I noticed this in my American Express Cash Magnet® Card account. I haven’t used the card in months and had less than a $40 Reward Dollars Balance. Then, in the last couple of days that balance jumped close to about $565.
The ‘Pay Over Time’ program is available for American Express charge cards and it basically makes them credit cards, as you don’t have to pay in full by your due date.
“A cash advance is a charge to get cash or cash equivalents, including travelers cheques, gift cheques, foreign currency, money orders, digital currency, casino gaming chips, race track wagers, similar offline and online betting transactions, and digital precious metals products.”
Until now, enrollment was optional, but starting with the November billing cycle, Green, Gold and Platinum Business Cards will be automatically enrolled in “Pay Over Time”. This will apply to both new and existing Card Members.
Having an extra three months to complete spending was crucial during the pandemic. That extra time that American Express provided to complete spending requirements for welcome bonuses, probably convinced more people to apply for new cards.
Now when you pay an American Express credit card, you will see the balance and the available credit updated immediately. This is similar to how payments have always worked on Citi credit cards.
After a points transfer is initiated, the points transfer and are deducted from the Membership Rewards balance but not showing up in the Schwab account. Seems the issues have started in the last few days, probably since July 26.
American Express had added new benefits to many of its credit cards during the pandemic. One of those benefits is extra points for grocery spend. But many people have not received their points, or have had points clawed back.
American Express is telling customers that there is a $25 fee to reinstate a closed credit card. Additionally, a decision to reopen the card would be subject to approval and it would take up to 10 business days.
You get $20 for each category monthly, until the end of the year. So that is a total of $640 in credits if maximized. Now let’s look at the details of each category, and what purchases qualify for these credits.
American Express said recently that they are working on providing new perks and benefits in May. This might come in the form of offers, credits and extra rewards. But one of those credits might be for annual fees on American Express credit cards.
Some people are having issues cashing out their points. After a points transfer is initiated, the points transfer and are deducted from the Membership rewards balance, and then refunded.
American Express has been shutting down accounts left and right lately. But these latest reports, if true, are ill-timed and more bizarre than usual. There are two reports of shutdowns related to airline incidental fees. More precisely, airline incidental fee clawbacks.
In a first-quarter earnings call on April 24th, it was revealed that we might see improvements for the Platinum card and some of the other American Express products.
Besides being able to redeem points for cash for double the value, Amex is also awarding double points for purchases. The Platinum Card in Canada normally earns 3x on dining, 2x on travel and 1x on everything else. With double rewards, it now means 6x on dining, 4x on travel and 2x for everything else.
Until now you would be able to apply for a charge card even if you already had five credit cards and there was really no limit on how many American Express charge cards you could have.
There were limited instances where a small population of Card Members received a manual $250 Resort credit, as a prior credit they received was applied to the incorrect anniversary year.
The credit card issuer is waiving fees, discussing payment options and financial hardship programs with customers who are having trouble making payments during this time.