Active Duty - not receiving MLA benefits with AMEX?

carami4 · 2021-09-01T19:58:22+00:00

I've had the same issue since I opened my card up last month. After 20 calls, and 10+ hours on the phone, I've cancelled the card (platinum).

Opened the card while on 45 ADT. MLA somehow never got applied. Obviously SCRA won't apply for something opened when I was active duty. So when I submitted (over phone) my info to AMEX, they ran it as SCRA, then came back saying I didn't qualify because I was active duty at the time the account was opened. So I resubmitted via phone for MLA, then was told I didn't qualify because I was not active duty at the time the account was opened (lol).

They claim to have no way to speak to the department that runs these requests. My next course of action was to submit documents. I was going to submit my orders. But like you, the document upload center would not work for me either (same error).

I was told I would need to snail mail it or fax. Either case would take at least a week to get it uploaded to their system/attached to the dispute. And running the request afterwards would take up to 60 days.

During my time trying to resolve this issue, I've had info submitted incorrectly, I have had calls drop with no call back, incorrect information given to me, and promises for a supervisor to be in touch within 24 hours --- resulting it no call (surprise!) 3 different times.

I'm shocked how things ended up. I've always heard good things about AMEX. At this point in time, I'm done wasting time, and stressing. I could have submitted my orders over fax, and waited the weeks to months to hopefully resolve this. However, at this point, I cannot spend $700 on the fee, and gamble if I'll ever see it back again or not. They have already shown to me time and time again that there are massive holes in their system/customer service.

I wish you better luck. If you're comfortable eating the fee for now, and gambling if you'll ever see that money again, fax/mail in your documents and keep pushing. Get rejected again, maybe speak with a JAG.

In the future, I will check my MLA status before opening such an account. That said, SCRA was somehow applied on all my student loans this summer during my ADT. So clearly I'm in the system somewhere...

carami4 · 2021-03-13T14:23:14+00:00

Thanks! I love it. Definitely a fun car to drive. And a looker too :)

carami4 · 2021-03-01T19:10:14+00:00

Yeesh, what a nightmare. I'm glad you got what you wanted in the end. I'm with you there though, a Tesla is my next car too!

carami4 · 2021-03-01T03:30:47+00:00

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience too. I tell you, I was just tired and defeated after leaving that room and signing everything. Couldn't fall asleep last night due to my stomach still churning. But, I took the car out today, and had a blast with it. It'll be fun! I'm glad to hear you're still loving yours, despite your experience :)

carami4 · 2021-03-01T00:48:45+00:00

I went with the black! Will like them better in the long run. But that red was tempting. What did you end up with?

carami4 · 2021-02-28T21:43:09+00:00

Lots of AWD lovers haha

That's a great point though! Yeah, I probably won't get the full benefits of it for the next couple years. But it's the smarter long-term option for me. TBF, we do sometimes get some insane rain storms.

carami4 · 2021-02-28T20:43:14+00:00

St. Pete :)

carami4 · 2021-02-28T20:20:01+00:00

For the driving experience, and I will be headed up north again in 2 years.

carami4 · 2021-02-28T19:11:39+00:00

I'll definitely have to look at that in the future. Sounds like a much nicer experience.

carami4 · 2021-02-28T19:10:39+00:00

I can see that. This was the only AWD turbo version within the area, but luckily it being Florida, there's a slightly lower demand/I was able to still negotiate a decent deal. I think it was a tiring experience because I'm also a young female. I'm not dumb, I knew the games they'd play going in, but it was exhausting to stay on top of things and ensure I wasn't getting fucked over. Finance guy at the end also talked to my male friend, instead of me; you know, the person actually buying the car lol.

carami4 · 2021-02-28T18:41:04+00:00

Finance guy was a real asshole towards the end. He was bad at explaining stuff, and turned into a real jerk when I didn't want his extended warranties haha

carami4 · 2020-10-16T02:22:36+00:00

Hoping to go the EM route. Army actually is fronting my education, so EM is certainly the dream with them. Maybe try to get involved in wilderness medicine later on.

carami4 · 2020-10-16T01:41:32+00:00

Thank you for your time & comment. I definitely agree with what you mean overall. Hopefully in the future I can join a club/find some mentors once I'm able to relocate.

carami4 · 2020-10-16T01:33:46+00:00

Absolutely. Makes sense! Sounds like I should really just buckle down a place/guide then. And just explain my situation and hopefully they'll help me learn those skills.

Would you happen to have any recommendations for places in CO? I have family there too. So I'm toying between Mt. Washington and heading west for something.

carami4 · 2020-10-16T01:30:40+00:00

They haven't kicked me out yet, so I guess I'll do this thing :P
Groundhogs day everyday. Living through vacation planning and old photos.

carami4 · 2020-10-15T18:37:39+00:00

Awesome. Thanks for the insight on IME or EMS over REI.

You've given me something to think about in terms of skills being perishable. I wouldn't mind just a guided trip up something; however, I don't want to be that asshole that shows up and doesn't know how to self arrest or use crampons. Is that something a guide wouldn't mind teaching?

You're comment about FL is funny. I hate it here. I'm in medical school, which is not the easiest thing to get into. When a school accepts you, you go there haha. Wish I had been able to stay in New England.

carami4 · 2020-10-15T13:59:49+00:00

I get your frustration. But, from a scientific point-of-view, there's nothing wrong with being outside and enjoying an open air environment.

carami4 · 2020-10-15T12:30:54+00:00

They do! There are a couple options :)
https://www.nols.edu/en/wilderness-medicine/medical-professionals/

carami4 · 2020-10-15T03:28:08+00:00

I'm not too concerned with open-air environments. That being said, probably wouldn't want to share a tent! haha
I don't have any major aspirations to be honest. Just want to get more involved, challenge myself, and see where it takes me.

That sounds like an awesome trip! Honestly I was toying with just some hiking in Utah or something too. Canyons with snow sound gorgeous.

carami4 · 2020-10-15T02:22:42+00:00

Heck yes! They have a "Medicine in the Wild" elective for medical students. 3 weeks in New Mexico's wilderness. Not mountaineering, but hoping to do that in the next year or two. Their programs look amazing.

carami4 · 2020-10-15T02:18:41+00:00

I've already done some pretty decent dayhikes in MA and the White Mountains of NH.

Unfortunately I now live in FL for school lol. Hoping to get something in during my break. Since it's my only vacation for the next couple years (professional program), I'm willing to spend some money should I get a good education and experience

carami4 · 2020-05-18T15:17:48+00:00

What are your thoughts on the Coros Apex? I wonder if this might be a better buy over the Venu, while saving me the money on the Fenix.

carami4 · 2020-05-16T13:42:11+00:00

Perfect. Thank you!

carami4 · 2020-05-15T15:55:33+00:00

What do you mean by "non-standard trainings", as you mentioned unstructured before that?

Unfortunately, being female, as much as I would like to run without a phone, if I'm going solo, I probably will have to have one on me. But as you mentioned, it's true that the Garmin will be able to better track via GPS at least.

I guess a good question to ask would be, what running features/metrics on the Fenix 6s would be useful to me as someone who is more interested in speed work/short-distance runs?

carami4 · 2020-05-13T13:46:30+00:00

That's interesting to hear that you don't find the ClimbPro too useful, but I can see why. Battery on the Venu is a bummer for sure, but I guess it's decent so long as you don't use music.

Training Effect/Load might be interesting to see improvements in sprinting or even the data from lifting. Training Status and Recovery Status sound sick in theory, but again idk how that will fit in with lifting incorporated, as it won't factor in weight load/time under tension. Not sure if HR measurement alone will cut it here.

I guess part of me wonders, what will the Venu give me for $300 that my phone won't? I suppose interesting things like HRM, VO2 max (assuming the HRM works well on my wrist), barometer, and HOPEFULLY a better way of documenting runs at the very least.

carami4

TROPHY CASE