American Express Membership Rewards - Slammed!!

I received two letters yesterday telling me that I had "enrolled" in the Baggage Loss Protection" program ($9.95) per airline ticket purchased on my AMEX card) and the "Flight Insurance Program" ($7.95 per airline ticket charged to my AMEX card). These charges would be AUTOMATICALLY added to any ticket I purchased with my AMEX card. Trouble is: I never signed up for the programs. When I called to cancel, the CSR said that I had called to sign up. NOT! Heads up out there.

I would make sure I lost some baggage real fast....tell the dumbheads at Amex you had 5 Armani suits in them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Banton:
When I called to cancel, the CSR said that I had called to sign up.</font>

A good friend, your ex-wife, or a nice neighbour did it for you...

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You should be able to cancel it, since you didn't sign anything.
Or request to hear the recorded phone call !

Not to be a PITA, but you were actually CRAMMED. Slamming is swithcing service without your permission, while Cramming is adding additional services without your permission.

Free trivia, FYI.

Warning: Check you Amex statement asap after charging plane tickets!!

I bought 4 web special tickets at aa.com ($45 each) using my HHonors Amex. The next day I checked my Amex account online, and saw that ticket charges, but also 2 other charges:

Flight insurance: 9.95
Baggage insurance: 7.50

These fees hit for each ticket purchased.

First I called American Airlines thinking it was some gimmick on their part to recoup something because of the cheap fare I paid. However, they checked and checked and the AA rep confirmed that no-one there had ever heard of this.

Next, I called Amex customer service and they told me I had to speak with the Insurance people. I called them. I got a snotty rep who told me that I signed up for this (in fact, I did not), that I had been a member since August 2001, and that he would cancel the policy but I had to call back to customer service for a refund. I called back customer service and they credited the account.

I opened this account last June. This was the first time since then that I charged plan tickets on it. Bottom line, if you charge plane tix, check your statement carefully.

I am also disapointed in Amex. This is lousy customer service and a shady way to do business.

767, you're right about Amex enrolling cardholders without authorization and then deducting both the Flight & Baggage insurance charges immediately from the account. Did you claim the 500 MR points though ?
I feel the baggage insurance is a great benefit because if the carrier ever loses my luggage and/or is delayed by a few hours, I can depend on Amex to grant me a credit for the inconvenience. I would never deal with the airline directly to get a credit for the delay/loss of baggage, it's a hassle.


[This message has been edited by eperaltaotero (edited 03-08-2002).]

Wow... is Amex doing this accross the board. Is this for all cards or only a selected tier (green, plat, gold, etc.)?

Yeah, they did that to me last year. When I noticed the charges and called, they quickly credited them, no hassle. Certainly seems like the states' Attorneys General ought to be hauling them into court for what seems like at least petty larceny.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eperaltaotero:
Did you claim the 500 MR points though ?
</font>

No - I have a Hilton HHonors Amex, so MR isn't available to me. Would have been nice to get a little something for the aggravation though http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

They did this to my father's Starwood Optima.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnAx:
Yeah, they did that to me last year. When I noticed the charges and called, they quickly credited them, no hassle. ...</font>

You have to wonder if the fact that they are crediting the charges so quickly isn't in itself suspicious. If they were real charges you would think they would put up a little more resistance. Makes you think that they don't even want to risk upsetting anyone who wants it cancelled, since those are the people most likely to make a formal complaint.

Jeff

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jwhite4:
You have to wonder if the fact that they are crediting the charges so quickly isn't in itself suspicious.</font>

I don't think it's suspect. If you purchase any of the additional per-trip type insurance, AmEx charges it for every ticket you buy, even if it's not for a covered person. It's annoying though, because you have to call them or fill out a form and ask them to take the insurance charge off for people who aren't covered. But, they're very quick and happy to credit it back.

d

I have been charged quite a few times for the flight insurance, and, recently, for the baggage protection fee. I called up to have the charges reversed and was told on such and such date I signed up for these programs. I informed the agent that I never signed up, and if AMEX insists that I did I would like to see proof of such. The agent then immediately reversed the charges and assured me that I will not be charged these fees again for subsequent ticket purchases. Because this has happened to me about five times now, I no longer charge airline tickets to my AMEX. It's too much of a hassle.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eperaltaotero:
I feel the baggage insurance is a great benefit because if the carrier ever loses my luggage and/or is delayed by a few hours, I can depend on Amex to grant me a credit for the inconvenience. I would never deal with the airline directly</font>
Yes, you will. Otherwise Amex's insurance won't kick in. It's only a secondary insurance, thus you can only file a claim after you have exhausted your primary (i.e. the airline's) insurance.


Saar

&gt;&gt;&gt;First I called American Airlines thinking it was some gimmick on their part to recoup something because of the cheap fare I paid. However, they checked and checked and the AA rep confirmed that no-one there had ever heard of this.

Next, I called Amex customer service and they told me I had to speak with the Insurance people. I called them. I got a snotty rep who told me that I signed up for this (in fact, I did not), that I had been a member since August 2001, and that he would cancel the policy but I had to call back to customer service for a refund. I called back customer service and they credited the account.&lt;&lt;&lt;

I did the same dance with AMEX and have about decided to get rid of the platinum card I have carried 5 years. I have had AMEX 21 years and find it very onfortunate that they are losing their credibility this way. I know I NEVER signed up for this, was repeatedly told I had or my husband had (he had not either) and hate to be the one "mistaken" when I am a professional and a good risk for them. They were not too concerned when I threatened to cancel the card.