There are over 15403 complaints on file for AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY. Dated between 2019-12-13 and 2011-12-01.
2018-06-20
Glendale, CA
Problem during payment process
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-20
CA
Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Complaint: American Express Prepaid Card was issued to me for {$1000.00} as a reimbursement for flight cancellation. The card represents Prepaid Rewards, ( a ), there is no reward program for use of the card as advertised, ( b ), when I attempted to utilize the card to pay the outstanding balance on my American Express Credit Card ( 30 year card holder ), it was refused. Clearly, for each transaction I charge on the non-reward prepaid card ( advertised as a reward card ), I loose rewards on the credit card which has rewards. Further, where the card is prepaid ( funds on deposit with American Express Bank ), the movement of the funds from one account to another has no risk and no expense. By forcing the use of the prepaid card with merchants there is an expense to the consumer ( me ), with no reward benefit as ascribed to the credit card. Pursuant to the Prepaid Card Rules this is a violation of the rules in both respects. The inter-lata transfer at the same bank from one account to another for a consumer is requisite. It is clear if the prepaid card is drawn on another bank, the non issuing bank does not have the responsibility to accept the funds on the prepaid card for deposit. However, at the same bank movement of funds inter-lata is required. I spoke with American Express and requested escalation to the supervisor and received the same denial. Prepaid Card number XXXX XXXX XXXX - Credit Card Number XXXX XXXX both American Express.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-19
Milwaukee, WI
Overdraft charges
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from American Express Serve stating my card was overdraft {$110.00}. I called American Express Serve and spoke to a representative who stated that when I paid my XXXX XXXX XXXX bill on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to collect the funds in the amount of {$120.00} until XX/XX/XXXX. This person also explained that the grace period for XXXX XXXX XXXX to collect the {$120.00} payment is 7 days from the date of the original transaction which was XX/XX/XXXX. The representative also stated that because the money was not collected in a timely manner by XXXX XXXX XXXX, it was sent back to my account and used for other purchases and when XXXX XXXX XXXX collected the {$120.00} on XX/XX/XXXX there was no money in my account to pay the bill, however ; American Express Serve authorized the payment of {$120.00} anyway thusly putting my account in the overdraft amount of {$110.00}. I later called XXXX XXXX XXXX and spoke to a representative who looked up my payment history and found in their records that the {$120.00} was collected and the transaction completed on XX/XX/XXXX not XX/XX/XXXX. I called back American Express Serve and explained the information I was given by XXXX XXXX XXXX about my payment. I was then informed by the representative that XXXX XXXX XXXX was wrong and that said representative would call XXXX XXXX XXXX and tell them their records were wrong. I agreed to conference call with both American Express Serve and XXXX XXXX XXXX so we all could clear this matter up. We were on the phone for over 2 hours during which 2 representatives from XXXX XXXX XXXX both explained their process of collecting payments and thoroughly went over my payment history with both myself and American Express Serve. Both XXXX XXXX XXXX reps stated that the payment of {$120.00} was collected and completed on XX/XX/XXXX not XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX even provided the confirmation number of the payment at the request of American Express Serve. Then the American Express Serve rep said he couldn't use the confirmation number even though he requested it. The XXXX XXXX XXXX rep explained that if an issue with my payment or method of payment was a problem it would show in my XXXX XXXX XXXX account and verified no such problem occurred. The XXXX XXXX XXXX rep then asked American Express Serve for their confirmation number to show there was an issue with the payment to which the American Express Serve representative stated everything is computer generated and the company keeps no confirmation numbers about customers or transactions. The American Express Serve representative then told me that there is nothing they can do to rectify the problem of overdraft although XXXX XXXX XXXX supplied all the information requested and gave confirmation of payment dated and transaction completion. I was told by the American Express Serve representative that I just " need to focus on paying them {$110.00} '' from the overdraft. According to the completed records from XXXX XXXX XXXX and the payment confirmation number of said payment of {$120.00}, I would not have an overdraft payment of any kind.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-19
Brooklyn, NY
Can't use card to make purchases
Complaint: American Express put a hold on my Gold Delta Skymiles account with a credit line of a whopping {$1000.00}, without any notification. The reason given was that I had used the card with XXXX, which is prohibited.
I put that in quotes because I had never HEARD of such a policy. I have multiple other cards that Ive enjoyed using with XXXX for my entire life, but apparently Amex does not allow this. News to me.
So I call to see whats going on, and was given that answer, to which I was flabbergasted. They then went on to demand a conference call with my checking account bank ( XXXX ), to inquire as to the balances of my acccount at the start and end of the last 3 statements.
As you might know, my balance at the time of the start or end of a statement has ABSOLUTELY NO bearing on my general financial health or responsibilities. Its a completely arbitrary time choice.
Nevertheless, they humiliated me through this process, having my balances read to them over the phone.
They then submitted my card to further review to see if the limit needed to be adjusted. When I inquired how I was to know when a decision has been made, they said I could just call back. Not even the courtesy of letting their customers know the outcome.
I have paid my Amex bill on time and in full at every billing period, and they should have no right to inspect my checking account because of a completely honest mistake of using the card with XXXX. ( Who knows this!?! ) In particular - the woman who handled this miserable process - her name was XXXX. That was all the info she would give me. I wished to report her personally as she was the rudest, most unhelpful employee of a business that essentially is there to serve ME ( and the rest of their customers ). She humiliated me and talked to me like a child.
It was either submit myself to this awful process or have my card closed, which would cause damage to my credit score. Thats extortion.
Shame on you American Express.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-18
Grover Beach, CA
Unexpected increase in interest rate
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-18
WA
Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Complaint: I was told to write a letter to dispute my concern, it has been 30 days and I have written two letters with no response. I faxed in all of my documents with the dispute and was told my documents and dispute were " invalid ''.
On XX/XX/2018, I had my Serve Account hacked and {$360.00} transferred and stolen out of my account. I recently had opened a new account with a Bank and was getting ready to withdrawal the remainder of my funds that morning of XX/XX/XXXX. As I went to transfer the money from my Reserve account and into my Serve, upon logging in I noticed that there was only {$0.00} in my account and {$0.00} in both my Reserve and my Subaccount. I went through my transactions and noticed that there had been a transfer sent to XXXX.
I logged into my personal email address, to find the receipt [ Exhibit A ] of the transaction that occurred at XXXX PST on XX/XX/XXXX ; The individuals first and last name listed on the emailed confirmation receipt showed XXXX XXXX was sent a money transfer in the amount of {$360.00} with confirmed transaction ID # XXXX. I called Serve right away to let them know what had happened, and I was advised that I needed to change my password along with security question ; as I have not lost my card. In retrospect, the transfer occurred at XXXX PST and I reported it no later than XXXX PST ; 5 hours later. Within the initial call, I was informed that I would not be liable for the fraudulent activity and that American Express would be liable for the losses and appreciates that I reported it as soon as I had. As well as the investigation conducted by the back-office team, would take 7-10 days. I let the Customer Service Rep know, that I would be filing a police report and would call back with the Case number, as advised.
After the police report was filed, I immediately called in with the case number and officer on the case. [ Exhibit B ] I was informed that it would be forwarded to the back-office team for review. The following day, I called for an update and was told there is no update at this time. Of my knowledge, my card and account were still up and running. In that case, due to every dollar being stolen from my account, I had no money to get by for the week. My Sister, who has a serve account as well, attempted to send me {$200.00} and was unsuccessful. Within minutes, I received an email [ Exhibit C ] my dispute was declined Based upon our investigation we have determined that no error occurred and that transaction ( s ) in question was authorized and a second email [ Exhibit D ] was sent stating : activity that was in violation of the Serve Member Agreement, section 15D and that my Serve account was being permanently suspended. In a complete frantic state, I call back in hopes of speaking to a Manager of which I was unable to speak with anyone except a supervisor. As a card holder, I have the right to know what is going on with my financial information, personal information and the status of my dispute. I was told repeatedly, due to my account being locked, no one could tell me the status of anything.
Following the series of unfortunate events, I had to follow the same steps as anyone would and file an Identity Theft claim with the Federal Trade Commission XXXX FTC ) [ Exhibit E ], and as well as the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions [ Exhibit F ].
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-18
Emeryville, CA
Problem with fees
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-17
Arsenal, PA
Problem with customer service
Complaint: The federal law of 'right to refuse service ' has its limits, that may extend beyond civil rights. Likewise, as per the Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2017, it's illegal for a company to impose a penalty against someone who gives a review, which can even be about its customer service. ( Source : https : //www.ftc.govXXXX ) I asserted my rights as a customer by tweeting against American Express ' poor customer service ( especially that of its overseas ' teams, which provide so poor quality service, that it seems they work on some sort of a contract for American Express , and aren't American Express employees ). Ever since I ( privately ) complained against a deceptive privacy & data security claim by providing audio of a call to the American Express Social Customer Care team ( XXXX handle : AskAmex ), it has been boycotting me by ignoring my XXXX & messages, and helping out everyone else who tweets to it.
Until that point ( XX/XX/XXXX ), I had only posted a meme about their overseas customer care, and had posted screenshots of comments by one of AmericanExpress.com 's chat-based overseas customer service representative. I hadn't even been remotely rude towards the AskAmex team-members until then, and can prove it via my tweets, and XXXX messages exchanged with XXXX. I also hadn't used vulgar language, and had only provided my honest reviews, yet XXXX has been boycotting me since XX/XX/XXXX.
XXXX is the best customer care team of American Express.
I believe it's illegal for it to retaliate against me for posting honest reviews by refusing me service, even though it may disagree with my assessment or opinion of American Express ' overseas customer care teams.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-17
Liverpool, TX
Problem with rewards from credit card
Complaint: I am an AMEX platinum card holder and I booked a package vacation for flight and hotel to XXXX XXXX. Arriving XX/XX/XXXX returning XX/XX/XXXX. Hotel : XXXX. Flight : XXXX XXXX XXXX. Prior to booking I called amex travel to confirm perks of booking at one of their Fine Hotels and Resorts ( XXXX ) and I was told that we would get : Noon check-in, when Available Room upgrade upon arrival, when available Daily breakfast for two people : {$30.00} per person, per day valid at several XXXX Restaurants In room wi-fi Guaranteed XXXX late check out {$100.00} property credit to be used during stay for spa or dining I called the XXXX to confirm these benefits but was told I did not qualify for these benefits because the reservation that I made thru AMEX travel was booked thru a 3rd party ( XXXX ). I explained to the rep that I did not book anything with XXXX and that it was booked thru AMEX but she rudely told me that I would have to call AMEX.
I then called AMEX and their statement was that because I booked a package deal the perks would not be honored. I don't feel that this is fair because it was not explained to me prior to booking. I also could not find any statement on their website that explained this. I feel that this is very misleading because these benefits are boldly listed on their amex travel website. We are paying {$720.00} annual fee to have this card for the benefits but we feel that we have been mislead and the representative should have thoroughly explained these details. It should also be boldly stated on their site that you loose these benefits if package ( hotel & flight ) is booked.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2018-06-17
Weston, CT
Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Complaint: I have been an American Express cardmember since XXXX and have had their Platinum ( with {$550.00} annual fee ) for several years. On XX/XX/XXXX I navigated in my account page which they call MYCA, to Account Services->Card Management->Add Someone to My Account and added two family members as additional cardmembers via this webpage hosted by XXXX ( https : //www.americanexpress.comXXXX XXXX XXXX ).
The website returned an error saying that my request would have to be reviewed and a decision would be sent to me within 7-10 days. I waited until Monday XX/XX/XXXX and called the XXXX new account desk to find out what was going on. The representative asked if I had a credit freeze on my credit file. I confirmed I do and that I was a victim of identity theft so there's a fraud victim statement as well as a freeze. I asked why that's relevant since we're only adding two people to my account and she advised that they don't need to run an inquiry against my report but they need to validate my personal information. I told her I'm applying for a mortgage and it's important that I don't have any hard inquiries appear on my report so I asked her to confirm that it was a soft inquiry versus a hard one. She confirmed twice more that it would be a soft inquiry at which point I lifted the freeze as she requested. Within 5 minutes she told me that everything was fine and I would be receiving the two additional cards within a week.
The next day my credit monitoring services sent me several alerts that my credit hard been pulled. I retrieved a copy of my credit report and it turned out XXXX really did process a hard inquiry against my credit despite the assurances it would not happen. I immediately called XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and the supervisor with whom I spoke assured me it was a mistake on their end and they would send a request to the bureau to remove the inquiry. I was told I would also receive a copy of the request within 7-10 days for my mortgage company. As part of the error they agreed not to charge me the {$170.00} fee for adding additional cardmembers to my account.
As of XX/XX/XXXX the inquiry was still on my credit report and I never received any letters from XXXX so I called and spoke to supervisor XXXX. He noted that he saw record of my prior conversation and promised to send another copy of the letter. I asked to have one faxed or emailed as I was in the final week of mortgage approval and needed something to show my lender to avoid further delays and expiry of my rate lock. I pointed out to XXXX that not only did XXXX break the law by not obtaining my express informed consent to pull my credit ( required under the FCRA ), I explicitly advised the rep on XX/XX/XXXX that I did NOT authorize a hard inquiry, I noted to him that there are no disclosures appearing on the " add additional users '' page nor did the phone XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX provide any disclosures about pulling my credit. I also advised him I would be filing a CFPB complaint and that XXXX is putting my at risk of financial harm if they can't satisfy my request. Ultimately XXXX was unwilling to do anything aside from re-requesting a paper letter to be mailed to me ( which, as of XX/XX/XXXX, I still have not received ).
I want American Express to 1 ) admit the error 2 ) fix their disclosures 3 ) apologize for breaking the law as well as 4 ) causing me undue stress and risking customer financial harm and 5 ) refund my {$550.00} annual card fee IN FULL.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2018-06-16
Brooklyn, NY
Unable to open an account
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-16
Columbus, OH
Problem using a debit or ATM card
Complaint: Hello. I recently sent a dispute to American Express Bluebird regarding unauthorized ATM transactions. They said they havent received my dispute letter. So I will send it through CFPB so I know they will receive it. Im missing around $ 3,000+ In my account. Im attaching the letter I sent. The transactions Im disputing are in the letter.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-16
Arsenal, PA
Problem with rewards from credit card
Complaint: Note : there's a TLDR version at the bottom CFPB has identified opportunities for credit card issuers to improve the transparency & fairness of their products. But did American Express pay attention? At least my case suggests it didn't, apart from coughing up the fines that CFPB imposed on it.
How far are credit card issuers allowed to go to hide key facts about their rewards programs, and then come up with the 'my-card-my-rules ' excuse when questioned regarding something not covered by the Terms & Conditions of the rewards program? Is there some sort of a line to be crossed? Or do credit card issuers have complete leeway over cheating their customers by including some text in their 'fine-print ' that gives them freedom from consumer-protection-regulation over their rewards programs?
CFPB 's former Director, XXXX XXXX, remarked at the CARD Act field hearing in XX/XX/XXXX, " we are concerned about the quality of disclosures that are made about rewards products. Many consumers are picking their credit cards based on rewards programs. These offers, however, can be highly complex, as consumers may face detailed and confusing rules about how they can actually use their rewards. We will be reviewing whether rewards disclosures are being made in a clear and transparent manner, and we will consider whether additional protections are needed ''.
In XX/XX/XXXX, he said, " We are also concerned about certain aspects of rewards programs. According to our research, over half of all consumers say they select credit cards based on the rewards they provide. They are lured by the promise of airline miles, hotel visits, points toward purchases, and a variety of other attractive offers. But the specific terms of rewards programs are often not available to consumers until after they have already applied for the card. Even then, the terms of rewards tend to be obscured by glossy program guides, which provide only partial information. Once people are enrolled, they may face detailed and confusing rules about how they can actually use their rewards. And if consumers were to find, read, and understand the terms, they would often discover that issuers retain the right to change those terms at any time and for any reason ''.
American Express ' rewards program, Membership Rewards, has temporarily revoked my ability to redeem Membership Rewards points. The reason provided to me was 'Your account is currently being reviewed to make sure that all qualifying purchases meet qualifying criteria '. It seems totally fine for a credit card issuer to hold off points redemption until it verifies a customer 's purchases, except that the date I last received some of those points was XX/XX/XXXX, and today 's XX/XX/XXXX, but I was told verifying transaction would take 6-10 weeks, and there's no way to expedite the process!
No reason was provided as to why this account-review action was triggered, and why it takes 6-10 weeks to verify a few transactions.
American Express has a dedicated Membership Rewards team. I talked to one of its supervisors on XX/XX/XXXX who told me that his team has no way to reach out to the 'clerical team ', which 'd actually verify my transactions, so this process can't be expedited.
An American Express Customer Care supervisor also said, on XX/XX/XXXX, that she had no way of expediting the process of verifying transactions.
My concern is that first American Express dupes prospective customers into signing up for Membership Rewards points, and then freezes their points without any explanation, just asking them to wait for 6-10 weeks! This wait-period of 6-10 weeks isn't mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, so it seems to be covered by the overarching 'If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse or gaming in connection with earning or using points or that you may attempt to do so, we may temporarily suspend your ability to redeem points '. However all my transactions are legitimate. My complaint is not that American Express is not letting me use Membership Rewards points until it verifies my transactions, but that nowehere in the terms & conditions does American Express even vaguely mention that it can take 6-10 weeks to review the transactions of an account. The only fraud being committed here is by American Express!
While the decision to revoke my ability to redeem MR points may seem discretionary on the part of American Express, I've attached my monthly statement, so that you may verify if even one of my transactions stands to be fraudulent. After those 6-10 weeks ( or given my pathetic experience with Amex, even more ), when American Express would find that all my transactions are legitimate, it would either let me resume redeeming my Membership Rewards points without offering as much as an apology ( as an aside, even their apologies are a euphemistic way of asking one to go XXXX oneself, so they mean nothing to me ), or it would continue to hold onto them, without any explanation.
It may seem ludicrous, but there's a remote possibility that American Express may have revoked my ability to use Membership Rewards points, as I had been complaining about it on XXXX, and have started using their cards as sparingly as I can, in protest of its execrable customer service. But retaliating against me for exercising my rights as a consumer by complaining to you & the FTC regarding deceptive privacy & data security claims may not sound as ridiculous ( I'll be registering this complaint & evidence later today, about which I had informed American Express on XXXX XXXX ).
TLDR : 1. CFPB had advised credit card issuers to improve the transparency & fairness of their products, but American Express seems to be looking the other way.
# NoTransparency # NoFairness 2. How long can the CFPB & the FTC allow credit card issuers to operate by the 'my-card-my-rules ' maxim without strong regulation to protect consumers?
3. My card 's & Membership Rewards ' terms & conditions do not mention anything regarding a 6-10 week delay in verification of transactions, during which one can't redeem one 's Membership Rewards points. # NoTransparency 4. No reason was provided as to why a review was triggred to verify my account 's transactions, and I was explicitly told that there's no way to know the reason.
# NoTransparency # NoFairness 5. I think that if Machine Learning algorithms underpin the account-review-triggering process, they may be biased ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). The rationale behind triggering account-review isn't explained to customers, so this factor can't be ruled out. # NoFairness
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-16
Concord Farragut, TN
Talked to a third-party about your debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-16
Chicago, IL
Problem with rewards from credit card
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
Tomah, WI
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
Bargaintown, NJ
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
Jupiter, FL
Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Complaint: I've attempted to obtain SCRA benefits for my account multiple times, and each time after providing American Express with the document requested ( XXXX XXXX orders ) nothing happens with no explanation. I am quite frustrated American Express is treating their legally required duties with the least amount of effort.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
Wallington, NJ
Unexpected increase in interest rate
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
W Des Moines, IA
Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I sent {$400.00} to my mother via American Express Blue Bird prepaid card. She wasn't a customer at that time, but upon receipt of an email, she followed the directions and set up an account. She input her PO Box and her physical address.
We patiently waited for her card to arrive. To this day, it never did. About a week ago, I tried to contact the Blue Bird customer service number, but couldn't speak to a live person through any prompts to have this issue resolved. Today, XX/XX/XXXX I finally had to create a XXXX account to ask @ XXXX. They told me to call and not put in any account information and push 0 until I got a live rep. So I did this, with my mother on the line with me. They refused to send the money back to my account, stating that the money had 'already been accepted '. They offered to express mail a new card for a {$20.00} fee. When we stated that we would not do that, they stated that they would send a new one. The problem with this is that her physical address is listed as her mailing address as apparently they ' can not mail to a PO Box '. My mother has no other address to use. ALSO, she can not update her address without the card number being activated. I have tried to get them to place the funds back into my account, but they refuse. They told us to have her sign on and transfer the money back to my account, but guess what?? You can't transfer funds unless you have activated the card.
I want my money back and they won't give it to me. Please help!
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-15
San Francisco, CA
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief
2018-06-14
Barnsboro, NJ
Can't close your account
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-14
Stilesville, IN
Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-14
Albany, CA
Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2018-06-14
Gwinner, ND
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company Response: Closed with explanation