American Express British Airways Avios welcome points con

gvs544

As an American Express cardholder of over 14 years I was targeted for their British Airways Avios card. Stating a welcome gift of 10000 Avios points if spending over a £1k in the first three months (offer normally 5000 points). I duly applied and received my card. Having used it for the first three months exceeding their £1k threshold, paying the complete balance each month and on time I was amused to find they slapped a £2 'interest fee' on my month three statement for no rhyme or reason. Speaking with a representative this fee was removed - but why it was there in the first place could not be answered. I next questioned why after 3 months using the card and meeting the contracted criteria why had I not received my 10000 Avios welcome bonus. I was then greeted to over an hour of phone hold to eventually be told as I was an existing AmEx card member (with a different type of card) I was NOT entitled to the contracted BA Avios bonus! Having re-checked their contract paperwork I confirm that their targeted advertising with regard to the welcome bonus is/was in my case nothing more than a blatant lie. I requested they closed my card forthwith and will closing my other card soonest. Very disappointed that a company of this ilk has resulted to a degraded, immoral contract breach to increase its business.

[Deleted User]

It'll be some confusion or admin error somewhere along the line, rather than anything degraded, immoral, blatant lie or con.

Sounds like you may have left it too late to get it sorted now though if you've closed your cards.

Ebe_Scrooge

So they sent out a blanket mail-shot advertising this new bonus.  You failed to read the small-print that said existing card-holders were not eligible, and were upset when you didn't get the bonus.  Would that be a fair summary?

Sandtree

gvs544 said:
I was targeted for their British Airways Avios card.

In what way and by which organisation?

All new customer promotions typically have limitations for existing customers. AmEx used to be limited to type of benefit and not having held a similar card for 6 months but clearly they are entitled to change those terms whenever they like as long as they are in the T&C of the new promotion.

What did the T&Cs say?

The_Urbanite

It has always been this way and they do put it in the small print. Annoying but something to put down to experience. 

If you’re able to spend that much, have a look at one of the Barclaycard Avios credit cards - they have good sign up bonuses. 

WillPS

gvs544 said:

I was targeted for their British Airways Avios card.

Were you? If you can prove that you were targetted then you have a valid complaint.

Ebe_Scrooge

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP doesn't come back to update us.  In 2 years they've made 4 posts, 3 of which have been deleted .....

eskbanker

Ebe_Scrooge said:

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP doesn't come back to update us.  In 2 years they've made 4 posts, 3 of which have been deleted .....

In case something similar happens without the entire thread being wiped, perhaps worth capturing that the above posts were in response to:

As an American Express cardholder of over 14 years I was targeted for their British Airways Avios card. Stating a welcome gift of 10000 Avios points if spending over a £1k in the first three months (offer normally 5000 points). I duly applied and received my card. Having used it for the first three months exceeding their £1k threshold, paying the complete balance each month and on time I was amused to find they slapped a £2 'interest fee' on my month three statement for no rhyme or reason. Speaking with a representative this fee was removed - but why it was there in the first place could not be answered. I next questioned why after 3 months using the card and meeting the contracted criteria why had I not received my 10000 Avios welcome bonus. I was then greeted to over an hour of phone hold to eventually be told as I was an existing AmEx card member (with a different type of card) I was NOT entitled to the contracted BA Avios bonus! Having re-checked their contract paperwork I confirm that their targeted advertising with regard to the welcome bonus is/was in my case nothing more than a blatant lie. I requested they closed my card forthwith and will closing my other card soonest. Very disappointed that a company of this ilk has resulted to a degraded, immoral contract breach to increase its business.