I always dread thin, official-looking letters from credit card companies. Whenever I find one in the mail, my mind always launches into a series of classic psychological defense mechanisms and justifications, thinking they’re out to get me and are sending me some scolding letter informing me of how they’re slashing my credit line because they know just how many student loans I have, or that my identity has been stolen.

Instead, American Express, I must say, pleasantly surprised me:

We are writing to let you know that a system error recently impacted your everyday spend bonus on the September statement of your Hilton HHonors Surpass Card account. The correct number of everyday spend HIlton HHonors bonus points has since been awarded to your account and will be transferred to your Hilton HHonors frequent guest account. We apologize if this has inconvenienced you in any way

 

Stilted, terrible corporate writing notwithstanding, I think it’s quite a nice gesture – honest, forthright, and straightforward, letting me know exactly what happened, and that they have corrected the matter, especially because I never would have even known of the error. I’m not the kind of person who feverishly checks points balances every day like a man with OCD and on PCP. I definitely don’t review my Hilton statements in any detail, and in fact, only ever check my points balance when I’m thinking of making an hotel award booking.

Kudos to Amex. I’m very pleased. Hopefully, those extra points will get me 1/58th closer to a fifth award night for my upcoming Tokyo trip this January.