mr.deke

I was targeted for the 75,000 back in May. The RSVP code that I received in the mail expired June 19. I was traveling overseas and didn't return home until after the RSVP code had expired.

I called customer service to see if I could still qualify. They agreed, applied one of the codes (I forget which one) to my account, and said to call back after meeting my spend to have the points manually applied.

I met the spend about a month ago. When I did that, 10,000 points posted to my account automatically. I think it's because I was in the system for the 10,000 point bonus. So I called to have the rest of the 75,000 point applied and they said I had to wait 6-8 weeks. This was frustrating, because that meant that I wouldn't be able to transfer the points to CO, which was my plan all along with this promotion.

I called CS several times. It was suggested that I could borrow points, but then I was turned down for that because I haven't been a member for six months.

Eventually a CSR agreed to escalate my case, but said I wouldn't hear a response for 7-10 days via snail mail That was 3 days ago (and three days before the deadline to transfer to CO).

Today, realizing it was literally the last day I could transfer them, I tried calling the Executive Office (800-297-6197) and very politely explained my situation. I had to hold for about 15 minutes, but then the rep returned and said she had credited the 75,000 points! And this is in addition to the 10,000 that originally posted, automatically, when I met the spend.

I couldn't be happier.

Man, when you get a win like this, the adrenaline is like winning a big bet at a casino. No wonder this stuff is so addicting.

I just transferred 86,000 points to CO via the Amex web site. I had to pay $55 in taxes. I was given the option to pay the tax with about 10,000 points, but I opted to pay with cash, since $55 for 10,000 CO miles is a good deal.