American Express Gift Cards Reviews

I was given an American Express gift card in the amount of $25. I tried twice to use it at two different grocery stores and both times it was declined. I called the 877 number to check the balance and the recording said it had a $0.00 balance. These gift cards are worthless junk!

I purchased total $125 in AmEX gift cards for daughter for Christmas. Well, we sent off the same day and now 3 weeks later they have never arrived and post office is saying they were probably stolen... so I called Amex and was told because I didn't write down all the #'s they couldn't help me or refund my money... Excuse me... They said, "Well, it's in the card holder agreement... What ** cardholder agreement... I think it's time for legal action against a company that loves ripping off people, doesn't mind that folks are defrauding others and screwing folks over. I have receipts but they only show last 4 digits of each card for my protection. Geez. I doubt the store I purchased from will do anything.

My card says expired, but the packaging says it never expires. I tried to use it at a grocery store and it just came up expired. I had to write a check and was embarrassed.

Someone bought my son an AMEX gift card for $100. After trying unsuccessfully to use it twice, I looked up the balance online. It said there were 2 $1 purchases (the 2x I tried to use it unsuccessfully). I called Amex and was told that in order to use the card online, I needed to register it first. This is NOT written anywhere on the card or sticker. I am told that the $2 will be refunded in 7 days, but my son needs the $100 now. It looks like I am stuck with a card worth $2 which is ridiculous!

Count me in as a RIPPED OFF consumer! Received $25 AmEx gift card in Aug 2008 as BDay gift. Tried to use in Dec. 2008 unsuccessfully. I opened the package, handed to cashier who told me it wouldn't work (3 swipes) and to call the number on the card. Called to find out I only have $15 left! In five months since I rec'd. I lost $10 on an unopened, unactivated card. Let's see if I can find a cashier who can make it work. Apparently, if you try to purchase something larger than the gift card amount, you have to pay the overage, then swipe the gift card. Who knew?! THESE SCAMS HAVE TO STOP. My sister lost $50 on three gift cards she had this month.

I recently purchased a $50 American Express gift card as a Christmas present for my sister. When I went to the American Express website to make sure the card was active it told me the card was invalid. On my third attempt (despite entering the information correctly all 3 times) the website informed me that the card was locked for security reasons and I could not check the balance or even find out if the card was active. My first call to customer service had me on hold 4 separate times for 10-20 minutes each. I was then informed that the card would NOT work and I would have to mail the card, a valid government photo ID, my purchase receipt and other personal information to Utah then wait ten days for a response though they never told me if they would return the card activated or send me a new one. When I pressed the CSR for an answer I was put on hold for the fifth time and then transferred to speak with a manager.

I recently purchased 2 $50 American Express gift cards from Walmart. One for myself, for online shopping and one as a Christmas present for my sister. When I tried to use my card to make an online purchase, it told me the card was invalid. I then went to the AE website, which also told me the card was invalid. Afterwards, I called customer service, was routed to another department, put on hold 4 times for nearly an hour altogether and then told that I had to mail the card, my receipt, some personal information and a valid government picture ID to Utah, then wait ten days after they receive the letter for them to check all this information. Then they would mail me their response (though when I asked if I would receive a new card or they would return the old one activated the CSR didn't seem to know the answer). It wouldn't have been so frustrating except it seems the gift card I intended for my sister's Christmas Gift is apparently invalid, too. So I can't use either card, get a refund from the retailer or get any kind of straight answer from Customer Service on when I would be able to use them (assuming that will ever happen).

Happy ending? I had the same problem that many have had. I received two $100 Amex Gift Cards, and wanted to purchase a watch for 44.98 at a website. I used my mailing address (as opposed to my billing address) and got a web page that said 'Sorry we could not process your order. The address provided does not match billing address.' Thank God they gave me the reason why. So I went back and changed the address on the order to my billing address and submitted again. Again the same decline message. That sucks. I went to the American Express website to see if I could change the address associated with the cards. I didn't but it did bring up my balance showing the TWO $44.98 charges.

Gift Card Expired before I was able to use it. Each time I called to authorize card, they said card was not good. On 9/30/08, last day of card I was told that card was used in Oct 12, 2008 at the Avenue for $19.00 and the remainder of the card was used in some kind of fee at $2.00 per month. Never used the card at all. It was a $25.00 gift card **. four#** Back of card #**. Please advise me. When I first tried to use the card in Virginia, Fairfax County, the clerk put the incorrect number in which was supposed to cancel the card, so I would be able to use the card after correction. Never happened. Will never give American Express Gift cards. I am also an american express credit card holder. I always pay on time if card used. Given this information to complain: American Express.com forward-slash gift card feedback. There is no such address for complaints. Thank you for your time.

I received a 50 dollar AMEX gift card for my birthday and went to spend it and was told there was a 0 balance on the card. The card was never used and I went back to Walgreens to tell them and was told since the buyer paid cash for it without the receipt they could do nothing. Again who got the money? And what a total rip-off this is. I will never buy a AMEX card again. I called them and was told they could do nothing without the receipt.

Before buying the card, I called their service number and they assured me I could use it in the internet, Paypal, everywhere. Nobody accepts it, not even two banks. I called again to complain. They can cancel it keeping 20% plus at least 20 working days. This is a scam. BEWARE.

amex gift cards biggest ripoff

Given two american express gift cards from my department 8/29/08 100.00 dollar value each for retirement. Opened it called phone number on card to activate, and was told you used your balence. I asked how if I just opened it. Have not opened the other one yet. I told the operator [their] company has agood scam going on stealing from the public with impunity.

I recently received an American Express Gift Card, could not find anywhere on their website or on the web at all that shows what businesses accept their card. Their website won't even allow you to send them an e-mail unless you register your card first

I received an American express gift card for $25.00. My husband has been a 40 year American Express Card user. We hve always be very satified with all services. However, this American Express card was lost for over a year. When it was found, I found out it was only worth $ 7.00. Why ? Some one already paid $ 25.00 for it. Why is it not still worth $ 25.00?

I bought a 25 dollar gift card tried to activate it the said I hard to go to the store I got it from that they need to activate it so i did they said that they did I ask well try it again they decined do help me the store was circle k so i called amex to get a refund no help at all. so to make it simple I lost 25 bucks and nobody cared, I will nver ever deal with amex ever and I hope others won't neither.

I bought a $25 american express gift card and i realized i cant use it for paypal so then i decide to go to 7-11 and use it to buy a different card it then gets denied so i go home and call them. then they tell me 7-11 needs to run it through as a credit card so i go back to 7-11 and ask them to try running it through as a credit card.

My husband and I travel frequently on business (at least 7 months out of the year) and we purchase gift cards as a backup to our credit cards. We do not like to travel with cash. After purchasing several last month (July 2008) and having at least 3 of them not fund correctly, I can sympathize with all the complaints I read here. I was frustrated, furious and very short tempered after the 9th call to resolve the problem.

I also purchased a gift card. I had $19 left, which a food store said 'transaction declined.' Why????

My son purchased several AX gift cards for our use. There are virtually no instructions with the card. When I went to the grocery store, which was busy, the clerk couldn't get it to work. Luckily I had my cell phone, so I called AX, got a recording that said that if the amount I was purchasing was over the gift card amount, I had to pay cash first for the overage, THEN use the gift card for the exact amount. GEE, why didn't I think of that?

I purchased a $50 AMEX gift card from my local branch Bank of America and ten days after the purchase I gave it as a wedding gift. The gift card was in a envelope with the wedding card and it was placed on the gift table at the reception. The day after the wedding I found out that the couple never received the envelope so I immediately called AMEX to report it lost or stolen. AMEX said that I need the card # so I should contact the merchant that sold me the card. I did so but according to the merchant, they only have the # AMEX provided on the receipt. For security purposes NOBODY has access to the actual card # except the purchaser.

This is my story about a gift card that was a Christmas gift for a 4yo boy who had a 50.00 limit. The card was used twice and I had no problem using until yesterday I called and got a balance and I was in the good 20.00 so I went to use it and it got declined.

I purchased an American Express gift card which never activated properly. Luckily I have all my receipts. However, I need to fax everything to them and wait ten business days for them to decide on what happened. They have my $100's but I don't want their card anymore. I want a total refund. I payed for a service I never received.

I had purchased several gift cards for employee incentive. Throughout the year I had three remaining, but I had noticed they were expired. I called to have new cards issued and sent. Only one arrived. The second card never did and Amex was supposed to give me a credit to my American Express credit card, they never did. The third card ended up in the hands of a stranger. AMEX tried to blame the fraudulant charges on me! They sent the card to the wrong address and they tried to stick me with the charges!

I was given an American Express gift card for $100.00 for my college graduation. I used the card a couple of times for small purchases at fast food restaurants, but then it was declined with a remaining balance of $77.84 on the card. I called customer service on 07/02/08 to report the problem. I was told that the card had been properly funded (meaning they received payment for it), but that something wrong in the activation process. They needed to report this to their processing team and I should call back for a resolution in 2-3 business days. I called back on 07/08/08... no resolution yet... Call tomorrow.

KEEP YOUR RECEIPT! I got a $100 American Express gift card in August 2007 for my daughter's birthday. It was given by a priest who came from Taiwan to visit us. He purchased it from Vons with cash plus the fee for purchasing it. After a week of receiving the card, I tried using it at a local retailer and the card was declined. I called in and a rep told me that the card hasn't been activated yet and it will be by the next day. She thought it was odd because I've had the card for 1 week already as it was supposed to get activated the day it was purchase. I tried using it 2 weeks later and the card was still declined. So, I called customer service and talked to a supervisor and was told that the card was invalid and has a balance of $0.

We called the 877 number which was hard to make out as it was pressed in on the exact line of the card imprints making it almost impossible to read. We eventually got a hold of someone who verified one of the cards and responded with this card has no value as we had to take back $2 per month since you had not used the card that was activated in May of 2006. Oh by the way you got a year free of this charge. This was obviously news to us since the card had clearly indicated an expiration date of 08/08. I feel that any person(s) looking at the packaging of this gift card would have no idea that there is a penalty of any amount for not using the card, the deception occurs due to the misleading expiration date written in large clearly visible lettering on the package and not the small print cleverly minimized to deceive. As an example if a $25 card loses total value due to this fee prior to the expiration date as occurred in our case, why have this false expiration date imprinted at all, did they not know of their own math. I think American Express is deserving of the exposure and proper inquiry and full application of the law in order to stop this sort of practice, I hope someone in congress or place of proper authority has them under a magnifying glass and will hold their feet to the fire.

Upon purchasing an American Express gift card I was charged and additional $4.95 fee to activate it. I am appalled that I would have to pay to purchse a gift card. No other businesses charge to purchase their gift cards. American Express is making an unfair profit.

I was given a couple of American Express gift cards a few months ago and had never gotten around to using them until last week-end. The merchant to whom I submitted the cards said both were declined. I looked at the card to see if there was a customer service number. There was no phone number so I went onto the American Express gift card website. I found a page that would supposedly tell me the balance and history of use on the card. After I typed in the card number the site told me my time on the site had expired and I was kicked off the page. I went through the same routine several times with the same result.

I married on June 14th and received two gift cards in the amount of $100 each from separate family members. While using one card for on online transaction, card was returned as declined. Reattempted orignal card as well as second $100 card and both continued to be declined. Went online to amercicanexpress.com/giftcard and was horrified to discover that both cards were showing a balance of $0. You could see that the cards were used in fact on June 9th at an Enterprise Rent-a-car. Both cards, which came from 2 different families, each unopened until by meself until just earlier that day.

I purchased a gift card about 3 months ago as a gift for one of my customers. She reported to me that the crd was not valid. After calling AMEX I was told to issue a fax, copy of the card, etc. About 2 weeks later I got a call from AMEX wanting to re-issue the card. The phone number given to me was bogus. I still have not got my money back. I stopped buying AMEX gift cards and do not recommend that anybody buy them

I purchased a gift about months ago as a gift for one of my customers. She reported to me that the crd was not valid. After calling AMEX I was told to issue a fax, copy of the card, etc. About 2 weeks later I got a call from AMEX wanting to re-issue the card. The phone number given to me was bogus. I still have not got my money back.

I received an AMerican Express Gift Card for my birthday on April 19, 2008. When I attempted to use it on the 27th of April, the card was declined. I called AE and was told that I would have to fax a copy of the card, receipt, and information about myself for them to review. The said this review would take 10 business days.

I received an AMerican Express Gift Card for my birthday on April 19, 2008. When I attempted to use it on the 27th of April, the card was declined. I called AE and was told that I would have to fax a copy of the card, receipt, and information about myself for them to review. The said this review would take 10 business days. I received a letter saying that I would be receiving the gift card in 5-10 business days. I am still waiting.

Like on May 3rd I ordered AMEX gift cards for my grown daughters for their birthdays totaling $750. On May 8th I got an email confirming they'd been personalized and shipped. I still haven't seen them, but have been given the runaround from South Asia, the Philippines, British Columbia and Salt Lake City call centers all extending the date I should wait for it. Today was to be the last day I should expect them. And there's no contact information I trust to get my VISA credited back with the money I spent.

Last Fall I received an $200 American Express gift card from a lady whose mother was dying. I used it once. I could not see the number to call to get the balance because it was imprinted over with other information. I have tried unsuccessfully to use the card many times. I don't really have the time to play around with this. I just want to know what balance I have on it and where they will accept it. The card is valid until 09/08 supposedly.

About 2 months ago, we started receiveing Travel and Leisure Magazine, which we have never ordered. On this month's statement there is a fraudulent charge for $41.34 for this subscription. I tried to report the fraud at the Amex website, where I pay my bill. After I provided some details, and clicked submit I received a message box saying that I would have to call about this problem.

I received a $25 gift card for baby shower. When I went to use it, it was declined. I checked my balance online, and it said $0. I was unable to get an email address for customer service because I do not have an Amex credit card. When I called customer service, they said that I needed the receipt from when it was purchased. It was a gift! Why would I have the receipt?

I received a $50 Amex gift card two weeks ago. I tried to use this card at a local sporting goods store that was going out of business. I tried to make a purchase of $49.35 . The card was declined at the register. When I got home I checked the balance on the card: it showed .35 left. When I FINALLY reached a real person at Amex , they explained that the funds were on hold until the store approved the transaction, and that in 3 to 7 days the money would be credited back to the card. Great. Problem solved, right? WRONG! After 6 days, the money wasn't returned , so I called Amex again. The guy was nice and told me that the money would be back on the card by Saturday midnight. I explained to the guy that if it wasn't credited by then, I would have a big problem because the business was closing their doors Saturday for good. He told me to call the store, and that I'd get a refund back later, that they would not charge the gift card. I did so.

I purchased a $100 gift card in Florida at a CVS in November to send my brother who lives in Nevada, as a birthday gift. He called me to tell me the card had no funds when he tried to use it. After calling the American Express Company and getting no help, he mailed it back to me in Florida so I could resolve the matter. I went to CVS, and they said they could not refund me the money. Then I called American Express, and they told me that I could fax in the copy of my driver's license, receipt of purchase and copies on the front and back of card and packaging. I did that and still have not been refunded. When I called the company again in January, I was told that a new replacement card had been mailed to me on January 8th. I never got the card in the mail. I have yet to receive the card or be reimbursed.

I bought my son a $100 Amex Gift Card gift card; he used it to by gas and food at a gas station. He spent $23.00, and when he went back into gas station to use it to by a soft drink, the card was declined saying it had a $0. balance. When he called American Express their response was, "That has been happening to people who bought their cards around Christmas"--and their was nothing that could be done. I bought the card February 8, 2008, at a Rite Aid. I know this isn't Rite Aid's fault, and American Express isn't accepting the fault.

Unless your recipient will use the card immediately and in one shot, give cash instead! There is a $2/mo. service fee, a $5.95 replacement fee for lost/stolen card, and you must know exactly the value you have left in the card to use it. I got a $50 gift card after my baby was born. I used it for a $19.99 + tax purchase right away. Then, I tried to use it again a few months later. I was drilled about the EXACT amount left in the card (and many stores could not even process the card). After about a year of trying to use the gift card at various stores, I finally got a store clerk to call Amex, and guess what? I have $1.22 left after all of the monthly fees.

I went online to buy an Amex gift card and send it out as a belated birthday gift. I was given several choices of cards (all cost different amounts) and there was no indication that there was a difference between them besides their physical appearance. When I tried to complete my order I was unable to enter the shipping address. I then found that my order had been irrevocably placed and that I was unable to review it or its details. So I called customer service. After being transfered I was told that the type of card I chose had to be sent to me. They would allow me to order a second card and send it where ever I wanted, but the first card couldn't be refunded until I received it in the mail.

I used a $50 gift card then threw it away thinking I was done with it. Turns out I had to return product and the $50 was put back on the card. When I called AMX to have a new card issued with my $50 on it, I was told they couldn't retrieve the card# even though I had the last four digits of the card. I know this isn't correct because every gift card/credit card can be traced through those last four #s.

I bought a $25 American Express card from Staples in Frederick, Maryland before Christmas. I didn't give it to anyone and tried to use it. The card was rejected. The instructions say if activation is needed, it will say so on the front of the card. It said nothing about activation. I called American Express and they said since I don't have the receipt they won't investigate. They blame Staples for never notifying them, but of course they had not investigated it. I called back to Staples and they said the got a corporate communication from headquarters nationwide that many stores were reporting unactivated cards. If you don't have the receipt, Staples or AmEx gets to keep the money.

On November 28, 2007 I requested AMEX to exchange balance of $100 gift card for cash value since I held on to the card longer than 12 mos. which is when you start getting hit with monthly fees. Balance was $50 and was getting lower due to non-activity. By mid December, I had still not received my check. I called 4 times between December,2007 and January, 2008. 1/10/08 Customer rep states stop payment was processed on 1/8/08 and AMEX had 14 days to deliver. 1/23/08 Customer rep states AMEX has 27-30 days not 14 days to deliver. Asked to speak with a manager, got no where.

I've tried to use my $100 American Express gift card at 2 different websites and have been turned down because the billing address is not mine. It seems the American Express Gift card is too difficult to use.

I was given a $25 gift card for Christmas. On 01/06/08 I purchased something which cost $12.84. I went a few days later to use the same gift card at the food store and was told there was no money on the card. I went back to the first store and was told by their supervisor that after checking their receipts the problem did not lie with them but with AmEx.

I got a $100 gift card for Christmas. I have tried two times to use it and it keeps being declined. I had to use my money, which I was supposed to use for something else. I would not have gone the store if I did not have the gift card.

Received a $100 gift card, activated per the instructions. I tried to use it a Circuit City, but their checkout computer showed the gift card number to be invalid, so I had to pay with my credit card. The clerk at Circuit City peeled the label off while trying to get the card to work so I no longer have the customer service number. A check on the web site indicates the card still has a balance of $100.

I received a $25 card as a gift from my daughter. Every time I tried to use it it wasn't accepted. I then found out I had to activate the card so I called, punched in the 15 digit number and the recording said thank you. I called to check the balance and was told I had $0 balance. I called the number again to activate the card. This time the recording told me my card was now activated. I waited until the next day to call for my balance and to check if the card was finally activated. The recording again told me that I had $0 balance.

I purchased an American Express Gift Card on 12-16-07. The cashier had difficulty activating the card. A supervisor came alone and over-rode the transaction and said that the card was activated. I live a distance from the store. When I arrived home I tried several times to check the balance on the card. I was unable to do so, receiving the message that the card was not activated. This was on the Internet and by telephone. I could never reach a real person to talk with. I returned the card to the store on 1-5-08, and they stated that they could not refund the card.

I received a $100 AMEX gift card as a gift in December, 2006. I went to use it on Saturday only to find out that 25% of the card had already been taken as service fees from AMEX. I find this to be ridiculous. At this point in time, I plan to cancel my AMEX credit card immediately.

I recieved an American Express $25 gift card for Christmas (it is now Jan. 04)and looked online to find out how to check the balance. I found this website first and read some of the complaints. I proceeded to call the 800 number immediately to see if my balance had suffered. And yes apparently due to unuse, my card now held a balance of $23. How ridiculous! I never even touched it and it lost money!

I received an American Express gift card. I used the card once and had a balance left on it. I attempted to use it several times but it was declined. I could not call them because the phone number on the back is not readable because Gift Card Recipient is stamped over it, how convenient. I finally went on line, called them and found out that I have to keep track of my balance on the card after each use. Then I can only use the card for the exact amount left on the card. This is a scam!

I received a $50 AmEx gift card from a business vendor. I tried make a large purchase by using the card up to the $50 amount and paying the balance with cash or another credit card, but the stores (Macy's, Target) refused to combine types of payment. I had to fritter away the $50 on purchases less than the ever decreasing amount on the card. I tried to use the balance yesterday and was told that it expired. I was under the impression that California law prohibited the $2 monthly processing fee, but apparently my balance was used up on processing fees.

I too bought several AMEX gift Cards to give to my wife for Christmas. She went to use them a few days after Christmas, and they were declined. The Longs drugstore in Livermore California where I bought them would not refund our money and were not interested in helping us. We called AMEX, and we were told to photocopy everything including driver's license and send in for investigation. I asked the service rep, "What about all these trace numbers and reference ID's on the activation receipt? Can't you use these numbers to track the activation?"

I made a $46.35 purchase on a $50.00 gift card. When I went to use the $3.65, card came up with no funds. Looked up my available funds, came up as negative $5.62. Called AMEX; they said the restaurant automatically takes a gratuity. Called the restaurant, they said they did NOT. Called Amex; they said, "OH, Amex does that automatically, and it should re-appear on your balance in 48 hours." I mentioned this is not written or posted ANYPLACE. It was embarrassing going to the second location and telling them the balance, asking them to split a payment and then having nothing on the card. AMEX is just hoping people will not notice, and they keep making a few dollars off each card. This is horrendous business for such a large company.

This is the second time I receive an American express gift card. The first card I had trouble activating never got used. The second I received as a gift from one of my customer's in the U.S.

I purchased 5 American Express gift cards at Circle K. Each gift card was for the amount of $50.00 + $4.95 activation fee. Two of them are not working. American Express customer service person contacted by telephone stated that the merchant did not scan the cards properly. I have receipts from Circle K stating that they were activated. I used my credit card to make this purchase.

I bought a $100 American Express Gift Card one year ago for a friend. When she tried to use the card almost a year later, the card had never been activated. I called the number on the back of the card and talked to 3 different representatives at different times. They told me that I had to have the receipt, which I do not. They told me that I could fax a complaint to American Express; however, the number they gave me was to a voicemail not a fax.

The ability for consumers to utilize American Express Gift Cards is quite limited. Many businesses are unable to accept the gift cards even if they generally accept AmEx credit cards, like gas stations, Pay pal, online retail outlets, ATM's and ebay.

My father-in-law purchased us three $50 gift cards for Christmas. We were able to use the first one and half of the second one at another store. When I went to use the last half of the second card but it was declined. I checked the balance, and there is still money on it, I just can't use it anywhere.

I just read opinions on the American Express Gift Card.... Sadly, I am not alone. I agree these are extremely tricky to use. I hadn't realized that I needed to calculate to the penny what I spend on the card in order to use the remaining balance. If you are a cent over, the card will be declined. The number on back for customer service is distorted by the raised card numbers. I have found that most merchants don't even except these cards. Apparently too much trouble. I have been given these cards from a friend who was helping me out in a time of need. I wouldn't dare complain to her. I have one I intend to use for food shopping tomorrow. I cross my fingers all goes well at the supermarket or Christmas dinner will be a mess.

I got an American Express gift card for $100, and in many shops it was not accepted. Finally a shop accepted it, and it was 0 balance. It took awhile to find out who to call, telephone number hidden in the instructions. I called, and they told me that someone will get back to me in 48 hours; but we need to do our Christmas shopping. They finally let me speak to another person; she told me that I need to get the receipt since their records show that this card was never sold. We did not get the receipt with the gift (was from a business partner). It is very embarrassing to ask for the receipt. At AME they were not very helpful and blamed it all on us, no responsibility on their side. They sell these cards for significant fees and ongoing service charges, and then they give no service--in fact, steal our money. I basically lost $100.

I have 3 gift cards that I was awarded from my employer. I have yet to be able to use one of them. The only phone # listed is an automated phone with canned info. I checked online; the card for $25.00 has zero funds in it, no history of usage and it does not expire until 03/08. No way to find out why there is zero balance. Another one for $50.00 has a balance of $40.00; it expires in 03/08 and I have never used it.

I was given a $500 personalized American Express Gift Card as a holiday bonus. After trying to make a purchase online from levis.com one late evening, the card was declined. I checked my AMEX gift card balance the next morning to find the balance was reduced. I called levis.com and they stated the AMEX policy only allows you to place funds back onto the card the SAME DAY. Since it's the next morning, I'll have to wait 7-8 business days!

Wow, after reading a small fraction of these complaints I will NOT being purchasing AMex gift cards for our employees this Christmas. Thanks to all who took the time to enter your experiences.

American Express should put an issue date not just an expiration date on Gift Cards so you know when the card fees will begin - ie. 12 months after issued. I saw a valid thru date of 12/2007 on gift card when I went to use it before Dec 2007 the card was used up by the $2/month fee. I thought the Valid thru date was when the fee started since the cards supposedly never expire but fees actually started 12 months after issue date (again not disclosed to consumer on card). AMEX leaves that info off the card and makes it hard to tell when thet start taking money back.

I received (and lost) $500 worth of American Express Persona gift cards, (5) x $100. When I went to use them they had expired. There is absolutely no way to get them reinstated. I was under the impression that California law prevented any gift certificate from having an expiration date? I guess not if you are a big enough company like AMEX. Guess they just keep the $500 and pay a big bonus to someone for dreaming up the expiration scam. Warning to anyone looking for a way to issue rewards to employees or customers: Stay far away from this product!

My daughter sent me a $50 Amerocan Express gift card for my birthday, and I phoned Amex to make a payment with this card. They told me that is not an option available to me. If it is their card, still sealed, and the monies go right back to them, I cannot understand why it is not accepted. It is still $50 and supposed to be fluid.

My temperature was elevated to dangerous levels because this kind of cheapness makes me so angry. Just wanted to vent. Thanks.

I signed up for Telus High Speed Internet on June 18/07 and was offered $300 American express gift card as easy as 1,2,3. I was to expect them in two weeks. I waited as days went by as it sliped my mind by the second week of july. I called telus and informed them of their offer to me. Telus gave me the number to American express.I then called.

I had to pay for purchase of a used leather couch. Since my checking account had issues, based on the request of the seller I decided to purchase 3 AMEX gift cards of 100$ each and give it to him. I gave him the 3 cards, only to know after a week from him that the cards did not have any funds on them. When I call up the AMEX customer care, they told me that the cards that were purchased was already used by someone else. Now the seller came back to me asking for money instead of the non-working cards.

I am with almost every one on this site that expresses despair over the acts of the american express gift cards, except for the one person that had the audacity to claim it is our fault as the consumer that this well known company is ripping us off. Hello!!!?! Of course none of these ridiculous restrictions are stated on the outer envelope, and you cannot open the envelope before purchase...so, you tell me, pal, how is this the consumers fault? I am livid!

This first of all is very embarrassing! I am out $100 which I work very hard for.

I got a $100 gift card that I used many times. When it got down to $10 nobody would accept it. Apparently American Express charges the stores some kind of extra fee when these cards are used.

I have lost two gift cards of 100 $ from American express which were purchased at CVS Pharmacy in Larchmont. Wth the receipt numbers, I called many times American Express which absolutly did not care of the situation, Cvs was kind enought to try to help me but it seems that once the card issold, there is no way to retrace the card information. What a way to make business!!

I bought a $50 American Express gift card to be used as a card to subscribe to a online game called EVE-ONLINE only to find out that i cant register it under my name and it wont work for online recurring subscribtions.

Received two gift cards, with value $100 each. Tried using them at a restaurant-- both were denied. After using an alternative credit card, called AMEX at 1877AXPGIFT. After ~10 minutes on hold, learned the following:

good money that my sister spent on buying this card for me is not lost to American Express Co! This must be illegal!

I had recently lost my amex giftcard.I had called amex several of times they could'nt and did'nt help me,they gave me a hard time.I even called the place of purchase they did not help either.I am really upset,knowing I still had some balance left.

We received a $25 American Express gift card from our daughter. When we tried to use it at a major home-improvement/hardware chain store, they could not read the amount on the card. If there is a phone number in the fine print on the back of the card, it has been obliterated by the embossed lettering punched through to show on the front.

I got a 50 dollar american express gift card for my birthday, only to find out that it cannot be used in canada, which is stupid because i should be able to use it wherever amex cards are accepted, but i also found out that i cant use it online.

The gift card I was given still has money on it to be spent but when I enter it into your system it will not accept the numbers on the card. They are as follows: 379017293272933 with secutiry code 816. I also tried to use it in the store and it would not go through their system.

I received American Express Gift Cards, which were paid for by the giver and included a fee. I used the card initially within the first 12 months, but did not get a chance to use it thereafter. When I went to check my balance I discovered my balance eaten up by fees, although the card does not expire for another year.

My wife purchased 2 gift cards for our daughter to take with her on a school trip. 2 days later while shopping with friends, her purse, with the cards in it, was stolen. None of the personnel at american express have shown any willingness to help. We have basically been told, too bad, we are sorry, but we cannot help you. We were told to go to where my wife purchased the cards, in order to get the card numbers. The Kroger's, where the cards were bought does not have that info.

The most inept, incompetent customer service I have ever encountered. They don't seem to care much what the public thinks of them. We rcvd a $500 gift card the last week of Feb. We used it on the 28th abd then went to use it again on 3/1. It had expired on 2-28 (that is the only part that is not the customer service centers fault). I immediately called to see if we could get a replacement card for the remaining 451.90. I was assured that I would have the card in 10 business days.

Nothing was purchased, My sons' phones are still out of time, I'm out 21 bucks for a week, and AMX was no help at all- pretty much of a Sorry, Pal attitude from them.

Bought two Amex gift cards valued at $25 and $50 respectively, thinking they'd be much better than actually owning a CC. Big mistake! No one, and I really mean NO ONE will accept these cards anywhere, whether it'd be online or at any store. They're useless. But here's the best part of it all: when I called AMEX to get a refund and/or ask for advice on what to do, STACY told me I had a balance left of get this: $4.60 on the one card and a $1 on the other one!!!! How so was my question, when I hadn't used neither nor! She said that I could get a refund AFTER both card's expiration date, that being October of '08 and here I am calling on March of '07!!!

I bought an $100 AMEX gift card recently just so I could make some purchases online. Only to find out that Paypal wouldn't accept AMEX and many other sites that don't accept it as well. The day before I made a purchase online from a website and right after I submitted my payment my order status showed failed. I had no idea why but $70 was already deducted from my card. I don't know what's going on with these but I'm having a hard time using them. Another annoying this is that I couldn't add in my personal cardholder info so the only way is to call AMEX. All I know is that AMEX can be very frustrating sometimes because many websites don't accept or if they do the first is that your $ gets deducted before your order is complete, which is very inconvenient because then you would have to contact the merchant to resolve problems which take even longer.

Last year, I purchased an AmEx gift card for my parents to use in Florida. My mom used the card for a purchase of $29.93 on Jan. 24, 2007. The sales clerk retained her card with NO explanation The clerk refused to tell her how much was left on the card. I haven't received any money from AmEx as a remaining balance. Mom thinks the clerk kept her card to use the remaining balance herself. Is there any way to check?

It's March 2007, but I, too, failed to read the fine print, written in tiny italics at the bottom of the envelope in which the card came. An American Express gift card could be reduced by $2.00 each month if the giftee hasn't used the card within 12 months of purchase.

I was given a $50 American Express Gift Card for Christmas and tried to use it at JCPenney's yesterday.The saleslady was very nice, but couldn't figure out how to use the card in the transaction because it kept rejecting it. Another sales person came along to help her, and I was there 2 hours. They had to void the transaction twice and try again. They tried to call AmerExp several times, but each time a recording said they had an unusually high volume of calls (isn't that what they all say?) and to call back in an hour.

I purchased a $100.00 AMEX gift card from a CVS in Florida for my sister in NY which I then mailed to her for her birthday. My sister tried to use the card for the first time and it apparently was not activated by AMEX. Called AMEX they told me to take the sleeve and receipt showing the card had been activated back to CVS, went to CVS they told me there was nothing they could do the receipt said activated and to call AMEX.

American Express gift cards are a waste of money. Do not give them as gifts. Many times I have tried to use the balance on my card only to have it declined. Now when I look at the balance, if has been used up for monthly service fees. The only reason there was a balance on the card was because every time I tried to use it, it was declined.

We received the American Express Gift Card with a $100 balance. Activating it via the toll-free number was painless, and I was not charged an activation fee.

We received 2 American Express gift cards as gifts. We do not know and cannot determine the value of the cards. Virtually every vendor that this card has been presented to for payment has refused to accept the card. The card and American Express present no direct mailing information, no phone contact information, and no way to pursue anything regarding the card online. These gift cards are a painful, tortuous experience for consumers.

The law firm I work at recently started giving AMEX gift cards as birthday presents for the employees, in lieu of a cake. I was thrilled to receive a $25 gift card for my birthday. When I called the 800 number to activate the card, it stated that the card was already activated and nothing more needed to be done. However when I tried to use the card at Chili's restaurant, it was declined. I again tried to use the card at Bed, Bath & Beyond and it was declined there as well.