AmEx card blocked for "security." This is getting tedious.

[volcs0]

Am planning our Europe trip (Rome & Croatia), and for most things, the sequence goes like this:

1. Wade my way through several reservation screens, finally get to a checkout and try my Amex

2. Amex is refused.

3. Re-wade through everything, hope the thing I wanted (seats, tickets, room, etc.) is still available, and then use my Visa. Which works every time.

4. Receive email from Amex that there are security concerns with my account, and could I please call and verify the charges.

5. Call Amex and complain, only to be told that they have a complex security algorithm and there is nothing they can do about it. They no longer "mark" accounts for people when they are traveling.

Now, I love AmEx. They have been great over the years, especially with purchase protection. And I love the Costco check I get every year, which is why I use the card. But this security thing is getting nuts.

Thanks for listening.

[Trouble]

AmEx is different for me. I bought a BowFlex http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...98,1150898 a month or so ago and put it on my AmEx card. Had it shipped to a different address. Being proactive, I immediately called AmEx to make sure the charge was approved and by the time I got to a cust service rep, she said "No problem. Already been approved."

[Paul F.]

"only to be told that they have a complex security algorithm and there is nothing they can do about it."


Not an acceptable answer... Two replies come to mind immediately, but I'm sure there are more;

"Here's something you can do about it... you can let me speak to your supervisor, please.".

or

"Here's something you can do about it... you can cancel my account and shove this card [you get the idea]. Have a nice day!"

[N-OS X-tasy!]

I was sitting in LAX a few weeks ago waiting for a plane to Atlanta when I received a call from AMEX. They were calling to inquire about a questionable charge made to my account that morning; the charge turned out to be bogus. A quick review of all recent charges to the account showed that to be the only invalid one.

They cancelled the card on the spot and made arrangements to deliver a new one to me the next day at the place I was staying in Atlanta. The cancellation created some minor difficulties for me on that trip (it was the card I used for the car rental), but overall I was very impressed at how on the ball they were.

I should note that I've used my AMEX card for travel to three different destinations during three consecutive weeks and never once experienced any difficulties using it.

[IronMac]

Just like Apple which refused me my online purchase...

[fauch]

Threaten to cancel, and see how quick their "algorithm" is willing to accommodate you....