American Express Membership Rewards - AMEX being 'mean'

Its day 2 of a 3 week vacation my family planned for months. All reservations were made by AMEX. MR points were redeemed for various aspects of the trip. We booked FHR hotels.

So, I arrive at my FHR London hotel today only to have my Plat. AMEX card declined at check-in. The hotel calls AMEX and replies that the account is suspended pending a review. Additionally, I will not receive any FHR upgrades or benefits since the room is now being paid for by my Signature Visa.

An internet review shows only a $400 (!) balance, a recent $10,000 charge, and that charge being returned (unused refundable first-class airfare). This is not abnormal. No payment is due. No word on when charging may be re-instated, despite two calls to AMEX now.

Leave for Cairo tomorrow - another FHR reservation bound to be mucked up. And, we used AMEX for all of our reservations.

I am bitterly angry and disappointed. It has cost a fortune in cell phone roaming just to get the answer "wait and see".

What to do???

Some years ago, Amex declined a charge at a hotel in Tokyo and I had the clerk put me on the phone with the agent. In my case, I'd taken out a Gold Business card to segregate biz travel as I'd opened my own business, and they had viewed it as having no foreign travel pattern, ignoring my previous history. Once we got that out of the way, the hotel was authorized to charge and the problem never arose again.

You should call Amex directly and ask them about your card status. There is a collect # and you can use any pay phone to dial that # collect. If they tell you that you are under financial reveiw, then do a search in this forum for more info on it.

Keep in mind that in orde to receive FHR benefits, you have to pay for the hotel with an Amex car. It does not matter which one and does not have to be Platinum. I am yet to pay for my hotel stay with my Platinum card. I usually use Costco True earnings or Citi Plat Amex.


GL

Without meaning to get too personal, is there anything happening in your credit life that Amex may have become aware of?

Are you late on another card or has one been closed on you for some reason?

Have you financed anything large or refinanced your house? Mortgage paid on time? Job loss? Car accident? Hospital bill?

If there is nothing else going on, then Amex is acting badly.

Without meaning to get too personal, is there anything happening in your credit life that Amex may have become aware of?

Are you late on another card or has one been closed on you for some reason?

Have you financed anything large or refinanced your house? Mortgage paid on time? Job loss? Car accident? Hospital bill?

If there is nothing else going on, then Amex is acting badly.

I would not scare OP yet. Let him contact Amex and let us know why his account is suspended.

Things are a bit crazy right now. I'm sorry the S**t hit the fan during your vacation. An AMEX financial review is worth a search. I wouldn't be surprised if they have changed their criteria for doing one. If you know your credit is 760+ I would pull my credit report to make sure everything is OK no ID theft etc.

I would not scare OP yet. Let him contact Amex and let us know why his account is suspended.

If the OP's account is under review, they may not tell him the reason until the process is complete - and then only in writing.

The OP states that Amex is ruining his family vacation and asking for our advice. I just want to make sure we have all pertinent information.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/98346-american-express-to-the-sell-block-cramer-s-mad-money-10-2-08

I have two AMEX accounts and many offers for Platinum by mail. I would not take them up on any offer right now.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/98346-american-express-to-the-sell-block-cramer-s-mad-money-10-2-08

I have two AMEX accounts and many offers for Platinum by mail. I would not take them up on any offer right now.

Yikes!

I'm transferring my 500,000 MR points to my airline account tomorrow.

Yikes!

I'm transferring my 500,000 MR points to my airline account tomorrow.

Do you think your airline account is any more secure then Amex?

Do you think your airline account is any more secure then Amex?

Good question, I am leaving my points with AMEX at the moment. What are you doing?

Yikes!

I'm transferring my 500,000 MR points to my airline account tomorrow.

That's like taking all your money out of your checking and savings accounts.

Good question, I am leaving my points with AMEX at the moment. What are you doing?

I am not worried about my Amex points at the present moment. I owe Amex at any given time much more then my points are worth.

Do you think your airline account is any more secure then Amex?

Even before I saw that article I was considering moving some of my MR miles to AC.

One never knows when the 1:1 ratio will change, or transfer fees will be implemented. Or worse...

I've redeemed almost a million MR points with Aeroplan this year, so I have a pretty good confidence level with the program.

IMHO, the odds of AC going away in the next 6 months is less than 1%. Whereby the odds of Amex being sold or taken over - and something changing with the MR program - is greater than 20%.

Its day 2 of a 3 week vacation my family planned for months. All reservations were made by AMEX. MR points were redeemed for various aspects of the trip. We booked FHR hotels.

So, I arrive at my FHR London hotel today only to have my Plat. AMEX card declined at check-in. The hotel calls AMEX and replies that the account is suspended pending a review. Additionally, I will not receive any FHR upgrades or benefits since the room is now being paid for by my Signature Visa.

An internet review shows only a $400 (!) balance, a recent $10,000 charge, and that charge being returned (unused refundable first-class airfare). This is not abnormal. No payment is due. No word on when charging may be re-instated, despite two calls to AMEX now.

Leave for Cairo tomorrow - another FHR reservation bound to be mucked up. And, we used AMEX for all of our reservations.

I am bitterly angry and disappointed. It has cost a fortune in cell phone roaming just to get the answer "wait and see".

What to do???

Do you, or anyone else in your party, have another Amex type? Blue, AA or anything? You should be able to pay with that card and get FHR benefits.

Amex is not being "mean", this is their new business model: Guilty until proven innocent.

http://www.creditmattersblog.com/2008/07/american-express-my-game-plan.html

http://www.creditmattersblog.com/2008/10/american-express-appears-to-be-stepping.html

Dude, I'm sorry that's happening on your vacation.

If Amex had some problem with your account, it would only be fair and right for them to contact you before you heard about it at check-in.

You know your situation better than this board does, and you have no requirement to share your financial details with us. It would make folks feel better to say, "See, it was something you did, and they'll be merciful and fix everything if you ask nicely," but that's a poor way for a major financial company to conduct business with its customers.

Whereby the odds of Amex being sold or taken over - and something changing with the MR program - is greater than 20%.

This is a ridiculous statistic with absolutely zero backing, at least with regard to changes to the MR program.

This is a sad situation, good luck OP.

I'd also like to know where the 20% failure figure is coming from? If Cramer said it, that's reason alone for me not to believe it.

This is a ridiculous statistic with absolutely zero backing, at least with regard to changes to the MR program.

Two months ago I would have agreed with you about this being a ridiculous statistic.

But lately I've heard some of the top U.S. economists forecasting pretty unbelievable odds for failure/takeover/buyout rates of some of the largest banks, credit institutions and investment houses.

My numbers may be superfluous, but in light of developing events I think it's prudent to diversify and spread the miles into several different accounts.

This is a ridiculous statistic with absolutely zero backing, at least with regard to changes to the MR program.

Really?

Would you have predicted that Bear Sterns, Lehman, WaMU, Wachovia and Merrill Lynch would disappear in 2008?

Given that Amex is a lender that doesn't have a bank to take in deposits anymore, unless credit eases up I think there's a high likelihood of them being absorbed in the next 6 months.

Woke up with some jet lag and I'm glad some people have weighed in. No new cars, new homes, new jobs, or new cards for me. I actually use Amex CreditSecure, so I can see my fake FICO scores - tonight all over 740. If it weren't 5AM, I'd be searching down the phone again, but I imagine it will just anger me.

Unfortunately, I do have an SPG Amex, but I neglected to bring it with me. Again, no balance on that card. I rebooked our Cairo hotel using SPG points earlier tonight and on my return sector, I cancelled and rebooked using some HHONORS points. So, we're rescueing the future, but its frusterating all the same. In the end, I'm sitting in with my laptop on Expedia - something I should have done from the start, I'm afraid.

I'll let you know if AMEX offers up any sort of explanation. Until then, thank you Visa Signature.

10% of Amex is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, so I'd guess they'd probably buy up some more shares in an another sweetheart deal, if they really think it's still a good viable company.

I've seen tons of threads about Amex cutting them off, but I'd say they were ahead of the curve. There are so many people who will burn their unsecured credit cards before they touch a dollar in the bank. They have huge exposures to some people, many in the 100k-1m range.

How many people mention 200k, 500k in limits that they don't use, spread over 8 cards? When their 6 figure job go south, or they figure it's all going to hell, and why not, it would bankrupt them.

I'm beginning to question if I want to do business with this company.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27055285/

I'm beginning to question if I want to do business with this company.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27055285/

Amex has to protect itself and lower their risks. I am glad they are pro-active in this. However, I understand that they are not using the best business practices to do so and should notify consumer in advance before taking actions.

Two months ago I would have agreed with you about this being a ridiculous statistic.

But lately I've heard some of the top U.S. economists forecasting pretty unbelievable odds for failure/takeover/buyout rates of some of the largest banks, credit institutions and investment houses.

My numbers may be superfluous, but in light of developing events I think it's prudent to diversify and spread the miles into several different accounts.

Really?

Would you have predicted that Bear Sterns, Lehman, WaMU, Wachovia and Merrill Lynch would disappear in 2008?

Given that Amex is a lender that doesn't have a bank to take in deposits anymore, unless credit eases up I think there's a high likelihood of them being absorbed in the next 6 months.

I didn't say that there was zero chance of a buyout/merger/some change to AmEx. But much like when an airline gets bought out the FFers/program are revered because of the revenue potential it represents, I do not think that any ownership change to AmEx would necessitate an immediate change to the MR program, and definitely not the program being wiped out with no prior notice to members nor ability to get "out" of the program.

And the number is completely made up, as best as I can tell, with respect to the MR program, which is what I was commenting on.

I'm beginning to question if I want to do business with this company.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27055285/

“Absolutely unbelievable!” said Jesse Gilleland of suburban Washington, D.C., who says revisions of his American Express accounts and credit limits, at least partly for those reasons, could force him to close his once-thriving computer-consulting firm.The decision to operate a business on a credit card rather than a normal loan/line of credit is an interesting one. I'm not sure that it is one I would make for my business. And if his limit is getting cut to below the $6-8K that he needs for monthly travel (or even 2x that to account for the float then I'm guessing there is more to it than simply where he was shopping.

His Virginia home has plummeted in value to far below the amount of his mortgage, and his business expenses are climbing.I can't imagine that this has anything to do with the AmEx decision. Oh, wait. The AmEx spokesperson actually says exactly that:
But, [American Express spokeswoman Kim Forde] said, “We are looking at some other factors, too, in light of the economy. We are looking at consumers holding subprime mortgages (and) those living in areas where there has been a greater deterioration in home prices.”

Whether the guy wants to admit it or not he's a higher credit risk now, particularly because of the home value thing. And AmEx is shoring up their books. And his decision to depend solely on a CC from AmEx to operate the float of his business is a suspect one. If he's that profitable he should have enough money in the bank to float $10K in monthly expenses.

The decision to operate a business on a credit card rather than a normal loan/line of credit is an interesting one. I'm not sure that it is one I would make for my business. And if his limit is getting cut to below the $6-8K that he needs for monthly travel (or even 2x that to account for the float then I'm guessing there is more to it than simply where he was shopping.


OT, but . . . I think the "once-thriving" part of the company as well as the individual's inability to make payments for travel before being reimbursed by clients are both problematic . . . If the firm is thriving, then you simply send AmEx a few thousand from the bank account every few weeks (as needed) - I charged 325% of my credit limit in August yet never went above 50% utilization.

I'm sure someone else will issue him a credit card if that's the way of funding his business. Then again, I await the MSNBC article where a small business has to close because Citibank stops sending convenience checks . . .

Still not working...

Called AMEX for the third time. Explained that I have contacted the merchant and that they will verify the refunded airfare with AMEX. I have paid off all the remaining charges. Still no dice, just transfered around in an endless loop of overseas call centers. I asked to speak to a supervisor, especially since it occurs to me that I am paying premium FHR rates at The Ritz to receive no benefits! Five minutes of holding... a supervisor will call me back. It hasn't happened yet!

So disappointed in the customer service. For someone 'stranded' (not really) internationally, its appalling. For someone who uses their travel services and follows their advice, its terrible.

Still waiting for resolution.

I'm less disturbed about a guy being upside down in his house and/or using Amex to keep his business afloat (despite the OPEN commercials that advertise that you should be doing just that).

I'm more disturbed that Amex is basing decisions to extend credit based upon where you decide to use your card.

Still not working...

Called AMEX for the third time. Explained that I have contacted the merchant and that they will verify the refunded airfare with AMEX. I have paid off all the remaining charges. Still no dice, just transfered around in an endless loop of overseas call centers. I asked to speak to a supervisor, especially since it occurs to me that I am paying premium FHR rates at The Ritz to receive no benefits! Five minutes of holding... a supervisor will call me back. It hasn't happened yet!

So disappointed in the customer service. For someone 'stranded' (not really) internationally, its appalling. For someone who uses their travel services and follows their advice, its terrible.

Still waiting for resolution.

Does your account show any amount past due due to the fact that a refund did not post or your account shows up as current?

Does your account show any amount past due due to the fact that a refund did not post or your account shows up as current?

Are you in a city now with an AmEx travel services center? I just can't get a response from the website today . . . Can the company expedite a "replacement" SPG card to you?

Maybe a little OT, but I don't begrudge AMEX trying to mitigate its financial risk. But the manner in which the company seems to be doing it, at least to a number of FTers over the past several days, appears to be piss-poor customer service.

Mike

I'm more disturbed that Amex is basing decisions to extend credit based upon where you decide to use your card.

Makes you wonder about how AMEX will start to view those who use their cards for 100% leisure travel and mostly frequent casino properties. :eek::eek:

Makes you wonder about how AMEX will start to view those who use their cards for 100% leisure travel and mostly frequent casino properties. :eek::eek:

;)

Makes you wonder about how AMEX will start to view those who use their cards for 100% leisure travel and mostly frequent casino properties. :eek::eek:

and strip clubs???

and strip clubs???

I don't do strip clubs, too much vigorish. ;)

One can only dabble in so many hobbies that are negative expectation.

And, I have no worries attracting my own entourage, FWIW.

Makes you wonder about how AMEX will start to view those who use their cards for 100% leisure travel and mostly frequent casino properties. :eek::eek:

Using my native double-negative: "that doesn't bother me none", as my hotel and food are comped.

That said, AmEx recently approved my new card (last a customer in 2003) at less than 1/10th my Citibank MC limit - I don't mind sending in the payment once a week electronically to keep utilization low but I know this would absolutely miff most customers.

Using my native double-negative: "that doesn't bother me none", as my hotel and food are comped.


Yeah, but they still ask for a credit card a check-in to guarantee any charges above your comping level, right? AMEX will see that, and also hard inquiries if you have a line of credit at the casino; heck, they could just decide that anybody who flies to Vegas frequently is a credit risk.

Nothing late, everything on the up-and-up. Well, after 5 calls, they tell me my card is working, but it was declined at dinner tonight at OXO Wharf in London. The waitress was pleasant about it - but followed with an interesting comment. "Oh, this is happening with all American Express cards".

Nice, eh? Confidence boosting, too. Glad I travel with more than one card. Tomorrow at Heathrow I am withdrawing all of the cash from my checking account in the states and I'm using that from here on out. If they want to prevent bank runs, then they need to perform in a manner that does not lead me to question their viability.

Nice, eh? Confidence boosting, too. Glad I travel with more than one card. Tomorrow at Heathrow I am withdrawing all of the cash from my checking account in the states and I'm using that from here on out. If they want to prevent bank runs, then they need to perform in a manner that does not lead me to question their viability.

Well, you do know what Floyd Mayweather Jr. says... :p
"I don't need no eff'in Black Card cash gets the job done!"

or, the more sanitized version

Floyd Mayweather Jr. expressed contempt for the Black Card in HBO's miniseries 24/7. Insisting that he doesn't need a Black Card, he proceeds to take out a considerable amount of cash, saying the latter system works better.

maybe i moved to fast and too silly... but i pulled all my am ex points off my card and put it into my ANA milage club which has great value and never lets me down.

maybe i moved to fast and too silly... but i pulled all my am ex points off my card and put it into my ANA milage club which has great value and never lets me down.

Yes, you did, but as long as you're happy with the redemption that's what really matters.

Well, you do know what Floyd Mayweather Jr. says... :p
"I don't need no eff'in Black Card cash gets the job done!"

or, the more sanitized version

Totally off topic, but I need to say it anyway. Mayweather is a total punk, but thoroughly entertaining. I truly enjoy watching him and Roger on 24/7. My favorite quote:

"You ask why Floyd is still hungry? He’s got it all. Well why Bill Gates still make them ****in' computers? Hmm?”

Hilarious.

Maybe I'm missing something here. Yes, AMEX is a charge card that we use to pay for things. But AMEX bills itself as much, much more - all of their ads are about how they help you get the most out of life.

So the OP uses them to do that and plan a great vacation, but the other hand doesn't know what's up and cancels his card as soon as he leaves on vacation. And someone said they understand AMEX trying to mitigate its risk??!!

This is totally over the top. There should have been contact before he left or, if not possible, they should have bit the bullet and not done anything until after he was back. They talk about relationships but act solely on numbers.

I'm sorry, they can't have it both ways. I've done well with them but I have no emotional attachment to this company as it is certain they have none to anyone!

So tell me, do I have to think before using it at a Chinese restaurant? Does using it at the movies depend on what film I'm watching? Unbelievable.

Carrying an amex always means carrying a backup (Visa, MC, Discover, etc).

or

"Don't leave home without it (and a backup)"

Carrying an amex always means carrying a backup (Visa, MC, Discover, etc).

or

"Don't leave home without it (and a backup)"

I think that's true of any - I always travel with one of each (except Discover, and I would have to take the Discover out of the safe if I go to some countries in Asia).

Carrying an amex always means carrying a backup (Visa, MC, Discover, etc).

That goes for any card. It's always a good idea to have cards from multiple banks/networks. I've been out to dinner with friends several times when their small credit union's Visa cards weren't going through.


From the MSNBC article:
Gilleland was mystified about what among his own purchases may have drawn attention from American Express’ risk analysis system.

“I’ll tell you where 90 percent of my purchases are: Avis, Hertz, Target and Best Buy,” he said.

Hmm.. I wonder how "thriving" a "computer security and data recovery" business is when it's primary supplier is Best Buy. :rolleyes: I'm also wondering if the "high" level of things he bought at Best Buy triggered it. I can't think of the last time I bought something from there and most people who are well-off tend to go to the local boutique/custom AV shops.

Limit reductions have pinched cardholders like Gilleland, who said he counted on three American Express accounts to fund startup and travel costs of his firm, based in Stafford, Va.
<snip>
For Gilleland, the father of three young boys, the credit crunch is just one of a number of financial blows hitting at once. His Virginia home has plummeted in value to far below the amount of his mortgage, and his business expenses are climbing.

Sounds like Amex made the right call. Any business which relies upon a single source of funding/credit is bound to fail. I don't doubt that the guy might have been staying afloat, but at the same time, his business model doesn't seem to be terribly solid.

Update 6:51a--------
Whoa... just found the actual Amex letter he received (PDF). (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/SPECIAL%20PROJECTS/Amex_Limit.pdf) There's more to this story. Here's ALL of the reasons Amex canned him (and reinforces my thoughts that Amex is making the right call):

1) Your credit bureau score:
1a) Too many consumer finance company accounts
1b) Too many inquiries in the last 12 months
1c) Proportion of balances to credit limits on bank/national or other revolving accounts is too high
1d) Length of time accounts have been established

2) Our credit experience with customers who have made purchases at establishments where you recently used your card.
3) Low payments to balance ratio for your accounts in relation to your overall credit profile
4) Our analysis of the credit risk associated with customers who have residential loans from the creditors(s) indicated in your credit report.

Would YOU loan this guy $10k? $1k? I most certainly wouldn't.

That goes for any card. It's always a good idea to have cards from multiple banks/networks. I've been out to dinner with friends several times when their small credit union's Visa cards weren't going through.


From the MSNBC article:


Hmm.. I wonder how "thriving" a "computer security and data recovery" business is when it's primary supplier is Best Buy. :rolleyes: I'm also wondering if the "high" level of things he bought at Best Buy triggered it. I can't think of the last time I bought something from there and most people who are well-off tend to go to the local boutique/custom AV shops.



Sounds like Amex made the right call. Any business which relies upon a single source of funding/credit is bound to fail. I don't doubt that the guy might have been staying afloat, but at the same time, his business model doesn't seem to be terribly solid.

Update 6:51a--------
Whoa... just found the actual Amex letter he received (PDF). (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/SPECIAL%20PROJECTS/Amex_Limit.pdf) There's more to this story. Here's ALL of the reasons Amex canned him (and reinforces my thoughts that Amex is making the right call):

1) Your credit bureau score:
1a) Too many consumer finance company accounts
1b) Too many inquiries in the last 12 months
1c) Proportion of balances to credit limits on bank/national or other revolving accounts is too high
1d) Length of time accounts have been established

2) Our credit experience with customers who have made purchases at establishments where you recently used your card.
3) Low payments to balance ratio for your accounts in relation to your overall credit profile
4) Our analysis of the credit risk associated with customers who have residential loans from the creditors(s) indicated in your credit report.

Would YOU loan this guy $10k? $1k? I most certainly wouldn't.

Maybe not but do you believe all of their computer generated analyses? When I call and speak with an agent I'm happy if they can understand my dispute!?!

These posts tells me that Amex has a list of 20000000
reasons to pull out of Pandora's box at any given time. The reality is
that they never cite the underlying reason which is that American Express has decided to curtail its extension of credit. Period.

As an ivy MBA I could go on at length on the virtues of credit risk management and to some degree I agree with the reservations people have. What I profoundly disagree with is the manner in which these actions have been carried out. For the so-called "elite" card I find it all in very poor taste. That's why I stay with my private bank where I know my banker's name and don't buy into the warm and fuzzy "we're here for you" (at 30%) ads

Update 6:51a--------
Whoa... just found the actual Amex letter he received (PDF). (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/SPECIAL%20PROJECTS/Amex_Limit.pdf) There's more to this story. Here's ALL of the reasons Amex canned him (and reinforces my thoughts that Amex is making the right call):


That letter was dated April 2008!! :eek: The story is 6 months old. Six months ago there was no credit crisis, Lehman Brothers was still flying high and credit was still being handed out pretty freely. That this guy lost his limit then is a pretty good indication that he was a significant credit risk to AmEx, regardless of the reasons listed in the letter.

As an ivy MBA I could go on at length on the virtues of credit risk management and to some degree I agree with the reservations people have.

As "an ivy MBA" would YOU write this guy a $10K (or $100K) loan with your own money given the info provided?

So, I was at Souk Madinat Jumeirah tonight (upscale Dubai mall) and I heard the first American accents I've observed in a few days. Upon listening-in, I noticed that they were having issues using their Platinum Amex Card! "Call Issuer" the machine was telling them. I quickly relayed that I had the same problem and they told me the same - Amex had not worked once in 2 weeks! Apparently, their Chase Bank cards are acting the same - along with everyone else's on their tour.

I hope we don't get mugged, because we're carrying enough cash to buy 4 Biz Class tickets home if push comes to shove!

Just to give my example of their customer service (today!)...and their business practices....

I charge 10k month and called last night to cancel due to no more 241 domestic. They cancelled quickly, with no problem. Never asked me to stay a cardmember, offered nothing.

At 10k/month I am generating at least 3200 a year in fees for them (assuming 3% merchant transaction fee).

Silly silly business practices. Glad I dont have to worry about being "reviewed", limited, etc.

I just dont understand it, I suppose us people who spend 100k-1mm++ per year with this company (assuming WE know something about business, etc) are the dumb ones, and some mid-low level accountant at AMEX corporate knows better...

I do know that there is nothing (besides 241 domestic) that plat/cent can do for me that slipping the hotel check in clerk a 20 wont do better!

Just to give my example of their customer service (today!)...and their business practices....

I charge 10k month and called last night to cancel due to no more 241 domestic. They cancelled quickly, with no problem. Never asked me to stay a cardmember, offered nothing.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

I don't know why people are so surprised when they are not made some offer for retention. Some people get one and some people do not. Maybe AmEx decided that the $3K you generate in fees isn't worth it for some reason.

Oh, and $300/month is $3600 annually, not $3200. I wonder if the low-level accountant gets the math correct. ;)

Amex had not worked once in 2 weeks! Apparently, their Chase Bank cards are acting the same - along with everyone else's on their tour.
For multiple cards/brands to be denied across that many people I'd assume that there are problems with the CC clearinghouse, not that everyone on the trip is a credit risk and has had their limits slashed.

I hope we don't get mugged, because we're carrying enough cash to buy 4 Biz Class tickets home if push comes to shove!That seems a bit excessive, but I wish you luck. Do you not have currently issued return tickets?? Or are you expecting that there would be no way to purchase tickets other than in cash? Pretty interesting view...

mr kk just had his six month old spg amex limit reduced, which (apparently) resulted in our payment for our chi-chi vacation next month being declined. (already solved, we used another card.)

his credit is excellent, we have no debt, he pays in full every month and on time. he's tried several times to call them but has held as long as 30 minutes :eek: before giving up. obviously this isn't happening just to a few people.

i've been an amex cardholder for over 20 years, and they've always treated me very well and fairly, but i'm shocked at how they're treating him, frankly. :td::td::td:

It took me 5 hours on the phone to get no answers. I'll send a letter. We'll see. It is widespread - very widespread!

It took me 5 hours on the phone to get no answers.

There is NO WAY you really spent 5 hours on the phone. ;) Well, at least I hope not..... as 5 hours of my time is too valuable to spend on the phone with any credit card company.....