Optima Cards (American Express)

Pros: It's a credit card.
Cons: unorganized system, rude customer service reps

This comment was originally written on Feb. 8, 2001. I now have a different AMEX card, and enjoy their service much. Update is at the very bottom.

My credit horror story started with American Express Optima Card.

Ch 1:...

Pros: Liberal lending policy to students, great travel program
Cons: High standard APR

Important - Student Optima card changed to "Blue for Students"

As of the beginning of March, American Express has converted all student credit card accounts to Blue for Students. The lower rate for purchases over $200 has...

Pros: It's credit. Nothing more, nothing less
Cons: Let me count the ways!

I used to work for American Express Optima customer service.
I was trained to provide first class customer service, and that I did. In learning all about this card, my initial thought was, this card is great, this company is great, I've got to have...

Pros: High credit line, great service!
Cons: Not as widely accepted as VISA and Master

American Express was once the other name of cards. Despite the great success of VISA and Master, American Express is still one of the best cards to have! Unlike VISA and Master, AE is itself the only card issuer, that's why they can guarantee their...

Pros: none
Cons: everything

I will rant for a while and you can probably quite easily distil what my own experience with American Express was:

I will preface this with the statement: American Express is not a credit card service--optima or otherwise--NOT a credit card....

Pros: No annual fee, don't need a credit history to be accepted, good customer service
Cons: Not accepted at all locations

The Optima is an American Express rarity -- a good card with no annual fee. You get all the standards of excellence that American Express is associated with, and don't have to pay an annual fee.

Why is this card so good?

Access...

Pros: 30 day Grace period
Cons: FRAUD PROTECTION IS NOT THEREAS IT SHOULD BE

I was a customer for 6 years. Had excellent credit with the company always

paid on time honored my commitment.

However decided to cancel my credit card when discovered this company was

not as dedicated to me as I was to...

Pros: Great customer service and online cardholder services
Cons: Not as popular as Visa/Mastercard

When I first began thinking about getting my first credit card, I turned to my father for advice. He suggested I get both an American Express card and a Visa. Why two? Basically, American Express is the better of the two but Visa is a lot more...

Pros: Keeps your info private without much hassle, great travel perks
Cons: APR is a little higher than some bargain cards

American Express is a solid company that knows how to deal with customers and merchants. The Optima card is a credit card from American Express that has the option to hold a balance with financing. Regular American Express charge cards offer unlimited...

Pros: not one that I can think of.
Cons: Horrible customer service.

I applied for a different American Express card summer of 2000 but was approved for the Optima Student card. We were planning to leave on our honeymoon in August of 2000 and wanted a card to take with us just in case of emergencies. I had applied with...

Pros: I applied over the phone...
Cons: The card was mailed to me in 3 days. Great!

I like American Express. I have been an AMEX Canada customer
for 3 years. Recently I started a job in US. Shortly after I
settled I applied for a US credit card. American Express was
first in my list. Before filling an application form I...

Pros: Amex international service; excellent for T&E
Cons: byzantine computer, authorizations systems; conflicting info from Amex staff; heavy handed security on this account type

I would highly recommend the American Express Optima "Starting Out and Starting Over" card, but with several important caveats.

First, the card does let one avail themselves of Amex's vaunted travel assistance network, and for travel...

Pros: Statement quality, cashback
Cons: Website not as good as the rest of the service

This review concerns the American Express Optima Platinum cashback card. I have had the card for almost two years and it quickly became my primary card. The most obvious reason is the cashback which is not the most generous around unless you spend a lot....

Pros: low rate, great customer service. great security
Cons: none

I first opened an account with American Express in July 1999. It was one of the best choices I made. I was then approved for the Optima Platinum. It was the creme de la creme of status. The customer service was great. One time I took the free...

Pros: Great Customer Service
Cons: Not as many merchants as Visa/MC

American Express Optima Card that I carry has won me over.

I recently had to cancel a hotel reservation; I canceled it more than 2 weeks prior to arrival (24 hour cancellation required). The hotel billed my Optima Card anyway; needless to say...