Complain about a product or service

American Express

Gift Cards

MICHAEL of DES MOINES, IA May 26, 2009

I recently purchased 2 new 200.00 american express gift cards both were unopened on friday 22 may at about 4 pm. i went to use them on the following morning saturday 23 may at 9:30. when i went to register and verify the amounts on the card at American express both were with a balance of 0.00 showing charges done at or about 4:00 to 4:30 am

i imediately called the 800 number and spoke to Peter whom could not understand me to well but did speak english. he said that they were used at macys.com. i said that was not possible as i had not even opened them till just before calling him. he informed me there was nothing i can do untill macys kicks back the charges. i am now out of 400.00 because they allow their cards to be stolen so easily.

john of ortley beach, NJ May 25, 2009

in december 2008 i bought 4 american express gift cards from a display that said buy two and get a free gift card for the same price,which was 25.00 & 50.00. isent in all the information that was ask for on the form supplied and the proof of purchase receipt. to this day i have not heard from them even thought i wrote a letter to amerian express gift cards and complain to the cvs manager.

catarino of rowland heights, CA May 18, 2009

Do not buy AMEX gift cards, they are nothing but trouble. Balanaces that are available are not available. Call centers in India and Philipeins do not speak or understand English enough to help.

"AMERICAN" Express should be ashamed of themself, call centers in countrys who can not even speak or understand English. Sham on you.

Russ of palm springs, CA May 18, 2009

got a amex card for my birthday for 100. go to use it was no good. call amex and said it had 0 balance. what a rip off. have been on hold for two days

kathy of Chicago, IL May 18, 2009

I ordered an american express gift card in the amount of 250 online. After completing the transaction, the website indicated that the transaction did not go through and encouraged me to try again. I did, and found out later that they both went through. Both were for 250. I called immediately to have one cancelled and was told to call back in a few days. I did that only to be told that American Express will take aboaut 20 days to refund my 250. I find this totally unacceptable and need it to pay monthly bills.

Alan of Alta Loma, CA April 30, 2009

My wife misplaced a 100.00 American Express Gift card, but she found it last week and gave it to me... I tried to use it today and the person at the register told me the card was "no good", the date on the card was expired I was told? To my understanding, gift card do not expire in California. So I went online and found the phone number to American Express/Gift card department, of course the person I spoke to was from India.

I gave them the number on the card and they looked it up and said the balance was "ZERO?" Then I asked, when was the card used? They told me it was used on August 18, 2007 at a Casa Laguna? So, I said I would talk to my wife to see what the deal was... I informed my wife that American Express said she used at Casa Laguna? Well, to her suprise she never heard or went to Casa Laguna?... We do not even know what type of business Casa Laguna is?

In any case, I too believe that American Express is up to some funny business! My wife never used the card and American Express will not honor what was issued to use, because "they(American Express)" say we used it? Which is a straight out lie!

VBarnett of Carmichael, CA April 27, 2009

Well, here's my story, apparently it's typical of Amex.

I very recently rec'd a 25 gift card that does not expire until 02-11. However, when I checked the balance, it was only 3. Upon further investigation, I am positive the person that gave it to me as a thank you gift did not know this card had fees!!! Since Amex so very inconveniently does not post a contact email address online, I asked Amex via USPS that the fees be reversed so I can use the gift in the way it was intended. I know, probably a complete waste of a stamp.

I also tried calling the customer service line but got transferred to someone in India!!! who could neither speak nor understand English.

I am in a position to purchase and influence others' purchases for my company....especially for promotions, thank you's and other incentive-type gifts. We're not a small company, either. YOU CAN REST ASSURED AMEX, THAT I WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE NOR RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF ANY TYPE OF AMEX PRODUCT FROM THIS DAY FORWARD...for both my workplace and in my personal life. What a complete fraud!!!

Melinda of Alexandria, VA April 3, 2009

Melinda of Alexandria VA (04/03/09)
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!

Barbara of Culver City, CA April 1, 2009

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