Been a few years since I related this story, but it's still a good story, and I still hate capital one, and still love Amex, so here goes...
Four years back I had just moved to the US from Canada (see, my username checks out!) and trying to figure out credit cards and such. I learned the awful truth that my great Canadian credit record didn't mean squat to anyone in the US and I would be starting my credit journey from zero. Well, I thought, maybe the companies I have an existing relationship with will help me out?
So my main driver in Canada was a Capital One card. Yup, same Capital One, they have a Canadian operation. And it was my main card for years, I had a high limit, always paid my bill on time, never late. Had run 10's of thousands through it in the few months before I moved, renovating my home to get it ready to rent out when I left--and paid all of it off down to zero. No debts on any card. I was a good customer.
So I called Capital One thinking they are a US company, I'm a good customer, they'll maybe give me a break. I explained my situation to the Capital One CSR and asked if there was some way I could get a US card. Answer from Capital One: No. We don't do that. Plus now that we know you are no longer in Canada we are closing all your Canadian accounts with immediate effect. Literally, they were all cancelled on the spot on that phone call. Bye bye Capital One. Could I apply for a US card? Sure. And you'll be denied because you have no US history. Please cut up your cards now and don't forget to pay your final bill.
I was floored.
So then I called Amex. I had an old Amex sitting in my sock drawer. I hadn't used it in probably 10 years. Don't think it had gotten even one charge on it in all that time--but hey, I was a customer right? So give Amex a call, see if they will hook me up.
Answer? Sure, thank you for being a customer, we can issue you a US card with the same limit, which card would you like? And by the way, do you want to keep your Canadian one or close it? Up to me. Oh, but wait--we need to verify your address, do you have a recent bill or bank statement you can fax in?
And this is where I really, really love Amex: NO. I don't have a recent bill, I just moved here last week, no bill yet. OK, does your bank have your updated address? Yup--but I don't have a bill yet. No problem, says the Amex rep: LET'S CALL YOUR BANK. So the Amex rep dials my bank and waits on hold for 20 mintues until my bank finally answers the phone--Amex rep ON HOLD WITH ME THE WHOLE TIME. And finally my bank answers, confirms my address, and Amex card is in the mail and on the way to me--courier delivery to my home to get me started.
Night and day.
I'm not very loyal--I'm driving my spending through my BoA cards now. But every now and then I want to put this story out there because nobody, and I mean nobody beats Amex for customer service, absolutely nobody.
And nobody is worse than Capital One. At least in my experience.
Happy Monday everyone!
