Calling all Amex Experts... I was looking over our Amex bill and I note that it closes on the 8th or so of the month... gets to us on the 15th or so of the month... and has a "Please pay by" date of the 23rd... Now I know from previous discussions that it's not the real due date... that we actually have until our statement closes again on the 8th of the next month... but... I was told by the primary cardholder that on one occasion the bill was paid between the "please pay" date and the close of the next cycle (so after the "please pay date").... and Amex withheld the Membership Rewards for that cycle and it took a big fight to get them back. I have no reason to doubt this... but have you guys ever heard of this?
That is not true, at least in my experience. I have always paid by the statement date (not the please pay by date) and have never forfeited my Reward Points for my Corp Gold or Blue. They will forfeit them if you pay after the statement date (had that happen), but to me it is not worth paying the extra $15 or so dollars they want to include them. Dani
I just called AMEX and asked this question. The rep told me emphatically "no, it does not affect your MR point as long as you pay before the bill cycles again." He went on to audit my account for any MR points that weren't accepted. He said that all MR points were accounted for. I have had an AMEX for 16 years, and I have ALWAYS paid before the final day of the cycle. I make no effort, whatsoever, to pay by the Amex designated "due date."
thanks for the responses that makes me feel better... perhaps that cycle was paid after the due date and I just wasn't told about it ... but I do see the Amex trade line on my credit reports and it's perfect for forever... so if it was paid after the due date it must have been close because there's not one sign of delinquency on this Amex account ever... thanks.. I feel better... I pay my portion online but the primary cardholder still sends in checks... I don't know why... but I watch every month and make sure it credits in time... but I know my section is always in on time... I feel a lot better now I hated the idea of losing MRs just because Amex's little payment reminder is a bit faster than the real due date This board is great. I ask a question... and in under 5 minutes I have an answer
I can see how this could happen and no lates be reported. A normally good customer forgets, pays one day late, one time, it probably would not be reported, but the rewards withheld. I have one card that I paid one day late - they took the fee off, didn't report me late, but they still have it on their records.
I have always wondered if the way AMEX reports actually helps me any. I have had that card for 16 years. It reports it that way, but it only reports the good payment history 1 month at a time. So it says # of months reviewed? "1". ALso, I got a gold card back in 97. I felt misled about the fees. I cancelled it before activation and got my old green card back (with the original acct #). On my husband's report, he is an AU, it reports as "Account Terminated" and then the good standing. AMEX says this is because I cancelled that gold card. I just think it looks bad.
