This particular consumer issue is somewhat different in that I am not, at this point, recommending that people stay away from doing business with American Express.  It is simply a record of some recent correspondence I had with them that may be an indication that they are not very sympathetic to some consumer issues. 

As a American Express card holder for seven years with a great record of payment and usage it is beyond me that they would try to take away some benefits from me due to a less than 30 day late payment.  30 days late is the creditors first time frame to effect punishment for late payment and to penalize a card holder for a payment that is less than 30 days late is not indicitive of a business that treats its customers fairly.  In fact, it spells out total ripoff to me.  Now, the correspondence I mentioned above:

Correspondence with American Express Rewards Program:

After seven years of using your card as my primary credit card I am amazed that you would try to pinch a few frequent flier miles because I was a little late on one payment.

I recently changed the way I pay my bills (went from paper checks to electronic bill payment) and so, unfortunately, I was a little behind in my payment to American Express and other creditors but none of them were more than 30 days. You are the only one of these aforementioned creditors that has decided to penalize me and the funny thing is, is that I have been more loyal to your company than any of the others.

You obviously do not care about my account. I thought that I was a good customer of yours but you obviously do not feel that way. Please explain what I have done for you to treat me this way.

Dick Williams

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 1999 8:28 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: RE: Questions about Membership Rewards accounts
>
>
> Dear D Williams,
>
> Thank you for your e-mail to American Express.
>
> Our records indicate that you are being credited appropriate for
> activity on your American Express account. For the June 1999
> statement, however, 10,845 points were forfeited because the
> payment was received AFTER the billing period closed, which may
> account for the discrepancy. Your recent ($13,836) unbilled
> payment will be updated in the Membership Rewards area of online
> services within approximately 7 to 10 days after the new billing
> period has started.
>
> Membership Rewards has enforced a "Good Standing Policy" as of
> 09/01/97 and the stipulations are as follows:
>
> If the full payment for the account is 30 days delinquent in any
> given month, Membership Rewards points will not be earned for the
> total amount of the charges for the month that is past due.
>
> You can request to have the forfeited points re-instated to the
> account for a $15.00 fee for EACH month that the points were
> forfeited. For assistance, please contact Membership Rewards with
> your request at 1-800-297-3276, 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. until
> 1:00 a.m., EST.
>
> /jme
> American Express Interactive Services Unit
> http://www.americanexpress.com/rewards
>
>
> ----------original message----------
> From: [email protected]
> To: [email protected]
> X-Mailer-Version: Microsoft Outlook 8.5, Build 4
>
> My mistake.
> Username: dick1977
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 1999 7:32 AM
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: Questions about Membership Rewards accounts
> >
> >
> > Dear D Williams,
> >
> > Thank you for your e-mail to American Express.
> >
> > Unfortunately, we do not have enough information to properly
> > respond to your particular situation. We need your User Id (no
> > password) or Membership Rewards number.
> >
> > Your Membership Rewards account balance is converted to points
> > automatically upon receipt of your payment. Your balance however,
> > will remain as pending online until your next billing period
> > begins. This information is updated in the Membership Rewards
> > area of online services within approximately 7 to 10 days after
> > the new billing period has started.
> >
> > If you need to use the points that still show as pending and your
> > payment has been received and credited to your account,
> > Membership Rewards will honor them.
> >
> > For immediate assistance, feel free to contact a representative
> > at the number listed below.
> >
> > If we can provide any additional information, please call
> > Membership Rewards at 1-800-297-3276. Representatives are
> > available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., EST.
> >
> > /jme
> > American Express Interactive Services Unit
> > http://www.americanexpress.com/rewards
> >
> >
> > ----------original message----------
> > From: [email protected]
> > To: [email protected]
> > X-Mailer-Version: *Not specified*
> >
> > User Id: cannot use it because your system calls it obscene
> >
> > After looking at past bills I notice there is a discrepency in
> > the amount of miles I have earned to the dollars I have paid you
> > for the use of your card. A good example would be the $13,836
> > payment I just sent you which was not added to my miles. With
> > another company offering me 1.5 miles for every dollar I spend
> > and your not giving me my deserved miles I may discontinue to use
> > your card. Please explain to me why I should not start using
> > this other card.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > D Williams
> >
> > P.S. I had to use my initial because your system considers my
> > name to be obscene. Thanks a lot.
> > Call me for that information 972-378-6770