I want to warn everyone about the misleading tactics American Express uses in their promotional offers. Amex mailed me a pre-approved offer with a unique RSVP code, clearly implying eligibility. I signed up for a Business Platinum Card online, paid the hefty $695 annual fee, and met every spending requirement. According to Amex, I could have canceled my membership within 30 days and received a refund, but there was no written letter sent to inform me of my ineligibility. They also said that receiving an RSVP code doesn't guarantee approval. Despite my high credit score and good standing, Amex will find excuses with regards to why I was not eligible so they don't have to give me the 250K bonus points. At that point, they have immediately charged the $695 annual fee so they have your money. Therefore, when it came time to honor the promised 250,000 Membership Rewards points, Amex refused, claiming I didn't qualify. If I had known this, I would have canceled right away and gotten my annual fee back. Even after escalating the issue to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, nothing changed.This experience reinforced how untrustworthy their mail and online promotions are. They continue to send me mailers and show enticing offers online—but I am now very skeptical of whether they will be honored. My advice: don't sign up for their promotional offers, don't believe what they advertise, and throw their junk mail straight in the garbage. It's all misleading and a bait-and-switch tactic.Adding to the frustration, Amex remains poorly accepted internationally (especially in Europe) and still charges unreasonable foreign transaction fees, despite promoting itself as a global card. I’m liquidating my points, paying off my balance, and canceling my account. I’m extremely disappointed in Amex and will not be giving them any more business, and I’m encouraging others to avoid them as well.
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