American Express reviews

4.1

81% would recommend to a friend

(18,626 total reviews)
avatar

Stephen J Squeri

89% approve of CEO

79% positive business outlook

American Express has an employee rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 18,626 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The American Express employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Finance industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

19K reviews
1.0
May 15, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The facilities & campus aren't breathtaking, but they're certainly well above average for the Phoenix area. Cafeteria services are excellent, and most of the general cube-farm areas are high-walled and more spacious than many similar companies. At the Desert Ridge campus, you might be so lucky as to have a view of the mountains, or surrounding empty desert (which in Phoenix can be a welcome landscape). The landscaping of the campus itself is relatively lush - many plants, some with name placards, adorn the courtyard area, and when the weather outside isn't brutally hot, the area provides a large, comfortable, open space to zone out.

Cons

Everyone seems to be a "project manager" in title, but very little in practice. Status reports, project plans, and other confetti are mainstays, while actual production and project progress is frequently delayed and diluted. A generally unhappy/angry attitude prevails - people don't smile or greet one another so often as they look away or frown. Petty, unprofessional arguments over conference room or temporary office spaces occur - and no one seems embarrassed. As to the position itself, consultants are fairly well respected at AMEX, but not fully able to separate themselves from the culture of micromanagement and walking on eggshells (PC, obstacle management, etc.). However, the position I interviewed for and accepted changed radically during the course of the contract, as did the terms and conditions of the position (ability to work from home, hours, job description/responsibilities). Ended contract early & with good feelings from both parties, but would not accept a position with the company again.

1.0
May 4, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The competitive pay and good benefits package were definitely a factor in helping me decide to come to work for American Express. The office location is convenient so I don't have much of a commute.

Cons

The job is not as it was described in the interview. Technical skills they were looking for, and that I said I was looking to use, are not needed so not being used. Had I known that most of my time would be spent taking minutes and doing status reports I would not have accepted the position. I am looking for more challenging work elsewhere.

2.0
Mar 25, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay wise, it's better than being unemployed! Benefits packages are equivalent to some local companies. The quality of the workforce is very high, and team members support each other, which to some extent mitigates the pressure cooker atmosphere constantly maintained by management.

Cons

Amex maintains an EXTREMELY high stress environment. Even when the economy was in great shape, management made sure customer-facing employees knew job security was poised on a knife edge. We were constantly reminded that if our production or feed-back numbers were not dazzling, we could be fired. This remains true, even for factors beyond an individual's control, such as the admittedly flawed "voice of the customer" feedback that often targets reps who have never spoken to the customers who are surveyed on that employee's performance. Pay scales are lower than industry averages. Promotions seem to be based more on political connections, friendships and physical appearance than on ability or track record. Beware the glass ceiling, ladies! It is thick, has sharp edges, and statistically starts only a step or two above entry level jobs. Although over 85% of American Express spending is done by card members who live in the United States, the company doesn't scruple to outsource customer-facing jobs to countries with lower wages.

Viewing 256 - 258 of 18,626 Reviews

Glassdoor has 21,982 American Express reviews submitted anonymously by American Express employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if American Express is right for you.