Believe it or not, American Express is offering some of its customers $300 to close their accounts. That’s right, I said close. I’ve heard of sign up bonuses, but I’ve never heard of a credit card company offering money for customers to leave.

According to American Express spokesperson Molly Faust letters have gone out to members with large account balances or little account activity. Basically Amex is giving the bonus to those that are in danger of defaulting on their credit card debt. Customers who have received the letter have the end of February to accept the offer and until the end of April to pay off their credit card balance. Once their balance is paid off American Express will then send them a $300 prepaid gift card.

You would think that American Express would use some sort of loophole rule to throw out the members it doesn’t like, but I guess not. This must be one of the most bizarre tactics I’ve heard a credit card company utilize.

Money News