American Express Membership Rewards - CS Agent: "Do you plan to pay your bill on time?"

So I called AmEx today to find out when my statement was closing this month. When I'm close, I figure I'll delay big purchases a day or two and let AmEx give me around 60 days of free financing instead of 25.

I asked the agent, she informed me of the date (2 weeks away). Then she asks me if I plan on paying my bill on time.

I always pay my bill on time, what's the story with that? Then she asks when I'm going to pay my bill and says she'll "note it in the account." Why would she need to note it? When they get the money, they'll know, it's not like Harvey Golub is pacing around the office wondering when I'm going to pay.

This was a pretty average size bill for me.

Any thoughts?

d

I would imagine it's because American Express is willing to work with you when you cannot pay your bill...

When I left college, and moved from Cincinnati to DC, I was going to be about 1 month without income, but a load of moving/travel expenses. By Calling AMEX, and explaining my situation to them, they allowed all my charges to go through, didn't report any late payments, etc. Those first two months of "being in the real world" and the security I felt by being able to use my AMEX, earned my trust in AMEX forever.

I suspect they are trained to look out for signs that people may be in difficulty. People calling to make the type of enquiry you did may be trying to work out if they will funds available to meet their obligations at the end of the month. As NickyD says I think they were trying to be proactive in managing a situation.

Seems to me that most of us out here would know the date of our monthly statement. I am sure that from time to time we have all waited for our statement cut off date before making an unusual or large purchase. I would not really read too much into the comments from the lady at Amex. I think they are just doing there job. and think that Amex is not in the business of knowingly offending or ticking customers off. I would not read too much into your experience..and hey, now at least you know your statement cutoff date.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaza:
I suspect they are trained to look out for signs that people may be in difficulty.</font>

As long as your account is no more than 120 past due. Once your account goes more than 120 past due, they close your Card account, and any other subsequent Amex accounts.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Doppy:
it's not like Harvey Golub is pacing around the office wondering when I'm going to pay.
</font>

Harvey isn't - but Ken Chenault is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW, this conduct by Amex is a little too touchy feely.

An accurate statement close date for the current cycle now seems to be on the online account access screen.