Who Does/Does Not Accept Amex?

[Deleted User]

I agree there is no point in asking. Just put card in and if it works it works.

You could ask if they accept Visa Electron and I bet you some places will say no even though they have accepted it since year dot.

reclusive46

Deleted_User wrote: »

I agree there is no point in asking. Just put card in and if it works it works.

You could ask if they accept Visa Electron and I bet you some places will say no even though they have accepted it since year dot.

Indeed. Normally poor training although with some small merchants they just don't want to take it (But can), my local Indian told me they didn't take it but I'd used it before and I just said "Thanks for the free meal then" and they were happy to accept it then :P

I noticed this a few years ago when I switched from the Nectar credit card to one of the charge cards. More merchants were saying they didn't take it when usually they just didn't notice the Nectar was an Amex.

I must admit though, I don't really have many issues with merchant acceptance these days. I was looking back a couple of days and over the last 3 months I've had about 7 transactions on my other card and they were all purchases under £20.

Also as a tip for everyone, if you see that the payment processor on a website is "Stripe" the merchant will automatically take Amex now but not advertise it (As they haven't updated their website).

Joanna_Y

Hi, noticed that John Lewis is supposed not to take AMEX cards. Last night I bought a dishwasher - on-line - from JL with my brand new card (thanks Martin for the heads up on the deal from American Express Gold Card). No problem. Perhaps only in store they may not accept it?

reclusive46

Joanna_Y wrote: »

Hi, noticed that John Lewis is supposed not to take AMEX cards. Last night I bought a dishwasher - on-line - from JL with my brand new card (thanks Martin for the heads up on the deal from American Express Gold Card). No problem. Perhaps only in store they may not accept it?

Thats very outdated. John Lewis have accepted it for years now.

reclusive46

Ryanair now accept American Express.

http://www.ttgdigital.com/news/ryanair-agrees-amex-deal-to-woo-business-travellers/4688958.article

planteria

Ghostlike wrote: »

Good to know about Pets At Home. I've been refused there before, Amex-wise, so next time I shall simply insert and smile!

i have learnt not to ask at all now....i just tap/insert. it is surprising how many staff will say "no" when they are completely wrong.:)

guesswho2000

planteria wrote: »

i have learnt not to ask at all now....i just tap/insert. it is surprising how many staff will say "no" when they are completely wrong.:)

Indeed, in fact Euro Lodge, Clapham (a hotel next to Clapham Common) specifically states on Booking.com and their website that they don't take Amex, but it certainly works when you jam the card in.

[Deleted User]

I worked for a retailer that told staff not to accept Electron even though it worked and they knew it worked.

reclusive46

Deleted_User wrote: »

I worked for a retailer that told staff not to accept Electron even though it worked and they knew it worked.

Thats strange, for a long time Electron was ultra cheap to accept.

[Deleted User]

reclusive46 wrote: »

Thats strange, for a long time Electron was ultra cheap to accept.

Something to do with the tills permanently processing all card transactions offline even online auth cards. And not being covered if the Electron card holder had no money in their bank account.

I think. was 3-4 years ago now.