Amex Changes Terms on Delta SkyMiles Cards
American Express has been adding new eligibility terms on its card families recently, which limits the amount of welcome bonuses a customer can receive.
But now they have also changed the terms on all Delta SkyMiles consumer cards, as they launched new rock bottom welcome bonuses. The new terms are not adding any new limitations on these welcome offers, but the wording has changed and it is clear that the focus is on customers who apply for multiple cards and close them soon after. The new terms were first flagged by Thrifty Traveler.
Here are the original terms on Amex Delta SkyMiles consumer cards:
If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this offer in any way or that you intend to do so (for example, if you applied for one or more cards to obtain an offer(s) that we did not intend for you; if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it; or if you cancel or return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount), we may not credit, we may freeze, or we may take away the Membership Rewards points from your account. We may also cancel this Card account and other Card accounts you may have with us.
New terms on Delta:
If you have a history of cancelling or downgrading American Express Card accounts within your first year and you cancel or downgrade your new Card account within your first year, we may not credit, we may freeze, or we may take away the bonus miles from your account. If we determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this offer in any way or that you intend to do so, including if you return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount, we may not credit, we may freeze, or we may take away the bonus miles from your account. We may also cancel any accounts you have with us.
Amex says that it may take away your bonus, or freeze your account if you have a history of cancelling or downgrading American Express Card accounts within your first year and you cancel or downgrade your new card.
It has long been known that you should not cancel or downgrade American Express cards within the first year. This has also been part of the terms in the past. And now Amex has reworded the terms, saying that it will possibly look at your history as well.
The change in terms will likely not change much on how things already work, but it’s a good reminder to stick by the rules and avoid any issues.
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[…] continues the war against us: Amex Changes Terms on Delta SkyMiles Cards with Focus on Churners. I could care less, I am not fighting this war. Because I am a lover, not a fighter. […]
Done with Amex before I even really got started with them. Got my first card last year and they won’t give me another bonus on new card app since. Didn’t cancel or downgrade the card fyi. Good riddance to Amex.
Amex will not have my business with this attitude.
Could be wrong but I’m pretty sure American Express does not have the authority nor the ability to go into my SkyMiles account and “cancel” my SkyMiles. They just up there gold card from $99-$150 and they wonder why people are canceling.
I have no bad intentions to cancel a card but I find the disclaimer threatening and disturbing so I will just go with another card provider
Unfortunate they can determine someone guilty or not guilty in the American Express court of law
Hard pass