Consumer complaint received 2025-06-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Other problem
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I flew from XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX to XXXX, XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX with miles on my XXXX XXXX account via my American Express card. 

According to American Express, on XX/XX/XXXX I authorized an internal charge between American Express and Delta Skymiles to advance XXXX miles to my Delta Skymiles account. The amount was deposited into my SkyMiles account. I maintain this was not authorized by me. I did not need to advance miles to my account. I was not shopping for a flight. I do not want these miles. 

I do maintain on XX/XX/XXXX or XX/XX/XXXX ( depending on the time zone ) I did call XXXX because my flight from XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX was delayed. This caused me to miss my connecting flight. I was traveling with XXXX other people so I was scrambling to re-book our flights to get home. XXXX downgraded my upgraded seats with no promise of reimbursement. I was complaining about this. I would definitely have not PAID FOR or ADVANCED additional miles to try and spend more money with a company that in my opinion, was providing poor customer support. XXXX did rebook my flight. The miles deposited into my account were mistaken by me as a credit for the flight that was canceled. I did not realize that these miles were deposited in error. 

Around XX/XX/XXXX I received an email that I was being charged for the advanced miles. I contacted customer support via chat to see if this was a valid email, but lost connection becaue I was in XXXX at the time. On XX/XX/XXXX I was charged {$2000.00} for " XXXX XXXX cents/mile ''. I was not charged the entire XXXX advanced amount because I had earned XXXX miles on my account, leaving a balanced owed of XXXX. XXXX at XXXX cents each is {$2000.00}. 

I attempted to dispute the charge. I was told that I had to dispute the charge with XXXX. I disputed the charge with XXXX but XXXX confirmed that American Express charged my account and they did not make the charge to my account. 

I attempted to dispute the charge with American Express several times, but have been told that because it's an internal charge, it's not a charge I can dispute. 

I attempted to claim fraud, but was told that the internal department that had investigated it decided it was not fraud. 

I attempted to claim identity theft, but was told that I am unable to initiate an investigation for identity theft. 

I requested proof that the advance was initiated by me. They could not find any phone calls or chat authorizing the charge. 

I requested the IP address or proof that the charge was initiated from my online account, they will not provide. 

I did not need the miles that American Express claims I advanced. I did not use the miles that were advanced into my account. I do not want to keep them, I have asked the miles be removed from my account and returned. I have tried to dispute the charge, requested a fraud investigation, requested an identity theft investigation, and finally requested proof of debt. 

I believe this should be an illegal activity by a company that can charge any amount to a credit card holder, with no responsibility to verify the validity of debt. 

I have paid the amount in question because they would report me late on my credit if I didn't. 

This is my formal request for a reversal of this charge for {$2000.00}. 

If American Express does not comply, I will send a demand letter for the {$2000.00} + compensation of damages. {$1.00} in interest per day ( currently approximately 90 days = {$100.00} ) + XXXX hours worth of work @ $ XXXX ( currently approximately XXXX hours = {$1000.00} ). Plus legal fees + pain and suffering + punitive damages.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation