AMEX Platinum Sign Up Bonus Removed After Review
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,187
#17
Join Date: May 2016
Location: In btw SJC & SFO
Programs: Marriott Titanium & LTP, Hilton Diamond (Aspire card), Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold (almost free agent)
Posts: 510
My two cent takeaway is that if you plan to hit spending target to get signup bonus from AMEX, always make sure you wouldnt have any return event before using the card to purchase, at least it will save you a lot of hassles dealing with them. Seems AMEX really hates return when it comes to signup bonus spending calculation.
#19
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Hmmm.... I was just surprisingly awarded my 60,000 points... According to my records, I believe I only spent about $4,500.00 ($500.00 short).
I think my spending does go over the $5,000.00 threshold if you count the $550.00 annual fee. However, my understanding is that the annual fee does not count towards purchases.
The $4,500.00 that I am counting includes "zeroing" out my TSA charge and my airline gift card charges (all of which were credited to me, which is why I zeroed out when trying to compute my spend). Maybe, based on the OP's discussion with the Amex CSR, they don't immediately remove credits and it's part of their review process.
I have two Platinum cards, so as soon as I saw the 60,000 MR posting, I switched to my wife's Platinum card so I can help her get to the minimum spend. I assumed that once my 60,000 points posted, that they were there to stay... Now I am a little concerned... Maybe I need to go ahead and spend another $500 or so to get my spending up past the $5,000.00 threshold (again, according to my records).
I think my spending does go over the $5,000.00 threshold if you count the $550.00 annual fee. However, my understanding is that the annual fee does not count towards purchases.
The $4,500.00 that I am counting includes "zeroing" out my TSA charge and my airline gift card charges (all of which were credited to me, which is why I zeroed out when trying to compute my spend). Maybe, based on the OP's discussion with the Amex CSR, they don't immediately remove credits and it's part of their review process.
I have two Platinum cards, so as soon as I saw the 60,000 MR posting, I switched to my wife's Platinum card so I can help her get to the minimum spend. I assumed that once my 60,000 points posted, that they were there to stay... Now I am a little concerned... Maybe I need to go ahead and spend another $500 or so to get my spending up past the $5,000.00 threshold (again, according to my records).
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,884
Annual fee does not count. Reimbursed spending does count.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Wait...really? So if I charged $200 for my 2017 Airline Benefit, and another $200 for my Airline Benefit... And I got $400.00 in credits, the $400 still counts towards my minimum spend? Wow...that doesn't make sense to me, but I'll take it!
#22
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: All of them, Katie
Posts: 224
The computers at AMEX will count reimbursed expenses, but if a human reviews your account, they may remove the bonus if it was met with reimbursed purchases. If I were you, I'd definitely spend another $500 before your deadline.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Yeah... If possible, I'd like that $500.00 to go towards my wife's minimum spend... So I'll probably "take a chance" and start to load up purchases on her card so that I can get to the minimum spend...and then, if there is time left (and I am pretty confident there will be plenty of time left), I will secure my card with an extra $500+ in purchases as insurance...
#24
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Regarding airline credit reimbursement I think this one is YMMV as the two agents I spoke with over the phone did quote them as one of the few reimbursements that supposedly - and incorrectly - pushed me below $5K. The big one for me was a DL reimbursement after I cancelled a trip within the 24 hours window. DL is a little weird, rather than not collecting the charge like AA does they actually collect the fare and reimburse.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 1,926
Yeah... If possible, I'd like that $500.00 to go towards my wife's minimum spend... So I'll probably "take a chance" and start to load up purchases on her card so that I can get to the minimum spend...and then, if there is time left (and I am pretty confident there will be plenty of time left), I will secure my card with an extra $500+ in purchases as insurance...
#26
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 75
My saga continues. I am now at 6000 spent vs the 1000 spending requirement and no bonus. I spoke to them 6 times now and 2 different supervisors. They just don't care, they always give me the excuse that oh, there was a $200 return amongst your 6k spent and per our policy that triggers an automatic revokation of the bonus points. I asked them to point me to the rules in the fine print that would highlight this, it of course doesn't exist. They told me a week ago that they opened a review and that someone would call me within 3-5 business days. Nobody called me and after 8 days/6 business days so I called them again to inquire. The first response was " that's business days, not days,". When I explained that indeed it has been beyond 5 business days, suddenly the story changed and they told me that in fact it takes 12 days and I will receive a letter. At that point I asked to speak to the supervisor. It was hopeless, he said I need to wait for a letter to arrive. He then told me also that I would have to wait 10 weeks after hitting my spending requirement for points to post. I told him the rules say 6-8 weeks, where does your 10 week come from? He then said, someone must have misinformed me, it's actually 10 weeks. At that point I almost lost it. I told him, excuse me, I always make a copy of the offer details when I apply and I have it right in front of me and it says 6-8 weeks.
Honestly, I am lost at how they operate. It feels like your are dealing with a fraudulent company. The stories and excuses given have changed so many times, this can't be a mistake anymore.
Then at the end the supervisor says, well the good news is, I still have 3 weeks left to "meet the requirements". I ask him, what do you mean, I met the requirements 2 months ago already! And his answer is, well, the other department decides that, not him. The department you can never speak to, that doesn't call you back and will mail me a letter at some point. The letter will probably say. Sorry, you abused your account because you returned 2 pairs of shoes at Nordstrom!
Honestly, I am lost at how they operate. It feels like your are dealing with a fraudulent company. The stories and excuses given have changed so many times, this can't be a mistake anymore.
Then at the end the supervisor says, well the good news is, I still have 3 weeks left to "meet the requirements". I ask him, what do you mean, I met the requirements 2 months ago already! And his answer is, well, the other department decides that, not him. The department you can never speak to, that doesn't call you back and will mail me a letter at some point. The letter will probably say. Sorry, you abused your account because you returned 2 pairs of shoes at Nordstrom!
#27
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,187
As I mentioned in a previous post, a CFPB complaint is often effective in situations like this. Quicker than waiting for AMEX to move on their own, that's for sure.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 81
My saga continues. I am now at 6000 spent vs the 1000 spending requirement and no bonus. I spoke to them 6 times now and 2 different supervisors. They just don't care, they always give me the excuse that oh, there was a $200 return amongst your 6k spent and per our policy that triggers an automatic revokation of the bonus points. I asked them to point me to the rules in the fine print that would highlight this, it of course doesn't exist. They told me a week ago that they opened a review and that someone would call me within 3-5 business days. Nobody called me and after 8 days/6 business days so I called them again to inquire. The first response was " that's business days, not days,". When I explained that indeed it has been beyond 5 business days, suddenly the story changed and they told me that in fact it takes 12 days and I will receive a letter. At that point I asked to speak to the supervisor. It was hopeless, he said I need to wait for a letter to arrive. He then told me also that I would have to wait 10 weeks after hitting my spending requirement for points to post. I told him the rules say 6-8 weeks, where does your 10 week come from? He then said, someone must have misinformed me, it's actually 10 weeks. At that point I almost lost it. I told him, excuse me, I always make a copy of the offer details when I apply and I have it right in front of me and it says 6-8 weeks.
Honestly, I am lost at how they operate. It feels like your are dealing with a fraudulent company. The stories and excuses given have changed so many times, this can't be a mistake anymore.
Then at the end the supervisor says, well the good news is, I still have 3 weeks left to "meet the requirements". I ask him, what do you mean, I met the requirements 2 months ago already! And his answer is, well, the other department decides that, not him. The department you can never speak to, that doesn't call you back and will mail me a letter at some point. The letter will probably say. Sorry, you abused your account because you returned 2 pairs of shoes at Nordstrom!
Honestly, I am lost at how they operate. It feels like your are dealing with a fraudulent company. The stories and excuses given have changed so many times, this can't be a mistake anymore.
Then at the end the supervisor says, well the good news is, I still have 3 weeks left to "meet the requirements". I ask him, what do you mean, I met the requirements 2 months ago already! And his answer is, well, the other department decides that, not him. The department you can never speak to, that doesn't call you back and will mail me a letter at some point. The letter will probably say. Sorry, you abused your account because you returned 2 pairs of shoes at Nordstrom!
There're some apps that could record phone calls. Ask to speak to a supervisor until the supervisor can actually resolve the problem at the spot. If not working, file a CFPB claim and maybe consider going to the small claim Court.
I have long been saying Amex is overrated, but I'm still happy to take free points from them whenever I can. Unlike Chase, Citi or other major banks, its profits and model are almost entirely based on the credit card business, that's why their goal is all about maximizing the credit card profits. Amex may appear exceedingly friendly to some of its customers but that's because those customers can generate a lot of profits for them. For average customers, Amex couldn't care less about those people's experience or loyalty.
Last edited by walkingingotham; Feb 19, 2018 at 1:15 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
So there is this one thing I don't understand in this whole thread... say you spend $5000 and somehow you "refunded" an order and got an amount back for $1000. Why is that a problem for AMEX and considered an abuse? It's no different than spending $5000 and paying $1000 before closing the date, no? Why is that considered abuse by AMEX?
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,884