American Express Membership Rewards - Consequences of not prepaying balance upon demand

I have 2 AmEx cards--one a charge card that I use heavily, and I ran over the charge limit that AmEx set after a mini-financial review.

AmEx has called a few times, and over the weekend I got the standard email below.

When I call them back, I know that they will demand immediate payment of a five-figure amount. I have the cash and can pay it; I just will be cancelling the card in a few months and don't feel like dealing with their demands.

What are the consequences? I have a large number of pending MR points, as well as a very large number of MR points for this month's charges that aren't even pending yet. I don't care if my credit score takes a hit.

My other card is a generally unused credit card. I figure that as long as I have one AmEx card, I won't lose the MR points, right?

Thanks.

(Email deleted- said "you have a higher level of spending than usual" (which is not true), "please call us to discuss your accounts" and then showed $0 due on each credit card (since I already paid the last bill). Thanks, AmEx, for telling me no payment is due, when I know that you'll now demand prepayment in full. Yet another inconsistency.

It is unclear what you are asking. It sounds like you've broken the agreement you had with them. Why don't you just pay your bill?

They have every right to mess with your MR account if you're not paying your bill.

It's called, after all, Mileage *Rewards* and if I recall correctly one condition of the reward is that you play by the rules...

Gotta agree with rbphilip on that. They did a financial review on you and set you a limit. You exceeded it. At this point, they could probably do most anything they want to, both to your account and to your MR points. Not that they will, necessarily, but I don't know why you'd risk it just because you don't "feel like" dealing with their "demands," which, from the info you've provided, it seems like they have every right to demand.

Rewards programs are not something consumers are owed. It's fantastic we have so many options. If you want to piss off / alienate AMEX, that's your decision, but I certainly wouldn't do it.

I figure that as long as I have one AmEx card, I won't lose the MR points, right?
AMEX usually closes all your cards if they close one. That is also how I read what they are saying they may do in their letter to you. I think the FR thread has some examples of this where posters were shut down but then had 30 days to transfer out or use the MR points.

Thanks. You convinced me- I paid up.

Wow, AMEX sure does swing a heavy sword. Consumers and Merchants alike are deathly afraid of doing the wrong thing with them. I guess that is good/bad? At least you know who's boss and I feel that AMEX definitely is more consumer friendly when you play nice with them. But be afraid when you don't.

I have used AMEX, Visa, MC and Discover for 13 years and can say that for consumer AMEX wins over the others in all categories without a doubt.

you may see a credit limit decrease on your cards.