Amex Rewards Gold Card

GFMo

I saw the opportunity of the Amex Gold Reward credit card in the previous MSE newsletter, and hoped to obtain the nectar points as described.

I applied for the card online and was accepted for the card with a credit limit of £5000. (no request from Amex for any proof of ID or postal address)

When the card arrived, on a Monday, I activated it on-line via an e-mail from Amex with a link for activation.

I used the card in the first few days for some small value purchases and to make sure PIN was OK etc.

Early on the Friday I went to the local supermarket to do a fortnightly shop and took my Amex to pay for it. When it came to pay for around £350 worth of groceries etc the card was declined.

I didn't have another credit or debit card with me, so I had to leave the store without my shopping and my dignity.

When I got home there was an e-mail from Amex dated and timed for the time when I was actually shopping, saying they had suspended my account until such time as I could prove my identity and postal address.

I called Amex and got through to their "Fraud Protection" dept. the same dept. that had sent the e-mail.

I explained the situation that had occurred and was told in rather an off-hand way that "we always do these checks for new cardholders". My response was, why wasn't this done at the time of my application, why wait 5 days and 4 or 5 transactions before suspending the account. They said they would put me through to their Customer Service Dept., where after going through the story yet again, and not getting a sympathetic response, I cancelled the card.

I'm letting you know about this in the hope that somehow you can ensure that something like this doesn't happen to other subscribers to your amazing newsletter.

[Deleted User]

Err thanks but I will be keeping my Amex. You went shopping with a brand new card and no back up, that is not the fault of Amex. It was a brand new card, you made a lot of small payments and then a big one, this will likely trigger fraud detection because that is how fraudsters act. All you had to do was send in some documents, drama over.

I have had my current Amex card since 2018, a few months ago my card got blocked by the fraud department, I called them and confirmed some purchases I had made, they sent me a new card. Yes it's inconvenient but I don't go around with one card in my pocket so it was no big deal. I might add that out of all my cards, the Amex one is the only one that has never been subject to actual fraud.

 What kind of things are you buying in a supermarket for £350? btw

Jasonh2015

I've been with Amex for over 12 years, they blocked 1 transaction in March and called me to confirm it was me. It was a large transaction. I've used it all over the world and it's the first time its happened, I actually expected it.

I can see their point, but if there's a £5k limit you'd think they would have done their checks before issuing the card. I'd be annoyed as well, but can see both sides. In all the years with them, I've never had an issue. You might have spoken to someone who was having a bad day, not an excuse, but we all have them.