Complain about a product or service

American Express

Platinum Card

Natalie of San Jose, CA August 1, 2009

I had been American Express Platinum cardholder since 2000 and used it every my Costco shopping, I have never had any late payments and debts as a cardholder. However, when I used it at the Costco Store, they told me it was declined!! I called the customer service for the reason, the rep said nothing was wrong to my account and it maybe caused by the length of time accounts have been established. Even they closed my account roughly but the balance is showing -9.83 dollars of Costco Store's reward.

The amex is linked with my Costco membership, so I tried to apply for it again and my application also was canceled!!! I don't understand how they could close my account without any late payments and debts. I am thinking the board of amex has some wrong policy and roughed cardholders. I also want to report it to the federal government for their violence to cardholders. I wonder if the amex will be out of business in the near future by those stupid policy!!

Michael of Tinley Park, IL July 14, 2009

I need your urgent help please! I have been an American Express Customer since 1985. I tried to use my card on July 3, 2009 to pay my business cellular phone bill and found out that my AMX account had been cancelled that morning. I use my AMX card only for business expenses, all of which are reimbursed to me by my employer. I had just paid off my balance with AMX, which at the time was probably about a week late, but my company took more than normal in time to reimburse me for my office expenses. It doesn’t happen often but did this time. I thought that was why my AMX account had been cancelled. When I called AMX, I was told even though my account was paid up with AMX, it was because my Credit Record is not good.

Yes, my credit record is not good due to a very costly divorce and medical expenses for my daughter. However, my mortgage payment, car payments, and my AMX payments have been kept up and are current. Now that American Express has arbitrarily cancelled my account, my job is in serious jeopardy. I don’t use other credit cards because my credit is not good but I have to use AMX for my business expenses, such as Airline, hotel, office expenditures, all of which are reimbursed by my company I work for.

I don’t make enough money to front expenses for travel for business and my company does not issue corporate credit cards for their sales people. We are to use our own cards and put in for reimbursement. I have applied for a Visa Card but I know that my limit will only be 250 which certainly does not help me with business travel expenses. Now that I no longer have an American Express Card, and I can not obtain another type of credit card due to my bad credit rating, I will not be able to travel for my company business nor operate my home office. I will certainly lose my job if this becomes evident to my company. I don’t know which way to turn, except to ask you to please reinstate my account with American Express so that I may keep working. I have been a customer for 24 years! I will continue to only use the card for business purposes all of which are reimbursed to me by my employer.

john of methuen, MA July 8, 2009

I was a cardholder since 1993. I own a business, so i had a platinum card. My history with them was always the same charged a lot got larger over the years up to 29,000 a month, also had a blue card. I paid my bill sometimes not on time, but within a week they alway got the money. That is the way it always was. I had the volume and was always told that it was ok.

About 2 years ago i was talked into using amex for everything ..parts utilities anything i could think of. THey called some of my vendors who did not except amex,the reason they should. and used me as an example. All of the time i starting building up good mileage. Use it a few times, but was saving most of it for when i retire. Was up to 400,000 points. Last year i had a state tax lien put on my credit,it was there for a few months, it has been resolved. But they took that oppurtunity to bail out on me. They closed my accounts without notice so could not touch my points. And they told me i could never get them back.It is in small print they could do that.

After some time passed and my point where gone they offered me another card with a 500 limit, they want to start over. There crazy. my point should be mine, i could have used another card got points there and would still have them. That is a bad practice, what if went another 20 years using there card and got hurt harder when i really needed it.

Jennifer of westport, CT July 5, 2009

I have been an American Express cardmember for 13 years. I have a gold card and a platinum card. I just built a restaurant and spent 55,000 on the card in two months, I did this so could get the points to use for traveling. I paid the card off weekly, sometimes twice a week because they set a limit on my card of 5,000. I never owed them any money or had a balance. They recently reviewed my credit report and cancelled my card without telling me. I only found out when I tried to use my card and it was declined in a store.

When I called customer service to see why it was declined, the rep said the account looked fine, and there was no balance due so that she would have me hold on so she could check into it. When the rep came back she told me both my amex cards had been cancelled! Their reason was that I had a high debt to income ratio. They never sent me a letter or anything! I currently accept american express cards in my restaurant, but on monday morning I am calling their merchant services department to cancel that account. I am stunned that they would want to drop a customer who pays their bills!

Mike of White Salmon, WA July 4, 2009

I have had Amercian Express since 2002 and previous to that also. Have always paid on time. this past year I had a few slow payments now, they cancelled my Platinum card that had no balance,and said that debt to income was too high, and wanted to "requalify" me for an additional 25 fee, I complained, said I had already paid a 100 membership fee earlier this year.

I smell a big rat here, I think they got all of the bail out money and are just cleaning house, and damaging alot of long term customers in the process. I think additional class actions should be filed until they understand that they cant screw long term customers. I will never reapply to them again, too bad, everyone gets a bailout but the business people that keep everything going.

then they ask me if I'm an Amercian citizen. What an insult, the real insult is the customer service reps from INDIA, PHILLIPINES, or whatever, they should call themselves SORTA AMERICAN EXPRESS

Steve of Stephenville, TX June 30, 2009

It appears that I am joining the crowd who have been mistreated concerning their American Express Platinium Card account. I have had a 40,000 credit line for several years and recently had a balance on the account of approx. 20,000. Three months ago I was informed that my limit was dropped to 30,000 for no apparent reason. I called AMEXCO and was informed that my income credit ratio was the reason for the decrease. I reluctanly accepted and understood. However, the following month the limit was again dropped to approx. 20,000. Called AMEXCO and was told the ratio reason again.

I then paid down the card approx. 5,000 resulting in a balance of approx. 15,000 thinking I would have 5,000 worth of credit to utilize if I needed it. The following month I received another email that decreased my credit limit to approx. the balance I had on my card resulting in a +/- 60.00 credit available. The sequence of events seem to be totally unfair. I have been penalized for paying down my credit card balance.

Also, as most others have mentioned, I have never been late on any of my credit card payments for at least the 17 years that one of my credit bureau claims to have record of. What if I paid the balance to 100.00, will my new limit be 100.00. I hope letters like these will allow AMEXCO to improve their customer service for their future business and to minimize burning their bridges with many of their loyal long time cardholders.

john of Camarillo, CA June 16, 2009

After 9 years they cancelled my platinum card. Seems like I am not alone here but what a racket. They gloriously waited until I paid my annual membership fee. Oh was there any delinquencies? No. They merely claimed they didn't like my debt to income ratio. Sorry, but they have no idea what I am making and I never miss any payments for anything. Funny I often make double payments on my car loan even.

I am perplexed on how they cam by this decision and of course the customer service person knows nothing. Can you say lost customer for LIFE. Obviously this credit crisis has them on their knees but one day this will pass and I expect when the storm blows over they will be trying to rekindle these relationships they are severing.

alice of san francisco, CA June 11, 2009

They without any notice to close my account. I'm Cosco wholesale Club member, I pay off the balance every month, I don't have any debt with other credit card. When I contact them, they said because economy low. Cosco wholesale also receive many customer complain about their American express credit card was close.

Russ of San Ramon, CA May 28, 2009

Having been an American Express card Plat member for 13 years I found out I had been cancelled when I went to use my card. I happened to be out to lunch with a perspective client. Needless to say I called immediately and was told I had been cancelled. The rep, while I imagine just doing their job, knew nothing, and was absolutely useless when I asked to speak to a manager but did want me to settle the balance then and there. I laughed and let them know I knew when it was due and they would get their payment the day it was due. American Express has now slipped into the muck with Discover Card and other low end service cards. Very sad. No notification and the inability to get a manager on the phone is beyond unacceptable.

Slavik of West Sacramento, CA May 23, 2009

American Express cancelled on me with out notification of cancellation. I was their customer for 5 years, always paid in full, never ever late and used their card everywhere I went. I never go to sign up for another American Express in my life. I did sent complaint letter to FTC and FDIC for improper cancellation. Currently I’m pleased using my local bank credit card. I’m sure that any credit company will be happy to have a customer that pays on time and in full.

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