This is a quick post to alert readers to an issue I’ve experienced recently. So, last September I got approved for Amex Delta Gold credit card. Then, just a few months ago, I got a pre-approved email offer for business version of the same product. I went ahead and applied, and to my delight, the dreaded bonus qualification pop-up didn’t appear.
I was still skeptical on whether I would actually receive my 50k miles, but lo and behold, they did appear one day after meeting minimum spending requirements. This offer came in at just the right time because next year we are supposed to fly on Delta from LAX to Orlando. This card will allow me to check in my in-laws’ luggage for free.
Anyway, I held on to personal version for one year as the rules stipulate, in order to not jeopardize my signup bonus. As soon as the annual fee hit, I did an online chat with Amex rep. I specified which Delta card I was planning on canceling and gave him the last four digits of the account. He acknowledged my request and closed the account. Or so I thought…
Few days later I checked my Amex accounts and was shocked to discover that he mistakenly cancelled the business version. Ooops. I was concerned about my Delta miles, but there weren’t clawed back. Not yet. I immediately did an online chat, and the rep said he would send a request to reopen my Delta business card. There was no guarantee, mind you.
Alas, several days later my account was reinstated. I figured that was the end of it, and then I got an email that I no longer qualify for signup bonus due to closing the account too soon. Great. The miles were still in my account, which I found puzzling. So, I did an online chat (again) and the rep has assured me that it was an automated email and that I have nothing to worry about. We’ll see.
I did ask for some sort of compensation (via Delta miles) for the inconvenience it caused me, but all I got was an apology. It’s been a few days now, and the miles are thankfully still there.
Bottom line
I recommend you make sure that when you do an online chat or make a phone call, check and double check that a rep cancels the correct credit card account.
I have no doubt that if this were a Membership Rewards-earning card, the points would be deducted and I would have to follow up with Amex to get them re-deposited. It’s a bit different with co-branded cards, but once again, there is no guarantee that they won’t claw back your miles or hotel points.
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Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
[…] Calling for retention offers is annoying. You have to work your way through a maze of call reps to just to get to the one who might give you a good offer to keep your card. But what if you want to cancel the card? Miles For Family warns about closing a card by chat since the AMEX rep might just close our the wrong card. […]