American Express Services Euro Credit Cards

Amex's "guarantee" of money back if you suffer Internet fraud using their Blue Card has been much trumpeted (eg in the press) - but what is it worth, really? At first sight it sounds a Very Good Thing, but I think they've fallen at the starting post with this one, and I'd be interested to hear of others' experiences. I saw a newspaper article (I think it was the FT) reporting on this fraud "guarantee" and mentioning that Amex said books and CDs were not covered. But as an existing Blue Card holder, all I got was a leaflet saying "Online Fraud Guarantee - Now you can shop on the web with confidence. Because if any unauthorised online payments are made with your Blue Card, you won't be held responsible". Underneath that was an item headed Refund Protection ("Should any UK retailer, online or offline, refuse to refund you for any covered goods within 90 days of purchase, we promise to refund you"). Now what does that mean to us simple card holders? Is the Refund Protection anything to do with the Online Fraud Guarantee, or are they separate "benefits"? Beats me… There's a tiny footnote against the Refund Protection item (but NOT against the Online Fraud Guarantee item) saying, in small print at the back of the leaflet, "Policy covers undamaged goods only and begins where any insurance or merchant returns policy leaves off. Up to £200 per item and £750 per Card Account. Certains [sic] goods excluded and policy subject to conditions of cover". No mention of books or CDs etc. How do you know what goods are excluded then? So, I called Amex customer services on the number given on my credit card statement. Was there any further leaflet, any policy document they could send me, which would enlighten me as to exactly what was or wasn't covered by the Internet fraud guarantee? Nope. OK, so I thought I'd try t he experts - I called the number given on the leaflet for "any questions" about the Blue Card benefits, 0800 597 6660 (any relationship to the number of the beast no doubt is coincidental…) No, there's no further information they are able to send customers about exactly what is or is not covered by the fraud guarantee. What about the newspaper article then saying books and CDs aren't covered? Ah, well, perishables are excluded, of course. "Of course"? How is a customer to know that if they didn't read the newspaper article? There's nothing about that in the leaflet sent to customers, and they're not going to send out any further info to customers explaining the scope of coverage. And since when is a book a "perishable"? (tell that to Dickens!) - they said, and I quote, "Well you could read it and then send it back couldn't you, so it's a perishable"… So - what's the verdict? Are Amex customer services confused about the difference between Internet fraud guarantee and refund protection? If THEY'RE confused, what chance have we mere customers got? And if there's no difference, how are customers meant to find out what things are covered by the fraud "guarantee", and what things aren't? Fat lot of good it will be to find out from Amex that sorry, no, you're not covered, AFTER you've been defrauded… If anyone has actually been the victim of fraud and got Amex to give them a refund because of this guarantee, do say - and do say too if you have had trouble getting them to do it. But you guessed it, I for one am not going to risk using the American Express Blue Card to buy over the Internet. It's stressful enough not knowing if I'm going to be defrauded, let alone wondering if Amex will or will not honour the fraud "guarantee".

The good point first: It is perceived to have some snob value. There is some sort of mystique around the American Express brand. You are supposed to think that AMEX card "Members" are well off, have a concierge at their beck and call and get recognition and privileges granted to them at posh restaurants. In reality, it means nothing. Don't think that the "exclusive" Black Centurion card is only for millionaires, movie stars and Tiger Woods either. I know and work with people who have these cards and they have modest houses and mortgages just like the rest of us. They certainly aren't worth millions. They are definitely snobs though. :-) Now the bad points: 1. AMEX is NOT widely accepted, even in America. I live in the UK and travel a lot, although not often to the USA. Earlier this year I was in the USA and I was shocked to see how few places actually took AMEX. I had always assumed that it would be far more widely accepted in the USA, but it was actually accepted in FEWER places than other parts of the world. This included major retail outlets and hotels. What? In America? It goes without saying: *** If you have an AMEX you must also have a VISA or MasterCard. *** 2. AMEX likes to trumpet the "No Pre-set Spending Limit". This is complete nonsense. They credit score you just like any other credit/charge card provider does. What they really mean is that they set a limit, but THEY WON'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS! Until you exceed it, of course. Worse still, they will change it from time to time, still without telling you what it is. Stick with a credit card where you (and your card provider) agree how much you can (and want to) spend so you know exactly where you stand. 3. AMEX brings Recognition, Privileges, Rewards, access to airport lounges etc. Piffle. All these are pretty much worthless in real life. Recognition? After 3 years of using AMEX I don't think so. More often that not, it brings the wrong sort of recognition. eg: There is nothing more embarrassing than having the waiter or shop assistant smirk and say: "Oh. Amex. Yes we do take it, but we prefer not to. Do you have another card, Sir?". OR "Sorry Sir, we don't take AMEX" OR "Yes, we will take AMEX instead of VISA but it will cost you an extra 2% surcharge" This is such a problem that there is even a place on AMEX's website for you to report when this happens. Privileges? All these special offers are to stay in places like the Dubai Hilton, with 10% off the price of caviar and champagne for breakfast. Not very useful. Rewards? No. I have thousands of these "reward points" but the things you can spend them on are very limited. Go for a cash-back card instead. Airport Lounges? There are better, ways to get access to lounges, check out PriorityPass. Concierge? This is what most of us would call a "Travel Agent". They are everywhere and always pleased to help. They don't charge the earth either. Purchase Protection Insurance, online fraud protection? Almost all credit cards offer this now. Travel Insurance? Worthwhile if you travel a lot, but remember that annual travel insurance policies can be purchased quite cheaply anyway and you can choose the policy that suits your lifestyle. Beware of the restrictions in the AMEX policy. Travel Accident Insurance? This is almost worthless. It covers you *only while travelling on the transport booked using the card*. ie, you book a week's holiday, flying to Italy, you are only covered *while you are in the plane*. 4. The Annual Fee is extortionate. There are plenty of VISA/MasterCard no annual fee, cash back cards out there which are far better value than AMEX. Having read all that, you know you still want one. Go and get it you snob. :-)

Used an American Express Gold card for 5 years and they honestly do not value their clients. All they need is your cash and everythink else be damned. Despite being a regular payer each month over the last five years,AMEX slammed an interest and late payment fee even after dropping the cheque in their drop box. Refused to waive the charges and threatened to report the matter to the police unless I paid up. The manager at the local office would not even agree to talk to me. Would not even agree to share the payinslip on which date my cheque was deposited. No action was taken despite two letters being submitted. The call centre staff are like androids just mindlessly saying the same old thing without listening to you. Insensitive management and an equally insensitive staff. Do not touch AMEX with a barge pole. Spread the word around and keep the sanity of your friends and family.