Complain about a product or service

American Express

Platinum Card

Steve of Stephenville, TX June 30, 2009

It appears that I am joining the crowd who have been mistreated concerning their American Express Platinium Card account. I have had a 40,000 credit line for several years and recently had a balance on the account of approx. 20,000. Three months ago I was informed that my limit was dropped to 30,000 for no apparent reason. I called AMEXCO and was informed that my income credit ratio was the reason for the decrease. I reluctanly accepted and understood. However, the following month the limit was again dropped to approx. 20,000. Called AMEXCO and was told the ratio reason again.

I then paid down the card approx. 5,000 resulting in a balance of approx. 15,000 thinking I would have 5,000 worth of credit to utilize if I needed it. The following month I received another email that decreased my credit limit to approx. the balance I had on my card resulting in a +/- 60.00 credit available. The sequence of events seem to be totally unfair. I have been penalized for paying down my credit card balance.

Also, as most others have mentioned, I have never been late on any of my credit card payments for at least the 17 years that one of my credit bureau claims to have record of. What if I paid the balance to 100.00, will my new limit be 100.00. I hope letters like these will allow AMEXCO to improve their customer service for their future business and to minimize burning their bridges with many of their loyal long time cardholders.

john of Camarillo, CA June 16, 2009

After 9 years they cancelled my platinum card. Seems like I am not alone here but what a racket. They gloriously waited until I paid my annual membership fee. Oh was there any delinquencies? No. They merely claimed they didn't like my debt to income ratio. Sorry, but they have no idea what I am making and I never miss any payments for anything. Funny I often make double payments on my car loan even.

I am perplexed on how they cam by this decision and of course the customer service person knows nothing. Can you say lost customer for LIFE. Obviously this credit crisis has them on their knees but one day this will pass and I expect when the storm blows over they will be trying to rekindle these relationships they are severing.

alice of san francisco, CA June 11, 2009

They without any notice to close my account. I'm Cosco wholesale Club member, I pay off the balance every month, I don't have any debt with other credit card. When I contact them, they said because economy low. Cosco wholesale also receive many customer complain about their American express credit card was close.

Russ of San Ramon, CA May 28, 2009

Having been an American Express card Plat member for 13 years I found out I had been cancelled when I went to use my card. I happened to be out to lunch with a perspective client. Needless to say I called immediately and was told I had been cancelled. The rep, while I imagine just doing their job, knew nothing, and was absolutely useless when I asked to speak to a manager but did want me to settle the balance then and there. I laughed and let them know I knew when it was due and they would get their payment the day it was due. American Express has now slipped into the muck with Discover Card and other low end service cards. Very sad. No notification and the inability to get a manager on the phone is beyond unacceptable.

Slavik of West Sacramento, CA May 23, 2009

American Express cancelled on me with out notification of cancellation. I was their customer for 5 years, always paid in full, never ever late and used their card everywhere I went. I never go to sign up for another American Express in my life. I did sent complaint letter to FTC and FDIC for improper cancellation. Currently I’m pleased using my local bank credit card. I’m sure that any credit company will be happy to have a customer that pays on time and in full.

Sharie of Glendale, CA May 21, 2009

The bank cancelled my credit card prior to sending and notifying me of the cancellation. I found out about this when I had finished shopping and used my card only to find that it was cancelled. Furthermore, received the letter from AMEX a week later from the incident and the letter states that cancellation of the card may negatively impact my credit score. I disagree with their credit decision to begin with based on my impeccable credit history and also feel victimized that their decision will impact my credit score.

Saunjula of Lorain, OH May 20, 2009

I applied for an American Express Card in March and received a platinum card without a pre-set spending limit. In May I was informed that I had to verify my income with 3 recent paycheck stubs of which I faxed to Wand Douglass. She informed me around May 11th that everything was verified and I could use the card. However, I tried to use the card while out of town but the card was declined. I immediately called American Express to find out what happened. They told me the card had been cancelled without any type of warning. The customer service rep said that my debt ratio was high which was the same when I applied for the card and I had a recent missed payment from another account.

This is crazy because I was not in default on my American Express Card and had planned on making the next payment in full on the 30th. My question is whether or not they have the right to cancel the card if I am not in default. I used to work for a credit bureau and credit snapshots change all of the time every day. Why didn't they talk to me about the card before cancelling it behing my back? There should be some type of protection for the consumer.

Colleen of La Quinta, CA May 7, 2009

After 27 years as an American Express Gold Card member, they have cancelled my card - without notice. I have NEVER had a late payment with them in 27 years and have always paid my bill in full. They claim they did not like my debt ratio and therefore, cancelled me! How can they cancel me when I have never had a late payment? They did not even have the courtesy (as a member of 27 years) to contact me and let me know it was cancelled. They just let me get embarrassed. Is this legal? Should I seek legal advice?

Michael of Alexandria, VA May 11, 2009

On 10 MAY 09, I was at a restaurant using my credit card to pay my bill. I gave them my AMEX Card and it came back denied. I had used the card earlier in the day at my car dealership with no problems. I called the Customer Service Rep and I was told that my card was cancelled. I was given no notice via email, phone, or mail. They had did a recent scan of my credit report and said my card was cancelled because the debt to income ratio was high. I have always paid my bill on time, never late, no derogatory statements on credit reports. Evidently, this is something they have been doing with alot of individuals lately. I am in the military and me and my wifes combined incomes are good.

David of Brandon, FL May 1, 2009

I have been an AMEX Platinum Card holder since 2004. I have never made a late payment or paid the minimum that was due. Recently I was shopping with my son and the clerk said that my card was rejected. It was a 40.00 purchase. I said "that's impossible, this card doesn't have a pre-set limit. I own a business and accept AMEX (up until now at least), so I asked if I could see the screen to see what kind of code was generated. She obliged and when I looked, it simply said declined. I stepped out of the way, as there were several other people in line and called the number on the back of my card. They told me in a dismissive tone that I was over my limit. I said "I dont have a limit and my balance isn't even half what it has been in the past. (my balance was around 7000 and it has been easily in the high teens before) She said that my credit limit had been lowered to 5800.00.

I was livid and insisted on speaking to someone else. After two more "some elses", I was told that my card was canceled because of a recent increase increase in my debt. I asked her if she knew what a debt to income ratio was and she said that she did. I then asked her if she knew how much money I made annually and she said no. I then asked her how they could possibly decide my ability to pay my bills based on looking at my debt. She didnt have an answer. I asked her that if I made 6 million dollars a year if my debt would be out of line. She said no, so I asked her if she knew whether or not I make six million dollars a year and she said no again. So then how can you make that determination? She had no answer other that it was a recent policy change and my new credit limit was 5800. I told her to cancel my platinum card, my wife's platinum card, my son's platinum card and my other AMEX cards. I also told her that I wanted a full refund on the fees that I was charged for the "privilege" of having their card. She actually did that and the credit showed up the next day. Still after this many years, how could you do that? I was embarrassed over a 40 purchase and AMEX couldn't even tell me what they were doing before they did it? I just pulled my credit report (my business is loaning money...imagine that)I have 25 ones on my credit and nothing derogatory. My debt/income is 38%. Im just upset that they can do this on a whim without any warning or regard to what the consequences might have been. I am going on a missions trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August. What if they would have done this to me while I was out of the country and I had an emergency? Im not a litigious person, but Im thinking I would make an exception in this case.

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