BofA AMEX is not real AMEX....according to AMEX

**soyanks** · Sep 28, 11, 5:53 pm

So I currently have BLUE from AMEX. I got it in Nov of 2010. Before that I had BOA AMEX since 2006. I called AMEX today to ask them if they can backdate my AMEX to 2006 because I assumed that BOA AMEX was still....well....AMEX

The nice rep from AMEX told me that BOA AMEX is not really AMEX; but more of a BOA credit card and as a result, they can't backdate my AMEX. Oh well, I knew I should have switched sooner. (I only switched because I was tired of BOA constantly calling and mailing various SPAM like credit protection to my credit card, and when I didn't voluntarily enroll in those services....they sent me a mailing that said, "We enrolled you in a credit protection plan for your convenience. You get first month free. After that it is XX.XX per month unless you call us and cancel it.").

So if you are thinking about opening BOA AMEX, thinking it is still an AMEX card, think again.

**Money card** · Sep 28, 11, 6:54 pm

correct. that card and the Macy's American Express aren't real American Express cards. However the aqua / costco is a real one.

the other 2 cards are related to Bank of america and Macys.

**bisbicos** · Sep 28, 11, 11:29 pm

What about the jetblue trueblue Amex? Is that a fake Amex as well?

**Smerri** · Sep 29, 11, 8:36 am

Originally Posted by bisbicos

What about the jetblue trueblue Amex? Is that a fake Amex as well?

JetBlue is issued by American Express.

Anything on www.americanexpress.com are issued by American Express (or Centurion) Bank.

Other cards issued by PenFed, Citi, BoA, etc... just process transactions on the American Express Network (just like a Visa or MC).

**CC Deville** · Sep 29, 11, 3:34 pm

Actually, they are real American Express' in terms of them being accepted wherever American Express cards are accepted. Are they ISSUED by Amex themselves, no. Amex and Discover issue their own cards whereas Visa and MasterCard do not. Starting around 2005 banks and credit unions began to issue Amex and Discover cards via a license after Amex and Discover won an anti trust lawsuit against Visa and MasterCard.

**Pete838** · Oct 3, 11, 6:08 pm

Simplest way to explain is that if you charge money on a BofA AMEX, then you owe the money to BofA at the end of the month. AMEX processes the transaction, but BofA is picking up the tab.

With a 'real' AMEX (your nomenclature) you send the check to AMEX at the end of the month.

**DavidNY** · Oct 3, 11, 6:54 pm

Originally Posted by soyanks

(I only switched because I was tired of BOA constantly calling and mailing various SPAM....

I told Bofa (actually the bank it was prior to Bofa taking over) from day one not to send me any crap, and they haven't.

**zapper_89** · Oct 5, 11, 1:00 am

The best thing I have ever found: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi

I checked my credit report a few months back, it had nearly 300 soft pulls. I found this on the fine print of my EX report, they have almost all stopped. As for the programs, there is usually a master opt out at the bank which you have to call. If it would work for BOA, I do not know. You are not the first to complain about this.

**Mogul of Pineapples** · Oct 5, 11, 10:54 pm

When it comes to Amex cards which are not issued by Amex, usually you still get the basic benefits like Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty but beyond that, don't expect American Express customer service. For example, if you have a BofA Amex and call customer support, FIA Card Services will likely be answering.

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