Credit card -- Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers -- Complaint #7524832
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 7524832
Company: American Express Company
Product: Credit card
Sub-Product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Sub-Issue: Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
State: California
ZIP Code: 92056
Date Received: 2023-09-09T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2023-09-09T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Consumer Narrative
Background context : American Express has been advertising 0 % introductory APR periods on their XXXX XXXX products for years now, and I have opened several of them over the years for my sole proprietorship to use the 0 % interest period. American Express also utilizes a pop-up upon applying for cards that you've previously held, which states that you will not be eligible for Welcome Bonuses ( i.e. receive XX, XXX Membership Rewards points after spending $ XXXX XXXX in the first XXXX months ). On XX/XX/XXXX, I applied for a XXXX XXXX XXXX card through American Express. Upon applying, I received the pop-up saying that I was ineligible for the Welcome Bonus to earn a sign-up bonus of cash back. I agreed to the pop-up, because I was not interested in the sign-up bonus but was instead applying for the 0 % intro APR. I was approved for the card, and received the 0 % intro APR period as advertised. On XX/XX/XXXX, I applied for a XXXX XXXX XXXX card through American Express. I received the same pop-up as my previous application, stating that I was ineligible for the sign-up bonus. I agreed to the pop-up as before and was approved for the card. Finally, on XX/XX/XXXX, I applied for an additional XXXX XXXX XXXX card through American Express. I received the same pop-up as my previous application, stating that I was ineligible for the sign-up bonus. I agreed to the pop-up as before and was approved for the card. However, for both of the last two cards ( opened on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX ), American Express did not apply the advertised 0 % intro APR period. I have reached out to them, and they are claiming that the 0 % intro APR period is a part of the Welcome Bonus offer that I agreed to be ineligible for through the pop-up. However, this is quite obviously not the case, since I experienced the exact same advertising, pop-up, and terms as the card that I opened on XX/XX/XXXX and that card received the 0 % intro APR period exactly as advertised. Both cards are still advertising that 0 % interest period, and nothing about the application workflow has changed to indicate that they will not honor that 0 % as advertised if you choose to be ineligible for the Welcome Bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #7524832 about?
Complaint #7524832 was filed against American Express Company regarding Credit card specifically about Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers. It was received by the CFPB on 2023-09-09T12:00:00-05:00.
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.