On Our Own to Return Old Metal Cards
Sep 27, 2021, 9:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 723
On Our Own to Return Old Metal Cards
I called Amex CS this morning to get one of the mailers for returning expired/cancelled metal credit cards. I was told that as of today American Express is no longer providing those mailers and requires the cardmember to mail the cards back to Amex on their own dime. Obviously the cost of an envelope and postage is not going to be an issue for most people holding metal Amex cards. However, I find the concept to be obnoxious. Amex pushes metal cards onto us and then pushes the onus for securely destroying them onto us as well. All to save a few cents of postage? How cheap. If the cost is too much for them to bear, then just provide plastic cards...
Sep 27, 2021, 10:30 am
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: EWR/JFK/LGA
Programs: DL Silver, AA, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 389
I received a replacement card on Friday and a postage paid envelope was included for returning the old card - I have it right in front of me, it is going to Plantation, Florida. I also received an email over the weekend reminding me to return the card.
The back of the envelope reads:
"Please send your existing Card back to American Express for destruction and recycling.
For your security and convenience, we have enclosed a postage paid envelope."
The back of the envelope reads:
"Please send your existing Card back to American Express for destruction and recycling.
For your security and convenience, we have enclosed a postage paid envelope."
Sep 28, 2021, 12:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New York City
Programs: UA: 1K, Hyatt: Explorist and Marriott: LF Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,268
I received a replacement card on Friday and a postage paid envelope was included for returning the old card - I have it right in front of me, it is going to Plantation, Florida. I also received an email over the weekend reminding me to return the card.
The back of the envelope reads:
"Please send your existing Card back to American Express for destruction and recycling.
For your security and convenience, we have enclosed a postage paid envelope."
The back of the envelope reads:
"Please send your existing Card back to American Express for destruction and recycling.
For your security and convenience, we have enclosed a postage paid envelope."
Sep 28, 2021, 12:37 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 723
The CS rep I spoke with told me that Sunday (Sep 26) was the last day that a pre-paid/addressed mailer could be requested. When I asked for one this Monday she was so confused that she couldn't find the button to request one since she had just done it the day before. So makes sense that people would still be getting them this week.
Sep 28, 2021, 1:25 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,064
Would you care to make any recommendations?
Would these basic ones do the trick?
Part of me is upset at Amex, but another part of me wants to just pay a small amount of money and solve the problem.
Sep 28, 2021, 1:58 pm
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,956
You may find this thread helpful: Sapphire card vs Shredder: how to destroy
Sep 29, 2021, 12:12 am
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
May be a dumb question, but I am getting so many credit cards, I am seriously considering your idea.
Would you care to make any recommendations?
[link snipped]
Would these basic ones do the trick?
Part of me is upset at Amex, but another part of me wants to just pay a small amount of money and solve the problem.
Would you care to make any recommendations?
[link snipped]
Would these basic ones do the trick?
Part of me is upset at Amex, but another part of me wants to just pay a small amount of money and solve the problem.
Sep 29, 2021, 5:23 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,051
I like to cut a 2-mm strip, discard it in a remote trash receptacle, and then do that again a week later somewhere far away.
The security is worth the extra months.
The security is worth the extra months.
Sep 29, 2021, 4:46 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,639
Even Apple still includes that pokey thing for SIM cards with their iPhones.
Last edited by stupidhead; Sep 29, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Nov 5, 2021, 1:01 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2002
Location: EWR/JFK/LGA
Programs: DL Silver, AA, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 389
Just received my replacement card via FedEx - also included was an envelope to return the old card.
Also of interest - the fraud representative that I spoke to yesterday and assisted me in obtaining a new card ASAP must have been monitoring the delivery of the card because ten minutes after it arrived, she called to verify receipt and to remind me to return the old card in the envelope provided.
Also of interest - the fraud representative that I spoke to yesterday and assisted me in obtaining a new card ASAP must have been monitoring the delivery of the card because ten minutes after it arrived, she called to verify receipt and to remind me to return the old card in the envelope provided.