Terms and Conditions for American Express Credit Cards

THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT

The parties to this Card Member Agreement (the “Agreement”) are AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c) (“AEME”) and the Card Member whose name appears on the Card (the “Card Member” or “CM”). Please read this Agreement carefully since the use of the Card is subject to its Terms and Conditions. This Agreement shall become effective and binding upon the accepted delivery or pick up of the Card, or the signature on the back of the Card or the first use of the Card. This Agreement is supplemented by the Schedules of Fees and Charges applicable to the Card Member’s Card Account.

 

1. DEFINITIONS

“Account” - Any account established by AEME in the name of the Card Member upon the issuance of one or more Cards, under these Terms and Conditions.

“AEME” - AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c), its successors, assigns, subsidiaries, branches, and sister or parent companies.

“Card” or “Basic Card” - The Credit Card issued by AEME to the Card Member, to operate the Account, and includes Basic, Supplementary, and Replacement Cards.

“Card Member” or “Basic Card Member” - The person in whose name a Card is issued to charge Transactions including Cash Withdrawals to the Account, the debtor on the Account.

“Cash Withdrawals” or “Express Cash” - Any withdrawal of cash amounts made by using the Card and PIN on an Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) or “Cash Access” or by any other means as authorized by the Card Member.

“Cash Withdrawal Fee” - The fee set forth on the Schedule of Fees and Charges and payable by the Card Member for Cash Withdrawals.

“Cash Back” - A percentage rebate of the total amount of the Transaction made by the Card Member that may be paid by AEME to the Card Member where the programme is applicable, as set forth in Clause 9 of this Agreement and in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

“Charges” - All amounts debited to an Account arising from the issue or use of the Card(s) or otherwise under these Terms and Conditions and includes without limitation, all Card transactions, Cash Withdrawals, fees, interest, expenses, legal cost, or any other fees or liquidated damages.

“Credit Limit” - The maximum debit balance permitted by AEME for the specific Card account for the Basic Card and the Supplementary Card(s), if any.

“Data Privacy Notice” - A separate document providing details on how AEME deals with personal data relating to the Card Member(s). The Data Privacy Notice is an integral part of this Agreement, and can be altered at any time by AEME.

“Due Date” or “Payment Due Date” - The date specified in the Statement of Account by which date payment of the New Balance or any part thereof or the Minimum Payment Due is to be made to AEME.

“Interest Charge” - The charge set forth in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

“Late Payment Fee” - The amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees and Charges and payable by the Card Member.

“Membership Rewards®” “MR” - Earned points for every Transaction made by the Card Member, where the programme is applicable, and subject to applicable Terms and Conditions.

“Minimum Payment Due” - The amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, and as indicated on the Card Member Statement of Account and payable by the Card Member.

“New Balance” - The total debit balance outstanding on the Card Account payable to AEME according to AEME’s records on the date of the Statement of Account.

“Overlimit Fee” - The amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees and Charges and payable by the Card Member.

“PIN” - The Personal Identification Number provided to the Card Member to be used in conjunction with the Card.

“Plan It®” - A payment option feature offered selectively to eligible Card Members, that provides flexibility to repay the value of a Transaction in equal monthly instalments. Plan It terms & conditions apply and are available at www.americanexpress.com.bh

“Replacement Card” - A new Card issued to the Card Member in case of loss, theft, mutilation or non-receipt of a Card.

“Schedule of Fees and Charges” - A separate document providing details of the Charges and fees applicable to the Card Member’s Card Account. The Schedule of Fees and Charges is an integral part of this Agreement, and can be altered at any time by AEME.

“Service Establishments” - Providers of goods or services which accept the Card from Card Members as a means of payment for purchase or reservation of goods and services.

“Statement of Account” - AEME’s monthly or other periodic Statement of Account provided to the Basic Card Member showing particulars of the New Balance incurred by the Basic Card Member and the Supplementary Card Member(s), if any, and payable to AEME.

“E-Statement” - AEME’s monthly/periodic Statement of Account dispatched to the Basic Card Member via electronic mail, specifically to the email address listed in the Basic Card Member’s account. The E-Statement shall contain the Balance Due that was incurred by the Basic Card Member and the Supplementary Card Member(s), if any, and payable to AEME.

“Supplementary Card” - The Supplementary Card is the Card issued to a Supplementary Card Member.

“Supplementary Card Member” - Any person other than the Basic Card Member who is issued a Supplementary Card at the request of the Basic Card Member.

“Transaction” - Any payment made by the Card Member or amount charged by a Service Establishment for any goods, services, or reservations made by using the Card(s) or the PIN or in any other manner including, without limitation, mail, internet, telephone, facsimile orders, any other mode of communication or reservations authorized regardless of whether a form or voucher was signed by the Card Member.

“Unauthorized Transaction” - Any Transaction made on the Card, by any party other than the Card Member without the Card Member’s permission or approval.

 

2. USE OF THE CARD

  1. The Card Member must sign the Card in ink, using a ball point pen, as soon as he or she receives it (and ensure that each Supplementary Card Member signs his or her Supplementary Card); the Card Member must also safeguard the Card and preserve any PIN in extreme secrecy and keep it separate from his or her Card. The Card Member must not exceed the Credit Limit (the amount of which will be determined by AEME, at its discretion, from time to time, and shown on the Card Member Statement of Account). If AEME changes the Credit Limit, the Card Member will be informed of the new limit in a manner deemed appropriate by AEME. The Card Member must not use the Card after the expiration of the validity period embossed on it, and not use the Card after it has been damaged, withdrawn or cancelled.

  2. Although the Card Member has the right to use the Card, the Card shall at all times remain the property of AEME. The Card Member must surrender the Card immediately upon any request by AEME, any Service Establishment or any other representative of AEME, based on AEME’s instructions. A Service Establishment or any other representative of AEME may at its discretion, and after instructions by AEME, withdraw, hold and keep the Card on behalf of AEME.

  3. The Card Member is the only person authorized to use the Card for Transactions including Cash Withdrawals, Contactless Payment, identification or any other purpose. The Card Member (including Supplementary Card Members) must not allow any other person to use the Card(s) or the PIN(s). The Card Member must safeguard the Card from misuse by retaining the Card under his or her personal control at all times.

  4. If the Card Member uses the Card to buy goods or services from a Service Establishment on a frequent or recurring basis (e.g. subscription to periodicals, TV channels, and the like) (“Recurring Charges”) or if the Card Member uses the Card to buy goods or services on installments or on a premium basis (e.g. insurance) the Card Member authorizes AEME to pay all such Recurring Charges or periodical premiums or installments on his or her behalf at the request of the Service Establishment, and undertakes to repay AEME accordingly. The Card Member must inform the Service Establishment and AEME in writing if the Card Member wishes to stop any such periodical payments. AEME shall not be responsible for any breach, cancellation or termination of any legal arrangement or relationship (e.g. insurance policy) resulting from AEME’s inability to pay the said Charges because of insufficient credit in the Card Member’s Account. AEME shall not be liable for any damages of any nature if AEME fails to pay or delays the payment of any Charges, installments or premiums because of any technical failure, error or for any reason beyond AEME’s reasonable control.

  5. Owners of Service Establishments who are Card Members or Supplementary Card Members are not allowed to use their Cards in their own Service Establishments. The Card Member is not allowed to utilize the Card to fund any part of, or to meet the working capital requirements of his or her business.

  6. The Card Member is liable for all amounts due on the Account and for all Charges incurredonhisorherCardoronanySupplementaryCardsissuedonhisorherAccount. The Supplementary Card Member(s) are jointly and severally, liable with the Card Member for all Charges incurred on the Card Account or on his or her Supplementary Card(s).

  7. The Card Member is not entitled to use the Card in any manner to withdraw or extract cash in Service Establishments, and shall only use the Card to purchase goods or services.

  8. The Card Member shall not use the Card as payment for any illegal or unlawful purchases or services and is responsible for any use that is in violation of any local or other laws and regulations. The Card Member further agrees to indemnify AEME for any action whatsoever that may arise as a result of such Transactions.

  9. The Card Member expressly authorizes AEME to use the information provided by the Card Member for AEME’s targeted promotional activities including without limitation, promotional activities conducted in conjunction with third parties selected by AEME, for third party researches and surveys, in accordance with the limitations of the applicable laws.

  10. The Card Member agrees to follow the Card activation procedures laid down by AEME from time to time and shall also be subject to any identity checks and verifications by AEME and or any third parties (e.g. credit bureaus, government agencies, Service Establishments, etc).

  11. All Charges will be debited to the Account in the billing currency. Any Transactions that are effected in currencies other than the billing currency will be debited to the Account after conversion as set forth in Clause 4.

 

3. THE ACCOUNT

  1. AEME is fully authorized to manage and operate the Card Account and to debit all Charges, Transactions, made on the Card or any Supplementary Card, fees and other amounts for all of which the Card Member shall be liable. The Card Member irrevocably undertakes and promises to pay to AEME all Charges and amounts debited to or outstanding on the Card Account including Charges incurred on any Supplementary Card whether or not a record of the Charge or Transaction has been issued and or signed at the Service Establishment.

  2. Except for what is provided under Clauses 11 and 16 of this Agreement, the Card Member acknowledges and agrees that all Charges debited at any time by AEME to his or her Card Account are true and accurate. The Card Member also acknowledges that all records and data maintained by AEME on microfilm or in any printed or electronic form in connection with the Transactions, Charges, Card or Card Account are true, accurate and complete and may be used in any court of law as conclusive evidence which may not be disputed or challenged in any manner.

  3. When AEME authorizes a Transaction, the credit limit available for use in the Card Account will be reduced proportionately by the value of the authorized Transaction as AEME assumes such a Transaction will be completed. In case of insufficient credit limit on the Basic Card, AEME will not fulfill transactions on the account including those made on the Supplementary Cards.

  4. AEME may, at its ultimate discretion, refuse any request for authorization and may decline any Transaction including Cash Withdrawals, regardless of the reason and without giving any notice to the Card Member. Also, AEME may not be liable to provide or process authorization for any Transaction due to technical failures or any other reason of similar nature. In both circumstances and in any other similar situation, AEME is not liable whether directly or indirectly for any damages of any nature including monetary, liquidated, punitive or consequential damages which the Card Member may sustain as a result of any unsuccessful, uncompleted or declined Transaction.

  5. Card Member promises to pay AEME for debits made on his Account for purchases and all other amounts owed to AEME under the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement.

 

4. FOREIGN CHARGES

All Transactions including Cash Withdrawals incurred in a currency other than the currency in which the Card Member is billed, that Charge will be converted into the Card Member’s billing currency. The conversion will take place on the date the Charge is processed by AEME, which may not be the same date on which the Card Member made his or her Charge. If the Charge is not in U.S. dollars, the conversion will be made to U.S. dollars, by converting the Charge amount into U.S. dollars and then by converting the U.S. dollar amount into the Card Member’s billing currency. If the Charge is in U.S. dollars, it will be converted directly into the Card Member’s billing currency. Unless a specific rate is required by applicable law, the Card Member understands and agrees that the American Express treasury system will use conversion rates based on wholesale exchange rates that it selects from customary industry sources on the business day prior to the processing date or the most recent wholesale exchange rate available, increased by a single Conversion Processing Fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges. If Charges are converted by third parties prior to being submitted to AEME, any conversions made by those third parties will be at rates selected by them.

 

5. CARD FEES

  1. An annual NON-REFUNDABLE membership fee for holding and operating the Card Account of the Card and any Supplementary Cards (“Annual Membership Fee”) will be charged to the Account, as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges. The Card Member agrees to pay the Annual Membership Fee and authorizes AEME to debit it directly to the Card Member’s Account. The Annual Membership Fee once paid will not be refunded to the Card Member, in whole or in part.

  2. AEME, unless prohibited by applicable law, shall at all times have the right to vary and amend at its sole discretion, the Terms and Conditions of the payment of all fees and Charges applicable to the Card and the amount of such fees and Charges and shall have the right to change, increase or decrease any fee or Charge applicable to the Card, Account or Card Member, including, but not limited to, the interest rate, the specified Minimum Payment Due, Annual Renewal Membership Fee, Over Limit Fee, Late Payment Fee, Cash Withdrawal Fee, Dishonoured Cheque Fee, Direct Debit Rejection Fee and any other fee or Charge whether mentioned or not in this Agreement or in the Schedule of Fees and Charges. The Card Member will be informed of any such variations and amendments in a manner that AEME deems appropriate.

  3. If the Card Member does not agree to any of the variations and amendments, the Card Member must surrender the Card and all Supplementary Cards, cut in half, to AEME accompanied with a written request of the termination of this Agreement within 15 days of the notification of the change.

 

6. CREDIT LIMIT

  1. AEME will, at its sole discretion, determine the Card Member’s Credit Limit. Card Members may be subject to inquiries by relevant credit bureaus, banks, or any other agencies or institutions that AEME deems fit. Cash Withdrawals may only be up to the percentage of the Credit Limit as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges. AEME may, at its sole discretion, unless prohibited by applicable law, change any of these limits from time to time and inform the Card Member of such changes, in a manner it deems adequate.

  2. AEME will charge an Over Limit fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, if and whenever the total amount outstanding on the Card Account exceeds the Credit Limit, AEME will continue to charge the Over Limit fee until the total amount outstanding on the Card Account is back within the Credit Limit. In case of insufficient credit balance in the Card Account, AEME may exceptionally, and at its sole discretion extend facilities from time to time to authorize a Transaction in excess of the Credit Limit.

 

7. INTEREST CHARGES AND FEES

  1. If the Card Member pays to AEME an amount less than the New Balance by the Payment Due Date, or if no payment is made or if payment of the New Balance is not made in FULL, or if payment is made but AFTER the Payment Due Date, the Interest Charge calculated on a daily basis at the prevailing interest rate will be applied to the New Balance from the date(s) of the Card Transaction(s) and Charge(s) until any payments are credited to the Card Account and THEREAFTER on the reduced balance and to any Card Transaction(s) and Charge(s) effected since the date when the latest Statement of Account was issued, with effect from the date(s) of Card Transaction(s) and Charge(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the method of determining interest, interest charges and fees payable with respect to a Cash Withdrawal is set forth in Clause 7(3).

  2. The use of the Card by the Card Member to obtain a Cash Withdrawal shall be deemed to constitute the agreement of the Card Member to pay interest on each Cash Withdrawal and a Cash Withdrawal Fee, as detailed in Clause 7(3) and Clause 7(4).

  3. Interest at the prevailing rate applied by AEME to Cash Withdrawals, as detailed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, and calculated on a daily basis shall accrue on each Cash Withdrawal from the date of the Cash Withdrawal until repayment in full.

  4. A Cash Withdrawal Fee, as indicated in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, shall be assessed on the amount of each Cash Withdrawal and charged to the Card Account.

  5. Without prejudice to any other right or remedy of AEME, if the Card Member fails to pay the Minimum Payment Due by the Payment Due Date, a Late Payment Fee, as indicated in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, shall be debited to the Card Account, and AEME reserves the right, in its discretion, to increase the Interest Charge to include delay interest.

  6. AEME, unless prohibited by applicable law, may at its sole discretion change the interest rates applicable to the Card or Card Account or the method of its calculation at any time, and inform the Card Member of such changes, in a manner it deems appropriate.

  7. Other services may incur a fee; such fees will be disclosed at the time of the applicable offer or transaction, or as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

  8. Promotional Offers: From time to time, you may be offered special promotional terms which modify the terms of this Agreement with respect to certain Charges on your Account (“Promotional Offer”). The provisions of this Agreement apply to any Promotional Offer, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the Promotional Offer.

 

8. STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS & PAYMENTS

  1. AEME will provide regular monthly statements to the Card Member providing details of the monthly Transactions and amounts due on the Card Account (“Statement of Account”) and/or (“E-Statement”). Each Statement of Account will specify the “New Balance”, the “Due Date” and the “Minimum Payment Due”. Payment of the New Balance as specified on the Statement of Account, in FULL, is due and payable no later than the Payment Due Date and the Card Member shall incur no Interest Charge (save in relation to Cash Advances) if payment of the New Balance is received by AEME on or before the Due Date. The Card Member may choose not to settle the New Balance in full, in which case the Card Member must, on or before the Payment Due Date, pay:

    a. the Minimum Payment Due, if the New Balance does not exceed the Credit Limit,

    b. the Minimum Payment Due and the excess over the Credit Limit, subject to Clause 12 hereof, if the New Balance exceeds the Credit Limit.

  2. Subject to Clause 12 hereof, if the previous Minimum Payment Due and or the excess, if any, over the Credit Limit specified in the previous statement is not paid in full, AEME may, in its absolute discretion, and without prejudice to any of its rights hereunder, allow the Card Member to pay:

    a. the current Minimum Payment Due and previously unpaid Minimum Payment Due, if the New Balance does not exceed the Credit Limit, or

    b. the current Minimum Payment Due and the previously unpaid Minimum Payment Due and the excess over the Credit Limit, if the New Balance exceeds the Credit Limit.

  3. If the Card Member chooses to settle his or her Card Account through a Direct Debit arrangement, where available, then the monthly amount to be paid to AEME will be determined by the Direct Debit Agreement which AEME can provide for this purpose.

  4. 4. AEME will only credit payments of amounts outstanding on the Card Account upon the actual receipt of the payment, on the date of receipt of the payment and not on the date on which the Card Member sends in or processes such payments or payment instruments. All payments received by AEME from the Card Member in relation to the Card Account may be applied in the repayment of amounts due from the Card Member to AEME, in the following order, or in such other order of priority, as AEME may deem fit, in respect of:

    a. Billed Interest Charges on Cash Withdrawals;

    b. Billed Cash Withdrawal Fees;

    c. Billed Interest charged on purchases;

    d. Late Payment Fees and Overlimit Fees;

    e. Other Financial Charges which have been billed;

    f. Card Insurance Charges and Fees (if any);

    g. Card Membership Fees;

    h. Cash Withdrawals which have been drawn and billed;

    i. Purchases which have been made and billed;

    j. Cash Withdrawals which have been drawn and not yet billed; and

    k. Purchases which have been made and not yet billed.

    Within the categories set forth above, all payments and credits may, unless otherwise decided by AEME, be applied by AEME first to the outstanding amounts that have been billed to the Card Account for the longest period of time. AEME reserves the right to modify or alter the above mentioned order, which will be communicated to the Card Members as AEME deems adequate.

  5. If the Card Member pays to AEME any amount which is in excess of the New Balance of the Card, AEME retains the right, as it deems necessary, to verify the reasons for such excess payments and accordingly to either process or not to process such payments and to return such payments to the Card Member.

  6. All payments by the Card Member to AEME shall be made net of any taxes, withholdings, fees, levies or other deductions.

  7. Interest for the period covered by a Statement of Account will be debited to the Card Account on the last day of each period covered by a Statement of Account. Interest will be calculated for each day of the relevant period covered by a Statement of Account and will be shown on the Statement of Account for that period.

  8. If payment from the Card Member to AEME is made either by cheque or through a direct debit, AEME will charge the Card Account a fee as per the Schedule of Fees and Charges, if the cheque or direct debit is dishonoured or not paid for any reason whatsoever, in addition to any other relevant costs that AEME may incur. The Card Member shall be fully liable for all legal consequences of issuing a dishonoured cheque, whether civil or criminal. It is the Card Member’s sole responsibility to clear any issues and Charges related to direct debit directly with the bank with which the Card Member has the said direct debit arrangement. The Card Member shall also be liable for any costs which AEME may have to incur in recovering any overdue payments from the Card Member. This includes all legal fees and costs that AEME may incur in using any third parties, such as lawyers or collection agents, in addition to all costs which these third parties may incur while trying to recover any overdue or amounts outstanding on the Account on behalf of AEME. If the Card Member fails to pay the Minimum Payment Due, by the Due Date shown on the Statement of Account, the Card Member agrees and acknowledges that AEME may debit his or her Account with any of the abovementioned costs or fees. The Card Member further agrees and undertakes to indemnify AEME for any action whatsoever that may arise accordingly.

  9. The Card Member undertakes to promptly notify AEME in writing of any change in employment and or office and or residential address and contact numbers. The Card Member also undertakes to provide AEME with copies of renewed or changed identification documents i.e., Passport, CPR, Civil ID, Personal Identification Card, etc, as soon as there are any changes in any of them.

 

9. CASH BACK [where applicable]

  1. A percentage Cash Back (as indicated in the Schedule of Fees and Charges) of the total amount of all annual Transactions excluding Cash Withdrawals will be payable to the Card Member and credited to his or her Card Account pursuant to AEME’s Cash Back scheme on annual basis.

  2. No Cash Back will be payable in respect of any interest, fee or the amount of any balance transfer.

  3. No Cash Back will be payable for any Transaction made in a month during which the total amount outstanding on the Card Account exceeds the Credit Limit.

  4. No Cash Back will be payable for any Transaction made in any month for which the Minimum Payment Due shown on the Statement of Account is not paid by the Due Date shown on the Statement of Account.

  5. No Cash Back will be payable in respect of amounts that are subsequently re- credited to the Account because of refunds or credit adjustments processed by AEME.

  6. The Cash Back will only be credited to the Card Member’s Account by AEME periodically, once every 14 months, (“Cash Back Payment Period”) starting from the Card issue date. The Cash Back will be paid at the end of the last month of each Cash Back Payment Period, and will cover Transactions made during the preceding Cash Back Payment Period only. Payment will be made by crediting the Card Account. No Cash Back will be payable if this Agreement is terminated or if the Card is canceled prior to the completion of any Cash Back Payment Period, or if upon the completion of any Cash Back Payment Period, any amounts due on the Card Account were outstanding for two or more preceding months.

  7. Other Terms and Conditions may apply.

 

10. MEMBERSHIP REWARDS® [where applicable]

  1. Membership Rewards points have no expiration date as long as the Card Member maintains a Membership Rewards Account with an eligible, enrolled Card.

  2. There is no limit to the number of points a Card Member can earn.

  3. Points accrued for any given contractual year will be carried forward on each enrollment date anniversary, provided all other conditions set by AEME have been met by the Card Member.

  4. Points accrued in any account do not constitute property of the Card Member and are not transferable or redeemable in cash.

  5. AEME reserves the right to add to and or change the Membership Rewards programme (“programme”) Terms & Conditions at any time. This means, for example, that AEME may change the number of points earned for spending, or the number of points required to redeem rewards, impose caps and or fees on earning and or redeeming points, introduce, or increase the annual and or other programme fees and or cancel rewards. In addition, AEME reserves the right to terminate the programme with three months’ prior notice. During the three-month notice period, AEME may change or cancel some or all of the then-current rewards. The Card Member’s right to earn points and redeem accumulated points will terminate three months after AEME gives the Card Member this notice.

  6. If the Card Account is in overdue or delinquent status and not on a good standing (including because of death, bankruptcy or insolvency, default, cancellation, or other), the Card Member’s enrollment in the programme will be canceled and the Membership Rewards points accrued on said account will be forfeited.

  7. Other Terms and Conditions may apply.

 

11. CONTACTLESS PAYMENT ON CARD

  1. The Card Member may purchase goods and services using the contactless method of payment available on their Card and subject to the terms of this Agreement. Payment using contactless shall at all times be deemed a properly authorized Transaction by the Card Member.

  2. Payment with contactless is only enabled at Service Establishments that accept contactless payments and have contactless enabled terminals. AEME is not liable for Service Establishments’ non-acceptance of contactless payments or for any conditions that Service Establishments may impose on the acceptance of contactless payments.

  3. The maximum limit of individual or daily amounts of Transactions that can be made using contactless on the Card may vary from time to time at AEME’s sole discretion and is at all times subject to the Credit Limit on the Card and the maximum limit prescribed by the laws and regulations of the country in which the Card is being used.

  4. AEME reserves the right at its sole discretion and without notice to withdraw or suspend contactless methods of payment on the Card.

 

12. QUERIES

  1. If the Card Member has any queries about any of the Charges or Transactions which appear in any Statement of Account, the Card Member must contact AEME immediately and in any event, no later than 90 days from the date on which the Transaction or Charge was processed and debited to the Card Account. If the Card Member fails to notify AEME of any queries or disputes within the 90 day period, then the Card Member agrees and acknowledges that all Charges and Transactions which appear on the Statement of Account are true, accurate and correct and hereby waives any right to object, dispute or challenge, in any manner whatsoever, any such Transactions, Charges or amounts. AEME will assume all Charges and Transactions to be true, accurate and approved by the Card Member upon the lapse of the said 90 day period.

  2. AEME is not responsible for goods or services paid for by use of the Card. Once the Card Member pays for goods or services by his or her Card, the Card Member may not at any later time cancel any Charge or Transaction without the approval of the Service Establishment from which he or she purchased the goods or services. Any dispute related to the quality or delivery of the goods or services or otherwise shall be settled directly with the concerned Service Establishment. AEME shall have no direct or indirect involvement in any such dispute. Even if such a dispute occurs, the Card Member must in all circumstances pay the total amount outstanding or at least the Minimum Payment Due as shown on his or her monthly Statement of Account. If such dispute is not approved and settled by the Service Establishment, the Card Member shall be liable to and may not refuse to pay to AEME the value of any Charge or Transaction debited to the Card Account because of such dispute or dissatisfaction or any other matter related to the goods or services paid for by the Card.

  3. AEME may at its discretion, raise an inquiry on behalf of the Card Member with a Service Establishment and obtain the relevant supporting documentation for any disputed Transaction(s). AEME reserves the right to debit the Card Member’s Account with an Investigation Fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, which covers the cost which AEME incurs while conducting its investigation over a disputed Transaction. However, if the investigation reveals that the disputed Transaction does not relate to the Card Member in any manner, AEME will credit the Card Account for the disputed Transaction and will not charge the Investigation Fee. AEME shall make bona-fide and reasonable efforts to resolve a dispute raised by a Card Member. The Card Member will be liable for all costs associated with the collection of dues including legal and external agencies expenses.

  4. Upon the request of the Card Member, AEME will provide the Card Member with reprints of his or her monthly Statement of Account, if at the time of the request this is available from AEME’s records. There will be no Charges for reprints of the first three months lapsing preceding the request. However, a fee as specified in the Schedule of Fees and Charges, per each separate month required by the Card Member will be charged for reprints of Statements of Account covering period later than three lapsing months preceding the request.

 

13. TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

  1. The Card Member may at any time choose to terminate this Agreement by surrendering to AEME all Cards issued in the name of the Card Member and any issued in the name of the Supplementary Card Members, accompanied with a letter requesting the termination of this Agreement, closing of the Account, and the cancellation of all Cards and services provided accordingly.However, the Agreement will not terminate and AEME will not agree to the termination unless AEME has received all Cards and payment in full towards the total amounts outstanding on the Account which shall immediately fall due and shall be payable upon termination. The Card Member may cancel any Supplementary Card by notifying AEME in writing. However, the Card Member will still be responsible for all Transactions made by the Supplementary Card Members until the Card is surrendered to AEME, cut in half. The Annual Membership Fee once paid will not be refunded to the Card Member, in whole or in part, under any circumstances.

  2. AEME shall, at all times, have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement for convenience without providing any reason for such termination. AEME reserves the right to cancel the Card and close the Account in the event of misuse or breach of this Agreement by the Card Member. In all of these events AEME shall not be responsible for any damages arising because of such cancellation and the Card Member will not be entitled for a refund of the Annual Membership Fee or any part of it. Upon the termination of this Agreement or cancellation of the Card for any reason, all amounts outstanding on the Card Account shall fall due and shall be payable immediately. The Card Member must pay in full the total amount outstanding on the Card Account and Transactions which are already debited to the Card Account or shown on a Statement of Account and shall be liable for all other amounts including Transactions and Cash Withdrawals, interest, fees and other Charges which are not yet debited to the Card Account or shown on a Statement of Account.

  3. The Card Member shall not use the Card after cancellation or expiration of the Card or after the termination of this Agreement. Except for what is provided under Clause 16 of this Agreement, all Charges arising because of the use of the Card by the Card Member or because of any unauthorized use will be charged to the Card account and the Card Member shall be fully liable for all such Charges.

  4. AEME may list any cancelled Card in its cancellation bulletin or otherwise inform the Service Establishments of such cancellation. If a Service Establishment requests the Card Member to return or surrender a cancelled or an expired Card based on instructions from AEME, the Card Member shall immediately adhere and comply with such a request.

 

14. RENEWING THE CARD

  1. The Card Member authorizes AEME to periodically renew the Card before its expiration.

  2. Unless this Agreement is terminated, AEME may issue Replacement Cards for lost or stolen Cards. Such Replacement Cards will be governed by the provisions of this Card Member Agreement as might be amended from time to time.

  3. The renewal or non renewal of the Card is at the sole discretion of AEME.

 

15. DEATH OR BANKRUPTCY

If the Card Member is deceased AEME will cancel the Card and request the payment of the total amounts outstanding immediately through all available means. If the Card Member is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, AEME may, at its ultimate discretion, cancel and withdraw the Card or any Supplementary Cards or limit and restrict the use of such Cards in addition to any other rights which might be legally available for AEME in these circumstances. AEME may cancel and terminate all credit facilities including payment of the Minimum Payment Due and request the Card Member or the Supplementary Card Member to immediately pay the total amount outstanding on his or her Card Account even if such amounts were previously deferred.

 

16. PROTECTING THE CARD AND PIN

The Card Member must at all times secure the Card and the PIN(s) and must take proper care to ensure that the Card is safe and prevent all other parties from using the Card or becoming aware of the PIN. The PIN must be kept in extreme secrecy. No note of PIN should be kept on the Card itself or anything usually kept with the Card. For proper protection, the PIN must not be kept in any written manner without being coded.

 

17. LOST, STOLEN, OR DAMAGED CARDS

If the Card Member loses the Card or if the Card is damaged or stolen or if the PIN became available to any other persons, the Card Member must immediately inform AEME by telephone. In addition, the Card Member shall provide AEME with a written notification within 3 days from the date of the occurrence of any of the above listed events, as per applicable laws. All notices pursuant to this article must be sent to the following address:

AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c)

P.O. Box 5990 Manama Kingdom of Bahrain.

Or facsimile number: (+973) 17 557855.

 

To inform AEME by phone, call the phone number indicated in the Card Member Additional Information Leaflet. If AEME is duly informed in the manner described above, the Card Member shall not be liable for any Charges made on his or her Card by any third parties after the Card has been reported lost or stolen. Failure to comply with the provisions of this article will render the Card Member liable for all Transactions made on his or her lost or stolen Card until the time the Card is reported as lost or stolen to AEME. However, the Card Member shall, at all times, be fully liable for all Charges including Cash Withdrawals even if these Charges were made by third parties if these third parties gained possession of the Card or any Supplementary Card or the PIN with the knowledge, permission, approval or other acts of the Card Member or any Supplementary Card Member or because of their negligence. If the Card is found after it was reported lost or stolen, the Card Member may not use or attempt to use the Card at issue and shall immediately inform AEME which will take the appropriate action.

  

18. FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS

  1. If the Card Member or any Supplementary Card Member commits or attempts to commit any fraudulent transaction of any nature, as determined by AEME, or by applicable laws, AEME has the right to immediately cancel the Card in addition to any other legal action available by law. The Card Member shall be fully liable for all amounts and damages of any nature that AEME, Service Establishments or third parties may sustain because of his or her fraudulent acts. AEME shall have the right to and is hereby authorized to file complaints and reports on behalf of the Card Member and to provide information about the Card, Account or Transactions to any competent court, or regulatory or government authority and to participate in any investigation of fraud.

  2. If the Card Member uses his or her Card in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement to pay for goods or services offered online over the Internet on websites which display the “Online Fraud Protection Guarantee” logo, the Card Member shall not be liable for any fraudulent Unauthorized Transaction made on his or her Card unless the Card Member fails to notify AEME of such fraudulent Transaction prior to the Due Date shown on the Statement of Account where such fraudulent Transaction appears.

 

19. LIABILITY AND REFUNDS

  1. AEME shall not be liable if a Service Establishment does not accept the Card or if the Card is not accepted for use at an ATM for any reason whatsoever. If a Service Establishment agrees to refund the amount of any Charge to the Card Member, AEME will only credit the Card Account if AEME receives a proper refund confirmation from the Service Establishment. AEME is not responsible in any manner for the goods or services supplied to the Card Member.

  2. Unless expressly provided otherwise, AEME shall only be responsible for Transactions on the Card Member Account if the Card is misused before the Card Member has received it.

  3. AEME will only pay back the amounts erroneously charged to the Card Account and any interest on those amounts. In all circumstances, the Card Member shall be liable for all amounts or damages resulting from the Card Member or any Supplementary Card Member committing or attempting to commit fraud.

  4. Whenever necessary and in particular in any of the circumstances set out in Clauses 16, 17 and 18 of this Agreement, the Card Member and all Supplementary Card Members agree to cooperate and to exert their best efforts to assist in any investigation that AEME may wish to make.

  5. AEME shall not be liable in any manner for any amounts, claims or damages of any nature resulting from any i) non-acceptance of the Card or the way the Card is accepted or declined, ii) failure by AEME to perform its obligations under this Agreement arising from a technical failure of any kind including systems failure, date or other data processing failures, industrial dispute or any other event beyond the reasonable control of AEME, iii) indirect, special or consequential damages arising for any cause under this Agreement.

  6. The Card Member and any Supplementary Card Member are jointly and severally liable for all amounts due on the Card Account including Charges on the Card and on any Supplementary Cards.

 

20. CHANGE OF AGREEMENT

  1. AEME shall, at all times, unless prohibited by applicable laws, have the right to unilaterally change all or any of the provisions of this Agreement including the fees, Charges, and interest rates on the Schedule of Fees and Charges, or other applicable to the Card or Card Account. AEME will notify the Card Member of any changes either by written or electronic communication or by publishing the changes in any manner or by any other appropriate means for the Card Member’s convenience only. Unless AEME decides the changes should be effective immediately or otherwise, all changes shall become effective and binding upon the lapse of 15 days from the date of the publishing or notification of the changes. The Card Member’s final and full approval to any changes will be assumed after the lapse of the aforementioned 15 day period or any other period determined by AEME. Regardless of the aforementioned provisions, the use of the Card after the publishing or notification of any changes is a confirmation of the Card Member’s full and final approval to such changes. If the Card Member does not agree to any of the changes, the Card Member must surrender the Card and all Supplementary Cards, cut in half, to AEME accompanied with a written request of the termination of this Agreement within 15 days of the notification of the change.

  2. AEME may, in its sole discretion, choose to not exercise any right under this Agreement, including the right to impose the full amount of any Charge, without waiving that right. Any waiver of a right by AEME must be in writing and signed by AEME. Except as AEME may agree in writing, AEME will not waive any rights if AEME (a) accepts a late or partial payment, (b) accepts a check or other payment marked “payment in full” or tendered with other conditions or limitations, (c) extends the due date of any payment due under this Agreement, and or (d) releases any collateral or person responsible for the Card Member’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

21. ASSIGNMENT

AEME shall at all times have the right to assign or transfer all or any part of its rights, benefits or obligations under this Agreement to any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, branches, sister or mother companies, business partners or third parties. AEME shall also have the right to transfer, securitize, sell, pledge or dispose of all or any part of the receivables due on the Card Account. The Card Member ratifies and agrees in advance to all such acts.

 

22. PRIVACY AND APPLICABLE LAW

  1. The Card Member agrees to comply with all applicable exchange control regulations which may be issued from time to time.

  2. The Card Member understands and acknowledges the Data Privacy Notice. The Data Privacy Notice is available online at www.americanexpress.com.bh This document includes further details in respect of the collection, processing, transfer and disclosure of personal data.

  3. This Agreement, the performance and construction of its provisions and all matters arising because of the issuance or use of the Card are subject to the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the courts of the Kingdom of Bahrain shall have jurisdiction and be competent to decide over all disputes or matters arising in relation to this Agreement, the Card or other relevant matter. The Card Member also agrees that AEME may initiate collection procedures or other legal action in any other jurisdiction in which the Card Member may be resident or domiciled from time to time and agrees to submit to the choice of such jurisdiction.

  4. It may not be reasonably possible for AEME to maintain original copies of all vouchers, receipts, records of Transactions and other documents signed by the Card Member to process any Transaction or other documents signed in connection with the use of the Card. It is AEME’s policy to place the same on microfilm or to maintain the same in electronic form. Accordingly, the Card Member hereby agrees that such microfilm, electronic records or data maintained in any form by AEME or any copies or prints thereof, are true, complete and accurate and shall be final conclusive evidence admissible at any court of law to evidence any fact or matter whether related to the Account or to a Transaction or Charge and waives any right to object, dispute or challenge such evidence in any manner. The Card Member also agrees that any such evidence may be used in any procedure for verification of his or her signature.

  5. The Card Member understands and agrees that AEME will:

    (a) Disclose information about the Card Member, his or her Card Account and Charges on his or her Card Account (which may include details of goods and or services purchased) to companies within the American Express group of companies worldwide (including third parties and other organizations which issue the Card or provide relevant services), to any other party whose name or logo appears on the Card issued to the Card Member, to any party authorized by the Card Member, to our processors and suppliers and to organizations which accept the Card in payment for goods or services purchased by the Card Member and obtain such information from those parties, in order to administer and service the Card Account, process and collect Charges on it and manage any benefits or insurance programmes in which the Card Member is enrolled. When the Card Member purchases goods or services on behalf of a third party, the Card Member confirms that he or she has obtained the consent of the third party to the disclosure of his or her information to American Express group of companies worldwide for these purposes;

    (b) Use information about the Card Member and information about how he or she uses his or her Card Account to develop lists for use within the American Express group of Companies worldwide (including other organizations which issue the Card) and other selected companies in order that AEME or these companies may develop or make offers to the Card Member (by mail, email, telephone, SMS or any other mode of communication) of products and services in which the Card Member might be interested. The information used to develop these lists may be obtained from the Application, from information on where the Card is used and information about the nature of the Charges made on the Card Member’s Card, from surveys and research (which may involve contacting the Card Member by mail or telephone) and from information obtained from other external sources such as merchants or marketing organizations;

    (c) Exchange information about the Card Member and his or her Card Account with credit rating agencies, Credit Bureaus, or regulatory authorities, and report any Transaction, event, matter or incidence related to the Card or the Card Member to the regulatory authorities. Such information may be shared with other organizations in assessing applications received from the Card Member or from members of his or her household for credit or other facilities and for preventing fraud and tracking debtors;

    (d) Carry out credit checks whilst any money is owed by the Card Member on his or her Card Account (including contacting the Card Member’s bank, financial institution or approved referee) and disclose information about the Card Member and his or her Card Account to collection agencies and lawyers for the purpose of collecting debts on the Card Member’s Card Account;

    (e)    Carry out further credit checks and analyze information about the Card Member and charges on his or her Card Account, to assist in managing the Card Member’s Card Account, authorizing Charges on it and to prevent fraud;

    (f)   Monitor and or record any telephone calls between AEME and the Card Member, either directly by AEME or by organizations selected by AEME, to maintain evidence of the contents of such telephone calls and to ensure consistent servicing levels (including staff training) and Account operation;

    (g)    Undertake all of the above within and outside the Middle East;

    (h)   Undertake all of the above in respect of any Supplementary Card Member on the Card Account. When the Card Member has approved the issue of a Supplementary Card, the Card Member confirms that he or she has obtained the consent of the Supplementary Card Member to disclose his or her information to American Express group of companies worldwide and process it for the above purposes.

  6. If the Card Member believes that any information AEME holds about him or her is incorrect or incomplete, the Card Member must write without delay to AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c), P.O. Box 5990, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.

This Card is issued by AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c) pursuant to a license from American Express.

American Express is a registered trademark of American Express.

AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C. (c) is regulated and licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain as a Financing Company.