Date Received: 2023-02-19
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems
Subissue: Problem with rewards from credit card
Consumer Complaint: I have an American Express Delta Skymiles credit card and have had it for a number of years. One benefit of the card is you receive a companion certificate each year when you pay the annual fee, which is currently {$550.00}. The companion certificate allows the cardholder to book a flight and use the companion certificate to pay for a companion fare ( excluding taxes ). Prior to the pandemic, I was able to use my companion certificate each year, without issue. Since the pandemic, I've not been able to use the certificate because any trip I try to book with it does not meet the terms and conditions of the benefit. I have called Delta numerous times to find a solution and they consistently tell me that the flight dates do not meet the terms and there are no companion fares available for the flight ( s ) I want. On XX/XX/2023, I called Delta twice to get answers as to why I couldn't use the companion certificate and was told I needed to check different dates and/or destinations to see if I could find an available flight. One Delta representative told me she knows there are issues with this product and Delta is working with American Express to improve the experience, but she didn't know any of the details. Also on XX/XX/2023, I called American Express to complain about the lack of benefit I keep paying for and they can not supply answers to me. American Express conveniently blames Delta Airlines for the lack of benefit and Delta 's excuse is that there are limited flights. American Express is not taking ownership of the problem and does not provide solutions. I believe this card benefit is a scam. The annual fee for this benefit continues to go up each year and each year I'm unable to utilize the full benefit because of the restrictions on the companion certificate.
Company Response:
State: MT
Zip: 59601
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-19
Issue: Getting a credit card
Subissue: Application denied
Consumer Complaint: On XXXX XXXX, 2023 i applied for an American Express Business Gold Card, throughout this process my social security number and business EIN was requested. The reference number for the application is XXXX I was subsequently denied an extension of credit due to certain factors outside of me having a 705 credit score. This is in violation of consumer law 15 US code 1602, within this code it essentially states that i am the original creditor, and any loan or credit card product that i apply for with any financial institution is an extension of my own credit from my social security account. I Spoke with a representative at American Express and stated this consumer law 15 U.S code 1602 as well. 15 U.S code 1602 : ( g ) The term creditor refers only to a person who both ( 1 ) regularly extends, whether in connection with loans, sales of property or services, or otherwise, consumer credit which is payable by agreement in more than four installments or for which the payment of a finance charge is or may be required, and ( 2 ) is the person to whom the debt arising from the consumer credit transaction is initially payable on the face of the evidence of indebtedness or, if there is no such evidence of indebtedness, by agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the case of an open-end credit plan involving a credit card, the card issuer and any person who honors the credit card and offers a discount which is a finance charge are creditors. For the purpose of the requirements imposed under part D of this subchapter and sections 1637 ( a ) ( 5 ), 1637 ( a ) ( 6 ), 1637 ( a ) ( 7 ), 1637 ( b ) ( 1 ), 1637 ( b ) ( 2 ), 1637 ( b ) ( 3 ), 1637 ( b ) ( 8 ), and 1637 ( b ) ( 10 ) of this title, the term creditor shall also include card issuers whether or not the amount due is payable by agreement in more than four installments or the payment of a finance charge is or may be required, and the Bureau shall, by regulation, apply these requirements to such card issuers, to the extent appropriate, even though the requirements are by their terms applicable only to creditors offering open-end credit plans. Any person who originates 2 or more mortgages referred to in subsection ( aa ) in any 12-month period or any person who originates 1 or more such mortgages through a mortgage broker shall be considered to be a creditor for purposes of this subchapter. The term creditor includes a private educational lender ( as that term is defined in section 1650 of this title ) for purposes of this subchapter. ( l ) The term credit card means any card, plate, coupon book or other credit device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services on credit. - my social security card was used in this application
Company Response:
State: OH
Zip: 45231
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-20
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble getting information about the card
Consumer Complaint: I purchased 90 American Express Gift Cards for {$6000.00} directly from AMEXGitcard.com. The cards are either corrupt and do not work or have {$0.00} balance or depleted funds. I have tried to contact them numerous times and when I reach a customer service representative in XXXX XXXX, I was told that the cards were managed through a third-party company and I had no recourse to resolve the issues. Basically, I was out of luck! This is simply fraud. Their customer service number is XXXX.
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 20854
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-18
Issue: Trouble using your card
Subissue: Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit
Consumer Complaint: I had some fraudulent activity on my credit report back in XX/XX/2022. Due to my score decreasing Amex reduced my credit limit from $ XXXX to $ XXXX on my blue cash back card. They also reduced my spending limit on my Gold card. I have submitted all documents they have requested and they still have not done anything to reverse the credit limit. The credit limit decrease also brought my score down. I just got off the phone with them and told them to pull my credit report again but they did not want to review it again. My score is XXXX and I do not have anymore negative fraudulent accounts reporting. There is no reason why they should not reverse my credit limit to $ XXXX. I've always paid my credit cards on time and have always kept balances under 10 % I've always recommended Amex to everyone I know including my clients but right now I am very disappointed with them. Could you please investigate this issue for me please. I have attached a copy of my credit report
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 75034
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-18
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-18
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account information incorrect
Consumer Complaint: I reviewed my consumer reports and noticed that I have late payments for an account that was closed in XXXX of XXXX, and yet you have been reporting this account late XX/XX/XXXX until XX/XX/XXXX. American Express has also sold this debt to a 3rd party collection agency and has tried to collect the debt from me in a settlement via email. This is against the law! Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role and have a responsibility to report consumer information to the best of their ability with maximum accuracy. The following account is CLOSED, not LATE and currently is being handled by a 3rd party collection agency as well and needs to be removed for multiple violations of my consumer rights : AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCT NUMBER - XXXX Please investigate and provide proof with statements showing that these payments were in fact late as you are reporting, the account was NOT closed as you are stating and that a 3rd party agency has not been assigned to collect debt from me. If you are unable to prove any of this, I demand that this account be removed, I also demand monetary compensation for defamation of character as I have asked you to investigate this account previously with no results. YOU ARE IN VIOLATION of the FCRA 15 USC 1681 ( E ) ( b ), I am entitled to {$1000.00} per violation and will be sure to collect. This complaint has been CCD to the CFPB.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 92376
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-18
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-18
Issue: Opening an account
Subissue: Unable to open an account
Consumer Complaint: I have not wanted to establish an alliance or corporate relationship with another bank because according I have been informed, they do not offer relationships with businesses with the type of structure that I want as a professional services corporations.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-18
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-18
Issue: Getting a credit card
Subissue: Application denied
Consumer Complaint: American Express must consult XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX Identification Tools because are more accessible ( economical ) and XXXX Business is other option but I think it is more complicated and expensive than the previous ones. Remember while a business is starting is not recommended invest too much paying for this tools.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-18
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-19
Issue: Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly
Subissue: Contacted your employer
Consumer Complaint: Case filed in XXXX by Atty XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, OH XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX for {$4500.00} plus costs the a certified letter sent to an address in XXXX. I'm not a resident of XXXX and never received any information of having been served. Default Judgement was made. I was informed by my employer regarding this matter XX/XX/XXXX. I was never properly served and never communicated as to this matter and could not have replied with Answer to the court in XXXX. Motion to show cause and contempt filed on garnish of wages against myself and my employer. Employer was sent documents to their old address ( XXXX ). Motion to widthdraw was only granted to my employer. No resolution offered to myself.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 754XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-19
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Subissue: Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Consumer Complaint: In early XX/XX/2023, I applied for the American Express Platinum card via their website. Prior to signing up, I called AMEX and was told that it is AMEX policy that, under the Military Lending Act, they waive their annual fee for military members. As an XXXX XXXX military member, as a XXXX at the United States XXXX XXXX XXXX, I am therefore entitled to their policy and applied for the card solely because I was told the policy would apply to me. On my application, I noted that the majority of my pay came from my military income. I was approved for the card and yet, on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, I was charged the annual fee. I contacted AMEX and let them know that I was supposed to have my annual fee waived. The agent apparently said that my application was processed under SCRA, not MLA, and that it would have to be resubmited. On or about XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, I called AMEX again and was told the submission was not done, but that it would be. I paid my annual fee as I was told there was nothing they could do with the fee and that I had to pay it, but that it would be XXXX days for them to review. My understanding is that AMEX, like other companies, simply check the XXXX XXXX website that confirms XXXX XXXX member rights, though some of my friends who are new to the military do not automatically pop up. Regardless, having seen no action, on XXXX XXXX, I called and spoke to an account manager and asked for the status. She said that she does not see that anything was filed under the MLA, but that there was a XXXX request. I find it highly suspicious that AMEX would lure military members into paying an annual fee and then not have AMEX properly review the XXXX XXXX website or make any other effort to verify eligibility. While it is a very generous interpretation of the MLA, if the policy is only applied to people with the names XXXX or XXXX and not so much to those with a name like mine, the policy and actions of AMEX is XXXX and discriminatory. I asked if I could cancel my card and receive a full refund of my annual fee since AMEX took more than a month before they processed anything to see that I am XXXX XXXX, and was told it would take another 30 days which would then put me beyond the 30 days that AMEX advertises I can get a full refund of my annual fee. To tell someone you will qualify for a fee waiver, then to process it incorrectly, then to do nothing, then to ask for another 30 days so that a member would be ineligible to get a refund is a sneaky and deceptive way to take money from military members.
Company Response:
State: CO
Zip: 80922
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-17
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account information incorrect
Consumer Complaint: Hello My name is XXXX XXXX, I have been dealing with an issue with AMEX and XXXX for a long time now, over 2 years. I paid an AMEX bill, and settled with them. You can contact AMEX, I have letters from AMEX showing I paid it. I even did a loan process and had to provide documents I paid this account off. The account number that I have because it was such a long time ago is XXXX. AMEX is telling me with XXXX I have some type of freeze or my credit etc. and they can not update my credit report to show I have paid and settled. This has ruined my credit since 2019. I keep contacting XXXX, they are stating I do not have a freeze on my report. I downloaded the app, paid for the service to unlock my credit report, still not working. I have given up on calling AMEX. I have paid many items that went into collections a while back, I paid, and settled, and all of them updated my credit report. AMEX Is stating they can not. I have no idea what is going on. AMEX has ruined my credit for many years now. I can not do anything about it. I have proof I have paid them. AMEX knows I paid them, but some how they can not update my credit report because of a freeze. There is no freeze on my credit. The balance is showing {$4000.00} but I settled. Two years ago when I filled my taxes, AMEX sent me a document to show the charge off, I had to taxes on that as well. This DEBT needs to be updated on my credit report to show settled in full, NOT UNPAID WHICH IS RUINING MY CREDIT. I am so frustrated with this. no one is helping me.
Company Response:
State: MI
Zip: 48044
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-17
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A