Business

American Express canceled my cards — and won’t give my points back

Dear John: I have been fighting the 900 lb gorilla known as American Express for the past two years. And I could use some help.

For many years, I had an American Express gold card for personal use and a platinum AmEx card for my business.

Both cards were paid off in full every month.

At one point, my business went through some financial difficulties, but it never affected my AmEx account.

Months later, I was informed that AmEx was canceling my personal gold card that had a $400 credit that I had to inform them of. But I still had my platinum card, so no worries.

I had held onto over 800,000 points, which I was saving for my wife and I to take a first-class vacation.





Well, about a year after they canceled my gold card, they canceled my platinum card despite everything always being paid off.

And they kept my points. That is not right. Please help. T.O.

Dear T.O.: What you failed to mention was that you also filed for personal bankruptcy when your business went through some “financial difficulties.” And that, according to AmEx, was the reason it took your card away.

And that resulted in you losing your points.

Do I think that’s fair? No. But despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get AmEx to budge.

“According to the Card Member Agreement, American Express may cancel the Card Account upon receiving notice of a personal bankruptcy,” the company said. “The Business Card Account Terms and Conditions also provide that if American Express cancels a Card Account (for bankruptcy or insolvency), all membership rewards points in the account are forfeited.”

Well, there you go.





Share this: