Lawrence "The Dreamer" Chen's Blog

There's currently a promotion of 20% for using my American Express Reward Points at shopAMEX.

Now, I've been accumulating points since I've been a member of the reward program. I don't recall how long that has been, but it has been slow work to build up to where I'm at.

Now, there was some (bedroom) furniture items that I've been thinking of getting...and because of the current promotion, I found myself browsing for said items on shopAMEX.

And, found that I could get a two of those items using my points. And, the 20% probably the only reason I would consider using my points for purchasing something this way.

So, the items I ordered were a new dresser (my old one is falling in on itself) and a new headboard.

Shortly afterwards, I get an email saying that the order for the dresser (with Wal-Mart.com) was rejected. And, no immediate refund of my points. So, I couldn't go and order from somewhere else....at least not right away.

The later, I got an email from account security about a possible fraud charge from Wal-Mart.com for the dollar amount of the order that I was ordering with points.

I called and said that I didn't use my card at Wal-Mart.com, though it was flagged as suspicious because they tried to charge the same amount twice. Discussing this further, I was then put in contact with shopAMEX to try to resolve the mess that Wal-Mart had caused.

Apparently, the way things work, is the points are turned into cash and credited to my account. And, the reward vendor then charges their order against the card. I was told that since Wal-Mart had rejected my order, I could take the cash value of the reward and use it towards the purchase of the item somewhere else.

Not really feeling things, and the dresser piece was kind of an impulse of get it while I'm at it .... I opted to have my points refunded. I still have until April 10th to take advantage of the 20% deal, so I could try again later. Or I could go somewhere entirely different and get the dresser.

The one that I went with was based on points left over after the headboard...so if not tied to using my points, I might go with something different. In fact, I have been thinking of other changes to the bedroom....though some sort of dresser is still called for.

Hmmm....