This summer I was solicited via snail mail for the Gold Business Rewards card. I had never done the MR thing so I tried it and was approved.

I have been with AMEX for since college and have a very good record with them. However I received a call a week or two after getting my card and they asked me some odd questions. They related to foriegn currencies, wiring funds internationally AND do I buy gift cards.

I answered truthfully as I do periodically purchase gift cards for resturants, gas cards for employees, gifts and just to have mad money in my wallet instead of cash. They were good with it and I never heard back.

I mention this to see 1 - Is this a common call that people get with AMEX golds and/or 2 - Seems like the gift card buying sprees that has been referred to on FT in various places has been on their radar for awhile.

If it is 2, I would hope everyone would try to keep it kind of "cool" because it seems that if AMEX gets too spooked on this they may create issues for everyone on Gift Cards even if the purpose is a tradditional need (gifts, family dining, mad money, employee reimbursement, etc...)

We all want to get our points and spends but just as we want our customers and clients to be good to us, we need to show a little love to the card companies who offer these opportunities and help feed our hobby (or some would call OCD tendencies).

That is my two cents. Flame away and have a nice FTing day