Credit card fuss puzzles Leung's wife

The wife of former chief executive Leung Chun-ying has been sued by American Express for a credit card debt of more than HK$93,000, but she says she has already made payments.

American Express on Wednesday filed a writ in the District Court, saying Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee should have paid a HK$93,155.41 bill by late April.

Regina Leung told local media yesterday she received a letter from American Express last month asking her to make payments but it did not mention an amount. She said she called the company several times and then made a payment in mid-May.

She said she received another letter on Friday, saying she still has several thousands of dollars of debt to clear. She said she transferred the money yesterday.

Regina Leung said she does not understand why American Express filed a writ, adding she will contact the company.

The writ said: "Despite the plaintiff's repeated requests and demands of payment including the plaintiff's solicitors' demand letter dated May 4, 2022, the defendant has wrongfully refused, failed or otherwise neglected to pay and settle the said total sum of HK$93,155.41 or any part thereof and the late payment charges thereon."

American Express requested the court to order Leung to also pay late-payment charges - at the rate of 35.34 percent per annum from April 29 to the date of payment - as well as legal costs.

Leung, 65, is president of the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association and a lawyer by profession.

She married the former chief executive in 1981 and they have a son and two daughters.

American Express has three featured cards, including the American Express Explorer Credit Card, with which the holder can enjoy premium lounge access at the Hong Kong International Airport.

American Express has not responded to The Standard's queries and Leung Chun-ying has not made any comment.

Regina Leung was involved in a controversy in 2016 over the carry-on luggage of daughter Leung Chung-yan at the Hong Kong International Airport.

It triggered a judicial review in the High Court after Cathay Dragon flight attendant Law Mei-mei claimed the Airport Authority violated a rule that luggage checks must be made in the presence of the owner.

The court ruled in favor of the flight attendant and said luggage checks at Chek Lap Kok airport should always be done in the presence of its owner.

The incident started when Leung Chung-yan went through the boarding gate for her flight to San Francisco and then realized she forgot her carry-on luggage.

Phone calls followed, including one from her father to the airline.

Leung Chun-ying, however, denied putting pressure on airline staff.