@DaveSignal wrote:
I am not a member, and have failed to see the great privleges. I keep playing with the idea of getting an Amex, but it is hard to rationalize since I know that it would rarely be used. If more places actually accepted Amex, I would take it more seriously.
Agree that your mileage may vary depending on your oindividual needs.
I just used the slogan "Membership has its privileges" since AMEX uses it and it's catchy to garner interest.
In my case, take one year for example, I sold a bag on eBay for $1,500 or so and shipped it to Pais. The buyer said she never got it (I didn't use signature confirm..lesson learned)
I disputed through paypal showing my tracking # as delivered (no signature though). The buyer claimed she did not get it, which could be true since maybe someone took it off the front door. Paypal investigated, and found in favor of the buyer for this reason. I am out $1,500 as paypal reversed the buyer's payment.
Well, my nest level of protection, if paypal did not find in my favor is AMEX. I filed a dispute with AMEX since my paypal is linked with AMEX and all transactions are based on AMEX. AMEX couldn't get a response from the buyer and paypal issued their decision, so what did AMEX while on the phone with the rep, she said "I'm just going to reverse it." So AMEX unilaterally reverse the deduction and this was a few years ago, I have not heard otherwise from paypal. So I got my money back.
The annual fee is surely covered for this one instance. maybe 3 years worth of fees.
I could name other stories as can others on here, such as use of airline clubs, $200 airline fee credit for luggage and other incidentals, Global Entry program fee coverage, etc.
Again, your mileage may vary on an individual basis.
EX:694 TU:744 EQ:777