discriminating business practices

Today american express representative (gold charge card) told me that they are not going to authorize my charge since, according to him I did not previously, within the last 6 months,charge bigger purchases on their card (this was inaccurate as the representative later admitted- there were big charges that I have paid off within the time limit!). He was illogical, and could not provide any reasonable explanation why he is refusing the charge.

This is a paradox. Amex would disallow to charge the card and then tell me that I do not charge their card enough!? On top of that, the representative was insisting that I need to pay upfront to them, from my banking card and then he would authorize the charge?! There is no rhyme or reason to such behavior. What kind of business are they? It seems that american express people are allowed to do whatever they want. Do they even have managers there, none ever is availabe.

It does feel abusive, I have to say. Such business behavior needs to be investigated.

Just about everyone I speak to, tell that American Express credit card representatives continue to abuse their customers by cutting down previously issued credit, disallowing any bigger purchases, stopping payments or arbitrarily canceling cards. However, they keep charging annual fees for their cards, that fail to provide services. Is there anyone out there to investigate such practices or amex people can do whatever they want, no matter how absurd? Are there any laws that protect the consumer?

Good business reputation is hard to gain and easy to lose. American Express has lost it fully.