In 2016, I wrote a post entitled “How To Not Get Screwed Over.”
Even though I have the memory of a forgetful 80 year old drunk man…I still remember that post.
It wasn’t my best or worst…just one I happen to remember.
Maybe it’s because of my deep-seated feelings about dishonesty.
Or because I hate seeing people get screwed over.
Who knows?
But, in spite of posts like that…even with precautions and a big brain…you’ll still get screwed over sometimes.
It just happened to me in a new and creative way.
Here’s the story…
We all know that American Express is clear with their small print “lifetime language.”
We get it.
Those words (like “bonus not available to applicants who have previously had this card”) prevent us from getting bonuses more than once.
We apply for a card, collect the bonus, and move on to a different card.
That’s how it works with Amex.
But we also know that, sometimes, they have application links available without any lifetime language.
What does that mean (in non-nerdy terms)?
No lifetime language = collecting a bonus on an American Express card more than once.
At least that’s how it’s supposed to work.
But…
- In January, I applied for a Delta Gold card without any lifetime language.
- I met the spend.
- And, you guessed it, no bonus showed up.
- I made zero progress after speaking with reps and supervisors.
- Their explanation? “You’ve had this card before and already received the bonus.”
- My response? “There was no limitation in the terms for this particular application. I have proof.”
They.
Could.
Not.
Have.
Cared.
Less.
It was strange that they didn’t even care about my proof. Is this what talking to a brick wall feels like?
Usually, a CFPB complaint would be the “easy” solution to all of this. It’s not like a bank can advertise a bonus in writing and then refuse to pay it. American Express can’t just invent new bonus terms for me after I get the product…right?
Well, that’s exactly what happened.
- Even with a CFPB complaint, American Express didn’t budge.
- They said the terms stated bonuses would not be given to previous cardholders.
- The crazy part? That’s a flat-out lie. The terms never said that. And I proved it by INCLUDING A SCREENSHOT.
It was weird as hell. They kept saying the same thing about the terms even as they were being proved wrong.
Now, I’m not a lawyer here, but this sure as hell seems like financial fraud to me. To recap:
- They attracted me by advertising a bonus.
- I filled out an application and received the card.
- I met all of the terms for that bonus.
- They refused to pay it out.
American Express changing the terms after the fact (talking about lifetime language that didn’t exist). What that means is…
Well, to be honest, this is unchartered territory for me.
I’ve never actually had to go beyond a CFPB complaint to get a credit card bonus.
Crazy stuff.
Do I really want to go to small claims court to get a few SkyDongs?
Not sure.
I guess, at minimum, that would be fun to document here.
Time to ponder my next move.
To be continued…
Edit: Looks like I’ll be heading to arbitration.