[OFFER DEAD, MR accounts frozen, some bonuses clawed back] 100k Amex Plat (USA)
Sep 15, 2016, 2:08 pm
#1247
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ
Posts: 20
Data point: both my friend and I had our 100k clawed back today. 100% organic spend, no MS, had freeze same time as everyone else, unfroze ~7 weeks later, transferred point out a few times, still had sizeable balance, closed card a couple of weeks ago, today both of us got a -100k adjustment. On calling, they claim it's because I closed my account too soon, but didn't define what too soon is, and nothing can be done. I argued this is not in the terms and that I was at liberty to close whenever I wanted. CFPB and OCC complaints to follow. I manage to transfer all my (remaining) points out, but my friend's account is frozen (again).
Failing that, going to arbitration. Anyone else in the same boat?
Sep 15, 2016, 2:20 pm
#1248
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 42
How does one go about requesting arbitration? Thanks!
Sep 15, 2016, 2:41 pm
#1249
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
It's spelled out in the terms of the card, but start here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...tion-help.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...tion-help.html
Sep 16, 2016, 8:07 am
#1250
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 99
Per the terms and
conditions of the promotional offer, MR points may take up to 6 to 8 weeks after the spend
requirement is met to become available for redemption. During the 6 to 8 week review period,
although MR points are unavailable for redemption, any continued spend on your card during the
first three months of Card Membership is also reviewed for eligibility toward the promotion.
conditions of the promotional offer, MR points may take up to 6 to 8 weeks after the spend
requirement is met to become available for redemption. During the 6 to 8 week review period,
although MR points are unavailable for redemption, any continued spend on your card during the
first three months of Card Membership is also reviewed for eligibility toward the promotion.
Sep 16, 2016, 3:17 pm
#1251
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Just got a long letter in the mail dated August 31st 2016:
We recently noticed point accrual and redemption activity on your Membership Rewards program account that indicates an effort to obtain and use points in a manner that is not appropriate.
It then goes on with a long explanation as to why they are removing points and that they can take steps - take away all points in your program account, cancel your program account or cancel any of your american express cards.
We recently noticed point accrual and redemption activity on your Membership Rewards program account that indicates an effort to obtain and use points in a manner that is not appropriate.
It then goes on with a long explanation as to why they are removing points and that they can take steps - take away all points in your program account, cancel your program account or cancel any of your american express cards.
Sep 16, 2016, 5:20 pm
#1252
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: LAX
Posts: 44
Just got a long letter in the mail dated August 31st 2016:
We recently noticed point accrual and redemption activity on your Membership Rewards program account that indicates an effort to obtain and use points in a manner that is not appropriate.
It then goes on with a long explanation as to why they are removing points and that they can take steps - take away all points in your program account, cancel your program account or cancel any of your american express cards.
We recently noticed point accrual and redemption activity on your Membership Rewards program account that indicates an effort to obtain and use points in a manner that is not appropriate.
It then goes on with a long explanation as to why they are removing points and that they can take steps - take away all points in your program account, cancel your program account or cancel any of your american express cards.
Sep 16, 2016, 8:56 pm
#1253
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
I had my 100k points frozen and I canceled my card and used the points to pay for charges that were made. Then the 100k points were deducted from my account, leaving me negative.
I would say I churn and burn, but I typically wait at least 10 months before I cancel a card. However, I wasn't waiting around to cancel the card if the points were frozen.
Here is the letter I received.
I like how they end the letter with a thanks for my card membership after they take away my points. I guess that is Business Writing 101, kill them with kindness.
I would say I churn and burn, but I typically wait at least 10 months before I cancel a card. However, I wasn't waiting around to cancel the card if the points were frozen.
Here is the letter I received.
I like how they end the letter with a thanks for my card membership after they take away my points. I guess that is Business Writing 101, kill them with kindness.
Last edited by cwebjohn; Sep 16, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Sep 18, 2016, 7:18 pm
#1254
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
I got caught up in the review process and all my points are frozen. I had well over $4k in natural spend on both the personal platinum and the MB Platinum and I downgraded the personal platinum 3 months after meeting spend. CSR said that downgrading card violates terms and conditions and may be justification for them to deny bonus. Currently carry 7 amex cards in total and probably run $5 -$6k per month natural spend through them so hopefully they value relationship enough not to yank the 100k due to downgrading personal platinum to gold.
Any data points out there where downgrading resulted in denial of bonus??
What happens if you end up with a negative mr balance and close all your amex accounts as the AF becomes due?
Any data points out there where downgrading resulted in denial of bonus??
What happens if you end up with a negative mr balance and close all your amex accounts as the AF becomes due?
Last edited by g8trgr8t; Sep 18, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Sep 19, 2016, 11:52 am
#1256
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
so if they claw them back what will you do? terminate your relationship with amex and if so, will they send you a bill ?
Sep 19, 2016, 12:10 pm
#1257
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
I got caught up in the review process and all my points are frozen. I had well over $4k in natural spend on both the personal platinum and the MB Platinum and I downgraded the personal platinum 3 months after meeting spend. CSR said that downgrading card violates terms and conditions and may be justification for them to deny bonus. Currently carry 7 amex cards in total and probably run $5 -$6k per month natural spend through them so hopefully they value relationship enough not to yank the 100k due to downgrading personal platinum to gold.
Any data points out there where downgrading resulted in denial of bonus??
What happens if you end up with a negative mr balance and close all your amex accounts as the AF becomes due?
Any data points out there where downgrading resulted in denial of bonus??
What happens if you end up with a negative mr balance and close all your amex accounts as the AF becomes due?
Sep 19, 2016, 3:26 pm
#1258
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
Sorry to hear that. The post above yours is probably the closest situation where the card was closed and AMEX wasn't happy about it. But I'm afraid your reason might be that you had two personal platinum cards. According to several posts here, that could trigger claw back.
The two platinum cards are different products. One is personal platinum, the other is MB platinum. From everything I have read, the two are independent products and anyone can get the bonus for both of them. They are saying that the review is on the spend on the MB card and has nothing to do with the pp. Should know by the end of the month. If they are unfrozen, I'm emptying the account but still don't understand what happens if they do a claw back and hit you with a negative balance. I have no intent on spending 100k with amex just to pay back the mr so do they send you a bill when you close your last amex card or ???
Sep 19, 2016, 3:28 pm
#1259
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 168
I guess I will terminate. No one knows if they will send a bill or not an I'm not gonna sit idle until they clawback or unfreeze my points which is highly unlikely given that I have MS'ed
Sep 19, 2016, 5:12 pm
#1260
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: LAX
Posts: 44
cwebjohn's letter looks awfully generic though I assume the 'obtaining MR points fraudulently" is referencing MS. I haven't heard of many letters received - anyone else getting letters like this post-clawback? What are the dates of clawback vs. letterhead?