I have been a Amex card member from the age of 19. I'm 22 now and like many of you, I take my credit seriously and unserstand how Amex differs from other credit card systems here in the UK.

I now have a plat charge and a BA card.

Has anyone noticed how amex UK have basically just being going downhill slowly for sometime now? The service and treatment of customers is just becoming simply poor.

When I first joined amex with a blue card they were bringing down their merchant rates to becoming more accepted around the country. Now i've noticed that many shops that take amex are now beinging to drop it in favour of visa and mastercard, including some of my favorite shops, i.e. Richer Sounds - who's manager in the last store I was in (here in Brighton, home of Amex UK), said they were dropping it very soon after giving out a big sigh when I took it out of my wallet - now in my latest statement they have a special offer at Richer Sounds, even though they intend to get rid of it.

However, other than the decline of acceptance, Amex UK seem to have just become unflexable and seemingly have no idea of the importance of customer loyality anymore.

For instance, when I was offered my plat charge, my letter and info didnt state that the Hilton HHorners card would only be guaranteed for one year. I called to complain, they said that someone would call back, but they never did after a few calls.

Then of course their was the farse over the Virgin Atlantic gold card that gave customers twice as many reward points than plat or cent customers. Once again, I called like many of you did. Once again, I was told that I would get a call back, but I never did of course.

The lastest problem I had was additional cards on my plat account. I've always have my parents on as addtional card holders for they hell of it to get more MRs (used to have the gold credit card)/BA miles. Now that I had the plat card, I thought it only fair for them to get the insurance cover and they would use the cards.

The cards, one plat and one gold, were approved months ago, and I recieved a letter to that affect. I never got the cards and after numerous phone calls, they had made a technical error.

Because of my inconvience, I asked them to make it two plat cards. As far as i'm concerned, its just a colour and costs them nothing. They wouldn't have it.

I'm still waiting for my cards two weeks later.

I, one way or another, have put a lot of business amex's way like I know many of you have. I know when it comes to card renewal next year, I won't continue with american express.

Has anyone else, especially thouse of you who pay for your cards, had a simular feeling lately from amex UK? I know alot of you pay £1000+(?) for centurion cards. I pay £275 for my plat - but even the truly exclusive Visa Infinite (yes, I know its not in the UK yet) is only $300.

Does anyone know if it's worth trying Diners Club here in the UK or just stick with visa/mc?

[This message has been edited by bitelion (edited 08-24-2003).]

[This message has been edited by bitelion (edited 08-24-2003).]