American Express
Reviews and Complaints

May 20, 2011

American express courier

Gentlemen:

Good day!

I respectfully would like to inquire from your company american express courier the validity of the transactions that occurred to me regarding the package that was supposed to be delivered to me here in the philippines.

I met a guy in tagged.com in the name of clark taylor from united kingdom and according to him he is working in a mining firm which he did not disclosed and at that time he told me that he is in canada finishing their contract. We exchange emails after that and we became good friends. Last april 20, 2011, I received a text message from him and he told me that he is going to venezuela to start a new project and he send me a package containing laptop computer, box of gold jewelries, box of headphone, family photo album, bunch of rose flowers and documents letter as a gift to me for accepting his friendship and his proposal for marriage and according to him was sent thru american express courier with tracking number [protected].

On april 22, 2011, 10:16am I received an email from a certain director richard mathew, customer service center of “head office american express courier” [protected]@post.com no. 33st. James’s square, london sw1y 4js, united kingdom, web: www.aex.c-srr.com, email: [protected]@post.com, tel. +[protected] informing of the said package.
On april 24, 2011, 3:05 pm I again received an email from director richard mathew and a certain director rashid aaida, regional co-coordinator of “american express courier” [protected]@post.com tel. No. +[protected] informing me that my package was held by the malaysian customs for violation of shipping policy because of the currency that was detected in the package and they told me that I am required to pay the following penalties:

Administrative charges... $360
Clearance... $500

And the payment shall be made thru any western union office here in the philippines and to be paid to mr. Aleem khuraymah abdul, as the receiver their account officer.

I was really caught unaware of the currency inside the package and when I called and verified this with clark taylor, he told me that he really placed the currency in the package and he was not able declare it. He told me he was in a hurry because of his scheduled trip to venezuela on the same day he sent the package. He asked for my assistance to settle the problem with the malaysian customs since his place of work in the venezuelan jungle will make it impossible for him to settle the payments for the penalties of the package because he has no bank accessibilities in the area.

I made representation to director rashid aaida for the settlement of the penalties and she agreed that I will only pay 80% of the penalties and the balance of 20% will be paid here in the philippines to the delivery personnel of your company once I received the package. I have made the payment for the penalty last april 27, 2011.
After the payment has been made for the penalty I was hoping that my package will be delivered to me. I again received an email from director rashid aaida informing me that the malaysian customs still withheld my package because I have to pay again for the insurance of the currency inside the package in the amount of five thousand eight hundred forty two and 71/100 myr (Myr5, 842.71).
I again asked for consideration and director aaida rashid told me to pay 80% of the insurance which I made several payments until I made my final payment last may 17, 2011. Again I was expecting that my package will be delivered after my final payment has been made.

I received again an email from a certain mr. Abdul ikarim, aec director, american express courier, zonal branch office, south east asia no 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia, mobile no: [protected] tel: +[protected].

In his email I again will still have to pay the amount of eighty five thousand nine hundred thirty eight and 54/100 philippine pesos (Php85, 938.54) for demurrage charges that my package has incurred

Attached are the following:

1. Copy of the picture of the package,

2. Airway bill with bar code number 34980347847683648762536811 with tracking number [protected] consigned to madelin p. Adolfo with address c/o conchita p. Casin, no. 17 cardiz street, barangay tatalon, quezon city, philippines;

3. Official receipt of western union control number [protected] two thousand fifty five and 85/100 myr (Myr2, 055.85) dated april 27, 2011 for the penalty;

4. Official receipt of western union control number [protected] one thousand two hundred seven and 44/100 myr (Myr1, 207.44) dated may 07, 2011 for the insurance;

5. Official receipt of western union control number [protected] one thousand nineteen and 44/100 myr (Myr1, 019.44) dated may 12, 2011 for the insurance;

6. Official receipt of western union control number [protected] one thousand two hundred thirty and 14/100 myr (Myr1, 230.14) dated may 17, 2011 for the insurance;

7. Email messages

8. Malaysian customs receipt (for penalty)

I would appreciate it if you can check and verify with your records the validity of this transaction and I am hoping that you would reply on my inquiry. I have doubts after having made several payments that my package is still not in my possession. I will not make any payments anymore for the demmurage charges they are asking me until such time that your company american express courier will assure me that this transaction is true and valid.

Hoping for your kind attention on my request.

Thank you very much.

Respectfully yours,

Madelin p. Adolfo
Email address: [protected]@yahoo.com
Mobilenumber: +63-[protected]

Emails from american express courier (Malaysia)
1.
American express courier!
No. 33 st james's square, london sw1y 4js united kingdom
Web: www.aex.c-srr.com
Email: [protected]@post.com
Tel: +[protected]

April 22, 2011.

Re: notification and statutory letter.

Dear valued customer,

Kindly be informed that your package has been processed for further destination through our international mail processing centre on 21st april, 2011 with dispatches no kz01byuk and bag no 101 on transits to cairo egypt on 23rd april, 2011. The estimated time arrival of your parcel is depends on the location of the address. Transit time to your country may covers 3 to 4 days from the dispatch date above.

All transit time are subject to customs clearance. Transport conditions and volume of mail traffic. The transit time given is in accordance with the international standard concluded by the international cargo of the universal postal union. Please note that the tracking for international registered mail item is only up to the last exchange office or mail centre in united kingdom, dispatch to my64005 - asia.

Kindly be informed that our centre in asia, malaysia will be sending your parcel direct to your door step with the address provided in the waybill on monday, 25th april 2011.
For inquiry or changes in your address please do not hesitate to contact any of our regional offices nearest to you or direct your inquiry to our head office.

Note: american express courier branch may not be available in your country for now, aec currently working round the clock to open more branches within the word to globalize our services. Please reply on our staffs and services for efficiency services and kindly report to us for any injustice among our workers or in any of our branches nearest to you. We guarantee you for self delivery of your parcel and your co-operation is highly needed.

Our delivery agent will call you before coming to your destination. Please if there are any charges in your address or contact number, notify us on time.

We appreciate your continuous support and patience. Please feel free to email us. Our customer service consultant will glad to assist you from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm, monday to saturday.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Richard mathew.
Customer service center.

American express courier!
Zonal branch office, south east asia
No. 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia.
Web: www.aex.c-srr.com

Attention madam,
Further to our correspondence, sequel to our conversation, we the american express courier pleased to inform you that your package is in possession of customs awaiting clearance due to the money detected in your package, which happened to violate the shipping policies. To expedite the process of releasing your package please locate and do the payment through western union with our accounts officer below:

Name: khuraymah aleem abdul

Address: no. 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia

The penalty charges for violate the shipping policies is $860 (Eighty hundread and sixty us dollars) only.
Please make your payment as early as possible today, immediately after payment is done, please call and send to this e-mail a scanned copy of the transfer slip for official recording purposes. Conclusion, as soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the charges, we will dispatch your parcel immediately within few hours. The expected time of delivery will be sent to you.

Thank you for using aec cargo service for your delivery packages and for your business needs.
For more inquiry please call +[protected] +[protected]
Email: [protected]@post.com
Please present your tracking number when calling so that we will honor your calls.
We are glad to be of service to you.

Yours faithfully.
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

American express courier!
April 25, 2011.

Dear madam,
We are still waiting for your payment until now to enable us clear your parcel and proceed to your country today.
You have to understand the content of your parcel as it will not be allowed to stay here over the required time for security reasons or even confiscating of your parcel by the authority. We are waiting for your quick respond regards to this notice.

Yours faithfully.
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

American express courier
27 april, 2011.

Dear madam/sir,
We wish to inform you the management of american express courier rose from a meeting this morning with a resolution that all unclaimed package will be forfeited after today 27 april, 2011 and be remitted to the federal reserve as government property. We are sorry for this development but it constitutes a breach of law for us to keep your parcel with us as our director has directed us to comply with the directive from the authority or our operating license will be terminate and we shall be made to pay hug fine.

This email further serves as a notification that your parcel and its contents will be confiscate, forfeited and submitted to the government as unclaimed package after today 27 april, 2011 according to the directive we received from the customs authority this morning. We can not risk our cargo operating license by keeping your parcel any longer sorry. We have sent a copy of this email to your sender for mutual understanding.

We are still ready to help you as our custom because we will not be happy if the government sized your parcel. We can advice you to send 80% out of the charges and our office will help you complete the balance. You can balance us the %20 after we send your parcel. Note: your parcel can not be send back to the sender because it is on hold and must cleared first before you advice us where to send it or we can complete the delivery. We american express courier can not be responsible for any damage if you refuse to comply on this notice.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation.
For more inquiry please call +[protected]
Email: [protected]@post.com

Please present your tracking number when calling so that we will honor your calls.
We are glad to be of service to you.

Yours truly,
Aec management.

Dear madam madelin p. Adolfo,

We understand all your effort and will encourage you to try your best to clear this payment today, lets clear this issue ones and for all. Please use the name below for the payment through western union:

Name: aleem khuraymah abdul
Address: no. 14&15, jalan kenari 1, bandar puchong jaya, 47100 puchong, selangor malaysia

Immediately after payment is done, please call and send to this e-mail a scanned copy of the transfer slip for official recording purposes. Conclusion, as soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the charges, we will dispatch your parcel immediately within few hours. The expected time of delivery will be sent to you.

Yours faithfully.
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

May 7, 2011

Dear madam madeling,
We have received your part payment with thanks. Please I will advice you to complete the balance as soon as possible because your parcel has been under customs for so long and is a very big stress to us in the senses that one of our staff must visit customs office every day for the security of your parcel, please assist us to clear this parcel on time.

Below is the remittance transaction:

The total bill of insurance is 83, 364.50 php. We deduct 20% for you which I will be the one to take care of that 20% and new total bill is php 66, 691.

We received from your in-law 17, 626.18 php

Today received from you 17, 226.26 php

New balance 31, 774 php

Please respond on this balance on time.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

Dear madam,
We are still waiting for the balance to enable us proceed to your country.

Please assist us to clear your parcel and send to your home because is might be risky keeping your parcel here for so long to avoid confiscating of the valuable parcel.
Please respond on your parcel today.

Thank you
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

American express courier!
Zonal branch office, south east asia
No. 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia

Dear ms maldelin,
We apologies to you for all the inconveniences this process of releasing your parcel might have course this few days, we want to assure you here that we will make sure that we settle this once and for all after we can receive your payment as it affect our pledge of efficiency and fast delivery to our customers. Please keep us update after you transfer the payment through western union.

Yours faithfully.
Mrs. Rashid aaida
Regional co-coordinator.

American express courier
Zonal branch office, south east asia
No. 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia

Dear madam madeline,
We are sorry for the late reply, we are on meeting yesterday.
Yes your part payment you made yesterday has been received this morning by our office.

We urge you to try your best on making up the full payment to enable delivering of your parcel because it has been so long in the customs custardy.

Please notify us the more after you complete the balance.

Thank you
Dr. Abdul ikarim
Aec director
Mobile no: [protected].

Dear madam madeline,
Yes you have to pay 80% out of the charges of insurance which we have received some money from you and from your family earlier time. What you have to do now is to check the balance and complete it as soon as possible to enable us sends your parcel.

Thank you
Dr. Abdul ikarim
Aec director
Mobile no: [protected].
American express courier!
Zonal branch office, south east asia
No. 14, ground floor, jln suda, 88000 kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia.
May 18, 2011

Attn: mrs. Madelin p. Adolfo,
We are pleased to inform you that your insurance has been successfully verified by the authorities and approved. It is certified that you have finish all the charges required thanks for your understanding.

Therefore at this junction that you have meet all the requirements, the only thing left now is the extra charges placed on your parcel as demurrage charges because of the late payment and security keeping, of which if the demurrage is paid, the yellow tag will be placed on your parcel so that no arm of the government can hold your parcel until its successfully delivered to you. The yellow tag is to certify that you have met all the custom charges and that your parcel is in good condition. We thank you for your time and cooperation.

Demurrage...85, 938.54 php

Total => 85, 938.54 php

You are advised to do this without further delay as we sincerely apologies for any inconveniences caused for the late delivery of your package to the receiver. Thank you

Dr. Abdul ikarim
Aec director
Mobile no: [protected]
Tel: +[protected].

Dear madam madelin p. Adolfo,

We are please to inform you that the demurrage charges payment must make on time today for us to get your parcel ready to send to your home in this address in philippines. Because of security reasons.

As soon as the demurrage charges payment is made today, we shall affect an immediate delivery of your parcel direct to your home in philippines.
We will can advice you to make this payment today to avoid more delay or even additional charges.

Madam your parcel has been cleared by the customs and is in good hand in our office right now.
You have to know that it's a big risky for us to keep your parcel and the currency in our office for security reasons.

Madam if you don’t make this payment today, we will deposit your parcel with the security company and any extra charges the security company demanded, you will be the one to pay for that, assist us to deliver your today please.

Please send the payment of insurance through western union like you did before and immediately after payment is done,
Kindly call and send to this e-mail a scanned copy of the transfer slip for official recording purposes.

Yours truly,
Mr. Ikaria director.

Amex denied an airline booking as potentially fraudulent which caused my entire family to miss the flight and get stuck overnight. Amex called me literally one minute after booking the flight since the charge to check if it was valid. I told them yes but there was no way for them to approve it, only that I could re-book. Well, how is that going to work if they will just deny it again? In the 30 minutes I tried to work things out the seats were taken and we were stuck.

To whom it may concern:

I have received disrespectful, poor customer service from american express, specifically from the credit review department. I have been a loyal card member for almost 10 years, never missed one payment, have multiple american express cards (Business and personal) which I pay off in full each month.in the middle of march 2011, my husband and I saw a promotional offer on the hilton honors website to receive bonus hilton honors points by opening a hilton honors amex card. I applied for the hilton honors amex card and got approved very quickly. I received the card towards the end of march 2011. I activated the card and tried to make a payment a few days later but the transaction was declined. I called today and got transferred to the american express credit review department. The agent (Id number: kcop124) danielle said that she just had to ask me some questions for verification. Even though I provided her with all the details she requested for, she told me that I now have to sign a release form which allows american express to view my tax records. Otherwise, all of my american express cards will be closed, which will negatively influence the perfect credit score I have worked so hard in maintaining all these years! If amex had a problem with my finances, why did they approve my hilton honors amex card (4th card!), and so quickly? They know that once I have four american express cards, it will be very difficult for me to just tell them that I will not give in to their unreasonable demands, (And danielle told me that there's no reason they're doing this to me, i'm just the unlucky one who got picked again 4 years later by them to get reviewed and treated like a criminal). What kind of customer service is this to your loyal card members? The credit review department did not even have a supervisor available to talk to me and said that one will call me back within 24 - 48 hours. I am not counting on that. I have already filed a complaint with the business better bureau, and the california state attorney general regarding the fradulent practice american express has in first approving the card, then targeting loyal customers witih impeccable credit score, forcing them under duress to provide their tax records, otherwise, face the closure of all of their american express cards, which will very negatively impact their credit score.

What your company is doing is shunning away loyal customers like myself, who have been paying all of my balances in full every month, and keeping customers who can barely make their minimum payments each month.

I just saw now that all of my american express cards have been suspended. I will be taking this further and will be suing american express for the damages that I have incurred, financial, emotional and reputation-wise.

Sincerely,

Helen chen

On or about the 15th of October 2010 I received two offers from USAA Savings Bank for a “Pre-Approved” USAA Platinum MasterCard, and a “Pre-Approved” USAA American Express Card. I mailed both applications back to USAA Savings Bank only because they told me that I was “Pre-Approved for both cards. If it hadn’t been for that, I most likely would have thrown the applications in the trash. on October 27, 2010 USAA Savings bank sent me a letter telling me that they disapproved my application for the Platinum MasterCard, and on October 28, 2010 they sent me another letter saying I was disapproved for the American Express Card. I consider this false, misleading, and deceptive advertising. Now I have two negative Inquiries showing on my credit report. USAA prays on military people like a bunch of vultures, and should be stopped.

I got a letter from American Express stating that they were raising my interest rate to 24% and putting a late payment on my credit because I make a payment in Feb. When I checked, I had made a payment - I usually pay twice a month - on 27 Jan. American express told me when I called that I made the payment a day too early and my payment was listed on my January bill. I paid the jan bill on Jan 4th. Additionally, my payments are 5 to 10 times the minimum payment. I check with a supervisor and was told the same thing. This is just unbelieveable and unamerican.

Complaints Board:
The collection division of (American Express) keeps harassing me with phone calls for a Traffi Bryant.
Not only am I not Traffi Bryant, but they are unable to delete my number from their computer software program, why?
So far, they have called me 14 times, within a month's time. This is unacceptable and illegal!
Please persuade them to take care of this annoyance ASAP! I am past the point of tolerance, since I have called various supervisors, repeatedly!
They continue to invade my privacy and torment me, and I see no reason for this, do you?
Chris Neils is your contact person at : [protected]
Sincerely,

Michael Serkin

Dear American Express,
Please note that I will no longer be using your services or charging anything to your credit card. Because I was laid up sick in bed for 10 days, I was late making my whopping $15 payment. As a result, you are charging me a $35 late fee & increasing my APR by 106%. This is after 15+ years of being a “Card carrying member”. No wonder people & businesses are running from you guys in droves & going to MasterCard & Visa. I no doubt am doing the same.
Now, I can’t say anything bad about your customer service representatives because I never actually spoke with anyone. “To better service my request”, you have decided to go with an automated phone system. After numerous automated menus & requests to enter my credit card #, I finally had to simply hang up. I’m still trying to figure out how this better serves me. Trust me when I say this, and I’m one of many customers that feel the same way- you’re not “better servicing my request”.
I know that I am not one of your bigger customers, and losing me won’t do anything to your bottom line. Heck, you’ll make up my missed business on whatever poor schlub you rope in to signing up for your card when you give them a free t- shirt at your kiosk at the airport.

Possiedo un carta American Express dal 2005 e fino ad oggi non ho avuto problemi.
Qualche settimana fa American Express Italia mi ha mandato un carta di credito per sostituire quella in mio possesso, in scadenza nel 2012 e perfettamente funzionante.
Ho attivato la nuova carta, in scadenza nel 2015, e distrutto la vecchia.
Dopo qualche giorno, ho tentato di effettuare un acquisto tramite Internet. L’acquisto non è andato a buon fine perché la mia carta aveva un problema.
Ho chiamato il servizio clienti American Express, allo [protected], per avere una spiegazione e solo allora mi è stato comunicato che il mio codice di sicurezza era difettoso.
Il difetto non permetteva acquisti su Internet e la carta doveva essere sostituita.
Sempre il Servizio Clienti ha aggiunto che molte carte American Express in Italia stavano riscontrando questa anomalia, ma che loro non potevano comunicarlo al cliente fin quando non si trovava in difficoltà.
L’unica soluzione che mi proponevano era di non usare la carta su Internet e di attendere 10 giorni una carta sostitutiva.
Nessuna scusa ne attenzione particolare per il disagio provocato da un loro errore. Anzi la sostituzione della carta difettosa era presentata come una prova del loro buon servizio.
Visto la quota associativa che viene richiesta da American Express (una delle più care sul mercato Italaino) mi sarei aspettata una gestione diversa del problema.
Se American Express Italia sa di avere parecchie carte difettose in circolazione perché non inviare una informazione a tutti. Ciò mi avrebbe messo in allerta e non avrei distrutto la mia vecchia carta funzionante.
Comunque ho deciso di disdire la carta. Non vedo perché pagare caro un servizio che non offre vantaggi come un’adeguata informazione e rapporto con il cliente.
Sono certa che American Express in America avrebbe affrontato il problema in modo diverso perché loro conoscono bene il significato della parola “costumer care”.

The prim and portly head of a major corporate travel agency pleaded guilty in Manhattan today to a massive fraud scheme in which she billed American Express for $35 million in fictitious travel.
Depending on how much she pays back, Virginia Wofford, 53, founder of Tri-Pen Management, faces anywhere from one to 25 years for grand larceny when she's sentenced later this year.
Manhattan prosecutors say the amount Wofford actually pocketed throughout the more-than-three-year-scam was closer to $19 million, money she largely plowed back into her business for software development. She'd hoped to sell the software for enough money to repay AmEx before she'd be caught, officials said.
Wofford also spent $475, 000 on an apartment in St. Petersburg, Fla, in her husband's name, and gave him $2.4 million to invest in a restaurant chain, "Submarinos, " in California.
Tri-Pen Management, based in New York, Maryland and Texas, touts itself in its website as "an industry leader in outsourced corporate travel management." The company did not return emails and phone calls seeking comment.
"Yes, sir, " she demurely told Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus, when the judge asked her if she admits stealing at least $35 million.
Wofford worked her scheme by billing AmEx for fictitious travel on two defunct, long-dormant business travel accounts of a single, unnamed corporate client that threw so much travel business Wofford's way, the millions in bogus billings went unnoticed until earlier this year.

Worse customer service ever, never have been treated so bad by reps even the supervisors, wrong information was disclosed to me on 6 different times that I called in and to hear that I should be the one keeping track, really? there the credit card company not me, this is why I called in I rely on information provided to me from the company's employees, but after talking to one of the supervisors I realized that AMERICAN EXPRESS DOES NOT CARE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS, especially when mistakes are made and the employees refuse to accept it and fix the situation, never will I use American Express credit cards, I closed my account.

American Express Delta Companion Certificates promise when you buy one ticket the second ticket is free. I have been trying to book a flight departing from California. I am hoping anyone that has been able to book a departing flight from California with a Delta Companion Certificate will post or email me, [protected]@gmail.com, the flight details. Thanks.

I have had an amex for nearly 3 years. I was told i had a grace period to make my payments online. I get a letter in the mail stating that because of a late payment my interest rate went from 10.99% to 27.00% . my due date was the 9th. i fell on a sunday. i processed the payment on the 11! and because of that im being changes. 2 days! i called to speak to someone the WOMAN was rude. All i heard was " I TOLD YOU" thinking she was answering my question and being a smart a$$ about it and she didnt even answer it! So TERRY ID # 38101 IM NOT EVEN FINISHED WITH YOU YET-

I have been an Am Ex customer for several years. I have a perfect pay history and my FICO is currently in the low 800's. I received an email today stating they were cancelling my card. No reason whatsoever was given. I called and after waiting on hold for over 45 minutes the call was answered by someone in India who spoke extremely poor English. He put me on hold again and after waiting another 15 minutes the call was disconnected. This is outrageous. I guess they didn't get enough of my taxpaying bailout money. Does anyone know of anyway to file aa formal complaint against them?

Trust American Express as far as you can throw a hippo.
Here are some ways to get there attention. It works!
Send Kenneth Chenault a certified package (usps) with your letter inside with your issue. Here is the adderess to use ( Kenneth Chenault, 65 Overlook Circle- New rochelle, NY 10804) also you can send to his office ( American Express -200 VESEY Street Suite #51 floor# 40-New York NY 10285.

I used American Express Credit card for over 5 years, it is un-limited credit card. I always made full payment until last year my econimal situation became worse. However I still made payment to meet the minimum payment request every month. But American Express suddenly reduced my limit to $3000 and stopped my using cash advance, which resulted me big inconvenience.

This month, I have a statement, due day is Dec.10, 2010. I got the statement late and made payment exactly on Dec.10. Since this card is linked with my ESSO speedpass, I found I couldn't fill the gas with speedpass. then I realized this card was suspended. I also use this card for cell phone automatically payment etc. The suspending my card has brought me trouble, I have to call and change credit card. My question is even they didn't receive the payment on time, they can charge me interest, why should they suspend my card? (My balance is only $1400, the limit is $3000.)

I have made full payment and decided cancelling this card.

I openned my AmEx Blue account with a balance transfer. Soon afterward AmEx told me that they were being required to carry the balance for life at 0% interest. I can only assume they got caught doing something wrong. So far so good. Then it went sideways. Amex screwed up payment #2. they result was a cascade of payment crediting foulups and repetitive charges and credits. Eventually AmEx admitted all was their fault and cleaned up most of the mess. Somehow in the process they lost over $800 in payments. I have been complaining for 2 years. Each time they don't bother to just do the math. They take a guess at what I will settle for and throw me a few dollars. I finally had them send me a complete billing history. I created a spreadsheet of the original balance minus all the payments and proved exactly what they are missing down to the penny. I sent them the spreadsheet. I did all the math for them. Explained it all in plain english in a letter. So far they have failed twice to understand. They have sent back inquiry closed letters with answers that have nothing to do with the inquiry I have filed or the information I have sent.

I would like to get this resolved, but in the end I will just pay them what I owe them and close the account.

I recently purcahsed American Express travelers checks in Chinese currency. They were not accepted at any restaurant or hotel. The only place that takes them is the Bank of China. Even there, the first branchIwent to would not take them. When I finally found a branch that would, the transaction required 3 people and 30 minutes. At a large branch in Shanghai, I had to beg tem to take the check. The transaction took over 30 minutes.
They are selling a product in the US that is uselss in China unless you want to spend your day looking for and at a bank.

I have been an AMEX customer since '07, used their green, platinum and now gold card. I move quite often and of course, I alway update my personal information for billing and shipping purposes. I average balance is between $5, 000.00 - $8, 000.00, which is always paid in full and on time. I have relocated to Washington, DC in May and have updated my address right away. Couple of weeks ago I wen to ATT store to purchase a phone, the charges were around $330.00 and the charge wasn't authorized. I have immediately received a call from AMEX 1800 number, asking me to confirm through their automated system that I was indeed the person making the purchase, which I did. I waited couple of minutes and told ATT rep to swipe the card again. Didn't go through again, so I called them back and talked to AMEX cust. svc. rep, she insured me that they are just making sure that it is me using the card. However I was so upset about the whole ordeal I just ended using my check card and left. Later on I called them again, I wanted to know what prompted this fraud alert. I have made a purchase (Tiffany & Co. in Tampa, FL, total charge over $7, 00.00) while I lived in Okahoma City and nobody ever considered calling me and making sure that it is me charging the card...The rep told me that this is just random fraud alert, didn't give me any details about what triggered this whole thing. I have explained to her that AMEX is the only credit card I have and use it every day, and since they denied a 300 charge, I don't feel comfortable using it every day, since I never know when it's going to work...I kinda got over it, thinking it is a one time unpleasant experience and moved on. Fast forward to this weekend (not even two weeks after ATT store visit). I tried to make a purchase online from Horchow.com (total of not more than $500.00) and my orders (two separate ones) got cancelled. Called Amex again, and was given the same speech about identity fraud and was told that I NEED TO FAX THEM MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, DL and UTILITY BILL in order to use the card, so they can confirm my identity. I was mad as hell but I did (except the SS card, I forgot) so after I faxed it I called them to confirm they received it and was told that it will take up to three day to review these documents and they will get back to me. She said that they need my SS card or my W2. After that I just completely lost it and didn't pick my words at all, if you know what I mean. I did tell her that I will get the SS card to them, wait until the end of the billing cycle, pay these idiots what I owe and CANCELING, CANCELING, CANCELING. AND DO NOT WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS EVER!

I received my first American Express card as a college student in 1982. The sole, thin plastic card in my wallet carried an important weight for me; I felt grown up and financially validated. Upon graduation I moved to New York, and as a young executive, I used my card with great pride. I often enjoyed a light meal and beverage at the newly opened Smith and Wollensky, sitting elbow to elbow with Manhattan’s business elite and proudly paying with my Green Card.

Over the years I was invited to receive many American Express products. I was an inaugural Optima cardholder, and my Green Card was upgraded to Gold and then subsequently Platinum. I fully enjoyed the benefits of the cards, which I felt were well worth the annual fee. Over time I used my American Express accounts to purchase hundreds of thousands of goods and services while maintaining each account in good standing. Through their OPEN program, I financed the growth of my small business, continually keeping my accounts in good standing.

Over the years, American Express changed many of their policies and the days of “no preset spending limit” were over. Credit lines were actively monitored and often reduced. Yet, this was perfectly understandable. Their website enhancements were exceptional, particularly the option to receive immediate credit for an online payment.
This is where the problem started. Although I had no current balance due on my Business Platinum Card, I made a $500 online payment on August 4th to provide additional funds for a trip I was taking to Spain. Due to a technical issue with my bank, the payment was returned, resubmitted, and my card was credited on the 6th. As I had a sizable credit line available, I felt comfortable using this card as the primary form of payment during my trip.

On the eve of my vacation, I received an email notifying me that my Optima card was canceled without any explanation. I still boarded the plane without concern as my other accounts were in good standing (as was the Optima card, however). I used my card frequently in Barcelona, until August 9th, when I was inundated with emails informing me that one card after another was being canceled. I made numerous calls to American Express seeking an answer. Each time I was graciously thanked for being a member since 1982, but also told that due to a returned, unpaid electronic payment my accounts were reevaluated and subsequently closed. I would deem the responses scripted and robotic. Nothing could be done to reinstate the accounts although they were all in good standing. Thankfully, the Business Platinum card I was carrying was not closed nor was my personal platinum card, which I had left at home. Each time I spoke to a representative, I explained that I was in Europe and needed access to my remaining account until I returned home.

On the evening of August 9th, quite literally when the hotel check was presented, I received an email that my business platinum account was closed. After a lengthy and embarrassing call to customer service in the middle of the establishment (again, with the same robotic response), my business associate paid the check. Later that evening, I again called customer service asking that they allow me to pay my hotel bill. After long delays, they reluctantly agreed. That was my last charge to the account.

When I returned to the states on August 9th, I called customer service and asked to speak to a supervisor. Repeatedly, I received the same robotic response. I asked myself if it truly made sense to humiliate a-28-year member based upon a purely algorithmic evaluation of my accounts. I attempted to rationalize the fact that the Business Platinum card required payment in full, which without fail I made on a monthly basis. In addition, the rather large annual membership fees would be lost, and of course there were thousands of dollars in expenditure charged to the multiple cards. The supervisor actually seemed truly compassionate. She stated that until just recently she had the authority to override a matter such as this but “those days are gone.” Since she worked with the OPEN accounts, she could not comment on my personal Platinum Card.
Over the next week, my personal platinum card remained active, and I repeatedly called American Express to ensure it was in good standing. On August 13th I spoke to an individual who assured me that may account was in good standing, but “to just be certain, ” I should wire the $1, 546 payment that was due. I followed these instructions and the account remained current. Days later I received notice that the account was closed. I made my last plea to an American Express supervisor, was again thanked for my many years as a card member, but “due to a returned payment” nothing could be done.

On August 20th I received a renewed personal Platinum card in the mail and was excited that American Express had reconsidered their position. I immediately called to activate the card and received the welcome response “your card is now ready to use.” I went out for lunch, and upon using the card to pay the tab, it was declined. Outraged, I again called a representative who was relatively speechless. She said it was sent in error and that the gentleman who suggested I send the wire transfer while assuring me the account was in good standing, had no authority to make such a commitment. I asked at a minimum the $25 wire fee be reimbursed, which she said she would look into. There has been no response to-date.

To make the situation even more horrific, I’ve incurred a $1, 097.35 fee for $500 in traveler’s checks I ordered on August 10th through the Members Reward program. With the assurance that my personal Platinum account was in good standing, I used 40, 000 points and was advanced the balance through the Membership Miles program. This allows a ward program member time to pay back the miles with future purchases. Never would I have done so if I was not assured my card was in good standing; the $1097 charge is a result of absolute deception on behalf of American Express.
As all my accounts have been closed and my 28-year relationship with American Express shattered, I enrolled all my accounts into a debt consolidation program. Seemed I had nothing to lose, I repeatedly lived up to my financial commitments with American Express, yet they choose to shun me. I found it truly absurd that at the end of each of my many customer service conversations, the representative was sure to ask, “is there anything else I can do for you?”

At a minimum, I think it just to be reimbursed for the $25 wire fee (the payment could have easily been made online for no fee), my accrued membership dues, and the outrageous $1097 “point advance fee, ” which was imposed with the knowledge all my accounts were to be closed. I would be happy to return the $500 dollar equivalence paid with advanced miles. Most of all, I would like to have either my personal or business platinum account(s) reinstated.
Is this practice legal? Are there laws in place to protect the consumer from unfair credit card penalties such as these? In one felt swoop can an outstanding card member of 28 years be chastised due to a simple ACH technicality while all accounts remained in good standing? Your assistance on gaining resolution to this matter will be greatly appreciated.