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'High stress': Amex customers fret after receiving letter about credit cards

Author
Raphael Franks,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Oct 2025, 3:20pm
American Express has sent a letter to customers after printing the wrong contact number on a number of its Airpoints Platinum cards. Photo / Getty Images
American Express has sent a letter to customers after printing the wrong contact number on a number of its Airpoints Platinum cards. Photo / Getty Images

'High stress': Amex customers fret after receiving letter about credit cards

Author
Raphael Franks,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Oct 2025, 3:20pm

Credit card company American Express has printed the wrong contact number on a batch of its New Zealand cards, worrying some of its customers.

鈥淚f they can鈥檛 even get their phone number right, why would I trust them with my money?鈥 one cardholder asked.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e in a high-stress situation where your card鈥檚 not working, you think you鈥檙e being defrauded or someone skimmed you, and then the numbers are wrong on the back of the card, it鈥檚 just an additional stress, isn鈥檛 it?鈥

The company sent a letter to its customers at the end of last month saying there had been a misprint on its Airpoints Platinum cards.

鈥淭he contact number listed on the back of the card ... is not in service,鈥 the letter reads.

鈥淭he correct number to reach our customer service team is 0800 332 268. We encourage you to update this in your records.鈥

American Express said it would only reissue cards with the correct number when existing cards expired or if a customer called requesting a replacement.

鈥淎t your next card expiry date, we will automatically issue a new card with the correct number printed on the back. If you prefer to have a replacement card before your next expiry date, you can tell us at any time to request this.

鈥淵our current card will continue to work as normal in the meantime.鈥

The Herald has approached American Express for comment, including on whether customers will have to pay for a replacement.

The affected cardholder who complained to the Herald believed American Express should pre-emptively issue new cards.

The company鈥檚 Airpoints Platinum card costs customers $195 a year. Its perks include complimentary travel insurance, a Koru Lounge discount and limited complimentary airport lounge access.

American Express鈥 Platinum card, with its yearly fee of $1250, which it no longer advertises or appears to be issuing, did include a concierge service that cardholders could phone.

 is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from T膩maki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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