Credit card -- Other features, terms, or problems -- Complaint #10608474
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 10608474
Company: American Express Company
Product: Credit card
Sub-Product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems
Sub-Issue: Other problem
State: New York
ZIP Code: 11220
Date Received: 2024-10-28T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2024-10-28T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Tags: Servicemember
Consumer Narrative
Dear CFPB, I am writing to file a complaint against American Express regarding their denial of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( SCRA ) and Military Lending Act ( MLA ) benefits for my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account ending in XXXX, opened on XX/XX/year>. Background : My spouse was on military orders, and I submitted all required documentation to American Express to apply for SCRA/MLA XXXX XXXX Despite this, American Express has denied my eligibility for these benefits. This is in contrast to my experience with other financial institutions, such as XXXX XXXX and XXXX, both of which approved my SCRA/MLA requests and refunded the annual membership fees. American Expresss Response : American Express stated that my account does not qualify for SCRA adjustments because : The debt was not incurred by a Servicemember entering active military service. The accounts billing address is not in a community property state. I was not a covered borrower under the MLA at the time the card was acquired. My Dispute : I provided all necessary documents, including my spouse 's military orders, to support my application. According to SCRA guidelines, I believe that my account should qualify for benefits, especially since other institutions have acknowledged my eligibility under similar circumstances. American Expresss interpretation appears overly restrictive, as they are denying relief based on my spouse 's military status and the specific conditions they outlined, which do not align with how other banks handle SCRA/MLA benefits XXXX Impact : Due to this denial, I was charged the {$550.00} annual membership fee, which I believe should have been waived under SCRA/MLA protections. American Expresss decision seems arbitrary and inconsistent, particularly given that other credit card issuers have granted me these benefits without issue. I am requesting that American Express be held accountable for what I perceive as a denial of my rights under SCRA/MLA and that they provide a refund for the charged annual fee. I would appreciate your assistance in investigating this matter to ensure that American Expresss practices align with the protections afforded to military families under federal law. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #10608474 about?
Complaint #10608474 was filed against American Express Company regarding Credit card specifically about Other features, terms, or problems. It was received by the CFPB on 2024-10-28T12:00:00-05:00.
How did American Express Company respond to this complaint?
The company responded with: "Closed with explanation". The response was timely.
What is the risk level of this complaint?
See the risk assessment section for details on this complaint's risk profile.
How do I file a similar complaint?
You can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select the appropriate product category (Credit card) and describe your issue in detail.
Can I see other complaints against American Express Company?
Yes, visit the American Express Company company profile at readthecomplaint.com/company/american-express-company to see all complaints, risk scores, and analysis.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated based on publicly available CFPB complaint data. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.