Blues from Ameircan Express

[EDiT]

<< Just called Amex, I was wondering why I just got a change in policy letter and then a day or two later they would cancel the program. What they told me was that only people that miss payments or have large unpaid balances would have that feature turned off. People in goodstanding will still have the BVG. So start paying those bills guys and girls! >>




Anyone confirm this?!? I didn't get the letter, and always pay my card off, so maybe I'll survive this round. Plus, my wife did not get the letter either. *crosses fingers*

 

[domeng]

Wait a minute, don't they still have the 90 return guarantee.

 

[Justincase]

>>>uh, arent you the same one that bought like 7 cameras and PMed them all just to sell?<<<

1) Yes, I purchased 7 cameras.

2) Yes, I intend to sell them...last I heard, this was still legal in most states :Q

3) I have not received them yet.

4) I have NOT PM'ed them. At the price I paid, I don't think I will have the opportunity to PM them within the next 60 days. However, under the terms of BVG, I do believe I can PM the cameras, if the opportunity comes along, WITHOUT breaking any of their rules.

 

[Wolverine27]

Truly is a shame to see a service which was designed to protect the consumer go away. I don't blame Amex though...definitely too much abuse going on with it. Anyhow, I plan on keeping my Blue as I use it for the airline miles.

 

[tarfu]

I have a blue card but i never use it. instead i use amex gold. granted it's 75 bucks/yr but it does offer the BVG, so you basically pay for the card in a couple of pm's. also the rewards program that amex has w/their gold/platinum/black cards is outstanding. i've yet to find a program that does better, or lets you apply points to so many different rewards (gear, travel, airfare, sex...uh...nevermind).

-tarfu

 

[mrCide]

I just called american express.

lady put me on hold to ask someone else, who in turn asked their supervisor, who CONFIRMED it will no longer be available after may 1st.

she also said they will offer it on other cards but she's not sure which ones will keep it and which won't.

 

[GetReal]

<< I have a blue card but i never use it. instead i use amex gold. granted it's 75 bucks/yr but it does offer the BVG, so you basically pay for the card in a couple of pm's. also the rewards program that amex has w/their gold/platinum/black cards is outstanding. i've yet to find a program that does better, or lets you apply points to so many different rewards (gear, travel, airfare, sex...uh...nevermind).

-tarfu >>



Check out theVISA Signature card. If you qualify, it blows the doors off the benefits offered by the best AMEX card programs, has the same BVG program as Blue underwritten by AIG, and does not have an annual fee.

 

[vette9898]

<< >>>uh, arent you the same one that bought like 7 cameras and PMed them all just to sell?<<<

1) Yes, I bought 7 cameras.

2) Yes, I am selling them...last I heard, this was still legal in most states :Q

3) I have not received them yet.

4) I have NOT PM'ed them...however, under the terms of BVG, I do believe I can PM the cameras, WITHOUT breaking any of their rules. >>



But you did pricematch 6 Ipaq 3635s with American Express. To me that is abusing it and YES I am as guilty as you are BUT I am not critizing other people who may have abused it. And another thing I think we are worse than them because we have pricematched multiple identical items just to sell. But I am in the same boat as you as I am also trying to pay off a very large debt plus I am out of work.

 

[EDiT]

<< Everybody can thank all those a$$wipes that....... >>



Which are the execs more likely to notice?

a. A few PMs to OEM/Grey market items

b. Someone buying 7 of every item they purchase and PMing them all?!? (Ipaqs, cameras, etc....now really. 7 of each?)

Don't get me wrong...I hate the thought of people overtly scamming Amex, but I really doubt that type of activity caught their eye. I think it was the people that abused the service in bulk that made them realize the problems with the system.

*Disclaimer: I'm sure I fall into at least one of the described categories, but to this day I have only PMed one thing. I really did buy it and happened to find it cheaper later.

 

[JameyF]

I just received and started using my Blue at the end of last year. I have yet to make a PM, and I have passed on a few good ones...namely a camcorder. This was doomed to be canceled at some time. With the lack BVG, I will probably cancel the card after the 0% APR wears off.

 

[xdjopmx]

Sorry to hear about Amex Blue dropping BVG
sigh

Does anyone know of any other credit cards besides AMEX to have a pricematching thing?

I know some of u guys said some ViSA cards.....anyone have links or know the exact card?

Thanks

xdjopmx

 

[jasonja]

Bye Bye Blue Card... back to using Discover

 

[EDiT]

<< Check out theVISA Signature card. If you qualify, it blows the doors off the benefits offered by the best AMEX card programs, has the same BVG program as Blue underwritten by AIG, and does not have an annual fee. >>



I don't see BVG listed as a benefit. Am I just missing it?

 

[Walliser]

what's the point in blaming each other. the ptogram is dead and gone. be it the people who (ab)used it or be it that AmEx only wanted to get people to sign up. does it matter? nope, don't think so. I just signed up for the card and I will keep it. I might eventually go for one of their "bigger" cards, but for now I am gonna keep it. there still are some perks to it.

 

[CHINAFIFA]

So what cc can we use for BVG besides that VISA signature card?

 

[FrugalGuy]

hmm...there is alot of confusion here regarding this. I heard that the BVG was being cancelled on some accounts but not all accounts. I think even the customer reps aren't sure.

Just hope they'll have more of those 30% off at Virgin megastores again. Those were hot deals for xbox, ps2, and gamecube stuff

 

[GetReal]

I disagree that legitimate bulk PMs vs those who PMed OEM, refurbished, or outright fake sites with BVG caused this decision. If you PMed 7 items all at once or 7 seperate PMs, the per cardholder limit was still $1000.00. IMO, the factor that BVG did not anticipate is that someone woud post a BVG PM deal on an internet site and that they would receive 10,000 identical PMs.

 

[manko]

I just got off the phone with Amex Blue and the Best Value Guarantee dept (different numbers). BVG is 1-800-557-8317. I was told they ARE ending the BVG for all Standard Blue accounts. All other Amex cards that currently have BVG will continue to offer it (such as Amex Gold).

Now, I have always paid my balances off in full every month and haven't been late (so no finance charges for them, I guess). I have also been a long, LONG time Standard Amex cardholder (with many offers to upgrade to Gold - it might be worth it now). I don't have the most stellar income, so that's the only thing I can possibly think of that would put me in a "certain demographic."

Would the CSR tell me they are cancelling BVG for all Blue Cards because his computer says I'm in a certain demographic? You decide. We did all get the same email, didn't we? That may or may not put us in the same category. Anyway, the CSR did NOT mention any differentiation of demographic or category of Standard Blue Cardholders.

---

On another topic, I asked specifically if we will still be able to file claims after May 1. The answer is yes. For items purchased before May 1, you still have 60 days to find a lower price and file a claim. So this means until the end of June.

 

[Walliser]

are we talking anandtech here? actually I've seen another website describing in detail how to pm with blue, even including the links to websites to print out... pathetic...

 

[rickn]

I used BVG with my AMEX Optima Platinum on my digicam. I pricematched thru a print mag. I just faxed them the ad out of the mag, got $200 back. Wonder if they are cancelling for just Blue cards

 

[vette9898]

<< I disagree that legitimate bulk PMs vs those who PMed OEM, refurbished, or outright fake sites with BVG caused this decision. If you PMed 7 items all at once or 7 seperate PMs, the per cardholder limit was still $1000.00. IMO, the factor that BVG did not anticipate is that someone woud post a BVG PM deal on an internet site and that they would receive 10,000 identical PMs. >>



No matter how you look at it either way it is abusing it. I am sure American Express never intended for people to buy in bulk and then pricematch all the items.

 

[Justincase]

>>>But you did pricematch 6 Ipaq 3635s with American Express. To me that is abusing it and YES I am as guilty as you are BUT I am not critizing other people who may have abused it.<<<

Abusing it? That's quite humorous. Thanks. I needed a good laugh tonight Actually, on that particular pricematch, I spoke DIRECTLY to the claims adjuster, and she knew exactly what I was doing. I even remember that she told me that 2 of my Ipaqs would be added to another existing claim number so as not to exceed the $250 limit per claim...(her idea, not mine). The adjuster is paid to enforce the terms of the BVG program, and to make sure that my claim and those of others, fall within those terms. My claim was 100% legit, and I was perfectly ready to accept a "no" if it fell outside the guidelines that Amex has set for us.


>>>BUT I am not critizing other people who may have abused it.<<<

I'm not either...re-read my first post...I thanked them for their services to us all :Q


>>>And another thing I think we are worse than them because we have pricematched multiple identical items just to sell. But I am in the same boat as you as I am also trying to pay off a very large debt plus I am out of work.<<<

I fail to see that there is anything wrong with making use of the benefits that are available on my card, as long as it is done in accordance with the listed terms.

 

[manko]

To add to my last post:

I first called the number on the back of my card, which is the Amex Blue main line. The CSR had no information about the cancellation of BVG. He went and checked with his supervisor and he said, "No the program is not being cancelled." I read the email to him and he said, "I'm not sure about that...you should call the main BVG number." They only change he knew about was that they are going to be more strict on certain Internet purchases.

Then I called the main BVG number, which is where I got the information that YES they are cancelling BVG on all Standatd Blue cards, as per the email. The BVG CSR had this answer immediately, without having to check with a supervisor.

Another very important thing I just realized:

When i called the main Amex Blue number, I had entered my account number and confirmation info, so they knew who I was. When I called the BVG number, I did not give them any account information, so there is no way they could have known whether I was in a certain demographic or not.

 

[GetReal]

Would the CSR tell me they are cancelling BVG for all Blue Cards because his computer says I'm in a certain demographic? You decide. We did all get the same email, didn't we? That may or may not put us in the same category. Anyway, the CSR did NOT mention any differentiation of demographic or category of Standard Blue Cardholders

Well I did not receive any email. Neither did many other Blue cardholders so that blows that theory. I have already confirmed with my AMEX account specialist that my Blue account would not be affected and the BVG benefit would continue for my account. I was also told as I posted earlier, that this policy is target toward a certain demographic of cardolders and not all will be affected . In addition to Blue, I have a Platnium Delta SkyMiles card that offers the same BVG with a seperate $1000/year PM limit.

 

[jkj]

Guys lets find some other cards out there w/ bvg. I know some said Amex gold/platinum. What are some others?