I've now read the excellant article in Inside Flyer on the Amex debacle. My take is this was not a hack-too obscure an impact, as others said. However, in truth I don't know.
I do know Amex puts me through high security on every call. I called several times last winter to find out the maximum personal check I could cash at their overseas offices with my card and I got different answers on 3 different calls. Each time I got a lot of questions on name, ssn#, etc. High security? Nah, just CSRs who couldn't work the screens.
If Amex never had, and does not now have, any intention of imposing these fees, they should issue a statement that they will not impose them, or at least they won't for at least,say, 3 years. They wouldn't have to admit a hack, if one occurred. They could just say that in response to speculation, they have decided no fee.
If Amex does not disavow such fees, I'm left thinking a fee is possible and I will use my Amex card sparingly until we get more information.

[This message has been edited by Mountain Trader (edited 07-09-1999).]