topic Re: I hate Amex... again. in Credit Cards

I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:08:39 GMT

So they CLD'd me last September, I got over it. I app'd for a Green and got it in October. I called to ask about my exposure limit since the Delta was CLD'd I didn't want to be embarassed in public if a charge was denied.

Over the past few months I decided to really start using the Green as my everyday card. Today I got a call from Amex stating my Green card is frozen and payment is due in full immediately. Say WHAT? My new statement doesn't even drop until April 6th! I PIF about 10 days ago on the other charges.

According to the CSR the fact that I went over 1k two months in a row is too far out of my normal spending pattern -- which prior to the last two months had been a monthly average of 157 or something. So, at the moment I have a balance of around 1150 and another charge pending that has been approved. My current 'limit' is 1236. They are afraid that Im in over my head and are demanding payment IN FULL immediately.

Hah! I'll PIF when I get paid -- which is STILL prior to the DROP date. Sadly I have my Verizon bill on this card and it will post before I get the balance back to zero, so of course I have to change it.

I am so frustrated. I pay both of my Amex CCs in full every month and have done so for the past year.

I just wanted to warn some of you that they may start coming after you and your charge cards. Beware.

(End of rant)

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Red1Blue — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:13:15 GMT

I am sorry to hear what happend to you. Looks like they did not like sudden increase in the spending pattern. That is strange. I guess for a card with no preset spending limit, one should increase the spending on the card gradually and establish track record. It still puzzles me how they are reviewing and handling these details.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:25:01 GMT

They did the same thing to my significant other -- his Business Platinum charge card.

He basically told them that he'd be happy to PIF (as usual) when the statement cut. They apparently didn't like that response, and immediately froze both his business card, AND his personal True Earnings card (20k limit, 0 balance).

It's just wacky. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Amex. I'm really hesitant to use my own Amex card, for anything, *ever*.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

MidnightVoice — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:28:12 GMT

I have got to the stage where I call all my cardholders if I am going to do anything "out of pattern". Everyone is getting jumpy!

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Red1Blue — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:32:00 GMT

I hate to say this,after I got PLUM Card for my Business, last week, I applied for Platinum Business Credit Card. App status says '"in progress". I have been wondering what will be Amex reaction to this new app for my business.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:35:19 GMT

@Red1Blue wrote:
I hate to say this,after I got PLUM Card for my Business, last week, I applied for Platinum Business Credit Card.

Wow concord. I think we need to cut off your fingers.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

score_building — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:46:35 GMT

Whirled- that really totally bites, i still think your approach to greenie was clever and spirited considering the CLD that preceeded your approval. you'll find a way around this snafu with them, you always do!

concord - prepare for F/R and or CLD/ cancellation. i sure hope not of course but it sounds like you may've pushed the envelop just coming out of a Optima deal.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:48:16 GMT

Thanks -- I feel a bit better. I'm really trying to not take this personally, but it's tough. The CSR called me while I was in line at the grocery store. Granted, there's no way she could have known that, but asking me to make a payment while I'm standing outside of the store is not ideal. My last payment was due on March 23rd, which I've already paid. I paid it 10 days early, NOT before the statement drop as I had previously mentioned. I love how they want me to PIF again already when I PIF 5 days ago.

I told them they'd get paid when I get paid. Grump.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:51:40 GMT

score_building wrote:
Whirled- that really totally bites, i still think your approach to greenie was clever and spirited considering the CLD that preceeded your approval. you'll find a way around this snafu with them, you always do!

Thanks. I thought I had a really good idea of how I was using the Green -- as in use it for every day expenses and be forced to PIF each month. Had I known this was the way it works, I'd have charged a few big things in the beginning to establish a higher spending pattern.

I also mentioned to the CSR that I was orig told my exposure limit was 5k. She said she's sorry I was told that, as that isn't the way it works with them. They look at income and other monthly expenses, along with your spending pattern, in order to determine whether or not you can pay the charges in full every month. Did I ever stutter w/ a payment? Nope. I'm a little irked that Amex has this much 'say' in how I manage my finances. As long as they're getting paid, why should it matter?

End of grump, again.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Red1Blue — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:29:26 GMT

From what I see they closely monitor the spending / payment patterns. On all my accounts I usally PIF every time I see a balance on my accounts. That is almost twice a day I make the payments on my accounts and keep the balance near zero most of the time. I use BOA bill pay and it does not cost me any thing to make the payments, all I do is click the button and payment is made. This approach keeps my balances very low all the time. One day or other we have to pay, in my case I pay it off as and when there is balance on my account.

Cheer up Peas, pay off the balance and slowly increase the spending or make the payments more often on the card instead of waiting for the statment to cut with large balance. That reduces the nervousness to any creditors especially Amex.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:34:49 GMT

Sorry to hear it Peas. That sounds very frustrating.

Do you normally PIF your card entirely at the statement date? I normally pay mine when the balance gets over $200 or so. Multiple times a week as to make them not get nervous.

Did you ever try that? Or was it soley when payment was due?

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:04:42 GMT

ya i feel ya..i hadent been using my gold card to much..then put a lot of big purchases on it..now i cant spend anymore till i pay it. i see why they are limiting my spending on it though..i will just use it more to show them i can make payments...

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:31:47 GMT

I've made multiple payments, and then other months I just PIF -- always WAY before the due date.

I'm starting to think that dealing w/ Amex is about like trying to get pregnant -- all about timing and even then it's never a sure thing.

(And for the record I'm NOT trying to spawn.)

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Creditaddict — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:43:34 GMT

Our Business Charge card is over 2 years old and last month was shocked to be cut off at 8k and was asked when I planned on paying the balance even though the statement had not cut yet. I was told 8k was my 6 month average so even though last month I charged 12k this month 8k was all that was allowed.

So today I called asking about renewal card, then decided to let them know about my travel next week and stated that I would like to charge at least 10k, but plan on paying current balance before I leave...will this be a problem? I guess she did a test charge and comes back and says 10k goes through with no problems and that is with current balance (4k) = 14k... WTF why couldn't I clear 8k last month but this month 14k+ is fine.

I have to say I have NEVER been declined at point of sale but they are a little finicky these days with that they will really allow you, my recommendation is just to keep checking in with them when things are going to be any different from normal and then you will have no surprises.

Re: I hate Amex... again.

haulingthescoreup — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:45:45 GMT

WhirledPeasPlease wrote:
I've made multiple payments, and then other months I just PIF -- always WAY before the due date.

I'm starting to think that dealing w/ Amex is about like trying to get pregnant -- all about timing and even then it's never a sure thing.

(And for the record I'm NOT trying to spawn.)

And don't forget morning sickness...

I'm so sorry to read this. That's nuts. Citi did something similar to me on my Sears MC back in the day, but they were holding a payment, rather than suspending charging privileges. And it was for the same reason: I started using the card more in hopes of cheering them up, and letting them get some $$$ in transaction fees.

It's starting to feel like the old game of Mother, May I? --just ridiculous!

And I'm not paying multiple times per month. There's no need! They always get their money a couple of days before the statement date. If they get antsy at me, it's off to Ye Olde Argyle Resort (the sock drawer).

Re: I hate Amex... again.

GomerPyle — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:26:07 GMT

I believe AMEX is totally broke. No $$$$

Re: I hate Amex... again.

davidboca — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:58:23 GMT

If you'll forgive me.....but,...... all these seem to be horror stories! In my opinion Amex's behaviour is 'Arbitrary and Capricious' and leaves much, much....yes very much to be desired.

Who needs them! There are plenty of other lenders out there begging for good responsible users.

Amex, we know you're sick, but please get better soon, 'cause we are getting sick and tired of your fanatical head games.

Message Edited by davidboca on 03-18-2009 06:58 PM

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:23:18 GMT

@Red1Blue wrote:
From what I see they closely monitor the spending / payment patterns. On all my accounts I usally PIF every time I see a balance on my accounts. That is almost twice a day I make the payments on my accounts and keep the balance near zero most of the time. I use BOA bill pay and it does not cost me any thing to make the payments, all I do is click the button and payment is made. This approach keeps my balances very low all the time. One day or other we have to pay, in my case I pay it off as and when there is balance on my account.

Cheer up Peas, pay off the balance and slowly increase the spending or make the payments more often on the card instead of waiting for the statment to cut with large balance. That reduces the nervousness to any creditors especially Amex.

Are you really saying that you use your BOA account to pay your AMEX up to two times a day??? That both amazes and confuses me. Why would anyone want a card from a company that caused them so much angst and required so much work to keep happy??

Irecently apped and received 3 new cards...trust me, known of them was AMEX.

Message Edited by VEEnVEGAS on 03-18-2009 08:23 PM

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:04:39 GMT

Peas,

may I ask where you live?

Re: I hate Amex... again.

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:29:10 GMT

@Creditaddict wrote:
I have to say I have NEVER been declined at point of sale but they are a little finicky these days with that they will really allow you, my recommendation is just to keep checking in with them when things are going to be any different from normal and then you will have no surprises.

The first month or so I had my charge card I was nickel and diming on it here and there. Not on purpose, that's just how it worked out. Then I went into TMobile to get a new cell phone. The cost was $176. The TMobile CSR told me when they ran my card, it gave a toll free number. The TMobile CSR called it and was giving store and purchase info, which didn't seem too weird at the time. Then I hear the TMobile CSR say something like, "Okay, I'll check". She then requested my driver's license. She repeated my name, address, and DL number on the phone to Amex. Then she hung up, and the purchase went through.

After all that, I asked something like "Do you guys not have many Amex cards come through here or something?", and the TMobile CSR replied "All the time...". I called Amex when I got home, and they said the purchase was outside of my spending patterns, but that it wasn't a problem, but next time, could I please call in ahead of time.

Sorry for the TJ.