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.
Kontras
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.