American Express Giving Back Some Self Referral Bonus Points
Last year American Express clawed back referral bonuses from cardmembers who had referred themselves. We warned at the time that referring yourself could be risky business, but it wasn’t explicitly prohibited. Many people lost huge amount of points, even 100K or more.
But now some of those cardmembers that were affected are seeing some of those points back in their accounts. American Express is issuing points adjustment for those self referral bonuses that were clawed back, but it is not the full amount.
It is not yet clear exactly how the adjustments work. Some data points show people receiving 40K points back out of 80K or 100K that were taken away. Some others are receiving 10K out of 60K. Others don’t see any points adjustments at all.
Take a look at your American Express Membership Rewards account and see if you have any extra points that were issued in the last few days. Also let us know in the comments is you see any correlation to the points that were clawed back that might make sense.
HT: Doctor of Credit
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I campaigned quite heavily with the Amex Executive Office for them to re-think their strategy on this issue a couple of months ago. Sure seems like they are trying to get their customers to take the fall for their own failure to properly code their website, have clear terms, and correct any errors in a prompt manner.
Amex pounds their fist saying customers violated the “refer a FRIEND” program. Clear violation!!! Yet to this DAY, Amex still sends out marketing emails that do not contain the “FRIEND” wording. Pointed that out to them with their OWN email they sent. They still didn’t care. That kind of arrogance is downright *criminal*. The written terms were/are vague & unclear. Clear IT system breakdown. Taking 8+ months and stealing points like a thief in the night with no initial notification/explanation, is hardly what you’d expect from a “leader” in customer service.
Mentioned they could compromise with people. If the company re-writes the terms clearly and fixes their IT issues, the customer could be offered a 50% settlement (return of points) if they e-sign an agreement acknowledging they understand the rule clearly now, and promise not to violate it in any way in the future. It’s not a “perfect” solution for either side, but it would allow everyone to move forward and repair relationships.
Amex of course declined, and told me if I wanted to close any of my 12 accounts with them, that such a decision was “my choice.” I’ve also been blocked from legit referrals ever since. Asked how long that ban would last. No timeline given. I mean, the justice system doesn’t even give murderers open-ended sentences with endless restitution. Absurd and WAYYY out of line.
Could have literally put my fist through my laptop when I saw others are receiving settlements with “returned clawbacks.” That’s my darn idea! lol I’ve of course received 0pts back. But…whatever…that’s just how life with Amex is I guess. They hate me…so I hate them…and we do considerably less business together than we used to. Their choosing — *NOT* mine. I play within the terms as they are written. Trusting they will not abuse their sole discretion to act like fools whenever they so desire. Sometimes, they clearly abuse that power, and let everyone down.
Did Amex claw back all referral points and is now just giving back legitimate referral points? Or are they actually giving back some scam points? Sorry, but I think self-referral was always an obvious scam and nobody had any right to complain over those being clawed back.
Anddddd immediately issuing 1099s for the points they issued… so frustrating this kind of behavior by Amex.