Q: Is privacy a new concern at American Express?
A: No. American Express has long been a leader in consumer
privacy protection. We have had privacy protection codes and principles in place since
the mid-1970s.
Q: What are the American Express Customer Privacy Principles?
A: The American Express Customer Privacy Principles guide
our conduct in the collection, use, release, and security of customer information, as well
as the responsibilities of our employees, including our dealings with business customers.
These Principles define our commitment to protect the privacy of our customers.
Q: What is American Express' policy on making marketing offers to American Express
Cardmembers?
A: Since 1974, American Express has provided cardmembers with information about how
we develop marketing offers as well as how to opt out of these offers. The marketing
programs are developed under strict conditions designed to safeguard the privacy of
cardmembers' information.
Cardmembers who no longer wish to receive these offers or information on cardmember
benefits may select from options to have their names suppressed for direct mail,
telemarketing or e-mail offers. A convenient postage-paid form is included annually in the
billing statement envelope to facilitate the opt out choice from direct mail and
telemarketing offers. Or cardmembers may call 1-800-297-8378, 24-hours, 7 days a week. To
opt out of e-mail offers, the Internet Privacy Statement provides a quick and easy way to
select your online marketing preferences.
Q: What is the American Express Internet Privacy Statement?
A: The American Express Internet Privacy
Statement applies the American Express Customer Privacy Principles to our online
customers. The Statement describes what information American Express collects; how it is
used; how to contact customer service; and the security safeguards for protecting the
personal information provided by those who browse the Web site or become customers of
American Express. It also provides an easy way for customers to set their preferences for
receiving e-mail marketing offers.
The U.S. Statement applies only to our U.S. customers and U.S. visitors to our Web
site. The Statement may be modified as needed for particular products and services, or to
conform to local laws or customs around the world.
Q: How are customers notified about changes to the Internet Privacy Statement?
A: Changes to the Statement will be noted in a section of the Statement called
"Changes to the Internet Privacy
Statement" so that customers can track the changes to the Statement.
Q: Does American Express share my e-mail address with others?
A: No. American Express does not provide your e-mail address to our business
partners for marketing purposes. We work closely with our business partners to select
offers we believe will be of value to our customers. We may send you offers on behalf of
our business partners. Keep in mind that if you take advantage of an offer from an
American Express business partner and become their customer, the partner may independently
wish to send you offers. In this case, you will need to inform them separately if you wish
to decline from receiving future offers from them.
Q: Do I have a choice about whether I want to receive e-mail marketing offers from
American Express?
A: Yes. While we believe that information about new products and services is a
benefit for consumers, we understand that some consumers may prefer not to receive these
e-mail messages.
Within the American Express Internet Privacy
Statement is a section called Set E-mail
Preferences. You may select to stop receiving American Express e-mail offers,
including information on new benefits, products and services, and offers we make on behalf
of our business partners. You can return to the page to review your choice and change it
at any time. In addition, each e-mail marketing offer includes a privacy message so that
you can reply to the e-mail offer and request to be taken off marketing lists.
Please note that it will take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for your request to become
effective.
Q: Does American Express combine my use of the americanexpress.com Web site with
information you have about me as a customer?
A: Yes. If you are known to us as a registered user of an American Express online
service (with a user i.d. and password), we may combine information about your use of
americanexpress.com and the online product or service you utilize with certain other
online and offline information we have about you as an American Express customer, and
information you have provided to us, as well as information available from external
sources such as the census bureau in order to customize your online experience and present
you with relevant online and offline marketing offers and updates.
Q: Does American Express use "cookies"?
A: We may use a "cookie" to enable the American Express server to
recognize you as a registered American Express online service user when you reenter our
site. A cookie is a small string of text that a Web site can send to your browser. Web
sites use cookies to enhance the user’s visit. A cookie cannot retrieve any other
data from your hard drive, pass on computer viruses, or capture your e-mail address.
If you are just browsing our site and are not a registered user, you do not have to
accept a cookie and you may still continue utilizing the site. If you are visiting the
site to access your confidential account information, you must accept the site’s
cookies as they are essential for site administration and security.
Please refer to the About Cookies section of
the Internet Privacy Statement for information
on how to set your cookie preferences.
Q: How can I get more information about your online privacy policies?
A: If you are a U.S. customer and have questions about our online privacy policies,
please call 1-800-AXP-1234. You can also send us an e-mail at privacy@service.americanexpress.com.
Q: How can I get information about my account?
A: If you would like more information about your American Express account, please
call the customer service number listed on your account statement.
Q: How can I shop for the best deal on a credit or charge card?
A: There are several things a consumer can compare in shopping around for the best
deal when choosing a credit or charge card. Fees, charges and benefits will vary among
card issuers. The following are important features to compare:
- Annual percentage rate (APR): The APR is a measure of the cost of credit,
expressed as a yearly interest rate.
- Grace periods: The time you have to pay before interest is charged. There are
three types of grace periods: typical, full and no grace periods.
- Annual fees: Many credit card issuers charge an annual fee for granting you
credit, typically $15 to $55. Some issuers charge no annual fee.
- Transaction fees and other charges: Some credit card issuers charge a fee if you
use the card to get a cash advance, if you fail to make a payment on time or if you exceed
your credit limit.
- Customer service: Many issuers, including American Express, have 24-hour
toll-free telephone numbers.
- Other benefits: Issuers may offer additional benefits, some with a cost, such as:
insurance, credit card protection, discounts, rebates, airline frequent-flier mileage,
special merchandise offers and rewards for usage.
Q: How much should I pay each month on my credit card?
A: If you pay the minimum-only payment when you pay your credit card bill, you are
paying the maximum amount in interest. To reduce interest costs, whenever possible, pay as
much as you can. For example, if you have an outstanding balance of $2,000, with an 18.5
percent interest rate and a minimum monthly payment, it would take more than 11 years to
pay off the debt and cost you an additional $1,934 just for interest, which almost doubles
the total cost of your original purchase.
Q: What should I do if there is an error on my card statement?
A: You should notify the card issuer immediately, in writing, within 60 days after
the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. In your letter include your name;
account number; the type, date and amount of the error; and the reason why you believe the
bill contains an error. In return, the card issuer must investigate the problem and either
correct the error or explain to you why the bill is correct within two billing cycles and
not later than 90 days after the issuer receives your notice of the billing error. You do
not have to pay the amount in question during the investigation.
Q: What should I do if I can't make my credit card payment?
A: If you ever find yourself in a situation where you can't make a monthly payment,
notify your credit card issuer and work out a modified payment plan with your creditors
that reduces your payments to a more manageable level. Be cautious about turning to a debt
counseling company to solve your debt problems. Avoid paying such a firm in advance until
you find out what the company can really do. Before you sign a contract, check out the
organization with the U.S. Better Business Bureau or with your local consumer protection
agency.
Q: Who can I contact for additional help?
A: There are nonprofit organizations across the United States that counsel indebted
consumers. Counselors try to arrange a repayment plan that is acceptable to you and your
creditors. You may want to contact a nonprofit counseling service, such as the Consumer
Credit Counseling Service (CCCS), for help. To obtain the telephone number of your local
CCCS office, call 800-388-2227.
Q: How can I get a copy of my credit report?
A: You may want to review your credit report at least every year or two. If you
have been denied credit, you are entitled to a free credit report within 60 days. Under
other circumstances, you may be charged a small fee. The major U.S. credit bureaus are:
- Equifax
P.O. Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-685-1111
- Experian (formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 8030
Layton, UT 84041
800-392-1122
- Trans Union
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064
216-779-7200
Q: How much does it cost to use a credit and/or charge card when
traveling outside the country?
A: Your credit or charge card company will convert the charges to the
appropriate currency before it appears on your statement. Most card companies exchange
money at rates that are generally more favorable than the rates you would get on your own
at a retail store or hotel.
The currency conversion may take place days after your purchase, depending on when the
merchant submits the charge to your card company and when it is processed. It's possible
that the exchange rate could be less favorable at that time -- or it could be better. Most
card issuers charge a currency conversion fee that may be added to your bill with each
foreign purchase.
Q: When you travel, how many cards should you carry?
A: Two major credit and/or charge cards will be enough for most people, although
you may want to carry more on a long trip or if you plan to spend a lot. Leave behind any
cards you won't be able to use in other countries, such as your local department store
cards. If you do carry more than one credit and/or charge card, carry them separately, so
if one is lost or stolen, you'll still have another one to use.
The questions and answers above cover broad consumer topics and some of American
Express' perspectives relating to them. If you didn't find the specific information you're
looking for about a particular American Express product or service here, please refer to
our various business sites.
|