Wrote to Amex saying that I could not maintain my monthly payments due to financial hardships but offered to make token payments for the time being. They replied with a Default Notice letter demanding payment and saying they are referring the matter to a debt collection agency and also stating I will be reported to a credit bureau. I replied confirming I intended to continue with my proposed token payments and enclosed details of my income/expenditure. I have now received a Notice of Cancellation letter saying balance is payable in full, the account has been transferred to a debt collection agency, a collection fee has been applied (they don't say how much), the debt collection agency will be in touch and I must correspond with them direct and they will register my default status with credit reference agencies. Any advice would be most welcome!