topic Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid? in Credit Cards

AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:32:20 GMT

I don't know if this is very accurate or useful information, but it appears that AMEX may be holding on to my points earned through one billing cycle until I pay the annual fee, this is on my Gold card.

I can clearly see in the pending points section there are 5,028 points pending, and my current balance is $323.xx($250 annual fee plus $80ish in posted charges).

I do know my points balance hasn't changed since the new statement other than a few Offers that were used and credited.

This isn't something that I am worried about at all since I am keeping this card and will pay whatever my next balance is in a few weeks, but I thought it might be useful for someone on here lol.

This will be my third year with the card, and second time paying the annual fee. I don't remember if something similar happened the previous renewal years, but maybe it's always been this way.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

K-in-Boston — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:34:43 GMT

Pending Membership Rewards points are a combination of those that have been earned in the current statement cycle and those that are being held until payment has been made. They are not holding the points until the AF has been paid, they are holding them until the charges for which the points were earned have both posted to a statement closing, and have been paid.

The points are laid out here: https://global.americanexpress.com/rewards/summary

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:40:50 GMT

That's why I am wondering what is happening, because that would align with this current statement that will cut in three weeks, but it also says my "available on payment" is 5,029. Other than the annual fee my last statement balance would be $83.xx.

I almost always get right around 5,000 points per month with this card, but for some reason 8 days after this current statement I have not been credited any points.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

K-in-Boston — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:52:07 GMT

Did you very recently make a payment (like last few days) or do you have a Pay Over Time balance?

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 19:03:09 GMT

No, I also don't use that feature. I paid the total balance on the due date of 07/01, and the new statement came out 07/06 with a balance of $323.xx.

I almost only end up somewhere around 4,800-5,800 points each month.

I pay the entire amount on the due date, and just let whatever balance there is report on the next statement, which is usually between $0-$400.

I'm really not worried about it at all, that's just the only conclusion I could come up with as to why I haven't received the points yet.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

K-in-Boston — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 19:14:44 GMT

Okay, it sounds like you may be needing to wait until the statement closes before the rest of the points are released. If you have already paid for purchases in the current statement as it sounds like you are doing by paying the "Total Balance" rather than "Statement Balance," the points will be still be held in the "Available On Payment" category until the statement closes in which they have actually been earned. In order for points to be available the statement has to close for the period they were earned in and the payment has to have been made and allowing 24-72 hours for them to release.

Out of curiosity, is there any particular reason you always pay the total balance rather than the stetment balance? Unless you're applying for something that uses a very old scoring model that doesn't understand NPSL, why not enjoy the float?

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 19:35:05 GMT

That may be so, it's never seemed to happen that way before, but maybe it has. I always get the points a few days after paying. I just assumed it was the annual fee holding the points.

As for paying the entire amount, it's just easier, and it's an option on there(Minimum due, Statement balance, Total balance, Other amount). I don't see why I wouldn't select Total Balance.

It has nothing to do with scoring, it's more about the simplicity, and kind of how I have my finances set up I guess lol. All of my cards are set to close around the same day, I only like to sign in to them all once per month and pay everything at one time.

Basically I pay the total amount, and my statements will just be whatever has posted in those days between the due date and statement end date.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

zerofire — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 20:00:14 GMT

The issue here is not the annual fee for AmEx. The issue is that the charge has to be both on a statement and paid. By paying the total amount some charges are paid but not on a statement, in fact almost a full statement worth. This is why AmEx is not yet obligated to pay them out yet. They will only give them to you after the next statement cuts and even then it might take a few days after for them to get applied.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 23:00:09 GMT

I will update in a few weeks to see what happens. The charges have been on a statement and paid, but I have still not received the points. I spend almost the same amount each month, there really is no explanation other than the annual fee.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:57:25 GMT

For what it's worth, I decided to pay my statement balance of $323.xx($250 annual fee plus $83.xx in posted charges) yesterday, and today I received the 5,029 points that said were available upon payment.

I don't know what that means or if that helps anyone, but it does seem like they were completely holding points earned last month until the annual fee was paid.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

UpperNwGuy — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:07:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
For what it's worth, I decided to pay my statement balance of $323.xx($250 annual fee plus $83.xx in posted charges) yesterday, and today I received the 5,029 points that said were available upon payment.

I don't know what that means or if that helps anyone, but it does seem like they were completely holding points earned last month until the annual fee was paid.

I would conclude that they held the points until you paid the $83.xx in posted charges.

Re: AMEX holding points until annual fee is paid?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:31:55 GMT

Yea, maybe. That's just never happened to me before. The card hits zero balance each due date and then there is a smaller statement balance.

it's hard for me to believe that they were holding 5,000 points for $83 and not the annual fee.