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American Express

Platinum Card

Doug of Wpb, FL January 19, 2009

Doug of Wpb FL (01/19/09)
I had their card for over (5) yr's, never missed one payment, paid balance in full ea mo (avg. 1,000. - 2,000.) Was out to dinner this weekend with my family at a nice place and tried to use card for meal. It would not go through / denied (very embarrassing). I gave them my other cc / Chase and it was fine. Called AMEX and was simply told that the acct had been closed. I asked why and was simply told that it was something in my recent credit report. I had recently negotiated with the bank on doing a Short Sale on a second home that I owned (I was behind in those payments but was working with the bank and we eventually come to terms and sold it). I am not behind in payments to any other payment or individual in this world.

I called today at my office to again get a more specific reason for the cancellation (was simply told that the account was closed). I asked them for the final balance and reminded them that I was a menber who had never msissed a payment and also asked them if they were giving me my Rewards credit. Of course they said no. So, I am now apparently having this Domino syndrome affect me because of one single other issue which was satisfactorily resolved. What can I do to be proactive on protecting my good standing with all other creditors?

Mike of Hollywood, CA January 8, 2009

Mike of Hollywood CA (01/08/09)
My credit line was reduced by 7K, when I called I was told I had missed payments or paid late. I explained that I have a stellar rating with all my creditors, I was asked to obtain my credit report and call back. I did as requested and the credit report concured with my original statement, I have a stellar record with all my creditors, current/never late, I was told a response would come in the mail, it did with no change. Today they increased my rate by 4%, making it my highest card at 13.99%, when I called to ask why, I was told every card was increased, for everyone!

This action has caused my fico to drop... The initial cut of the credit line, made the credit line go from 25% capacity to 85% capacity. I have not abused any credit ever, I own rental property, and always pay on time. This action has effected my FICO due to the actions of AMEX.  Please advise as to what action I can take against this company. Thank you

Terry of Crystal Lake, IL January 2, 2009

Terry of Crystal Lake IL (01/02/09)
I have been an AMEX card holder since 1988 in good standing and had been upgraded to platinum level by American Express (not requested by me). In December, 2008 I received a letter stating that my account had been CLOSED. I called customer service who apologized and stated that these calls needed to be handled by the collections department and I was transferred. The rep in collections advised that my account was closed due to their computer generated credit report.

I asked what would cause them to cancel my account without warning and was told that there were some dirogatory notes on my report. I asked if they were related to medical bills from a vehical accident that was in litigation and was told that it did not matter. I asked if there was any forum to present my case in hopes of restablishing my account. I was told no, the action is final and that my only recourse was to apply for another card. Does that make any sense at all?

I felt as if I was being treated like a bad American that never pays their bills. This is not the case as my account with American Express has been in good standing all these years. I protected that account because it was my emergency card for family emergencies. I am concerned about this having negative effects on my credit rating. American Express should have a review board that card members can contact to repair the relationship, especially when it has been excellent for over 20 years.

This action is crushing me. I have worked very hard to keep my account in good standing. My husband and I have been trying to refinance our home and reduce debt to prevent this kind of disaster to our credit worthiness. I cannot even describe the crushing blow to me personally after so many years of loyalty to American Express only to have them dismiss me without any advance notification. Why would Americans work hard to pay their bills and manage obligations after this kind of treatment?

Dawn of Jefferson City, MO December 31, 2008

Dawn of Jefferson City MO (12/31/08)
We have had the American Express green card for more than 15 years, and the plantinum small business card for about 3 years. In more than 15 years of using the green card, no payment has ever been missed, late, questioned. We have charged anywhere from 800 to 10,000 per month on the card, and have ALWAYS paid the charges timely and never carried a balance on the card from one month to another. Early on a Saturday morning, less than 2 weeks before Christmas, we were phoned by Amex rep to let us know that the card was now deactivated until we paid 2200 immediately. We were SHOCKED!

First, the billing cycle doesn't end until the 17th, so we hadn't reached that date, so obviously no bill had been received by us, or even sent by AMEX yet. And we have been the UTMOST responsible users of this card for nearly 17 years! We couldn't believe we were being dunned for a 2200 payment on the spot on a charge card that hadn't even been billed, or even reached the end of it's billing cycle! Through three hours of numerous calls and debating, we were given more than one reason for this action, but none made any sense to us.

First, we were told it was based on a salary change - which is ridiculous since our income had increased this year; then we were told because of credit scores - 824 - don't think that one will hold water; then we were told it was because we had too many inquiries or open accounts - again a blatant lie since we consolidated debt and closed several accounts this year, and finally we were told it was because our charges on the card had reached a level higher than our limit - nope, that doesn't work either since we don't have a preset limit, and we have used this card for up to 10,000 in charges (last spring in Hawaii) and our new charges were now 2800. Well, then the story changed to this action was occurring because nothing that happened longer than 6 months ago is relevant. And that in the past six months, our average use of the card was only 1900, and now we were at 2800 (imagine that - 2 wks before Christmas).

Now, nevermind the fact that we had made charges in excess of 2800 in July when we were on vacation for two weeks - it was the 6 month average that mattered and nothing else. This company is in trouble - that is obvious from the way long-time members are being treated. We will no longer use the card now that I paid the 2800 this morning. My husband absolutely REFUSED to pay the balance one minute sooner than the due date on the bill, which arrived more than a week after they first started dunning us. And yes, the harrassment has continued -we have been called repeatedly, including last Sunday and bothered about paying this bill - which shows a due date of 12/31. Shameful.

We are very concerned about how this will impact us financially since the credit scores will be affected and our use of the card we have used every month for 17 years has now come to an end.

Margaret of Littleton, CO December 28, 2008

Margaret of Littleton CO (12/28/08)
With no prior notice, the limit on my Delta Skymiles Credit Card was cut from 35,000 to just 2,000. Thinking there must be some type of identity fraud or an error on my credit card report, I checked my score only to find it to be 830 points and not one single negative report or late payment on it. I called American Express to question the move and was told it was after a standard credit card review and there is no recourse. The current statement on this card was for less than 900 so the card was not being used to near it's limit.

Shouldn't there be a law to prohibit a credit card issuer from doing this? Why do I want to pay an annual fee for a card with a 2000 limit? And if I cancel it, that will probably show as a negative on my report? I am outraged at this move by American Express and hope that a boycott can be started by the public to companies that are doing these unjustified moves!

This has lowered my credit score unnecessarily. Credit Card companies should have to have a true reason to cancel or reduce limits.

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