It being Festivus it seems quite appropriate to air a grievance during an otherwise perfect holiday season.

My grievance is with American Express.  I am deeply disappointed with them.

I had an AMEX charge card before I had a credit card.  It was the first card I owned and used.  Honestly was surprised that they give me one, but my first boss out of college told me to apply, and sure enough it was granted. I was a member. Have been a member since 84. 

Over the years my AMEX use has grown.  It is the primary card we use for household expenses.  Used AMEX to buy laptops for new employees at MindSpring.  Continued to use it during periods when I was traveling extensively on business, often racking up bills in excess of $10,000 per month.  I think I was over $20,000 a few times.  Even tried to buy my car with it though the dealer refused (I really like the Rewards Plus program and have taken many free trips to the Caribbean and mountains). I have 334,000 points in my Membership Rewards account.  I easily have charged more than $1 million on my AMEX cards over the year, maybe more than $2 million. With the exception of current balances, which are not extraordinary, I have paid my bills.

I now have five AMEX accounts with nine cards outstanding.  Many of these cards are used just to help with internal family accounting.  Three of the accounts are used for businesses in which I am an officer.  The Enfuse Group, Skribit, and another startup.  Like my personal accounts these accounts are current.

So I have yet another startup, I need another AMEX account. I called up AMEX. Asked for another OPEN account. They would not even take the application.  Said it would be rejected. I had too many accounts or something to that effect.  

Excuse me. Here I am a long-term loyal customer with a FICO score above 800 and a life-time customer value that has to be off the charts and they are telling me they don't want any more of my business.

OPEN my derrière. AMEX you stink. I'll use that Citi card to finish up my Christmas shopping.