Earlier this year American Express announced that cardholders who signed up for an American Express card between December 1, 2019 until May 31, 2020 would be given an additional three months to meet minimum spend requirements (six months total, up from three months). Despite the terms clearly stating (emphasis ours)
You’ll receive the extension if you applied for Card by May 31, 2020 and were approved at a subsequent date.
Some American Express representatives are now stating that this extension was only for accounts approved by May 31, 2020. Given consumers have no control over the lending process and how long it takes and the fact that American Express’ own terms specifically state the extension is based on your application date it’s obvious that American Express is in the wrong here.
If this happens to you I’d strongly recommend trying to escalate this to supervisor and pointing out the terms used by American Express. If this fails and you do need the additional three months to meet the minimum spend requirement then the next course of action is to file a CFPB complaint. You could also contact the FTC and your local state AG due to misleading advertising. I suspect that American Express will fix this issue internally sooner rather than later as well given how clear cut their own terms are.
Hat tip to wiivile
