American Express Membership Rewards - Do not expect to receive anything but standard welcome bonus from Amex

I have now filed my second investigation with Amex over not paying bonuses. The Amex strategy, as I can tell, is as follows:

1) Offer generous welcome bonuses on sign up. These are divided into the standard welcome bonus plus an additional bonus which varies depending on which offer you sign up for.
2) Pay out standard welcome bonus as scheduled.
3) Do not pay out additional welcome bonus. If cardmember calls to inquire why they did not receive additional bonus, claim that "the account does not reflect any additional promotion beyond the standard welcome bonus."
4) Play the fax & mail game for weeks on end without crediting the account.

This first happened to me on the DL Gold Amex. Offer was 20,000 miles welcome + 10,000 miles when spend $1000 within six months + 5,000 miles for adding additional cardmembers (2500 each).

Got 20,000 and 5,000 as scheduled. Reached six months spending 5 months ago and still have not received 10,000 miles. Amex "investigation" has been ongoing for three weeks, have not heard from them after multiple calls and promises for a response in 7-10 business days.

I tried being more proactive with the Starwood Amex I opened in July 2009. Offer was standard welcome bonus of 10,000 points + 15,000 points when you spend $15,000 within the first 6 months.

Called to ask how much my year to date spend was and what the deadline for reaching $15,000 was. Was told "I do not see any promotions reflected on your account beyond the standard welcome bonus of 10,000 points." Filed another investigation, again told will receive response within 7-10 business days. Not holding my breath on that.

Take away: TAKE MULTIPLE SCREENSHOTS OF EVERY PAGE OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, INCLUDING ALL T&C FOR BONUSES. AMEX WILL DENY THAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE PROMOTION AND COUNT ON YOU NOT HAVING PAPERWORK TO BACK IT UP.

I am 0 for 2 on Amex paying out what they promised, hopefully you all have better luck.

I agree that Amex has a problem paying out offered bonuses (boni?).

I recently got a gold Delta Amex via a special offer for 40K bonus miles split in two. I think it was something like 15K for first charge and $25K for some spend like $1K. Anyhow, I met the requirements, got the first bonus, never got second bonus until I called and asked about it around 5 months later. Bonus posted a couple of days later.

Pretty much the same routine on a Starwood biz card. Got 10K bonus for initial charge, never got 15K bonus until I called and asked where it was. Again, posted within a few days of call.

I always take a pdf of the offer, T&C, app and keep it on the computer. Makes life much simpler when checking up on the boni! @:-)

PS was kinda happy to get the Delta boni 'cause I might have had three or four or so Delta Amex cards before.

I am 0 for 2 on Amex paying out what they promised, hopefully you all have better luck.
How are you enrolling for the cards? Is there a chance that you're going through a 3rd party site that is getting a commission and stripping away your bonus?

I agree here as well. I once had to submit multiple emails over the secure message center just to get double points from Bonus Points Mall purchases when I had the green card.

I upgraded to Platinum over the phone and was told by a CS agent that I would get 25,000 points after my first purchse (but they will credit in 6-8 weeks). I am a little skeptical that I will see them without a "reminder" call. I made my first purchase a while back. We will see what happens.

How are you enrolling for the cards? Is there a chance that you're going through a 3rd party site that is getting a commission and stripping away your bonus?

I am generally enrolling through links found on this forum that start with www201.americanexpress.com/blahblah which may be the source of this issue. Agents tend to ask "did you RECEIVE the promotion?"

I'm not sure how people even get the links they post here which go to the best offers. As far as I can tell, you can't find the good offers just by browsing americanexpress.com

I dont suspect that the links, or web application or approval is behind the issue. All my American Express cards have been done with a live agent and I never got my rewards, until after a few messages. Originally signing up for the Green Card was supposed to give me, I believe, 5000 points. When I didn't get them, I contacted AmEx and was told that I didn't have a promotion but they would credit me a "good will" credit of 5000 points.

Think of it this way: If Amex "forgets" to provide promised bonuses to 1% of their card holders, they save thousands and thousands of dollars in rewards redemptions, no matter what they are. You can bet the ranch that they forget to provide bonuses to more than 1% of their members. Diligence is key. One would be naive not to recognize that business sectors the world over employ tactics such as this in order to pinch a few more pennies. Remember, everyone wants what they are buying, that's why you are seeking it. But you as the consumer hold the power to refuse to pursue or continue a business relationship with companies that are treating you unfairly and/or not fulfilling their end of the bargain.

Whether they fail to deliver bonuses, seek to reduce credit limits or flat out cancel a card in good standing, after this economic slump American Express will loosen their restrictions once again, all business will, but the treatment acrid with smell of unfairness will remain in the noses of those effected, and the stench will remain strong. Ultimately, American Express will search out prospective clients and likely offer or be willing to accept those that they previously afforded inadequate service to. Remember that.

I agree that Amex has a problem paying out offered bonuses (boni?).



Given the situation, I think the correct plural of "bonus," at least in Amex's case, should be "boners."

I hereby pronounce this term to be the new, official FT phrase. From now on, whenever your refer to more than one bonus that gets messed up, it is called "boners."

Mike

Given the situation, I think the correct plural of "bonus," at least in Amex's case, should be "boners."

I hereby pronounce this term to be the new, official FT phrase. From now on, whenever your refer to more than one bonus that gets messed up, it is called "boners."

Mike

LOL

All my American Express cards have been done with a live agent ...

This could be the problem, many of the offers require the application to be submitted by clicking the link in an ad. In any event I would never choose to speak with American Express, or any other institution, if there is the possibility of using email or a web form.