American Express Discussion Area

nlamont

I took one of these cards in March 2006 and on my anniversary, after spending just over £5000, got £37 in cashback.

I clearly have not got the introductory offer, but I wonder whether that came in after I'd taken the card. Does anyone know when it came in?

TDL_76

nlamont wrote: »

I took one of these cards in March 2006 and on my anniversary, after spending just over £5000, got £37 in cashback.

I clearly have not got the introductory offer, but I wonder whether that came in after I'd taken the card. Does anyone know when it came in?

During the first three months did your statement show your actual spend being doubled and then called your Eligible Spend?

nlamont

I no longer have the first three months' statements and the online service only allows you to see 2007's statements. I have a letter in October about the new moneyback rates and saying all moneyback earned up till October would be at my current moneyback rates, so I suppose I can go back to them with that. Anything else I can do?

sloughflint

M_Thomson wrote: »

It is Amex not Amec.

Oh for goodness sake. Is that the best you can do?

nettleboo

Hi folks

I've had a nightmare experience with my Platinum Amex, and I wonder
if this is unusual or any other people have been through the same.

Towards the end of last year, I received an invitation to apply for
a Platinum Amex. I sent the application and I received the card
in January. One month into using it, I was very happy with it,
and I ditched my other two cards (a MC and a Visa) because the Platinum
card had so many perks and Air Miles that it seemed worthwhile
using it for everything. I received my first statement (for about £1,200) and I sent a cheque for the full amount immediately.

So far it was all great, very convenient.

I decided to get a second card for my partner to pile up more
Air Miles together. There was a minor glitch in that the delivery of the
card was a disaster -- the delivery company missed the appointment,
I wasted some time staying at home all day and they didn't show up. The delivery was then rescheduled and eventually we received the card.

I made a complaint about the delivery problems, just so that
Amex would be aware of it. They told me they had received many
complaints about this subcontractor and that they would not renew the
contract again.

The following day Amex cold-called me to tell me to stop using the card.
They were rather rude actually and they made me feel like a complete
crook. They said that they had "reviewed" my account and said something
vague about the computer "detecting" some patterns of expending. I didn't
know what to make of it. At first you are alarmed, thinking someone else
has been using your card fraudulently. Then they told me that the account would be suspended until I had provided three months' payslips and bank statements.

I think this is really shocking, because I had only had the card for one
month and they had already checked me during the application process.
I had sent the cheque for the full balance, so what business do they have
credit-scoring me?

I think that the whole thing was related to my complaint the previous
day.

The other issue is -- what if you're on holiday and only carry your Amex?
Amex has consistently advertised that Amex is the only card you need,
wherever you are in the world.. except perhaps when you are on the Kilimanjaro and they phone you on your mobile to tell you your account is
being "reviewed".

The whole thing upset me so much that I half-heartedly sent them my
payslips but then I did not want to send them my bank statements. So, to
cut a long story short, the account was then closed. For no good reason I
think, as I paid on time and in full.

Then I made a complaint to get the £300 membership back. Initially they
agreed on the telephone, then the harassment began. I started receiving
calls from a company called RMA, who are a collection company used
by Amex, basically to do their dirty tricks. They claimed I still owed the
full balance, plus I don't know what other referral fees. Of course there
was no question of the £300 refund from them. I refused to speak to them, because I had an account with Amex, not with a dodgy collection company.
Nonetheless they continued pestering me every day. I asked them to stop
calling me, and they would call repeatedly even after hanging up on them.

I wrote to Amex to complain about it, and I received telephone responses from RMA, who had been passed my complaint to deal with it!

Then I received a letter from Amex Customer Centre. They claimed that I had continued to use the card after being asked to stop (incorrect); that the reason why the account was reviewed was because the payment was late (incorrect). They advised me to "liaise" with RMA to recover the £300.

Of course, just like with many other things, I finally got them to
behave reasonably when I threatened litigation to recover the £300 plus
my expenses. I received a phone call and a brief letter to tell me that
they recognised I had been "let down" and that they would send a cheque
for £300 and instruct RMA to stop calling me. No apologies; I have simply been "let down" apparently. How is that for an understatement!
I think I had no less than a brush with a crooked bunch.

The last twist in the story is that my partner, who has had a Gold card
for years, and has paid always on time, has now received a call saying
his account is being reviewed. I don't think this is a coincidence, and
he will be cancelling his card and not sending them any documents because
of the way they've treated me.

I expected more from Amex, with all their aura of exclusive service etc.
The treatment I have received from them has been downright nasty.

nettleboo

rodmace

it's unbelievable...

I am considering applying for a platinum card. well, based on what you've said nettleboo, I'd better stay away from them

chris_k

I tried tonight to upgrade my BA Amex premium card to the premium plus card. As I have had 2 cards for over 6 months I should have had my fee reduced to £30 pa. Presently I pay £60 pa and the premium plus card should have cost £120pa. After 6 months of having an addiitonal card (Nectar) I should have received the lower fee of £30 but Amex have changed their policy and the Nectar card does not qualify for the reduced fee.

The Amex says nothing of the 6 month qualifying period. Amex suggest I take out another card for 6 months to qualify for the reduced fee. I countered that they will probably change their T&C so I never get to the 6 month period.

I am now waiting for a supervisor to phone back in the next 48 hours to discuss further as none were available when I spoke.

The Nationwide advert of offering rates to attract people in seems very apt. Both my wife and I spend a lot of money with Amex and I feel totally stitched up by the their change of policy. What on earth are Amex up to.

1234jack

nettleboo wrote: »

Hi folks

I've had a nightmare experience with my Platinum Amex, and I wonder
if this is unusual or any other people have been through the same.

Towards the end of last year, I received an invitation to apply for
a Platinum Amex. I sent the application and I received the card
in January. One month into using it, I was very happy with it,
and I ditched my other two cards (a MC and a Visa) because the Platinum
card had so many perks and Air Miles that it seemed worthwhile
using it for everything. I received my first statement (for about £1,200) and I sent a cheque for the full amount immediately.

So far it was all great, very convenient.

I decided to get a second card for my partner to pile up more
Air Miles together. There was a minor glitch in that the delivery of the
card was a disaster -- the delivery company missed the appointment,
I wasted some time staying at home all day and they didn't show up. The delivery was then rescheduled and eventually we received the card.

I made a complaint about the delivery problems, just so that
Amex would be aware of it. They told me they had received many
complaints about this subcontractor and that they would not renew the
contract again.

The following day Amex cold-called me to tell me to stop using the card.
They were rather rude actually and they made me feel like a complete
crook. They said that they had "reviewed" my account and said something
vague about the computer "detecting" some patterns of expending. I didn't
know what to make of it. At first you are alarmed, thinking someone else
has been using your card fraudulently. Then they told me that the account would be suspended until I had provided three months' payslips and bank statements.

I think this is really shocking, because I had only had the card for one
month and they had already checked me during the application process.
I had sent the cheque for the full balance, so what business do they have
credit-scoring me?

I think that the whole thing was related to my complaint the previous
day.

The other issue is -- what if you're on holiday and only carry your Amex?
Amex has consistently advertised that Amex is the only card you need,
wherever you are in the world.. except perhaps when you are on the Kilimanjaro and they phone you on your mobile to tell you your account is
being "reviewed".

The whole thing upset me so much that I half-heartedly sent them my
payslips but then I did not want to send them my bank statements. So, to
cut a long story short, the account was then closed. For no good reason I
think, as I paid on time and in full.

Then I made a complaint to get the £300 membership back. Initially they
agreed on the telephone, then the harassment began. I started receiving
calls from a company called RMA, who are a collection company used
by Amex, basically to do their dirty tricks. They claimed I still owed the
full balance, plus I don't know what other referral fees. Of course there
was no question of the £300 refund from them. I refused to speak to them, because I had an account with Amex, not with a dodgy collection company.
Nonetheless they continued pestering me every day. I asked them to stop
calling me, and they would call repeatedly even after hanging up on them.

I wrote to Amex to complain about it, and I received telephone responses from RMA, who had been passed my complaint to deal with it!

Then I received a letter from Amex Customer Centre. They claimed that I had continued to use the card after being asked to stop (incorrect); that the reason why the account was reviewed was because the payment was late (incorrect). They advised me to "liaise" with RMA to recover the £300.

Of course, just like with many other things, I finally got them to
behave reasonably when I threatened litigation to recover the £300 plus
my expenses. I received a phone call and a brief letter to tell me that
they recognised I had been "let down" and that they would send a cheque
for £300 and instruct RMA to stop calling me. No apologies; I have simply been "let down" apparently. How is that for an understatement!
I think I had no less than a brush with a crooked bunch.

The last twist in the story is that my partner, who has had a Gold card
for years, and has paid always on time, has now received a call saying
his account is being reviewed. I don't think this is a coincidence, and
he will be cancelling his card and not sending them any documents because
of the way they've treated me.

I expected more from Amex, with all their aura of exclusive service etc.
The treatment I have received from them has been downright nasty.

nettleboo

Incompetent Amex

I received a refusal from Amex today, and I am thanking my lucky stars now after reading your quote, and because attached to my letter was the letter of another customer, a Mrs Austen of Brentwood, complete with personal details! I will be posting it on, I hope she is more interested in her details being sent out to a total stranger than Amex were when I rang them today! A fine example of their exclusive service!

Amex state that nothing derogatory was found and that my refusal was due to my not meeting their minimum required score, apparently their selection criteria is confidential. What a shame they don't apply the same care to their customers' confidentiality!

Yet another fine example of the incompetence of banks and credit card companies, as far as I am concerned they can stuff their cash back offers, I would rather have good service and a guarantee of confidentiality! Or is that too much to ask from the banking/credit card industrythese days!

bodybutter

Unfortunatly with so many of the financial institutions its all about cost cutting to the point where they pay peanuts and get monkeys in the call centres.

My experience of Amex has been its not worth the annual fee. You still have to deal with an Indian call centre so really what is the point of the fee?

If you use your card online with ebay they amend the charge into dollars and then back into pounds so you end up paying the 2.75% commision. Aparently its problem they are aware of but have done nothing about it.

I have been a member for 3 years now and dont feel I actually benefit from being a customer. Its just another payment method in the end. The customer service is from the Indian call centres is so poor I dont even bother, if I have a query I write to them and usually they have called me back (from UK based operative) to fix things.

Swansea_lad_2

Hi,

I too have had a minor problem with Amex. I applied for the American Express (RED) card in October 2006, and got accepted, i was happy with that, i recieved the card and registered it and i was ready to go.

Two weeks later i recieve a letter from American Express saying that they have reviewed my account and have suspended anymore spending onto my account until i start making more effort to make payments? (What the hell were they on about i had'nt even used the card yet?)

So i phone them up and explained about the letter i got and said i dont understand why, and he said that im only making the minimum payment and i need to make more payments onto the card, so i explained that i havent used the card, which the OPERATOR, got on his high horse and said "yes you have you recently used your card in Sainsburys in Southampton and spent £50. (I Then Got on MY soap box) and replied,
#1- I live in Swansea and have a sainsburys down the road from me, so i wouldnt need to travel to Southampton to spend £50 in Saindsburys
#2- I havent left Swansea for 6 months and that was only to got to Butlins in Minehead for a week,
#3- I work for Morrisons.
His reply was silent, then he said "let me check this out and i will get back to you in the morning".

The next day i had a phone call from a Manager of the Accounts Dept from Amex, and she started off by aploigising (grovling) and then went onto explain that the computer had sent me out that letter cos the person that the letter was ment for had the same name. "What a load of old !!!!", i thought, so i told her that would'nt it be better to have a computer system that matches names and postcodes rather than just names, i said how do your computer manage with the name, Micheal Davies or Darren Thomas, where does it send the mail to then? After that my account has been fine since, lol

Oh well ive had my moan about Amex