Amex $800 check received

[PETERP]

Thankfully, receipt of a 1099 is not contingent on your understanding.

  +1 Bonus given on a spend of any amount is tantamount to a rebate thus not subject to 1099 rules.

Take it away counselor 

[ashers]

Yep, I just received a $1000 check today which I assume is for a MB Plat I churned after closing one from a few months earlier.  What's odd is I actually did receive the bonus points, they were manually issued after 8 weeks.

cant for the life of me figure out what card this was from
If anyone fights for what they deserve thats me
Amex never denied me my points so not sure what card this is from

[PlatinumGuy]

  +1 Bonus given on a spend of any amount is tantamount to a rebate thus not subject to 1099 rules.

 I wonder why people pay taxes on lottery ticket 'rebates'.

[AJK]

I wonder why people pay taxes on lottery ticket 'rebates'.

Cute, but inapposite.

[dirah]

My wife received this letter today with a $800 check from Amex.

Dear Mrs. Jagstangx,

We have enclosed a check or the cash value of 40,000 Membership Rewards points.  You should have received these points with the promotional offer you redeemed when you spent $500 in the first three months of Cardmembership.  Due to a system error, we were unable to award these Membership Reward Points before your Card was cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Sincerely,
American Express Customer Care

Has anyone else received anything similar? What card promo is this referring to?? The only possibility is the Gold Card we opened in my wife's name in May 2011.

Thoughts?

I just got $800 Chanukah Gelt today, with similar explanation!
No clue what card this is from, I don't remember missing out on any bonus points.
Ain't complaining!
Here's to hoping that my spouse gets it too!
And everyone else, for that matter.

[dirah]

Hey Meshug,
Did you try SM'ing to be matched for this?
You probably double-dipped by now.
Lets hear all about it. 

[meshugener]

I Actually LOLed...

[Chaikel]

So weird. I got a letter today that they weren't able to credit the points so they gave me the points (!?)

No check

ETA: After review, it appears it was a referral bonus

[Dan]

The gov't must be forcing their hand.

Gov't? Linky please?

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/17/pf/credit-card-refunds/index.html?iid=HP_LN

[AsherO]

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/17/pf/credit-card-refunds/index.html?iid=HP_LN

Thanks!

Nice:

If you believe you're owed a refund by any of these issuers but don't receive one, check with the card issuer first. Then contact the CFPB, an agency spokeswoman said. 

[mow]

Just spoke to my friend he got the same letter and 800 bucks he has no clue why

[yaakov s]

http://money.cnn.com/2012/12/17/pf/credit-card-refunds/index.html?iid=HP_LN

You think the check discussed in this thread is the result of this settlement? I think it's two separate issues

[AsherO]

You think the check discussed in this thread is the result of this settlement? I think it's two separate issues

So which is what?

[yaakov s]

So which is what?

the settlement referenced in the link is for deceptive billing practices and wrongly charged late fees. I would hope that money is not going towards sign up bonuses. Even if a Amex was really supposed to give them.

Rant: I hate my S3 I can't type normally on DDF

[AsherO]

the settlement referenced in the link is for deceptive billing practices and wrongly charged late fees. I would hope that money is not going towards sign up bonuses. Even if a Amex was really supposed to give them.

Nope, it's also for deceptive marketing practices, with regards to signup bonuses:

For example, federal regulators found that customers were sent misleading offers about American Express Centurion Bank's "Blue Sky" credit card program, in which a $300 bonus was advertised that many customers never received. Customers who didn't receive this bonus will be refunded the $300.

Perhaps a bad example, but that's a signup bonus just like 50k MR is.

[yaakov s]

Nope, it's also for deceptive marketing practices, with regards to signup bonuses:

Perhaps a bad example, but that's a signup bonus just like 50k MR is.

I hear. Gotta really read the article now. I had skimmed through it

[Smokey Joe Robinson]

got a check for $200
not complaining

[Saver2000]

I helped a friend apply for an MP plat + plat (first timer) in august and closed both cards 2 months later.
Got 50k for the MB automatically and 25k for the plat manually.

Today he called me and asked me why he got $500 check in the mail!!

Anybody else get a check recently?

[m65]

just signed up for the gold 25k offer and finished spending the 2000 dollars. if i cancel the card before i get the points will they send me a check?

[sky121]

just signed up for the gold 25k offer and finished spending the 2000 dollars. if i cancel the card before i get the points will they send me a check?

No one knows for sure and its a huge YMMV. You may lose your points in theory. But if you do try it let us know what happens.