Who Does/Does Not Accept Amex?

Degenerate

dealhunter101 wrote: »

Why is it that some don't accept AMEX? I tried on a coffee website and it wouldn't work!

Why? because Amex charge the retailer extortionate merchant fees. Much higher than Visa or Mastercard.

Mikhail

I love Amex, once a naughty company didn’t want to cancel my subscription for not working services, I made one call to Amex and all problems were sorted. Later that company was really surprised that they received a chargeback.

Amex customer support is the best!

Mikhail

Degenerate wrote: »

Why? because Amex charge the retailer extortionate merchant fees. Much higher than Visa or Mastercard.

What is in your understanding the 'extortionate merchant fees' are?

hasankamal

Amex is NOT accepted at Iceland on line - I have tried several times.

Mikhail

I think this topic must to be closed, it was 'hot' 6-7 years ago.

Niemand

Mikhail wrote: »

What is in your understanding the 'extortionate merchant fees' are?

Amex charge something like 4%. Others charge 2½% - 3%.

Mikhail

Niemand wrote: »

Amex charge something like 4%. Others charge 2½% - 3%.

So 'extortionate merchant fees' in your understanding is 1 or 2% on top of the basic rate?! Does not sound a lot to me sorry. But let's compare with the others: PayPal charges 3.4% + £0.20 GBP; Everyone's favourite justgiving.com 5% + monthly subscription fee of £15 + VAT

Now think about all the benefits that come with Amex:
Cash back or rewards points;
Travel Accident Benefit;
Emergency Card Replacement anywhere in the world within 48 hours;
Travel Insurance (not on all cards);
Purchase Protection Benefit;
Refund Protection Benefit;
Online Fraud Guarantee;
24/7 Customer service;
No annual fee (not on all cards)

Most of those benefits are not available for Visa and MC customers.

Niemand

Mikhail wrote: »

So 'extortionate merchant fees' in your understanding is 1 or 2% on top of the basic rate?!

I didn't say the rates are extortionate.

planteria

i use AmexCashback regularly, accrue some useful cashback and find very few places that won't accept it. i have to use my CapOneWorld card for cashback on cashback in the pub though:beer:

MrsMcnababble

Mikhail: when Niemand says

Amex charge the retailer extortionate merchant fees. Much higher than Visa or Mastercard.

He's talking about the fees the retailer has to pay, not the consumer, and, of course the retailer doesn't get any of the benfits you list.

A difference of 1 to 1.5% on all your transactions can add up to alot for a retailer, and this is particularly painful for small ones.

I have a coporate Amex which I can hardly use, becuase it's not accepted in most small, independent restaurants and pubs, or in small retailers. It's very frustrating and I would never get a personal Amex for exactly that reason.

It's astonishing to me that Amex don't just reduce their fees in line with other credit card providers. Guess they're just even more greedy and money grabbing than the rest of them!