Consumer complaint received 2025-01-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I was in the XXXX XXXX for a company event from XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX and I stayed at the XXXX XXXX, XXXX. At check in, I presented my XXXX corporate credit card to be charged for transactions related to the stay. As such, all transactions including hotel and meals were charged to the XXXX. 

However, upon checkout when my invoice was tendered on XX/XX/XXXX, I observed a seperate charge of XXXX on my personal American Express ( Amex ) card that had been on my XXXX account for personal use when I established the account. Upon inquiry, I was informed it was not a charge and that it was an authorization that will fall off because my entire invoice amount has been paid using my corporate XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a call from the hotel confirming the entire XXXX had been credited back to my Amex card and apologizing for the inconvenience and error. It was important to note that I did not authorize this charge to my Amex credit card and that I wasn't even aware the charge had occurred until I saw the invoice. 

By the time I saw the transactions all posted on my Amex credit card, I realized Amex had converted the initial XXXX to US dollars and now there was a discrepancy of {$3.00} in the converted amounts between the initial charge and refund even though XXXX XXXX credited back the same amount that was erroneously charged to my card without my awareness or consent. So, I called Amex customer service and explained the situation. I was reassured not to worry and that the {$3.00} will be credited to my account. I was convinced that the matter had been addressed by the time I left the phone. 

Yet on XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX, I received an email from Amex reminding me that the {$3.00} was due for payment on XX/XX/XXXX. That was when I realized that the agent 's promise to credit the amount back to my card was a lie. I called Amex customer service and was transferred from one agent to another like a ping pong ball. I ended up speaking with five ( 5 ) different representatives that night, including one who claimed to be a manager who pointedly told me I am responsible for paying the {$3.00}. When I asked why, I was repeatedly told its Amex policy! I requested to file a dispute and request the merchant pay Amex instead because I don't see any justifiable reason why I should be liable to pay for a merchant 's error. I am only liable to pay for goods and services received as a consumer. My request to file a dispute was denied. I was told it's not possible and that I am liable for the balance on my account. 

I know the {$3.00} is negligible. The time I have taken to file this complaint and to go back and forth with the representatives onlive is worth more than a XXXX times the {$3.00}. I understand the value of my time and it would be more efficient for me to just pay the amount in question. However, this is a matter of principle. And what is fair is fair. I have been an Amex customer for over 20 years and am appalled by their handling of this matter. Moreover, I wonder if this predatory practice is a common one and if so, would warrant investigation by the authorities. 

I am now left to decide whether to not pay the {$3.00} and let it be reported on my credit report as late OR XXXX  to Amex predatory tactic and pay it to avoid the potential damage that not doing so can cause. If I end up paying it before this matter is completely investigated, I will need Amex to refund the amount back to my account!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation