Complain about a product or service

American Express

Gift Cards

Barbara of Culver City CA (04/01/09)
I received a 100.00 gift card. I used it for a merchant online purchase and paid my utility bill with the balance. The merchant for the online purchase charged the card twice, I sent an email to customer service, then I called the number on the AMEX web site. Someone who wasn't even from this country, repeated a script over and over again that I would have to wait 7 days and AMEX automatically reverses the duplicate charge, the customer service person had no idea what she was talking about.

And to make matters worse she didn't answer my questions at all and kept repeating the same answer. How bizarre! There isn't an email address for AMEX so I am stuck for 7 days.

Kim of Fresno, CA March 23, 2009

Kim of Fresno CA (03/23/09)
My husband was given American Express giftcards as a bonus this month. Our house was robbed and the gift cards along with some other items were taken. I called Amex without the card numbers to get some assistance but was told that without the card numbers I would not be assisted. So I contacted the person that gave me the cards and received the card numbers. I called again with all of the information needed to assist me and was told that I was responsible for the cards and that the cards would not be replaced. That if they had a balance on them then they could replace any of the remaining balance on the card. THEY WERE GIFT CARDS NO ONES NAME WAS PRINTED ON THEM ANYONE COULD USE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I called their corporate offices and they enturned called back the Customer Service line and said that they could not over ride their decision....

I might not be a card holder but I would have expected to get a little assistance from them... Nothing I got nothing.....

Now not am I only out a thousand dollars my insurance company says that since they are like cash they can not replace them..

Louis of Woonsocket, RI March 9, 2009

Louis of Woonsocket RI (03/09/09)
I was given a 50 American Express Gift card. I checked my balance only to find out that a scam occured in November 2008 and December 2008. Reservationrewards Norwalk Ct charged my card 12 in Nov and 12 in Dec. I never dealt with Reservationrewards. I would like to have these two debit removed from my gift card which I have not used all of the balance. My balance should be 44.95. Please help me regain those 24. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sue of Columbus, OH February 27, 2009

Sue of Columbus OH (02/27/09)
More corporate greed! They charge you 2.00 per month to keep a balance on a gift card after the initial 12 month period. Shame! they are earning interest on the balance!

Helen of Santa Clara, CA February 18, 2009

Helen of Santa Clara CA (02/18/09)
The ORIGINAL AMOUNT of the American Express gift card was 50.00. The first time I attempted to use the card, I was told the card did not exist. That is what prompted my telephone call to American Express, as follows: On 12/28/2008 at 11:43am, I telephoned the number for American Express - 877 297 4438, and spoke with a MARIA. Even though I NEVER used the gift card, Maria told me my balance at the time of the telephone call was 22.00. Maria told me, the reduction in the card amount was because 12 months had passed from the purchase date (a gift, how would I know the date!). Therefore, American Express charged a 2.00 monthly service fee. After I read the card insert, I read the service fee would be waived for the first 12 months after purchase (purchase date?).

When I spoke with Maria, she informed me that I would receive a new card and the amount would be 22.00 (minus the service fees), AND she told me I should use that new card before 1/28/2009. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NEW CARD. In addition, nowhere on the little card insert, nor their web site, can be found, an address to contact them - I already did the telephone call!! So, in the end, American Express made a nice little profit of 50.00. Perhaps my daughter, who gave me the gift, will be happy to hear she is helping American Express remain solvent.

In my view, this appears to be a LEGAL THEFT, AND the U.S. government is a partner in crime, by allowing something like this to happen. The business and government reality appears to be, JUST KEEP SQUEEZING MONEY FROM PEOPLE, AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY! Thank you. I believe, American Express legally stole 50.00 from me (& my daughter).

Carla of San Lorenzo, CA February 13, 2009

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