Amex service

I am writing about the unsatisfactory service I received from the American Express Membership Rewards program. In the November issue of its newsletter (which I received in the second week of December) American Express advertised a GF768 Ericsson mobile phone for 30,000 points.

In the last week of December I went to the American Express office to redeem my points for the mobile phone. I was surprised to learn that the mobile phone offer was no longer available. There were only ten of the phones and they had been given out three weeks ago. That is strange, as I only received the newsletter on Dec. 15, 1998, two weeks before I went to the office.

When I checked and read the newsletter again, I fond there were no statements about the time limitation. I faxed a complaint letter to American Express on Jan. 14, 1998, but I have received no reply.

I thought members got their privileges. Is the Membership Rewards program just a marketing gimmick to lure people to use the American Express Card? If I can't redeem my points, why should I be a member of the program. This kind of service does not justify the yearly membership fee of US$65 plus the additional $25 for the Membership Rewards program.

HENRI KARMAPUTRA

Jakarta