Lost Amex Platinum Sign-Up Bonus, Need Advice

[Anonymous]

I got a Platinum card a few weeks ago. I was on the road to spending $5000 to get the 60,000 points. The first few days, I spent $4000 and paid it off the next day (this billing cycle was only three days). Then, I tried to do the same thing the next billing cycle but I was cut off at $2000. I called and they said I couldn't spend since I just bought a car. I got pissed and told them it was illogical that I just spent $4000 a few days ago and paid it off in full, but now I'm limited cos of my car note. I told them to close the account since I'm paying $550 and trying to get their promotional points but also being restricted by them from getting the points; the reps didn't even try to convince me to keep it or explain anything.

Then, I slept on it and decided to reopen it the next day, but they said I would no longer get the 60,000 points if I re-opened it, even though it will be the same account number and same billing cycle, etc.. I don't get why not since I just closed it 10 hours ago. Have you heard this before? Any advice (a different department I can call besides reinstatement)?

They're saying it's purely a computer system that does all of this and they have no power over any of it. The reinstatement rep explained to me how charge cards work and that even though I've been with AMEX for three years, they still had to get on-time payments and spending patterns for about 12 months on my new Platinum in order for the system not to restrict my limit. 

[TheBoondocks]

Man... Even if you were to reopen or not, it seems like you wasn't eligible for the bonus in the first place. However, when you applied for the card, did it give you a pop-up saying that you're eligible for the bonus? I would report it to the CFPB - https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

[Anonymous]

i went on the site and put in my information to see which cards they recommended

it said i was pre-approved for a platinum card with a 60,000 sign-up bonus, so I took the offer

i'll look into reporting

[mikesonthemend]

When they input bad things about cardholder into the computer, the computer returns bad things.

[KLEXH25]

I don’t understand something. If you already spent $4k, then you only needed to spend another $1k to meet the bonus. You could have done that with the $2k limit. It sounds like you don’t understand how charge cards work. They base your limits on spending patterns. They’re more conservative in the beginning and then start to loosen up the purse strings. All you have to do is make multiple payments. 

Also, you closed your account on a whim. So even though the next day you decided to reopen, it’s considered a whole new account. You are only eligible for the SUB ONCE per card ever. Since this is a new card, NO SUB. You need to read the terms or at least understand them before you make emotional decisions and start falsely reporting AMEX for breach of contract. Because it sounds like that’s not what happened. 

[Anonymous]

I indirectly stated in the OP that I didn't know how charge cards worked when I said the reinstatement rep explained how charge cards work.

I had spent $4000 and then I spent $600, and then I tried to make a $1500 purchase that was declined. That's when I called because I had made a $3000 purchase a few days before, and that's when I found out that I couldn't make the $1500 purchase.

The reps have confirmed that it's not a new account. They are reopening my account with the same account number. They said that if it were a new application then it would be a new account with new card number, but in this case, the system just wouldn't recognize that it shoud award me the sign-up bonus. 

I did read the terms of service before applying and I don't recall it saying the sign-up bonus is forfeit if you close the account and reopen the same one. But if it says that, I'm okay with losing the bonus.

[Anonymous]

CFPB is not going to do anything with a complaint like this, won't hurt to try but once you closed that account you lost your rights to the points.  It is in the user agreement and they will have read you a disclaimer when you closed the account.  I tried to close my account 2 weeks before the 1yr mark because of frustration with their "flexible" SL which doesn't work for me.  Anyway the representive pointed out I would have to pay them back for points I had used and I would not be able to get another bonus for x number of years (I think 3-4).  I ended up waiting and called back a few weeks later and cancelled.  

I would cancel that card again, without the points its just a huge AF unless you value the cards benefits highly.

[mikesonthemend]

You did no harm to your credit. Your temper absolutely damaged your relationship with AMEX. Not judging, just saying.

[Anonymous]

thanks

yeah, seems like best thing is to cancel again..

I do attend Laker games and the Centurian lounge at Staples would come in handy, but I was also in it for the flights and without the 60,000 kickstart, seems like a lost cause 

they only asked why i wanted to close it and i said because I'm trying to make purchases to get the sign up bonus but i'm being blocked from pursuing the bonus.. after that, they didn't say or read anything. they just said okay and closed it.

when you canceled, did you have to pay the annual fee?

[Anonymous]

i don't know.. whenever i speak to a rep, they agree with me that someone should've explained better why the spending power went from $4000 to $2000, and they make numerous calls to different specialists to see what they can do about the bonus.. i've been a member in good standing for three years, doesn't seem like they're being deceitful by saying it's the system and not a human decision.. but that's why i'm posting, to see if anyone has ever had their points posted to their account by a human