American Express - didn't get promised 10,000 bonus SkyMiles when enrolled in Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card due to being a previous customer

# 33 for May 15, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on May 14, 2003:

From: don bryson [Email User]

RE: American Express - didn't get promised 10,000 bonus SkyMiles when enrolled in Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card due to being a previous customer On 1/7/2003, my wife saw an ad from American Express on the Internet that advertised, "Get 10,000 Bonus SkyMiles. 10,000 bonus SkyMiles right away. With the Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card, your next vacation is closer than you think.

On your very first purchase with the Card, we'll automatically add 10,000 bonus SkyMiles to your Delta account." Based on this ad, she applied and received the card, along with the card, was letter from Gordon A Smith, President, Consumer Cards, American Express. The letter stated, "Congratulations! You're 10,000 miles closer to your next vacation." After 2 months when the miles hadn't shown up on her account, she called American Express and inquired as to when she would receive them.

She was told it could take up to 12-16 weeks, so she didn't follow up again until this evening and then she was told that she would not receive the miles because she was not eligible, since she'd had a SkyMiles card previously. It certainly did NOT say that in Mr. Smith's letter, nor was she told that when she called American Express to inquire about her miles. On the contrary, she was told to be patient, the miles would be posted, but that, "it takes a while to get them". At best this is extremely deceptive advertising and I am disappointed that a firm that I thought was reputable has engaged in this practice.