There are over 15403 complaints on file for AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY. Dated between 2019-12-13 and 2011-12-01.
2019-06-17
Leeton, UT
Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Complaint: I have a Delta Platinum credit card through American Express that awards me with a companion certificate every year in return for a higher annual fee.
I have tried twice now to use the awarded companion certificate, but due to the excessive red tape around this product I have been unable to use the certificate. It is now set to expire in two weeks and I do not have any travel plans within that time.
The first time I tried to use the certificate was the end of XX/XX/2019. I had a business trip to XXXX, TX and decided to bring my wife along and spend the weekend exploring. I had a flight credit to pay for my ticket from a previously cancelled flight ( also paid for with the Delta Amex card ), but I was told I could not use the companion certificate for my wife 's ticket because I was using the Delta credit for most of my ticket. I was told I have to purchase the full ticket with my Amex card in order to use the companion certificate. I did purchase the original flight using my Amex card, but unfortunately it was cancelled and I was left with the Delta flight credit vs a credit back to my Amex card.
The second time I tried to use the companion certificate was on XX/XX/XXXX for a quick weekend trip with my wife to XXXX California. This was a last minute decision and we were wanting to leave that same weekend. I was told I could not use the companion certificate because the flights I was trying to book were too soon. Apparently there is a rule within the excessive red tape that Amex sets up that says companion certificates must be booked two weeks prior to the flight. I can understand why this rule would be in place, however, seats were still available on the flight when I was trying to book even though it was just days before the flight. Why shouldn't I be allowed to use the certificate that has been awarded when there are still seats available?
My general complaint is that the marketing done by Amex and Delta around the companion certificate award is clearly unfair and deceptive. I pay a higher annual fee every year for this card because of the companion certificate benefit. Amex then creates so many restrictions and red tape around this certificate that it makes it almost impossible to use. I would not be surprised if there are many other customers in my same situation that have paid a higher annual fee and have had annual certificates go to waste because they were not used within the unrealistic rules set by Amex.
Additionally, I filed this same complaint over the phone with Amex and was told that th
is will be escalated as need and I will likely receive a response in 6 to 8 weeks. Let me repeat that, 6 to 8 weeks!!! How is that adequate customer service???
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-17
Nyc, NY
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX , NY XXXX LETTER OF EXPLANANTION On XX/XX/2019 Ive ordered a Silver Signet Ring on XXXX XXXX XXXX website online. The online order should be containing single XXXX XXXX XXXX Branded Silver Ring in brand new condition. For that Ive been charged {$460.00} accordingly. The item has been delivered to my location in rough-conditioned box. When Ive opened a shipping box Ive found XXXX-branded box with white Ribbon and pouch and papers, but inside this box was different from what Ive ordered online it was roughly shaped middle size ring made of silver. Ive instantly reported the issue over the phone to XXXX XXXX XXXX Customer Support and Ive been advised to use pre-paid XXXX shipping label to return the item back to XXXX XXXX XXXX Facility in XXXX, NJ in order for them to investigate the matter. The package was returned back on XX/XX/2019 via XXXX TRACKING XXXX. Ive got a confirmation email from XXXX that they have received the package and while investigating the matter, I should have expected a refund issued back to my XXXX account within next 3-5 business days. However, it was never issued and I didnt receive any further communication from XXXX. Ive made a call on XX/XX/2019 in order to clarify why the credit wasnt issued, however didnt receive a direct response and decided to file a billing dispute with AmEx. At the meantime, without nor my prior consent nor authorization, XXXX XXXX XXXX decided to ship the package back to me, claiming that theyre not responsible for that incident and instead I should be liable, which is concrete violation of my consumer rights. However, the original package has been successfully returned back to XXXX XXXX XXXX with XXXX Tracking XXXX on XX/XX/2019.
Ive supported my claims with all necessary supporting documents. Please, find them attached to this brief. Additionally, such questionable business practices already have been reported by me to FTC and XXXX and other governmental institutions. Please, consider such documents as well.
Under United States of America Public Law 93-495, Fair Credit Billing Act, Section 166 Im kindly requesting American Express to credit full amount of {$460.00} back to my XXXXXXXX account and consider the matter resolved, since Ive returned the item back to the XXXX XXXX XXXX .
Kind regards, XX/XX/2019 XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-17
Everett, WA
Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit
Complaint: I received a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX advising that American Express had lowered my account limit in HALF to {$11000.00} because my spending activity on my account had been significantly lower than my credit limit.
I went through a divorce in XXXX where I had to purposefully let my mortgage payments go 90 days past due, so I could apply for a HAMP. I paid all other bills, and credit cards on time, no one suffered a financial loss and I did get my house refinanced just in my name. At this time, I understood that with my delinquency my credit report took a hit and American Express reduced my limit to {$1000.00}. I understand.
Fast forward 8 years to XXXX, my credit is in the 800 's. American Express rewarded my increasing credit score with increases in my limit, back to what it was before my divorce. Now I am being PENALIZED with credit restriction on my card because I have to play the credit card game and have enough open credit to make them happy, but wow, I can't have too much open credit I guess. WHAT A SHAM. WHAT A GAME. THEY ARE PUNISHING ME FOR BEING " TOO GOOD ''? I still keep a small balance, they are making SOME money - just not tons with 24 %.
They didn't alert me to this possibility or I could have had spending activity!!!
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-17
Lafayette Hl, PA
Problem during payment process
Complaint: I received two separate notices regarding two accounts which American Express cancelled. American Express, in their letter, informed me that I have the option to pay the balances at a reduced amount provided I go online and set up payment/payments, or contact them. I first attempted to go online, but the site requested full account number which I no longer have access to. ( In the past, when I had contact with American Express, they have declined to provide me with my account numbers although they are happy to request my personal information ).
I called American Express today, XX/XX/2019 on two separate occasions ; in both instances, where the representative identified himself as a representative for American Express, I was informed that they do not have my account numbers ; this is the company who sent me the notices with the last XXXX digits of the account number ; the company offering a reduced payment, who does not have the account number, I am told.
I explained to the representative that the website is prompting me to set up an online user ID/pw and requires full account number. The representative in both calls said they they do not have the account numbers. I suspected some fraud, so on my second call, I suggested that the gentleman was not affiliated with American Express and he confirmed he was from XXXX. I told him that it was unfair that he is asking for my personal information while not providing account info to me to create online account.
Due to the inconsistent nature of the call, the manner in which the representative presented himself, and the refusal to provide me with the account number - critical information needed to make online payments - I concluded that American Express was in violation of the Fair Debt Collect Practices Act and, this representative was not legally allowed to speak with me about this account.
I ended the call because I felt that I was being treated unfairly and that American Express was using deceptive and unfair practices in this exchange. I also felt that the company hires illegals to collect debt, jeopardizing my personal information. ( why would they deny critical information - the credit card number - that could potentially help me validate the debt amount allegedly owed?? ). Why would a representative of the card issuer, in this case, claim that they do not have the card number on the same call where they asked for the last 4 digits of my social security number??
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-17
VA
You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Complaint: Despite asking on a recorded line and then having them write they would stop, American Express has continued to call my work jeopardizing my job. I have filed this before and they sent a letter in my last complaint stating that this would stop however it has gotten worse and they are now even calling when the payment is not even due yet. They continue to call us on a recorded line so each of these outreaches are recorded and records have been kept of the outreaches. I have also used this site before and they responded stating it would not happen again. It is blatant harassment at this point.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-16
Birmingham, AL
Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-16
Canyon Cntry, CA
Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-16
Austin, TX
Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-16
Canyon Cntry, CA
Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-16
Atl, GA
Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-16
Itasca, IL
Problem with fees
Complaint: I applied for an American Express XXXX XXXX Card and was told there would be no fee the first year. I never received or activated the card, but began receiving bills for {$95.00} per month the annual fee. I have called this Company multiple times to complain and each time they have promised me the account is closed and the {$95.00} fee has been reversed. Each time that that has proven to be false. This seems very similar to how XXXX XXXX took advantage of consumers.
I am requesting that the account be closed. The {$95.00} fee be reversed and an ethics complaint be filed against American Express as they clearly do not have the internal procedures in place to remain in compliance with consumer finance. The refusal by this organization to provide me written notification of the status of my request is against the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief
2019-06-15
Bristow, VA
You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-15
Bemidji, MN
Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-15
Glenarden, MD
Problem during payment process
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
Nyc, NY
Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXX C/N : *XXXX REF : XXXX Statement of Explanation On XX/XX/2019 Ive managed to order online a black jacket on XXXX XXXX website online and my AmEx Biz Plat *XXXX was charged the amount of {$700.00}. Package was delivered to my home address which is the same as my billing address on file XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, NY, XXXX. However, instead of a brand-new jacket I was serviced with severely navy blue worn jacket by XXXX XXXX in a partially torn box.
Ive immediately addressed the issue to the XXXX XXXX customer support and kindly requested to return the jacket back to the merchant facility. Representative issued and sent to my email a prepaid XXXX shipping label with a tracking number XXXX. The package has been successfully returned on XX/XX/2019 back to XXXX XXXX XXXX, IL and Ive got a confirmation email stating that the return was accepted and I should expect a refund issued back to the account within next 3-5 business days. However, the refund was never issued and Ive ended up filing a billing inquiry with AmEx.
Turns out XXXX XXXX, without any prior update nor contact, tried to ship the package back to me with XXXX tracking XXXX, however instead of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, NY,XXXX they tried to ship it to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX , NY , XXXX, which is never been associated with me. Due to that fact, package was refused and returned back to the merchant in XXXX XXXX XXXX, IL, since no one associated with this name resided at this addressed.
Under Fair Credit Billing Act, Section 166, Im kindly asking CFPB to request American Express to issue back to my account the amount of {$700.00} and consider the matter closed, since the return was completed. Please, see attached documents.
Kind regards, XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief
2019-06-14
Chandler, AZ
Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-14
Fort Lawton, WA
Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-14
Doral, FL
Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
Bremen, GA
Problem with fees
Complaint: Each month American Express issues late fees before their closing period is over. The automatically issue the late fee and then reverse most months, but, some months ( this past month for example ) they issued the late fee but did not reverse it automatically as they usually do. It seems that if you pay on the day of your payment they assess this late fee and if you do not call about it to have it reversed they have wrongfully charged you a late fee. American Express is on PST and I live on the east coast. AMEX closes their day at XXXX XXXX PST which is XXXX XXXX EST and they assess the late fees around XXXX - XXXX XXXX EST, which is not right. I have a AMEX Delta Gold Skymiles card and I paid on my due date around XXXX XXXX EST which is XXXX XXXX PST, so, I should not have been assessed a late fee. I called them about it and they said oh yes you did pay on time and this was our error. So, if I didnt call I would have had this late fee for not reason. The late fee was returned as " Reverse Late Fee ( sys gen ) System Generated. This is not right at all, if no one calls about it they are given this late fee for no reason at all. AMEX should run this system generated late fee after the close of business, so, this doesn't happen. There could be thousands or millions of people out there being charged this System Generated fee when they have truly paid on time. Please look into this as this practice should stopped. This is a job that runs and they are able to change the time that this automatic job runs, so, they do not charge people for nothing. They did reverse the amount but this should not have happened. If you pay on the due date you should not be charged any fee ( so they would not have to reverse it automatically each month ).
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
Five Points, NC
Problem during payment process
Complaint: I made {$1000.00} payment on Friday, XXXX the XXXX to my Platinum AmEx. After making the payment, American Express online site showed to me that I had {$1000.00} available balance. I made two {$150.00} transactions ( {$310.00} in total ), and the card started declining the other purchases. American express website showed {$0.00} available balance. On Monday, XXXX the XXXX, I contacted AmEx Platinum services and a representative requested to speak to my bank. After conversing with my bank, American express released the remaining funds.
On XX/XX/XXXX, I made another payment of {$1000.00}, and Amex website showed this full amount as available. After making a small purchase at XXXX XXXX, I was not able to make the second one, as Amex started declining transactions. American Express website showed {$0.00} available balance once again.
This is AmEx Platinum credit card, earning Delta points with each dollar spent. I believe that AmEx Platinum is deliberately disallowing me to spend more money to receive Delta miles with each dollar spent and it is doing this by utilizing unfair and indecent business practices. Realizing this I attempted to cancel XXXX payment, which is allowed by AmEx website. However, once I clicked on " cancel the payment '' link, a massage popped up requesting me to contact AmEx later due to the system overload. This is yet another demonstration of their unfair business practices. And finally, I have received an email from American Express, stating that in 24 to 36 hours my payment will appear online. While contacting AmEx today, XX/XX/XXXX, I was informed by a customer service rep that they plan to take 5 business days before posting my transaction. I told him that I did not give a permission to American Express to hold my money for 5 business days, and that this is crooked business practice. I told them that I will place a complaint with CFPB, they did not care. Thank you for looing into this.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
Grosse Ile, MI
Company closed your account
Complaint: My American Express Gold and American Express Platinum cards were canceled in XX/XX/XXXX due to the misapplication of payments I'd made since XX/XX/XXXX ( see CFPB complaint XXXX-XXXX response dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ). Per the American Express card agreement my payments are due upon receipt and are accepted thru the first of each month. The ten ( 10 ) day grace period allows them to be received without any late payment charges thru the XX/XX/XXXX calendar day of the month. All payments ar allocated first to cover the pay-in-full portion of a card member 's plus the minimum payment due on the pay-over-time portion of the account.
Per American Express own written statement to the CFPB dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, American Express admits that an overage was applied to my Pay-Over-Time Balance, on the date of XXXX XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) dollars and that having received a total of processed payments in the amount of XXXX between XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, an overage from the XXXX XX/XX/XXXX payment plus prior payments within the same time-frame were applied to my pay-over-time balance.
To quote the signed statement submitted by American Express to the CFPB with CFPB Ref No : XXXX-XXXX and dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX : " An over-payment of {$3600.00} was allocated to the Pay Over Time balance. '' Now, the payment was made on XXXX XXXX and was therefore intended to be credited towards the immediate balance due on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. That payment was not to be used to in-full to reduce the pay-over-time balance within the statement period. As a result, every subsequent statement period reported that my account was nearly thirty ( 30 ) days past-due, ultimately leading to the closure of my accounts and reporting of invalid adverse credit history to the three ( 3 ) major CRA 's.
It is perfectly reasonable to pay a balance due on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX one ( 1 ) week in advance ( XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ), especially considering that American Express previously lost my payment that was WIRED, and for whatever the reason was unable to process other payments. So, American Express has apparently concocted a scheme such that if a payment is made AFTER the closing of a statement period, but before that statement period balance is due, their computing system will misapply payments made prior to the exact due date for that statement period, for all card members who have the pay-over-time functionality on their charge cards. That is, American Express is able to take in two times ( 2 ) the pay-in-full balance due under threat of reporting adverse credit history if only the payment due is made within one ( 1 ) week before the due date of the payment. Again the payment is technically due upon receipt and in my case was expected to be paid by the XX/XX/XXXX of the month, XXXX XX/XX/XXXX.
An investigation was conducted regarding the payment history resulting in American Express having to change the due dates of ALL my statement periods between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX because there was no other way to correct the error in the computer system. In American Express ' statement to the CFPB on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX with CFPB Ref No : XXXX-XXXX, American express states : " On XX/XX/XXXX a credit supervisor called you per your request. He was able to obtain an exception to remove the delinquency. We have provided appropriate feedback to his leader to prevent this from happening in the future as we are obligated to report accurate information to the credit reporting agencies. '' That is, the supervisor that assisted me in trying to make things right to the extent they COULD be made right given the series of colossal screw-ups in the way my XXXX XXXX payment was REPRIMANDED for having done so -- apparently no good deed at American Express goes unpunished. If the XXXX XX/XX/XXXX payment had been applied as it was intended to be, there would have been no " late payment '' and no need for the supervisor to have had to take the extraordinary actions to fix the issue regarding the reporting for XX/XX/XXXX.
Now, I chose to be respectful and to try and resolve the issue internal to American Express between XXXX of XXXX thru the XXXX XX/XX/XXXX date, as mentioned in American Express ' XX/XX/XXXX statement. However, if I'd chosen to file with the CRA 's and asked that the invalid credit history be removed, and provided information indicating that a payment was misapplied, that information would have been removed because American Express does not even dispute the date a payment was made, but in how they chose to apply a payment made within one ( 1 ) week of the due date for the statement period.
As a prior American Express shareholder outright, and one that most-likely continues to be a shareholder through index/mutual funds, it is alarming to see this sort of behavior in how American Express treated me as a card member, and shareholder, AND how they treat their employees who try to retain card members that have been harmed due to flaws in their computing system logic, whether those employees are in the United States, or abroad. The sad thing is that I am a millennial -- it is statistically the single most-difficult group that American Express has tried to attract to it's products and services.
At this point American Express has chosen to keep my accounts closed, despite admitting to a misapplication of payments, AS I INTENDED THEM, and per their own statements to the CFPB. Their consolation has been to offer me " guaranteed reinstatement '' once the pay-over-time portion of my account is paid in-full with a risk-exposure limit that pales in comparison to the prior limit. With the stiff competition in the marketplace in terms of credit cards, especially for " up and coming '' millennial making well into six-figures like myself, it would behoove American Express to re-evaluate how it treats its card members overall, especially millennial card members like myself. While I am not privy to the level of disciplinary action that was taken against the supervisor that assisted me, it's unfortunate that I would even need to state that American Express should consider looking inward on how it treats employees who attempt to reset a relationship with a card member that has been harmed due to an error in payment allocation.
There are a series of steps that American Express must undertake if they wish to keep me as a card member after going through this with them for the past one ( 1 ) year. If American Express can not do ALL of these things as I have specified as a fair resolution, then it will be clear that I am not valued as a card member and that American Express has not learned their lessons with millennials and brand loyalty.
Under that scenario, I will work with another financial institution that I currently have accounts with, explain the situation and provide the copious documentation of this experience with American Express and part ways with AXP as a card member. Furthermore, I will limit my exposure to AXP in any of my index/mutual fund holdings.
Regardless, I will provide feedback to the CFPB and request that the feedback be posted so that other consumers will be aware of just how American Express chooses to treat its millennial customers.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
NE
Unexpected increase in interest rate
Complaint: American express failed to honor targeted upgrade offer for XXXX $ statement credit after XXXX minimum spend and keep your current interest rate when upgrading from blue cash everyday to blue cash preffered credit card.
I upgraded the card on or around XX/XX/XXXX.
My interest rate at the time was 9.99 % per a promotional rate applied in XX/XX/XXXX.
I received no email confirmation that I had upgrade my card or made any changes to my account.
I then received the new card inthe mail with terms and conditions stating a new rate of 24.99 %.
I met the minimum spend of {$2000.00}.
The XXXX $ statment credit has not been honored as of XX/XX/XXXX.
I called in to inquire about the missing promotions on XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX. I spoke with a representative who said she could not honor the upgrade offer. I spoke to a manager who said they would submit a case that would take 8 weeks and later said he would submit a case to investigate that would take 2 weeks.
I called back to inquire about the case on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX. I spoke with a representative who said the investigation had determined no offer or promotion had been applied to my card at the time of upgrade and that he would not honor the promotion. He transfered me to a manager. the manager stated she would submit another case and call me back by XX/XX/XXXX. She did not call back.
I called american express on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX and spoke with a representative who stated that I had never had the 9.99 % rate on my card. This is false. He stated he would not honor the upgrade offer.
I spoke to his manager who stated the same. I stated I wanted to cancel my card and was transfered to retention, I spoke with an agent in retention. He stated that he would not honor the offer because of the results of the case submited several weeks prior. He then stated he could not see promotions from XXXX, that he hadn't worked there then and had just started.
American Express failed to send me any confirmation documents of changes to my account.
American express failed to honor a targeted off they made to me that I accepted online through my account home.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-06-14
Grosse Ile, MI
Problem with rewards from credit card
Complaint: At XX/XX/XXXX, I made a call to American Express MEMBERSHIP REWARDS and told the customer service that I can not transfer my XXXX MR points to XXXX XXXX. He told me that my account was under review to see whether all the transaction met the criteria to earn the bonus MR points ; however, he said that they will fasten the review process and give me a call this week.
And today is XX/XX/XXXX, I still do not hear back from them and can not transfer my points.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-14
Wallington, NJ
Problem with fees
Complaint: I called earlier, because I am missing points and was charged excessive fees. When I spoke to the agents, they would not listen and transfer me. When I called back, I asked for a supervisor. The male agent who answered the phone was incredibly rude and refused to transfer me an agent. He transferred me back to the main line before repeatedly refusing to allow me to speak with a supervisor to resolve the issues. He was incredibly difficult to understand and speak with. So I am hoping to get alternate help to resolve the issues
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
2019-06-14
Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company Response: Closed with explanation