Amex Platinum Charge Card - Joining Fee not posted

[YGaneriwala]

I opted for the Amex Charge Card on Mar'24. Got the requisite joining bonus in Apr'24 after 50000 spends. However, I was not charged any joining fee then. A whole year has passed without any posting of joining fees throughout the year. Today, upon speaking to the customer care for a renewal offer on the card, they mentioned to me that due to a technical glitch no joining fee was charged for the last year and it will be charged now. As a matter of fact, the card year was from 26th March 2024 to 25th March 2025 so the full year has passed without them posting it. So my question is, can they post a joining fee in retrospect for the year that has already passed ? If yes, can i challenge them to waive the fee since the full year is already completed and it was not wrong of me to assume that the fee was waived. ?

 

[Mr. BeanMr. Bean is verified member.]

Personally, I'd pay and move on as I was expecting it to be charged upon joining, irrespective of my current situation to pay.

On the other hand, there is nothing to loose in challenging their decision to charge the joining fee after a year. I'd file a complaint in RBI Ombudsman for the mental agony the situation has caused.

Reading the following thread might give an idea on what a bank can do years later (for a technical glitch)...

Thread 'Axis Bank May Issue Legal Notices for Unsettled Negative Reward Points Balances'

Feb 26, 2025

Recently, Axis Bank sent email notifications to many customers who had misused their credit card reward system back in 2023. The glitch (or loophole, whichever you want to call it) was fixed in January 2024. In response, Axis debited edged points from customers who had taken advantage of this loophole between April 2023 and January 2024.

The Loophole:​

Back in 2023, there were a few major glitches in Axis Bank's reward system that affected all of their credit cards. Some customers—particularly those holding Axis Magnus, Axis Atlas, Axis Reserve, and other premium credit cards...

• TechnoFino
• axis axis bank notice points reward reward points
• Replies: 357
• Forum: Bank Announcement

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[vishalgupta2]

I opted for the Amex Charge Card on Mar'24. Got the requisite joining bonus in Apr'24 after 50000 spends. However, I was not charged any joining fee then. A whole year has passed without any posting of joining fees throughout the year. Today, upon speaking to the customer care for a renewal offer on the card, they mentioned to me that due to a technical glitch no joining fee was charged for the last year and it will be charged now. As a matter of fact, the card year was from 26th March 2024 to 25th March 2025 so the full year has passed without them posting it. So my question is, can they post a joining fee in retrospect for the year that has already passed ? If yes, can i challenge them to waive the fee since the full year is already completed and it was not wrong of me to assume that the fee was waived. ?

If I was you, I would respectfully tell the bank that it is a huge amount and it will be tough for me to pay 2 years of AF together. The technical fault was at banks end and that shouldn't make me suffer for no fault of mine.

It will help my loyalty a lot if the bank could waive off the fee for last year. If they decline (which they will) propose something in between, like a 50% fee or MRs. Worst case pay the fee and move on.