Consumer complaint received 2016-08-22
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: AZ
Product: Credit card
Issue: Rewards

Complaint:
In early XXXX, I had applied for and was approved for an American Express Platinum ( R ) card through an online public offer link. The offer promised XXXX American Express Membership Rewards ( R ) points if I were to spend a minimum of {$3000.00} on this new card within 90 days of approval. I fulfilled the terms and conditions and XXXX points were deposited into my Membership Rewards ( R ) account ending in XXXX on XXXX XXXX, 2016. On XXXX XXXX, my Membership Rewards ( R ) account showed an adjustment of XXXX points, bringing my balance down to XXXX Membership Rewards ( R ) points. 

I request that American Express honor their end of the contract, and either redeposit XXXX points into my Membership Rewards ( R ) account or rescind the negative XXXX adjustment it made in the same, because - ( a ). Contrary to American Express ' allegation that I returned a qualifying transaction to the merchant, all other qualifying transactions still amount to substantially more than the required {$3000.00} threshold during the 90-day offer period. Additionally, I was awarded the XXXX points on XXXX XXXX, 2016. The first merchant credit I received was on XXXX XXXX, 2016 which was for a transaction I made AFTER I had already made qualifying transactions for the bonus and received the same. This merchant credit corresponds to a transaction made on XXXX XXXX, 2016. The only credit prior to XXXX XXXX, 2016 is from American Express itself and not from a return to a merchant. Nonetheless, my $ XXXX in transactions subsequent to XXXX XXXX, 2016 but still within the offer period still put me well over the {$3000.00} minimum spending requirement, and at least 90 % of these are for immediately consumable services ( restaurants, public transport, etc. ) that can not be returned. 

( b ). If American Express wants to claim that my transactions in the offer period did n't qualify, then it should have also adjusted the XXXX Membership Rewards ( R ) points it awarded me for the transactions made in the 90-day period at XXXX Membership Reward ( R ) point per dollar on qualifying transactions as per the terms and conditions of the card contract. Since it has only adjusted the XXXX bonus points that were awarded to me and its representatives are unable to specifically point out which transaction/s was not qualified, I believe American Express has recognized that spending as legitimate. 

( c ). At least XXXX American Express representatives clearly informed me that XXXX American Express Platinum and American Express Platinum are XXXX, distinct and separate products, and that having had XXXX would not disqualify me from receiving a bonus on the other. This information from American Express was the primary reason I went ahead with my application for American Express Platinum, with the automated system clearly having recognized that product distinction and subsequent transactions as qualified, thereby awarding me the XXXX points upon meeting the minimum spend. Any attempt to remove this offer after the info I received and having met all conditions is a breach of contract on American Express ' part. All these conversations were conducted over the phone and recording was carried out from American Express ' side. 

( d ). I have been an American Express customer since XXXX years and have excellent credit and have always paid in full and on time. American Express ' attempt to defraud, mislead, and cheat their loyal customers out of legitimately earned bonuses that were made public due to errors or mistakes on American Express ' side is unacceptable. Even more unacceptable is the unwillingness of American Express to honor its end of the contract in the time of its customers ' needs and emergencies, which is contrary to its marketing campaigns and constitutes false advertising, and not to mention breach of contract once again. 

Therefore, I humbly request you to rectify this matter at the earliest.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief