I have been a loyal customer of American Express for quite some time now, and have always paid my bills on time. I just moved to the city a month ago and had to get my car fixed one day. I did not have the cash on hand so I tried to charge it to my account.
American Express has always tried to pride itself on have no credit limits as long as you pay off the balance every month. If you choose not to pay off the balance, they claim they have a flexible payment option that allows you to defer your balance with a comparable finance charge until the next statement as long as you call them and let them know. THIS IS NOT TRUE!
The repairs cost less than $1000 and they would not let the full charge go through on the one day I actually needed the credit. As for my balance (less than $1000), when I called them to use my flexpay option they said the option was unavailable. I told that I had spoken with a representative a couple of weeks prior and asked them about the option, and was told I could use it. This was the very first time I was using the option and the one time I needed to use it.
Both times I had tried to used the card according to what I was told by their representatives, and both times they have failed to deliver on their promises. What's more, I was not notified about the credit cap or the inability of the flex pay option until long after I needed it or could do anything about it. NO EMAILS, NO PHONE CALLS, NOTHING!
When I called them to talk to a manager, they provided minimal help and assistance. After the conversation was almost over, I informed them that I was recording our conversation should I be lied to or misled again. The manager said that it was illegal for me to tape record our conversation but that it was legal that they were doing the same. I am upset about the way they are treating their consumers and have filed a complaint with the BBB. Suffice it to say, legal or not, I think their practices are manipulative, misleading, and highly unethical.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING GETTING AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD AND ARE READING THIS, DON'T GET ONE!!! You will save yourself a great deal of trouble.
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