009 to hear my account was reviewed and the reason for the lowered credit limit was due to high balances on other credit cards, etc. How all of a sudden was the reason available? My credit is good and all my accounts are paid on time and paid beyond the minimum due. Amex is our enemy and in this economy who needs them lowering credit scores across the board for consumers and small business owners.

Something needs to be done to put this to an end! Isn't it Ellen who does commercials for Amex? Maybe she would be interested to know how Amex treats their paying customers?

Incompetent Customer Valuation

5/12/2009

My wife receive a cancellation notice of the American Express Platinum card she has held for decades. The notice asserted late payments, inadequate monthly payments, and income and assets are not substantial enough for the debt carried. This to a woman who regularly pays off the whole debt, has never paid as little as a minimum payment, has assets that place her in the top ranks of wealth and enjoys a substantial monthly income. A phone call to AmX ended in a rock hard dead end. What incompetent, bureaucratic stupidity is this? They have enough problems without alienating the few good customers they have left.

AMEX Deliberately destroys your credit and attacks your business

5/10/2009 Phoenix

I had 2 AMEX Blue accounts for 2 different businesses with credit lines of 55,000, and 13,000. I always paid the balance in full for the the 55,000 card. The card with 13,000 had a balance of $5,000 from a balance transfer offer with a very low interest rate and I paid the minimum, never late. Without warning, AMEX dropped the 50,000 limit to 11,000 (that month's purchases). When I paid the 11,000, the limit was dropped to 1,000 (for a card with monthly purchases of 6,000 to 28,000 and used by 8 employees in purchasing). The other card was dropped to the balance. This hurt my company and disrupted my operations. When the going got tough, my "business partner", AMEX, ran and left. My charges on those cards over the last 8 years were $985,000 (all paid in full each month). As a responsible business owner, I need credit issuers that stand by me in hard times and base their decisions on my payment history, not some knee jerk corporate risk assessment. Since this happened, I have stopped taking AMEX in my operations. I only take VISA, MC and Discover.

I urge you to do the same. It is us small business owners who accept AMEX cards and pay the higher AMEX premium. I will remember this disloyalty forever.

American Express Does Nothing To Ensure They Are Talking To The Account Holder, Resulting In An Unauthorized Debit To Our Account

5/8/2009

So, today my wife went to withdraw money from our bank account and noticed to her surprise that we were over $4000 overdrawn. We then went online to check our account and noticed that there was a large pending payment to our American Express card. We checked the Amex account online and saw the same payment listed there. But neither my wife nor I had authorized this payment. So we called American Express...

1. The first person my wife talks to at Amex says that she'll have to open a billing inquiry and it could take up to six weeks to resolve. My wife said that was unacceptable and asked to speak to a supervisor.

2. The supervisor said that they called a number (they wouldn't even tell us what number) associated with our account and that the person they spoke with authorized the payment. My wife said that neither of us had spoken to anyone and the supervisor said that he would pull the tape of the call and would call us back within the hour.

3. The customer service representative (not the supervisor) who called us back said that they had reviewed the call and related the transcript to us. It's important to understand that my wife has an unusual first name that someone could take for being either a male or female name:

Amex Rep: Is this ?
Man at unknown phone number: "Yes, this is .
Amex Rep: Do you authorize a payment of $XXXX on your account?
Man: "Yes, you can take the money out of my bank account."
Amex Rep: Would that be the account ending in xxxx?
Man: Yes, that's the account.

Based on this crack display of identity verification, Amex says they would not be refunding the money. We said we would be putting a stop payment on the transaction and would be contacting a lawyer and the media.

So, apparently if you have a phone number that used to belong to an Amex account holder and Amex calls you asking for payment, all that is required to authorize money be removed from that person's bank account is to say "yes, that's me" and "yes, that's my account". No verification of social security number. No asking what the last four digits of the bank account is. No "what's your mother's maiden name".

My wife and I are outraged. It is unbelievable that Amex makes no attempt to verify that they are talking to the right person. Heck they could have even called our home phone number and if someone else (a babysitter, a mother--in-law, etc.) answered, all they would have to do is pretend to be one of us and they could authorize a payment!

American Express Cancelled Me

5/2/2009

I received an unsigned letter from American Express stating that my credit card had been cancelled. It seems I am not worthy of holding an American Express credit card because I was 15 days late with my payment to a department store. Yet, incredibly, the department store still values my business. I called Amex and of course, they read me the same scripted answer that so many in my situation have heard. I asked for a supervisor and he too attempted to read the same script. All I wanted was an address to write to because their gracious letter of cancellation gave no contact information. I only got an Amex because I finally gave in to their countless offers...BIG MISTAKE. And, as if the economy wasn't bad enough and all of us making an honest living aren't working hard enough, Amex will now add their unfounded cancellation to my credit report. Of course! Why not kick us while we're down? Makes sense, right?

Out Of The Blue

4/26/2009 Long Beach CA

I recently paid of my American Express Blue card in full. ($2500) I had spent some time paying off other debts first but this was the last to go. I was feeling good about finally being debt free and having a decent line of credit to start using on a regular basis. I was also looking forward to suing those rewards point that I acquired. (6300) So I go to use my card knowing that I have a nice cushion of 2600 and it is declined. Figuring it must be a mistake I check by phone and everything was cool. On-line my account is paid. So I try to use it once more. NO DICE! So I called the customer service line and found that my account had been canceled. I asked if it was some kind of mistake and they told me they sent me a letter informing my why. Since I didn't get the letter they told me over the phone that they checked my credit and saw that I had too much debt for the about of credit available.

Well I guess that is what happens when you only have a few credit cards and then get financed to BUY a new car! I get approved for a car loan, pay off all my credit cards, and they think it is in their best interest to close my account! I would think that faithful making on time payments for all my accounts for two years would show some kind of responsibility. I guess they don't want money. I can't believe that they would do such a thing. I would have at least wanted some notice. They have my number they could have called, or I guess they didn't give a crap. Credit card companies only call when they want to hassle some who is down like a big financial bully. Well I am done with them I just wish I had spent my 6300 rewards point before they stole them from me!

I think we all know the big corporations like this have gotten way out of control. Lets hope the snazzy congress of ours can finally come up with some legislation that will put the power back in the hands of the consumers!

American Express Cards

4/25/2009

All you guys that have a beef with American express you should convert over to the Dillards Amex card its run by GE money I have had no problems with the card and my credit limit started at 1400 and now its 5000 in less then a year. There is no annual fee for it you get to use all the benefits of Amex but they are not backing the card. The rewards aren't as great but you are not putting up with the Amex problems. And your not paying an annual fee too idiots.

You get decent Dillards rewards that you can use at Dillards and after you spend 2000 in a year you are on there elite cards its a black card so you can tell everyone you have the black Amex card I have had it a year and no problems what so ever.

My Amex Blue And Clear Cards Canceled For No Reason!

4/16/2009 Rochester NH

I have had 2 American Express cards (a Blue and a Clear) for 3+ years. On 3/23, I paid off both balances in full. Yesterday I received a letter from American Express dated 4/6/09 stating that they have cancelled BOTH accounts. There was no contact information listed on the letter, so I went online to find the customer service #. When I called, I spoke with a woman and asked why they cancelled my accounts and she said (via a script) "This is a business decision and we feel comfortable in regards to this account." I asked again, why would they cancel an account that has been paid in full on both cards, with no notice, and she said (verbatim) "This is a business decision and we feel comfortable in regards to this account." I said "Well this is a terrible way to treat a loyal customer in a time such as these economic times, especially after all the Federal Bailouts, paid with my taxpayer dollars." She said "This is a business decision and we feel comfortable in regards to this account."

I will NEVER do business again with American Express - they way they treat their customers is HARDLY American.

Ridiculous Customer Service

4/13/2009 West Bloomfield MI

I recently received a Skymiles card and made 2 very small purchases. Then I was asked to call to verify my identity to protect against identity theft. The only way to do this is get my bank on the phone. I hold and some woman comes on the line claiming to be from my bank and she won't give any information without getting my account number information - with the American Express representative on the phone! I'm not giving some account representative all of my banking information. If I don't do that, I have to jump through hoops with bank notarized affidavits to prove who I am. Funny since I've had a Costco AmEx card for years and American Express knows perfectly well who I am. Did they need the bank account information to keep on file for future use? And if they are so interested in identity theft, why would they want my bank account info flying all over those recorded conversations. Very simple minded and absolutely no real customer service. I will never have a good thing to say about the rude customer service reps either. It wasn't a process to protect against identity theft.

It was AmEx crap. Funny, if they don't know who I am - who pays the bill on the Costco card monthly??????????

AMEX Blue Cancelled for no good reason

4/13/2009 Nashville TN

I applied and was approved for an AMEX Blue card in Aug 2008. Today, April 2009, I received a letter stating the account was terminated. The letter described several 'credit issues' that came up during my account review. I called them and explained that the only negative thing in my credit report is from 5 years ago I was late on two payments due to temporary unemployment, and that since acquiring my AMEX card my credit score has not changed (in fact I substantially reduced my debt during that time-frame). They were neither friendly nor understanding.

I am extremely disappointed with the service I received and I sincerely hope that they can calculate the total actualized lifetime value of me being a cardholder and weigh that against the risk of a cardholder that has a decent credit score with 0 delinquent accounts.

UnAmerican Express

4/4/2009

Add our family to this ever growing list of complaints against a company that no longer can value true customer loyalty.

They are good at taking Billions from the loyal taxpaying public, but stick it to customers that have never been late. They are great at reading scripts back with an Indian accent about too much debt, etc etc.

May the CEO of AMEX be axed by our new "king"....err President in the future.

Extremely Unhappy Victim Of Credit Limit Slashing!

4/2/2009 Voorhees NJ

I have been an American Express card holder since the year 2000 and I have worked extremely hard to build the credit that I had. I currently have three credit card accounts with American Express.

On my BLUE credit card between 10/17/08 and 11/18/08 statements my credit line was reduced from $48,000 to $40,000 (17%, within $750 of my balance). During the same time period they imposed a $1,700 credit limit on my ONE credit card which always had been unlimited. I had charged and paid each month more than $2,000 consistently for years on that card and now I had to scramble to move automatic payments, I had several charges declined after the limit was set and was left with egg on my face.

After calling customer service several times they said this was due to a credit review and there was nothing that could be done about it. On 4/2/09 I was notified that my BLUE credit line was reduced from $40,000 to $9,600 (76%, within $200 of my balance). After calling customer service and speaking with a manager they said this was due to a high debt/credit ratio and there was nothing that could be done about it. I have never made a late payment and I typically pay much higher than the minimum payment.

At a minimum this is horrible customer service and at a maximum they have severely impacted my credit rating by increasing my debt/credit ratio. My debt/credit ratio has not changed dramatically in over a year and my credit score is over 700, what they are doing is completely arbitrary. I would not be surprised if they lower my limit again in the near future as they are now creating a self-fulfilled prophecy by manipulating my credit.

From the research I have done there are hundreds if not thousands of customers being affected in the same way and I am looking for a class action lawsuit to join if this can not be resolved immediately. I am so unhappy that I want to immediately cancel all of my credit accounts with American Express, the only reason I have not is it will hurt my credit scores even more. Please help!

Just Another Cancellation Victim

3/31/2009

I, too, have had my account spontaneously canceled. I called AMEX and the first person I talked so sort of said "Oooh, I'll have to transfer you to another department" and I knew immediately what was going on.

The person I then talked to, would not give me a reason for the cancellation, but gave me a phone number to Experian. I said that was entirely stupid, because Experian wasn't going to be able to tell me why AMEX chose to cancel my account. He again insisted that I call Experian. I finally got him to tell me the criteria by which they had chosen to cancel my account.

Now here's the part that makes no sense. In the last 6 months or so, we have made a concerted effort to pay down credit cards and AMEX was one we paid special attention too. It was paid off and a few small charges added recently and then paid off again. For being a good customer, I now get to have my account canceled? Does that make any sense to anyone?

Worst Customer Service

3/30/2009 Winston Salem NC

I was an American express customer for over 8 years with excellent payment history. I had built a credit limit of $30,000 which of course I never used. I always paid on time and very often I paid the entire balance every month. Three months ago they reduced my credit limit to $1,800 and just yesterday they reduced it to just $1000. It's insulting! I called to complaint but all I got were two rude customer representatives telling me that I had to many accounts open (could not specify how many)and there was nothing they could do. It was obvious that they wanted me to close my account, which I did. I also closed my business account and they really seem to not care at all. I'm sure they were actually happy with my response. I understand they need to manage their risk but what they are doing is mistreating good customers that will never go back to using their cards on top of writing horrible reviews about the company, their products and service. What it's unclear to me is how a company like American Express can be so ignorant as to provide horrible customer service and lower credit limits on their best customers yet. Don't they know that when all of this "bad economy" is over and people start spending again, customers like myself will NEVER use American express again no matter what they have to offer.

Not only that but I will make sure that all of my friends and family know about this and I will do everything in my power to stop them from opening an American express account and if they already have one open I will make sure they close it too. I will never get tired of badmouthing American Express. I have never been so insulted as a customer by a company in my life!

American Express = Bad/Poor Consumer Service

3/25/2009 San Francisco CA

To Whom It May Concern:

Yesterday I went to Costco to purchase some goods, and my American Express (AE) card was not accepted. I called your 888 number and was told it was due to some "external delinquency" I had. I assumed it must have had something to do with my student loans so I called the federal loan tracking number and talked to a woman (whose name I will leave out) who told me that none of my loans were delinquent.

So, I called American Express back again and talked to five people, one of which hung up on me. I have their names (which I will leave out) including a supervisor from the Credit Operations Dept. All I was told was I was up for review on a few days ago and that a report from Experian led them to decide to close
my credit card, that is, without calling me, emailing me, or sending me a letter of any sort.

My question to them was, am I or have I ever been delinquent with my Amercian Express account? Any derogatory? I know the answer. I have paid on time and am on good terms, yet they decided to close my account based on secondary information that claimed I was "delinquent" when I am not.

I have requested a credit report and a list of my rights and it shall take 10 days to arrive. According to what I see I expect to follow up on any information I receive. I find it quite sad that a company of their reputation would act in such a manner, without even caring to contact me. If they had bothered to contact me I could have informed you that I just finished a Masters of Science in Nursing from a top notch private Jesuit University, and I am now working at a hospital that reputes as number one in many areas, and that I would have no problem paying any of my debts. Nevertheless, they decided to go forward without verification of any sort. Naturally in our economy, I understand that their action was a pre-emptive decision based on fear. What type of consumer service is that?

American Express Cancel My Card Because I Paid Off The Balance Every Month Since 1996

3/24/2009 Walnut CA

I have an American Express Card and suddenly I got a notice said that my account was canceled. I check all the history of my account with American Express and found I never pay off my bill late every month. Why they cancel my account and refuse a good customer never pay over due?

What happen to American Express? How can I re-active my American Express card for Costco shopping?

Problems Receiving My Costco Rebate Coupon!

3/23/2009 Boca Raton, FL

I am an American Express Costco TrueEarnings Card member and I am upset that I have not yet received my Costco rebate coupon, which was supposed to be mailed to me during the first week in February, which is now over six weeks ago!

I have made three separate calls to the American Express Customer Service Department asking them to send me the rebate coupon, but I have been getting the runaround.

The first time I called (which was on February 23rd), I was told that I had to wait at least a month from the date that the coupon was issued before I could request a replacement. The second time I called (which was on March 6th), I was told that a replacement coupon would immediately be sent out and I would receive it within a week. The third time I called (which was on March 20th), I was told that I would have to wait another two weeks (no earlier than April 6th) before I could request a replacement of the replacement coupon!

I have verified that American Express has my current mailing address and telephone numbers on file.

This is outrageous! If it weren't for that fact that I would lose the $69.00 coupon if I were to cancel my account right now, I would tell American Express to take their card and shove it!

I want American Express to IMMEDIATELY issue me my Costco rebate coupon. I do not wish to wait another two weeks before they will issue me a second replacement of the coupon which I should have received over six weeks ago!

Amex Delta Rewards Canceled Without Notice Join My Class Action Law Suit Effort

3/22/2009 Salt Lake City UT

I had a high credit limit with a 50$ balance. I wanted to get gas at Costco. Amex is not accepted. Today at Harbor Freight it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life: Cashier was the opposite of friendly told me with rolling her eyes: The Card has been canceled. I was shocked. Called Amex. Got notice that my credit ratio was at 86%. That was a big lie. Had a max of 40% credit used in Feb. paid everything off. They told me a notice was sent out 30 days before the account was closed. Another big fat lie.

I talked about this to my family. My dad, moms, brothers and cousins Amex cards got canceled. Everyone stated that they will never do business with Amex again.
I am looking for people who might want to join me in my effort to have a class action lawsuit against AMEX. Need 20 people or more. Have been looking for some experienced lawyers.

[snip - no solicitations please]

Watch These Guys, They Take From Main Street

3/20/2009 Atlanta GA

All,

If you have an American Express card read this with a personal interest. I had been the recipient of a hugh rip-off by them. After 10 or so years of an American Express account, in October, or there about, we got a letter from American Express that my previously very high limit was being reduced to around $1200. We have had this account since around 1996 or so and used it for all our monthly purchases. We bought gas, groceries, medicines, etc on the card. We purchased it through Costco in Kennesaw, GA. The reason we got it was due to a 2% bonus on purchases and every year we enjoyed a couple of hundred dollars in returns on that card.

When we got the 'letter' we were shocked. We always paid on time, never carrying over a balance. The monthly amounts were always around $1500 to $2000 as that was our budget and let me tell you, my wife always follows her plan. Well, why did this occur, what was it about because the excuses they had were bull, so, why? Then we had an epiphany. Was it BECAUSE we always paid the account? Maybe they wanted to get the interest we never paid. Well, it was a thought and worth a question to American Express. So I called and spoke to an agent of American Express and we discussed how the account was valuable to me at the amount I had but not at this new level. The agent I spoke to was at first very nice and put me on hold to check out the account. After a few minutes after placing me on hold, he changed 180 degrees and suggested if I couldn't use the account at the level as adjusted, then I should just close the account. There was nothing that American Express could do about the ‘adjustment’. We broke our communication at that point and I thought long and hard about the turn of events.

After discussion with my wife and allowing a couple of days of cool down time I called back again and asked for management instead of just a phone customer service agent. This person was even less helpful than the first, basically being pretty aggressive and telling us we had no recourse. When I told her after all the years I would have to close the account if after ten years of paying early but ALWAYS on-time this was the ‘new’ American Express. Their comment was something like “I think that would be best”.

My wife and I just thought that they were cutting those who never carried balances and owed those ridiculous interest rates. What really happened and what transpired over the next several months indicates to me a more sinister picture right up there with the rest of Wall Street.

As you know, American Express received $3.389 Billion in bailout on January 9th. In my most humble opinion this just proved my theory of their ‘cutting their losses’. But let’s look at what else they’re receiving.

In December or January I contacted the American Express Customer Service office and talked to a very helpful agent this time. I had a credit I needed returned and I asked when and how I would get my rebate owed on my Costco. He told me a closed account wouldn’t get that rebate and since that new fact wasn’t disclosed he would re-open the account and I’d receive $201 in February. February came and went so I contacted them again. Wow, what a change this time. I was told the account was not reopened. A fact I was never informed of and one that without a letter of notification is in noncompliance with federal fair credit laws. I was told the rebate was considered a ‘reward’ that if I saw it as earned at the point of each purchase, they considered it to be a reward earned at their convenience and discretion.

That they did not have to disclose their policy of not paying it at the time of the credit limit reduction. That they closed my account, I guess before I had made that second call, though how this occurred and how I was never informed of this is beyond me. That the matter was closed.

I have since sent to their Home Office a Ten-day letter of demand and decided to contact you, too. My fellow hard working American Taxpayers having to bailout these people and then endure further money looses earned but kept by them such as this need to be made known. I hope you print this, look into these companies in more detail and show us, the American Taxpayer that it doesn’t just affect Wall Street. They are taking from us on Main Street as well.

I am most respectfully yours,

Joseph Davis

American Express Cancellation Without Notice

3/19/2009

My wife was embarrassed today at the market when our Costco rewards card was denied. I called to find out they they cancelled my card on 3/16 and sent a letter on 3/16, HOW ABOUT YOU GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS A WARNING THIS IS HAPPENING?

I have great credit 700, been with them for 4 years, and like others paid my balance in full last month and boom, Cancelled!! This is a trend!

They are trying to rid themselves of the little people and stick to their higher end customers. I got the same song and dance as everyone else, too many inquiries, too much debt....well I have never made 1 late payment to them or any creditor, as long as they are getting paid they should not care what my business is with other creditors.

I went off on an operator and her supervisor, both of which were 2 incompetents. I will never own another AMEX in my life, ever, and I dare them send me letters in the mail about their cards!!! I will be writing a letter to better business bureau and their customer relations dept. If you want the address its

Customer Relations
777 American Express Way
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33337

Screwed Me Too

3/11/2009

I owed 6,000 on a 10,000 limit card. Made payments on time, NEVER late. They reduced to 8,000, I paid 2400.00. Available limit is now 2497.00. I called to cancel, so that they are no longer effecting my credit by reducing. I am not delinquent on ANYTHING. They cancelled the card, and I lost ALL rewards points. Tell me that is fair? Not to mention the effect that they have had on my credit.

I have a zero balance with Sears, got a letter from them yesterday that they will not be renewing my card.

Accepted By The Office Shredder Everywhere

3/11/2009 Waycross GA

I had an American Express card for 7 years-never missed a payment, never late. I decided to take my wife's family to a fancy restaurant in Savannah. I filled up the car at the gas station and the card was accepted. On we went to our meal. In the two hours it took us to get to Savannah, get seated, enjoy our meal, and get the bill Amex put a freeze on my card. There are, of course, other means of paying for a meal and I assumed that this was just some mistake.

I spent the next two days calling the Amex "help line." After being repeatedly told that "I'm sorry but our computers are down so we can't tell you what is happening with your account" I finally got through to Mujabar.

Every American knows Mujabar. He's that guy in Bombay who speaks pidgen English. Mujabar informed me that "verry sorry, but we haff found bad debt on your record." Mujabar couldn't tell me who claimed I owed them money (in fact, to this day, American Express hasn't been able to tell me who is making this claim) but helpfully suggested that he could unfreeze the card to pay this debt, whatever it was, in whatever amount, and to whomever was claiming it.

I told American Express to cancel my card immediately and paid them their balance.

About a week later I received a letter from Amex saying that my credit with them had been reduced to $5,000.00. Really? My balance at the time of the cancellation was about $3,000.00, so why the immediate freeze? Their letter followed their card into the shredder.

A few more days later Amex sent me a new card which excitedly proclaimed "activate your new card immediately! We'll put the $150.00 activation charge on your account!" Let's see-first, what makes Amex think that unilaterally freezing my account with no warning might be a way to inspire me to continue doing business with them? Second, since they froze my account, how can I charge $150.00 on it? Wouldn't that somehow cause me to go over their cap? Third, when the hell did Amex come to believe it was empowered to collect debts for third parties that it couldn't even identify to their customer? Do they really think that someone is going to pay a $150.00 activation feel for the privilege of carrying a multi-colored ice scrapper?

Yep, American Express-accepted by office shredders everywhere. For everything else there's Master Card.

American Express Credit Polices Harm Good Customers

3/4/2009 Champaign IL

We had six American Express Accounts (two personal, four for business) all of which had never been paid late or over their credit limits. Our personal accounts go back to 1985 and the business accounts were all opened within the last 10 years. We have been home owners for more than ten years and never been late on any payment, on any account. Last May our Business Capital Line of credit was lowered to the balance on the account, which basically prevented us from any further use. Next the Business Platinum card flexible payment option was canceled. Then the Business Blue account without a balance was closed. Next the personal blue account limit was lowered to the balance (which had a negative effect on our personal credit scores), and now our Gold Card flexible payment option has been canceled. All of this has occurred in less than a year. Our credit is very good with credit scores above 750. The most recent letter from American express outlined several reasons for the changes, including a refinance (i. e., new mortgage) of my existing mortgage which saved me 2% annually and lowered our monthly payment. There other reasons were just as ridiculous, such as a drop in credit scores (which they were responsible for). I am also a Merchant and due to these changes I have canceled that account and will no longer accept American Express cards in my business.

We have closed all of the business accounts because that action will not effect our credit scours. The remaining two personal accounts will remain locked up in the safe until American Express declares bankruptcy and then I burn them in celebration.

Reduced Credit Limit Then Cancelled W/O Warning - Rude Customer Service

3/3/2009 Brooklyn NY

I've been a card holder for 2+ years (granted, there are people here who've members a lot longer but...) never keep balances, never missed a payment. I only took the card for the miles benefits, not that I needed it. In December they slash my limit by about 75%, when I inquire as to why, I get some clown in Bangalore blatantly making things up. Now last week, a day after I pay my monthly balance in full they cancel the account w/o warning leaving me to have the card being declined several times. I call to ask why and they reply with some issue with my credit report. I have good credit (700+) and I do have about a $4000 balance on a no interest card but I am by no means insolvent. I just get a pig headed, rude response basically telling me to go eff myself.

I demand that they refund my annual membership fee, which they also rudely refuse to do. I ask to speak with a supervisor and she's an even ruder officious B than the first operator, telling me "we don't have to refund anything, it's stated in the terms & conditions". I ask where it says that, as I bring the Ts & Cs up from the Amex website and she completely blows me off. I'm going to pester every card holder I know (that hasn't been unceremoniously dumped by them) until they cancel their accounts. I certainly hope they haven't received any TARP funds...let them die.

And to that awful Okie operator and her officious supervisor who treated me like a deadbeat...in a couple of months the two of you will have the honor of being humiliated as you train your Bangalore based replacement just so you can hold on to that $35K paycheck for a couple of more weeks...enjoy.

Low Credit Limits Then Allow 20k In Fraud Charges

3/2/2009

With over 75k in credit with American Depress, they lowered my limits to about 4k. Then allowed over 20k in charges from Sears and Apple Computer. What is up with this company. They should just pull out of the business and do all of us a big favor.

American Express Is Screwing Their Top Customers

2/25/2009

Last Month, out of the Blue, I received a call from AMEX saying my credit has been placed on hold until I paid down the balance, I have ALWAYS paid the bill in FULL never was LATE period, the bill was NOT even past due, they said they decided to place me on hold because of the past 6 month review of spending pattern, I told them in my 15 years of business, September to January is usually my slowest time of the year therefore their judgment call is inaccurate as the business is in their normal pattern of the year. They refused to budge on this and I told them I will pay them when its on due but not before, and I did paid them on my regular due date and then 1 week later I got a new phone call saying they have frozen my account AGAIN and asked me to pay down. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON??? I have paid over $150,000 dollars in CASH in the past year and never was LATE once I never even asked for extension once! My business is doing well. AMEX has LOST their prestige service !

They are definitely losing their customers by treating them like rats!

American Express And All Of Its Representative Are The Worst To Deal With

2/24/2009

I received a call from an individual who claimed to be calling from American Express and advised me that my card is suspended until such time they are able to conduct financial review, she asked me to sign an authorization so American Express can request my IRS records to verify income. I have had the Business card since 1995 and never once been late. I asked her to cancel my card, I was not going to provide my IRS records. They reported to my TRW account closed due to consumer not cooperating, and after two months, I am still trying to have American Express remove $595.00 membership fees, event though card is cancelled, still charging me with membership fees.

This calls for class action . . .

Sorry Company

2/23/2009 TX

DO not get American Express credit card!!! This is the worst credit card company I have ever dealt with. I always pay on time on all my credit cards. And pay more then the min. payment they have lowered my credit Limit 3 times in the past 8 months for no reason They say that there is a serious problem been reported from one of the credit companies, I checked my credit, not ONE problem. In fact I have excellent credit.

American Express Is making my credit go down because they keep lowering my credit limit !!! WARNING DO NOT GET A AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD!!!

Arbitrarily Cancelled After 13 Years With No Delinquency

2/17/2009

After 13 years of having an Amex Delta Skymiles, I received a letter today that my account had been closed due to an Experian Credit report. I have never been late on this card and have never exceeded the credit limit. The irony is that my current Amex balance is $300 with a credit limit of $25,000 and I had just paid off all of the balances on my other accounts and received notice that my interest rate on the Delta/Amex card had been reduced to 4.99% due to good credit history. Of course, I attempted to contact Amex for reinstatement, but was told that once it was in the computer, they couldn't change the status of my account.

If this is how Amex is treating long standing consumers who pay their bills each month, there is no wonder that the credit markets are messed up in this country.

Worst Customer Service

2/16/2009

I have had a Amex clear blue card for last 9 years. I have excellent credit history and have a rather high revolving credit line on my Amex card. I have never been late on payments and I have ALWAYS paid in full every month. I do use the card to a good extent. I recently initiated an online chat with a Amex representative and here is the transcript of this session:

Welcome!
There are no fees from American Express for using Live Chat. Internet use and features are subject to provider fees and Terms and Conditions.
Notice: All Live Chat conversations are recorded and monitored by American Express for quality assurance. For security reasons, please do not enter your online password during this chat session.

Please wait while we contact the next available agent...

You are now speaking with Kristi C!

Kristi C: Thank you for contacting American Express. My name is Kristi C, how may I help you?

you : I have a few questions about the blue sky card

you : 1. do points accrued on this card expire?

Kristi C: No.

you : I currently have a clear blue card from Amex. is it possible to convert it to blue sky card?

Kristi C: Thank you for your Cardmembership.

Kristi C: No.

Kristi C: If you would like to apply for another Card, you are welcome to apply. If approved, you can cancel your current Card or keep it if you would like to.

you : I have been told that I cannot have more than one card of the same category

Kristi C: You can cancel your Card beforehand if you care to.

you : well.... looks like Amex is not interested in keeping my business

Kristi C: I am sorry you feel that way.

Kristi C: I hope you have a nice day.

Kristi C: Thank you for contacting American Express.

Kristi C left the chat.


So... she just left the chat w/o even waiting for my response or asking me if she could help me with anyone else. This is so rude especially when you are talking to a long time member. I wish someone at Amex would read this!

Interest Rates

2/15/2009 NY

I have great credit and pay all my bills on time. America Express does not care they just want more money from all of because of the bad times ALL OF US are having. They raised my interest rate from 7.99% to 10.99% just because they want to. Anyone who has one of there cards should STOP making purchases on your card and pay off any balances that you have on the card ASAP. They get VERY upset if you don't use there card. If we can all do this it might just send a message to them that they don't own us and if we don't use there card they make NO extra money. We can all do this for a few months and if that does not work, close all there accounts.

I myself am going to my credit union for a credit card because they are not giant greedy people. I just got rid of all my big company credit cards.

Amex is driving away its paying customers!

2/15/2009 Richmond VA

These guys are driving away any good customers that they ever had! I had an Amex Platinum for several years at $495 per year. I kept it because
allowed me to charge large amounts, which I could pay off during the next month after withdrawing accounts or tuition 529 plans (this was primarily college tuition for my kids). A few days ago I tried to charge $15,000 for my daughter's tuition, and was declined (on a card that had no limit). I was told that I had to PRE-PAY in order to make this charge. I couldn't convince the moron on the other line that I pay $495 per year for the privilege of being able to charge large amounts. I got no where, and cancelled the card. I have a good job, pay my bills on time, do not default on my cards, and Amex does not deserve to have someone like me as their customer!

Cancelled Without Notice Rude On The Phone

2/2/2009 San Antonio TX

I just read some of your articles and I do have the same situation, I wish everyone stops using American express, after talking to a rude lady that didn't offer any useful help and that wasted my time finding some nonsense excuse for the cancellation telling me my credit is no good when my credit has actually improved from good to best since the day I opened the account, they deserve to be sued for treating people like criminals, they left me stranded with no gasoline in the middle of no where (by cancelling my card with no prior notice), that's what I get for trusting them an keeping only their card in my wallet, if you hear of people collecting signatures to sue them please let me know that I will be happy to participate.

Regards,

Ps. By the way just found out I also lost any points I might have accumulated with the card, and while trying to find the real reason for the cancellation I got yelled at by the lady on the lady from customer service.

Customer Service /Reward Points

2/2/2009

I recently complained about American Express and a Home Depot card that was stolen. It looks like it was reissued. Wow. I'm shocked. I don't know yet if I received a penalty for losing it. Still don't like the fact that you only get .005 cents on the dollar for reward points and if you pay late AMEX charges your penalty and also takes away your reward points and does not give them back even after you pay your bill. The explanation that the reward points are "a perk" and if I don't pay, I lose my "perk." However, I pay extra to have a reward card so I fail to see how I have a "perk." If I pay my bill I should get my points back and I already have paid a penalty for being 10 days late, so why the additional penalty of losing the points? I can get them back by paying another $29 for each month that I lost points. Since the points are worth about .005 on the dollar, paying for the points means you only break even if you spend $5800. Don't get the reward card. Get an Amazon card where you get a $25 Amazon gift card for each $2500 you spend and the points don't get taken away for a late payment. You also don't pay anything to get the rewards. See ya.

Cancelled Credit Card-Lost 45,000 Points

2/1/2009 Allen TX

After having the American Express Card for many years and built up a bank of 45,000 points we get our monthly statement saying that our current balance is $91 and the minimum payment due is 15 dollars due in two weeks. We never pay the minimum, but pay the entire balance. In the same mail came a letter stating that our account had been closed because of a credit rating from some twirpy credit report "Experian".

Contacted the company, they told me that was their decision and we would loose all of our points and we would not be allowed to re-instate (as if we wanted to) but I don't want to loose my points nor to have this go as a negative against my credit.

American Express Worse Customer Service

1/31/2009 Rockville MD

I have had the Amex card for the last 7 years and always paid my due amount in full and had zero balance on my card. When Amex asked me to fill papers to investigate my IRS declaration I got upset by the way they treat their customers even though I pay a yearly membership.

I just cancelled my card and if more people will do so I hope they will learn the only reason they are operating is people like us pay them membership and use their card where they get charges from the merchants.

Even if I receive an American Express free I`ll not take it.

Amex Sucks Big Time

1/30/2009 McKinney TX

I was with Amex for 22 years, since 1987 to be exact. During this time I carried a variety of Amex credit products, both charge cards (Green then Gold and Platinum) and credit cards; personal and business Costco cards and a Blue card and some others in the past. Then this January 2009 they lowered my credit limits from $58,100 to $500 on my Blue card, from $8,500 to $500 on my personal Costco card and from $2,500 to once again $500.

When I called them they told me that there was some delinquencies on my credit report and told me to get those reports. That's a lie since I've been monitoring them for 4 or 5 years now and I do know what in them.

Furthermore I had my house paid for many years back, I do not carry any interest bearing balances on my revolving accounts (I've got a few of those 0% interest offer from the economy's better times). In short I have not paid any revolving account interest in those 22 years, since I'm paying off my balances every month, and I've never been, even once, late with nay kind of payment, especially to Amex.
Since they could not or would not explain their credit line cut to me I've canceled all my accounts with them with no regrets.

I believe that all people that have been mistreated by Amex should do the same.

Credit Line Reductions

1/30/2009

As many other have stated on this site they have experienced the same poor treatment from American Express after many many years of card membership.

I had 3 Amex cards 2 with zero balances one with 300.00 balance. NEVER had a late payment or any problems with them. My FICO score is 748, yet 2 months ago I received a notice that my credit line on one of the accounts was being reduced to $1,000.00. Yesterday, I received a call from them advising me they were NOW reducing my credit line to $500.00. No late payments EVER, perfect payment history yet they choose to treat their customers poorly. I have been a card member since 1985 and they treat us like this? Well, guess what? I don't care if it affects my credit score, ALL of my accounts have now been canceled. When I mentioned the poor treatment to the customer service person, all they could say was there was nothing they could do. You can BET I will tell everyone I know what they have done and how they treat long time customers who pay over 100.00 in annual fees...this is the thanks you get!

Well, here's to hoping they go straight down the toilet with there despicable treatment of customers.

Poor Customer Service and $28 later--Customer leaves

1/29/2009

I know it is almost cliche, but with a tough economy poor customer service is not the way to keep customers. Ironically, this experience was with my corporate card and because of the rude service, I decided to cancel my personal card.

I tried to remedy this issue 4 months ago. There was a late fee/delinquent charge because we had a change in address for our corp remittance office. I called Amex and explained the situation and the representative said, sure you always pay on time we will take care of it...well 4 late charges, 6 calls later no remedy and the late fees kept being added, but no one corrected the root cause. I was assured by each agent that it would be taken care of or they would call me. No call, next statement another late fee. I called this time got to the District Regional Manager [snip] and not only did they treat me like I was a delinquent customer, problem child, but refused to listen to my circumstance and spouted off policy...yet 5 other agents over several months kept promising to take care of it. Anyway, due to the rude service and poor treatment, I decided to cancel my personal account.

All over $28....wow, wonder how much they spent in direct mail, advertising, rewards, specials, etc to get me...I bet it was more than $28. If there is one good thing about a rough economy, I can only hope that it teaches companies regardless of size that respectful customer service will pay dividends, while the alternative will cost you.

Anyone Interested In Class Action American Express

1/26/2009 surprise AZ

I have been a card holder for 20 years both Green and Business Gold. Never missed a payment and credit score over 750. three harassing phone calls this week telling me I needed to pay my balance which does not cut off until 2-12-09 with a due date of 2-29-09. Pay or we cut off your card for unusual charges, and "some inquires on your credit. I see my credit and there are no credit inquiries and it is crystal clean. In reading others comments on line seems they are telling everyone the same thing. So they basically stopped my business in its tracks today as all my fed ex shipments go onto that card. I can't believe that harassing phone calls and cancelling a signed agreement without 30 days notice is legal.

I am done doing business with these awful people and will make sure I spread the word throughout the world stay away from American express. I am going to pursue this all the way up the chain.

Trust Works Both Ways

1/22/2009

I will not go into details. Amex recently reduced my limit by about 75% without any reason, although their website indicates that limits are based on credit history and ability to pay, they do not have any good or fair reason for recent cancellations and limit reductions. Even though I have been an excellent customer, they apparently no longer trust me or anyone else to pay their bills, even if we have done so for years.

I will never trust Amex again because of their capricious actions. Say goodbye and go elsewhere. I am.

American Express Platinum Removes A Reward

1/17/2009

Steer yourself away from all the American Express card offers, especially the one labeled "Platinum". It isn't worth the cost. As 40 year American Express card members, we took American Express up on their offer to "upgrade" to a Platinum business card with the travel promotion of free airline tickets. Before we could even use the Concierge service, the free airline ticket promotion has been discontinued. This means that the extra fee we paid for the Platinum Concierge has been a total waste of money for us. Plus, I get bombarded with offers from AmEx to "upgrade" on both of my personal use cards. Why? Because American Express is hurting for business. No thank you.

My Platinum card says that it expires in 2/10, but we just received a charge on the card for another year of the Platinum Concierge service. We had to read in the Wall Street Journal about the fact that American Express has discontinued this promotion or affiliation, or what ever AmEx wants to call it, because, to quote the newspaper article, "not enough card members are using this service" What? hello, we have not officially been notified that this promotion has been discontinued, but they want me to pay them for another year of this fabulous service?

I won't cancel the card, because I know that anytime a consumer deliberately cancels a credit card, it lowers your credit rating score. Easy come, not so easy to go.

Reduction in Credit Limit

1/16/2009 Savannah GA

I've been a member since 2001. Just got off the phone with an Amex representative, who told me that due to new policy my $38k credit limit on my personal Platinum Delta Skymiles Account ($135 per year annual fee) and my $4k credit limit on my business Platinum Delta Skymiles Account ($135 per year annual fee) had been lowered to $9100 and $1800. No notice was sent, nor email. They said due to new account policy and past account activity, they had been dropped. I have paid my bill in full each month ($88k last year in charges) with the exception of one month in July when my car got broken into and had to change checking accounts numbers. I called the day it was due and the payement was taken over the phone. They called me a week later and said the representative had made a mistake and the payment did not go through. They took another payment by phone and credit me back the late fee and finance charges that had shown up on my next bill. They are using this "late" payment as a reason for lowering my credit limit. American expresses trend to treat their customers with disrespect and distrust regardless of their track history of being good clients is just bad business.

We are all in a time where the economy is tight, however, punishing persons with good credit and good payment history might be the downfall to American Express. I personally will be cancelling both cards unless something is done to correct this problem. I'm assuming nothing will because of the "NEW POLICY".

Oh yeah...just realized something very funny. My home depot credit card limit is now higher than my American Express. Strange world we live in.

Reducing Credit At A Moments Notice With No Proper Reasons

1/12/2009

Back in October, I had all 3 of my AMEX Cards reduced by over $40,000 of available credit, AVAILABLE CREDIT. Which left me with NO available credit. Now they are reducing it again. They are using the same excuse for everyone, based on credit ratings, missed payments, dept to available credit, you name it they are using it. It is such a wide spread of excuses than none of us really fall into their excuse. I have not had any problems with my credit until they started reducing all of my credit. In one month they reduced my credit which only allowed for a couple of hundred of dollars to spend and then I went over my credit and they hit my credit rating with an over the credit report. I think they did this on purpose. It wasn't my fault I went over. They took my credit without proper notification or even lead way. Now they just reduced my Hilton Honors from $4500 to $1300 on a Saturday at 4:30pm. Right as I charged gas I got a voice recording that I need to call them since there was a change on my card. I didn't make any changes so I called and that is when they told me that my credit has just at that moment been reduced. They used the same excuse and nothing that we had to say mattered or could make a difference. In fact, they lady even hung up on me because I was questiong so much since nothing has changed since they last time they did it except for them reducing my credit.

Their customer service skills need to be looked at here. My credit score dropped from 769 to 741 because of them. Now I wonder how much it has dropped????? I work hard for my credit by paying on time, not keeping to high of a balance and making sure I do everything the right way.

Now this is how I get repaid for it. No other company is doing this so why are they?? Do they have plans of going out of business?? With this type of business practice, no one will want to use them and that will definitely put them out of business.

Credit Line Dropped W/o Notice

1/10/2009 san diego CA

Similar to other complaints posted: AMEX dropped my credit limit from 21K to 1K without notification. We found out when the card was refused by COSTCO for some Xmas purchases.

AMEX stated negative hits on my credit report and 2 "late" fees in the past 12 months were the cause of the reduction ... are you serious?! one of the negatives was from an insurance dispute with a hospital 15 years ago! Wow, I've made 17 payments in the past 12 months keeping the balance at 0. I do agree, since I pay online and I'm not set up with autopay, I missed the deadline twice ... only because the balance is ALWAYS minimal if I even have one.

Bottom line is that AMEX is not standing behind their customers. I asked them to reinstate the credit limit and they said 'no'. This doesn't make any sense ... I thought a company would relish someone who pays their bills but I guess not. They're being unreasonable and making rash decisions without proper background investigation regarding peoples credit that further damages the consumer's credit rating. Agreed, the economy is hurting but AMEX is making it much worse with this kind of business operation. I don't need a company that won't keep its end of the bargain.

I paid my balance in full and cancelled... you should too!

Get Rid Of Amex Before They Do It To You...

1/4/2009

I have been a loyal AMEX customer for 26 years since 1982. I have never missed a payment having spent millions of dollars on my AMEX card. Yesterday without warning AMEX (by email) advised effective immediately my total company spending was limited to $2,000. When I called to ask why I was given the runaround with the same BS. My employees will get the wrong message when AMEX declines the charges. We don't have a revolving line of credit but pay the full amount (about $9,000) to AMEX every month. We have never missed a payment. And they charge annual fees for the right to use their Gold Executive Corporate Card.

This is how AMEX thanks us for being a loyal customer. Get rid of AMEX before they do this to you.

Credit Line Reduced

12/17/2008 Duluth GA

I just got notified this week via email that AMEX reduced my credit limits and was told a letter would be forthcoming. In the meantime, I called the Customer Service Reps and demanded to know why they did this as I have been a faithful customer of theirs for some time and have always paid at least the minimum due on time or early. It seems that AMEX has taken the position that they no longer care about their dedicated customers and have decided that the economic conditions are such that they no longer value our business. Prior to this economic situation, AMEX has been automatically increasing my credit line at least several times a year without me even asking for it to be increased.

Now, without warning, they sliced $12,000 from my credit limit. It will be very soon that I cut up this card and tell AMEX to 'hit the road'. I will be LEAVING HOME WITHOUT IT!!!

Credit Reduced

12/16/2008 Valencia CA

I have been with American Express since 2000, never late on any payments and have never had an issue.

In recent months, American Express has reduced my business line of credit by 2/3d’s and almost cost me my business. Their reason is Experian Credit Agency, to many inquires. If you talk to Experian, they do not make the decisions for American Express, the bottom line is; American Express doesn't care about you, your family or your business. They only care about them. I do not know how an employee could work for a company that treats its customers this way.

My solution is first of all, not to use their company any more; secondly, I plan on buying some stock and going to the next shareholders meeting and getting my time in front of the board. This has worked in the past for me and they hate it. You don't have to buy a lot, but now you have some say in the company. Plus it gives you all the top names for the company. It's a great tool.
Try it, it works

If we all stopped using their cards, that would paint a big picture however it has to be all or none!

This Company Has Gone To The Birds!

12/16/2008 MA

I received my card in 1996 and had a $2500 limit, since then I claimed have received steady increases on my credit line to the amount of 15K. Since Sept of 08 (the past 3 months) they have reduced my credit line to 5K. I called and the called told me Merry Christmas and tough luck! I have 2 fellow co-workers who have also had their lines decreased! What is going on with this company?

I am not using my card any longer; Visa just called and thanked me for being a client.... Wow have times changed!

I Won, Amex Gave In!

12/15/2008 Dallas TX

After 60 + days, countless phone calls, more hours of my life (on hold) that I care to admit, and several letters, American Express finally gave up. I am not sure if AMEX just got tired of hearing from me on a daily basis or they just finally admitted they screwed up.

ALL of my AMEX accounts have been restored to their original, Pre-financial meltdown states. Best of all my Platinum card no longer has a spending limit and now reads "NO PRE-SET SPENDING LIMIT" again! Still don’t plan on using my AMEX card for some time, a bit of punishment for them.

I believe if you just wear AMEX out daily, write letter after letter, and don’t give up, you can get back what you once had, and probably earned. I’m still working on AMEX for some sort of "Sorry we (AMEX) screwed up" compensation, but nothing has become of this quest so far.

I refuse to pay $625 in AMEX Platinum Membership fees!

12/4/2008 Dallas TX

To add insult to injury, on 12/1/2008 AMEX decided to bill me my yearly membership fee: $450 for my Platinum Card and $175 for my wife’s card. I have called and called AMEX, and in no uncertain terms have told them, "They can shove their Membership fees where the sun does not shine"! I pay the yearly fee for PLATINUM service, NO service provided, NO $625 payment from me! So far they have refused to credit me the fee/s, but I am still working on it everyday.

After two (2) plus months of crap, turning off my cards, lowering my credit limits, rude customer service agents, and over 12 hours of phone calls (1/4 of that is sitting on hold) I do not think that they are due anything but a slap in the face at the least!

My suggestion; LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

(15 + year AMEX Member)

Amex Gold Declining Purchases

11/30/2008 Los Angeles CA

I'm a member of American Express Gold reward card for over then 15 years and it turn out to be big disappointment. Not speaking about annual fee for over 15 years, but spending close to over then a half a million they choose to decline my purchase for $250. And last month they decline my payment as $185. By calling Customer service I identify that all of the workers there just following the instruction from "above". They are scared to loose their job and they are trying to do best, but unfortunately the way it is going now I have to pull out their card from my wallet and ask my wife and daughter to take the card out and cut it. The VISA is the way to go. So from now on my self and all my family members will be using VISA card only, no AM/EX any more.

After 15 years I have to say GOODBYE. Friend of my got in trouble in Italy during his business trip by having Platinum Am/Ex, they also decline all payment for hotel in there and I have to wire him money over Western Union so he will not loose the flight.

American Express is not reliable any more. There is no point to pay height membership fees to have such a problem.

AMEX Customer Service

11/17/2008 CA

It is clear that there is something terribly wrong going on at AMEX. Like many others that have posted here I have been a personal and business customer for almost twenty years and have always paid per their terms. They have cut available credit lines by up to 95% on cards that owed as little as $1,000.00. They are using the lame "average balance" excuse when they have never done that in the past. I suggest that all people with AMEX rewards points cash them in as soon as possible since there is a chance that they will not be able to redeem in the future. Also, I noticed that many people are choosing the option to use points to pay down balances. You are double paying when you do that. Amex basically gives you 50% on their gift cards and or cash versus cards like Home Depot. If you have 200,000 in points thats a $1,000 payment to AMEX or $2,000 in Home Depot cards. It is hard to believe that AMEX could go from the most admired card company to the bottom of the heap in a matter of weeks.

People have long memories and AMEX will regret what they are doing. There is no other reasons to treat loyal paying customers like this unless something has gone awry in a very major way.

Reduction Of Credit And Declining Charges

11/13/2008 Racine WI

Been a member since 80, sounds like 28 years to me. I have and had a number of AMEX accounts over the years. Recently was denied a charge on gold account. I was told I was outside of my "spending trend" an due to the economic climate, they will not be approving any large charges on this account. they reduced my wives blue account by half, my blue account by half, my company blue account by 75%, all without notice. I cancelled my Platinum account, $450 premium paid to belong, because the $450 premium was a quarter of what I was allowed to charge. I used the accounts, paid my bills and this is how we are treated.

And rude customer service, I'm sure they are not getting many good calls these days. The biggest concern is by reducing my avail. credit, my debt ratio will be raised, and my credit rating could be hurt, 744 last checked, Trans Union 715. Only good thing I'm glad I'm not aline.

American Express Sticks It To Me!

11/10/2008 New Berlin WI

I just spent 63 minutes on the phone with American Express (most of the time on hold) trying to get someone to explain why 1) they lowered my credit limit and 2) why they raised my interest rate by 3%.

I was told that my credit limit was being decreased because I wasn't making large enough payments. For the past five months, my minimum payments totaled $829 while my payments totaled $1200. The customer service representative I spoke with, Kimone, informed me that the amount I paid was not enough to prevent my credit limit from being lowered. When I asked how much was enough to keep it from being decreased, she told me she didn't know but that "the customer is supposed to know to pay more." I fail to see the logic.

After having the second customer service representative Darnell keep me on hold for over 30 minutes in order to verify that American Express was raising my interest rate, he then transferred me to the third representative Shanaine, who when asked why my interest rate was being raised replied "it's hard to say." World class customer service!

I must say I have been an American Express card holder for over 6 years and have NEVER had one problem. It's sad that they have decided to make the "little guy" pay for other's financial mistakes. I plan on taking out a personal loan and paying off this account (the same as I did with Discover - at a much lower interest rate).

Cardmember since 1998... (BS)

10/31/2008

I was another relatively long-time 'member' of the AMEX family of cardholders... I say, "was", because AMEX recently canceled my account. Mea Culpa: I used my card for business travel, and often charged upwards of $6,000 - $8,000 a month. A recent divorce put me in a very challenging position, but I continued to make payments until I once went almost 30 days late. I paid-in-full, and briefly got my charging privileges back, but learned the card was no longer valid when out on a business dinner. (embarrassing to say the least!). More so, because I relied almost exclusively on AMEX.

So, after 10 years, and more than $350,000 in paid charges, I was dropped like some kind of loser. They even kept my balance of some 80,000 points to add insult to injury.

AMEX... don't need them, and never, ever, will again!

Credit Card

10/22/2008 GA

Was listening to Clark Howard on the radio today, and he said American Express could consider you persona-non-grata if you use your credit card at Wal-Mart. Apparently, they think people who shop at Wal-Mart are not to be trusted to pay their credit card bills. Just another example of the smug, elitism that seems to be the norm for this company. I quit accepting American Express credit cards at my business because of their exorbitant merchant fees and they never helped me when a customer did a charge-back on a transaction, even when the customer just refused to pay. Incredible!

I hope these people go out of business and the CEO has to stand in a soup line. This company is arrogant beyond belief.

American expres

10/20/2008 Downey CA

Costco Americana express
I have a Family Daycare and I am business member for Costco and I apply there in the store they approved the card for the account limit of $3000.00 and I paid my balance every month and I just received a letter from American express saying that they just review my account and their decide to lower the limit to a $1000.00 and that is not enough because sometimes the gubernator does not sign the budget on time and the children that I take care from subsidize the check comes sometimes three months later and that is my only source of income but I always pay my valances in full and on time

Sub-Standard Service and Conduct

7/22/2008 Houston TX

I have been an American Express cardmember since 1976. For much of that time my experiences were positive. It was around the late 80's that suddenly more than a few merchants that excepted the card began to perform in a less than agreeable manner, and it didn't take long to figure why they were so sure they could get away with it. The Amex dispute program during this time period that Amex was falling behind in competition with MasterCard & Visa, seeing they're larger share of revenue coming from their merchant accounts began screwing cardmembers on these disputes. I actually once lost a dispute to a man who was in jail for fraud. Excepting the situation I became more careful where and how I used the card.

My true disgust with American Express came in 2005. At that point during my entire 29 years of membership, I have never defaulted on any agreement or payment to this company, and as a result I had always been treated with acceptable level of respect with exception of the bogus dispute department. My home was trashed by Hurrican Katrina, for a few weeks after the storm I was moving around between friends & hotels figuring out where I was going to live being that New Orleans was wiped out at the time. Because of these over-whelming issues I was experiencing I received compassion from the most unlikley places, my Citibank Mastercard, Chase Visa, and Discover card excused me from making monthly apyments on any outstanding balances for 3 months. American Express despite the fact that my account was perfectly "Current" as it had been since the account was opened, placed a hold on any charges until I payed a balance of a statement that had not yet printed, or mailed.

When I contacted them and asked why they did this, they said it was because my spending habits had changed that month. Since then every 2 or three months they continued to placing holds on my charging without notice, I would find out by my card being declined.The amount they deemed exceptable for me to charge would also vary and did not seem to be based on anything tangible. I didn't want to close the account because that can adversely affect your credit, I changed from a Platinum to a standard Green card, at least that way I only have to pay them $35-50 annually, they certainly weren't worth $500 per year, they never were. I have stopped using the card. The TV advertisement American Express has stating that there card is superior to Visa because it has a pre-set limit, yes it does, and as long as you pay your bills a Mastercard & Visa will work every time, not so with Amex.

Forcing Identification Documents!

4/9/2008

When I turned 18 my parents encouraged me to get a credit card in my own name with a very low limit. I work part time and paid on time, using this card only once in a while. I have taken a financial literacy class and know how important this is.

I'm going to college in the Fall and wanted an American Express card which I applied for and received. Within a few days, I received a phone call from them and was really suspicious because they wanted to much identification from me, so much so as to commit fraud themselves!

I told my mom and dad about this and they told me to *call them* to make sure it wasn't a scam. It is not! I have had to fax my driver's license, social security card, bank statement, passport, a copy of my most recent checking account statement and a medical bill in my name because the woman I spoke with insisted on a utility bill!

I also had to "have my signature notarized" and when I went to the bank, they kept asking "what is this for?" and they had never heard of a credit card company demanding this. They now me and I had tons of ID, etc. so of course I signed a blank piece of paper and they notarized it, shaking their heads!

The woman I spoke with (she said she was in North or South Carolina, I can't remember) also really got aggressive about my phone number and I explained that my generation doesn't have "landlines."

This was a very upsetting experience and I'm not sure I want to continue with them. They provided a generous line of credit that will be a big help with college (and my parents will be helping me pay these bills).

I guess the worst part was being treated so badly. I could be a customer for 50 years! and they treated me like ****. What should I do?

Customer Service

2/18/2008

If you ever try to use any of the benefits of American Express Platinum Card you will learn that the rules for each of these benefits changes more quicker than you could possibly use them. Each and every time I call there the information is different and they always say that a follow up letter is headed your way. The letter never comes and when you call back the next day what your told by customer service is much different than it was the day before. For the amount of fees this company charges you their service is terrible and on top of it all usually handled very rudely. I have been with them for 15 years and I am finally done.

Do not try complaining to them directly as they will give you some PO box in Florida that your letter will be forever lost and never heard from again.

Amazingly Bad Customer Service

12/20/2007

Dear Mr. Figueroa,

In September 2007, I notified American Express that I was defrauded by a counterfeit sales organization known as “E Profits Seminar”. I asked that an investigation be made and to withhold payment until this inquiry could be concluded.

Your investigation; woefully inadequate and poorly executed was in a word: laughable. This inquiry consisted of a letter to Whitney Nelson, the principal of the firm. This mode of inquiry was so incredibly sycophantic I am surprised you were able to pry your nose out of the company’s backside.

Had you not been kissing this company’s a** so thoroughly, perhaps you might have contacted the Utah Better Business Bureau, searched public records or possibly even Googled them. However, if you had actually performed the job that I have been paying you to (via my exorbitant membership fees) you might have stumbled upon the ongoing, widely reported, blatantly obvious serial fraud this company has been perpetrating throughout the United States.

The company has been trading under the following aliases:
Online 2 Income
Global Marketing Alliance
WP Coaching
Unim Business Development
And my favorite: E Profits Seminars.

I have been a loyal American Express Platinum Card member for an number of years clearly larger than your IQ point totals can calculate – so let me put this to you simply: Customer service dates back to the Bible (or the Koran, or the Talmud) – “Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated”. This is also known as “The Golden Rule”. Please read up about it – as you obviously have never heard of it.

I know your marketing department cooked up that genius idea that you propagate in your advertisements – that you stand behind your customers and always rectify any problems. This is also known as misrepresentation – you should look that up too – as you will see that word in a great number of lawsuits that are in no doubt headed your way.

Let me state for the record – I received NOTHING from E Profits Seminars. NOTHING. NADA. NIET. ZERO. ZILCH. I was charged (and you authorized payment for) $1995. For nothing. I didn’t get ANYTHING. And you paid them. Thanks for nothing, bozos.

You even (ILLEGALLY aka WITHOUT MY CONSENT) took credited funds from my account and paid these charlatans. This was AFTER I informed you that I was seeking a legal injunction against this company. I have now involved The Utah Better Business Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Utah Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement in an effort to rectify this injustice done to me.

I want an IMMEDIATE refund of the $1995. Seeing as I closed my American Express Platinum Card you will be unable to credit this amount to my account, however I will accept this in American Express travelers’ checks, a cashiers’ check, money order, or even cash – I do not trust you so do not send me a personal check.

I hope you enjoy the over 10,000 credit points you usurped from my account, that was an especially nice touch – much like a kindergartner in a sand box wrenching toys out of the smaller kids hands – you stay classy, Amex.

Lastly, let me advise you to pull those mendacious ads we discussed earlier – as my mother said: “Liars never win”.

I hope you rot in H***, you thieving b*******. I’ll be the 66 year old Granny throwing apple cores at your head as the hungry swine circle your inflated heads.

Happy Holidays!

Don't Bother With This Card

9/9/2007 brighton MI

I am a Costco member. They tried to get me to to open an American Express card. So one day I did. They said that the renewal charge will go on the account. I received the cards and never activated them. I thought that my Costco member ship was running out but I never received a statement from American Express. By now I have moved but I did have a forwarding address. I called American Express and told them I moved, gave them new address and then activated my card. Nothing was said to me. A month later I got a bill with 60.00 in services fees. I called and told them it was a problem. they waived all the fees and I paid my membership. I also noticed that my initial limit was 5000.00 and now it is 500.00. I thought it was not big deal as I don't need the card. Well my husband and I saw a pool table at Costco for 750.00. I wanted to use the American Express because I will get 3% back. I called them and they gave me a bad hassle about How I am a credit risk. What a joke...They would have to take a week and review then let me know the answer.

Well if you know how things go at Costco it probably won't be there in a week. At that point I closed my account. I will never use them again....

Customer Service

8/28/2007

What happened to this company? This company used to set the standard in customer service! Not any more. I'm on hold right now. I have been trying to change the bank for an automatic debit. It's been over 4 months now.

Wait, I got an agent in India. Stand by...

Markedly deteriorated customer service

7/2/2007 Athens GA

I've been an Amex cardholder since 1974 and am probably considered a "good customer" as bills have always been promptly paid.

Several years ago I participated in an independent telephone survey which asked opinions on various credit card companies and I rated American Express as highest in every possible category. Sadly, if I were called today, the rating would be no more than average.

In the past the customer service representatives that I spoke with were usually based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, or in Texas. Now they are abroad. It's not that I care exactly where they are, but folks from abroad seem to have this annoying habit of repeating everything you say to them so that it is almost as if you are speaking to an echo chamber. And, at the conclusion of every conversation, there is an attempt to sell you something. If you had called because you were unhappy about something, that is probably not the best time to attempt a sale.

For more than one month now I have been trying to redeem rewards but the rewards system has been down. Two family birthdays have passed in that time and it would have been convenient to use those rewards. Now, a month later, the system is again down. This time an error message suggests that you try again in an hour and a telephone number is provided for rewards assistance. When you call the number, a recording says that the offices are closed. Remember, these are the folks that would like us to sign up for online-only statements!

I am so disappointed in this company that once represented the epitome of customer service.

Account verification embarrassement

6/24/2007 33139 FL

While I was trying to purchase at a local store at 9.06pm on June 21, 2007, I called (from my cell phone in order to be identified by your system) American Express to ask to unlock the security put on my American Express card received that same day.

First the man that I was talking to on the phone asked me several security questions to identify me in order to make sure I was the credit card holder; which I passed.
Then he asked me my work phone number, which I believe I wrote on my credit card application, to call my work place at 9.00pm!
Here are his words: “ Do you have an extension number?” After hesitating (caught by surprise on the relevance of the question), he told me he did not need it after all since he needed to identify me through the directory. I replied that at that time of the night my company was closed and there would no one to answer his call. But he put me on hold and after few seconds he told me he was unable to contact my company. So I responded he should get my extension number but he refused insisting that I had to be at work to call your “customer service department”. I asked him how this would be possible for me to be at work at 9.00pm and being in a store trying to purchase items.
His answer: “Call us back tomorrow then”, on a sarcastic tone. “ But I need to make this purchase now…” I answered. Having the feeling that a very smart person was not servicing me, I asked to talk to a supervisor to help me. It turned out that there was no supervisor on duty at the time I called your department.
I hang up and called back at 9.17pm, a woman answered the call and told me that her co-worker tried to call my work extension number without success. How could this be possible? He refused to get my extension number. I insisted to give my extension number again. The woman finally took it and dialed while I was on the other line. She finally told me she recognized my voice on my voice mail! She assured me they would unlock the security put my card, which never happened that night: I was unable to use my credit card.
Shocked and embarrassed by the situation uncounted by your customer service, my husband and I decided to call few minutes later. Finally I was transferred to a supervisor who listened to my complaint then unexpectedly hanged up on me without apology and contacted me again!
I believe I was very polite with everyone I talked to but they could feel my frustration as well as my anger.

I was so proud and excited to receive an application for an American Express card. All these feelings were washed away by the incompetence of your customer service personnel. Now I am afraid to use the American Express credit card I just received.
My husband has been a member since 1997 and listening what was going on he could not believe the nonchalance and the impoliteness of American Express personnel.

The irony of this situation is that I received today an application for a Gold American Express card. Give me good reason to apply for it after having such a bad experience.

I expected a much higher level of service from Aemerican Express, and I am quite disappointed.
I am seriously considering canceling my membership with American Express since I am very happy with the services provided by other banks and my husband has decided not to use his Gold American Express card for an indefinite time.

American Express Flexible Payment Program

6/20/2007

The American Express Representative will try to offer their flexible payment program where any purchase over $200 will rollover into this plan. You will see when you get the terms and conditions that the Annual Percentage Rate is 18.24%, which is high.

But the truth is that they will charge you 2% on your Flexible Payment Program balance each month, which means that you will be paying 24% Annual Percentage Rate, instead of the stated 18.24%. That's 5.76% more each year! We see this as cheating the customer out of an extra 5.76% each year. It's not fair, or honest.

Be careful, because they didn't tell us that they would be charging 2% each month, instead of 1.52%.

We really didn't expect to be cheated by a company that's doing so well. But once cheated by anyone, it's hard to trust them again. So, the solution is to take the cards out of our pockets, not use them, and payoff the balance.

Credit Card Processing

5/1/2007 CA

We own a small business that works on behalf of companies as business consultants in technology. One of our clients which is a fortune 100 company pays us with American Express. We processed the card and it took three times before Amex got it into the right account. Our company had an old merchant account that was closed but somehow, after numerous conversations w/Amex, they still managed to get the $10,000 put into the wrong account. When I realised that the money had not been transferred, I had to call and request them to fix their database so that we could get paid. This process began early April. Today is May 1 and we will not see the money until the 3rd of May. Even with them admitting all of their mistakes, they still could not expedite the fund deposit into our account and sat on it for another three days. And to top it off, they are charging me the fee. Meanwhile, we have been unable to pay our employees and bills due to Amex's incompetance.

Identify Theft

3/11/2007

In August of 2006 I found out that my then in home care provider (I am handicapped) had taken out two credit cards without my knowledge and had run up a great deal of charges, and when she was fired the bills came to me the other one was for Capital One.

I called and ask them to both freeze the accounts to prevent further charging. Well Capifal One did but much to my dismay and shock I found out recently that American Express had allowed her to continue charging until December adding another six thousand dollars to the already nine thousand that was on the bill to begin with. So I went to the police department and they asked for a letter from both companies stating that they were her charges so I called and they said they could not give that information out as they were not my accounts but get this they are trying to get me to pay the bills and I am about to go crazy I am not repsonsible for the charges I did not know she even had the cards I get my mail at a P.O Box and she was getting the mail and up until the time she was fired from her job was paying the bills herself if Capital One and American Express would only look that up they would find out.
If you can help or know of anyone who can I it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED I would like to get the two credit cards involved to remove the charges from my credit report.

Poor Service / Total Incompetence

1/21/2007 Long Beach CA

I started an account with American Express in December. American Express Customer Service called to get confirmation of my Employer (a fortune 500 company) that has been in existence for over 100 years! On the first call, I gave her my work phone. She then told me she needed a receptionist number who will connect her to my phone. After 3 calls, I was assured that everything was in order.

The next day, I received another call asking for confirmation of my home address. Together on a conference call, we called my bank to confirm banking information and home address. Again, I bank with a very well-known bank. At that time, I was told everything is in order, and I have been approved.

After making 3 charges, my card was rejected at all places. When I called American Express Customer Service, I was told that they needed to confirm my employer because there was nothing in their system showing the 3 calls made and also banking and address information. The service I received was incredibly unprofessional and poor. They had not cared if I cancelled the card.

To top it off, on my last attempt to correct this situation, I was told I had to fax a copy of my driver license and social security card notarized by a bank.

I just paid off the amount. I have never encountered a company who is so segregated by department that one department is not authorized to help another. I have been a faithful American Express customer for the last 10 years through my use of their travelers’ checks and services abroad. But, this experience is most disappointing.

AMEX Rewards Points

1/18/2002 Hanover MD

I'm writing to alert you to a problem I've had with a credit card issued by you. My problem concerns staff attitude/knowledge. I hope by bringing this to your attention, the problem will be addressed. This incident has made me extremely upset.

I am writing to you in a final attempt to get some satisfactory resolution about my account from your company.

I cancelled my membership rewards early last year, as I knew I would be leaving my last employer. I was told at that time, by several representatives of your company, that I had a year to use my rewards.
I used some of those points to convert to Southwest air miles several months later. I was again told at that time that I had a year to use the balance of my points.
I attempted to log on to your website to explore my points cash in option in early December 2001. When I could not access it, I called your company and was told by a very nice AMEX rep named Bobby, that while I could not access my old account online. I could call back at any time up to May 12, 2002 and someone would be happy to convert my points.

I felt I had left the points out there long enough, and wanted to convert them while I was still thinking about it. I called the following day to have 14,000 miles of my 14,614 points applied to my US Airways account. At this time, I was told that I had forfeited all points by not cashing them in within 60 days, or 90 days, I forget which. I was totally stunned and asked to speak to a supervisor. I was transferred to Vicki, who told me that the policy changed, that it had been six months, or a year if I reapplied for another card. She supposedly asked to have it waived and was denied.

I am upset because the story keeps changing, and none of these stipulations was ever communicated to me. Every time I spoke to someone, I was assured I had plenty of time to cash them in. Now I am being told, too bad, it is too late, you lost them. I paid money out of my own pocket to belong to membership rewards and while 14,614 points are nothing to many of your clients, it was a lot to me.

Had I been made aware of your time limits - whatever they are because I still am not sure - I most certainly would have just had the points applied to my US Airways account noted in your records. All along, I kept being assured that I had time, until I was told forget it, it's too late.



To help keep me as a potential future customer, I would like the following:

Here's what I want you to do: I would like this situation reconsidered and the points applied as miles to my US Airways account. I am writing to you now, rather than calling, because I do not get any consistent answers when I telephone. I would very much like you to adhere to what all your reps were telling me all along, and let me have the points that I earned. The only reason I did not cash them in at the time was that I was continually reassured by your company that I had plenty of time.
Please respond to me at the locations noted on the front page of this letter. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter and am sure that you will want to continue the good customer satisfaction ratings that you advertise.

Based on this experience, I will most likely avoid doing business with you and I will certainly share this experience with others, based on your response.

I appreciate your taking the time to listen to my complaint. I hope it can be addressed.

At the very least I would like a response from your company regarding this incident. Thank you for your time.

RE: Resolution of Account Difficulties

10/13/2001 Rancho Santa Margarita CA

I have been attempting to resolve various rebilling of previoulsy issued credits to my account for 6 months. I have provided information, made phone calls and sent e-mails. Yet, I still seem to have no luck. I am being billed for credits that should have been permanently credited to my account. I have never received the information I requested, nor have I been able to get one person to investigate my complaints. I will speak to the credit department who understands my problem and then will be sent over the customer service who is supposed to take care of the problem, and never does. I have requested that the Credit Department handle the situation, as they seem to be able to review my account and understand my problem. There are conflicting amounts that American Express is saying I owe. I have disputed these amounts and paid all undisputed charges. What more can I do? I am always pleased to hear from anyone, yet no one is taking charge.

To help keep me as a potential future customer, I would like the following:

I want someone in the customer relations department to investigate the problems with my account, correct the mistakes, and advise me if I have made an error. I also would like an apology for the rudess I have encountered from various employees of American Express' Customer Service Department. I have been a card holder for almost 17 years. I have never, ever had a problem such as this before. In the past, my American Express Gold Card was just about the only card I ever used because I knew I could count on them to take care of any problem I might have with the quality of merchandise I received. I paid $75.00 per year for this service and until this year, it has been outstanding.


At the very least I would like a response from your company regarding this incident. Thank you for your time.

Dispute letter

3/27/2001 Alpharetta GA

Customer Service Manager,

As a frequent user of your company, I feel obligated to share with you my experience.

We agreed to upgrade our card. However new cards were sent to some unknown person in Alabama. For a few months we did not know. Then, suddenly we got our bill and my husband noticed the problem and called you. Two months later we got another bill with charges on it too.

To help keep me as a potential future customer, I would like the following:

Please, please sort this problem out. We have never seen the cards and are so worried. The whole reason we use American Express is for the security. Where are you? What are you doing for us except leaving us vulnerable to fraud?

Please sort out our account and place us back where we shoule be.

At the very least I would like a response from your company regarding this incident.