First time starting a new thread, so if you think it's crazy, I can delete it it'll probably die out soon enough anyway. Purpose of the thread is for people to share stories/experiences of getting special point bonuses for things other than actual offers from the banks.
I'll start: (Sorry for long stories, I feel like it helps b/c otherwise ppl will just ask a million Q's about how it worked in each specific story, so just figured I'd give all the details to begin with.)
A few weeks ago, my new BA was declined at CVS trying to buy VRs. I spent 20 min in the store on the phone with Chase trying to fix the fraud alert. Found out it was b/c of the large purchas on new cc and also b/c my address is in NJ, and I was buying in NY. They said they would add my NY address (which I actually have) to all my accounts so this issue shouldn't come up anymore. (Of course I thanked them for their fraud security.) Later that night, I called to complain about my experience, and they gave me 5000 UR for the hassle.
Last night, my new SPG was declined (at CVS, how coincidental). I called AMEX, found out it was b/c new card, large purchase, possible fraud, etc. and they could only verify my identity by hanging up and calling me on my verified phone number. BUT they legally can't call after 9PM so they said wait till tomorrow. I went nuts on them b/c, forget legal reasons, they should have other ways to verify my identity! (Again, of course I thanked them for the security. You should do that b/c they don't understand why you're upset if they're just trying to protect you.) Got transferred to CS and she gave me 1500 Delta points. (Couldn't add points to SPG b/c it was locked out for the fraud.)
Then, I decided to call Chase again b/c my SP was declined at the post office 2 days ago for $3 (for which I called right after, fixed the fraud - what fraud? I have no idea - but couldn't get her to give me points) and then yesterday I was declined at a parking meter in NYC. Rep said parking meter never registered as an attempted transaction, so it was probably a fault in the meter, not a Chase decline. I complained for a while how this has happened 3 times with different cards recently (and she found out that my NY address was never even added on to my Chase accounts!) and she gave 2000 UR as compensation for the hassles.
So yeah, getting points for not spending money is fun.
