The Caffeinated Penguin

Posted By matt on October 2, 2006

1. I bought something on my Amex card.
2. I went to pay for it. Since I hadn't used it in a year, my bank account had the old information from my previous account. I didn't notice until after I paid it.
3. I called their customer service line. I explained what happened, and they said that they were sorry, but they couldn't retract a payment once it was placed. Okay, fine. Can I make another payment? Nope. You can only make a payment after 24 hours.
4. The next morning, I got up and left on my honeymoon. The due date was while I was in Alaska
5. When I got back, there was a message on my phone, because the payment failed. I called, and explained the situation. The gentleman told me that since it was late, I couldn't pay online or over the phone. So, I sent them a check. Once it was paid up, I would be able to pay online again. He also apologized, saying that the other rep should have told me that they could have scheduled a payment to take place 24 hours after the first. Nice of that rep to mention it, you know?
6. I check my statement a week or so later, and the check posted. Great. No there's no money on the account, and everything is square.
7. This month, I charged a little bit to it as well. So, I go to pay it.
8. I can't pay it. They won't let me. They say to call the number on the card.
9. I do, and that man tells me that the reason I can't pay online is because those priviledges have been revoked because of the previous late payment. I told tem what the previous rep had told me, and this man said that the other rep was in error – the only way I can get those priviledges reinstated is to have my bank write a letter to Amex saying that it's okay to bill the account.
10. I tell him that's not going to happen and he should just give me the address again so I can send another check

So, evaluation of the situation and more facts:
- Yes, I was in error. I did not update my bank account. I acknowledge this.
- Yes, I should have escalated the call to higher level of support (I may call back tomorrow when I'm in a more rational mood and do the same).
- Discover Card allows you to cancel a pending payment, in case you make a mistake like this.
- Their CS reps can't seem to agree on anything. Talk to a different one, you get a different story.

Conclusions:
- I am paying off the balance, spending the rewards points, and not charging anything else on the card.
- I was going to cancel it, but Liz heard that canceling credit cards can negatively affect your credit report when trying to get a mortage. Can anyone speak to this?
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Category: LJ Import
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