American Express Guide

reclusive46

Roger1 wrote: »

Just to be clear, those promotions are on American Express cards issued by American Express.

The OP was talking about AmEx cards issued by MBNA so those promotions would not apply to him/her.

Indeed but the Amex network ones and the foursquare offers will apply.

buglawton

reclusive46 wrote: »

I have 63 transactions this month on my Amex and 3 on my Visa credit card (Which I use when Amex isn't accepted). So to put it into perspective, you probably won't be using the Visa card much.

Also remember that online, if a merchant doesn't take Amex but does take Paypal (Which it usually does), you can just click Paypal then checkout as a guest with your Amex.

But maybe lose standard credit card protection?

PS thanks all for the informative replies.

reclusive46

buglawton wrote: »

But maybe lose standard credit card protection?

PS thanks all for the informative replies.

Based on personal experience, American Express's dispute team (Which MBNA Amex disputes still go to) don't really care if it was made through Paypal or not.

Roger1

buglawton wrote: »

But maybe lose standard credit card protection?

Are you referring to Section 75 protection for many credit card purchases and not available to charge card purchases?

MBNA AmEx cards are credit cards and thus would have S75 benefits.

FWIW, most AmEx cards issued by American Express are chargecards; AmEx say they voluntarily apply S75 benefits to those.

fedupnow

Like buglawton I now have the two cc cards from MBNA. I took them both out for the first time today.

AMEX
Tesco - yay.
Costa - Yay
B & Q - Nay
Local pub for lunch - Nay

planteria

"Cheers Lazyloki I would like to think amex will keep this practice as from all my experience with them it has been nothing short of brilliant compared to the other card companies.

I am really glad I have got this card but need an alt back up for the likes of google wallet and paypal for certain merchants until amex become as widely accepted as others."

agreed. the service i have had from Amex has been outstanding. i wouldn't assume that it will start to become much widely available though. the few places i can't use it are unlikely to change that policy in the near future. it costs retailers more than many of them are prepared to pay.

reclusive46

planteria wrote: »

it costs retailers more than many of them are prepared to pay.

I wish merchants would the rates again with Amex. It really isn't all that more expensive.

I actually pay less for Amex transactions than I do for World MasterCard and non-eu card transactions and only about 0.15% more than normally Visa/MC cards.

They have lowered the fees significantly. Merchants should also sign up with Amex directly as signing up with the acquirer normally means you will actually pay commission as well.

buglawton

Roger1 wrote: »

Are you referring to Section 75 protection for many credit card purchases and not available to charge card purchases?

MBNA AmEx cards are credit cards and thus would have S75 benefits.

FWIW, most AmEx cards issued by American Express are chargecards; AmEx say they voluntarily apply S75 benefits to those.

I was referring to paying via Paypal checkout and then using the HSBC Amex card - see post #130. You are paying Paypal I guess, so where do you stand on purchase protection?

U.S. article...
http://www.ebay.com/gds/WHY-NOT-TO-USE-A-CREDIT-CARD-WITH-PAYPAL/10000000013659962/g.html
Seems to indicate card co negotiates with Paypal... But this context is Ebay purchases.

buglawton

fedupnow wrote: »

Like buglawton I now have the two cc cards from MBNA. I took them both out for the first time today.

AMEX
Tesco - yay.
Costa - Yay
B & Q - Nay
Local pub for lunch - Nay

So my original feeling that AMEX is not accepted in many popular outlets might be correct.

one other thing, I found out that even with the dual credit card system, the MBNA card will still offer 0.5% cashback.

reclusive46

buglawton wrote: »

So my original feeing that AMEX is not accepted in many popular outlets might be correct.

B&Q is a bit of an exception. Amex removed their merchant agreement back in 2008 when they were surreptitiously (Not telling the customer at all) adding on a surcharge for paying with one.