American Express.... Are they worth it?

pingles

I'd say Amex are definitely worth it- I've had my Plat Cashback card 7 months and I'm at £433 of cashback + referrals already. I make that a net of £408 which is not bad for just changing the card I use.

I'm kicking myself I didn't change my debit card for the Amex earlier!

You-kip

marsboy wrote: »

I got that! Just don't get how they credit score if I have good history:money:, not a lot of debt, never missed payment and low credit avaliability use

Some of my friends have capital one and they have bad history. To me it seemed they only accepted people with bad history. Might be different now as this was a year or so ago.

But those with Bad history will have Capital ones credit card that is specific for a dodgy credit history like their classic card or their progress card etc.

Your friend won't have their decent card the aspire if they have a scrappy credit file as this is specific for customers with excellent profiles.

Maestro.

marsboy wrote: »

I got that! Just don't get how they credit score if I have good history:money:, not a lot of debt, never missed payment and low credit avaliability use

Some of my friends have capital one and they have bad history. To me it seemed they only accepted people with bad history. Might be different now as this was a year or so ago.

Capital one have really bizarre criteria. Things like they tend not to accept you unless you own your own home. Their incompetence beggars belief as well because they managed to get most of my name completely wrong.

InsideInsurance

Any of the reward AmEx cards will all depend on your need/ desire for airmiles/ hotel membership points. If you do want/ need them then the AmEx schemes can be very good. If you dont travel at all then a cashback card (AmEx or otherwise) will probably be better for you.

I agree with others on acceptance, many places do. Since Lloyds teamed up with AmEx acceptance has also gone up significantly. You can find some problems with small/ indep places but almost everyone has a second card to use in these cases.

You do somewhat have to play the game with the MR points, there is fairly often promotions (eg at the moment spend over $250 via their travel website and get 25,000 bonus points) either on spending or redemption. They can occasionally be a little selective on who they tell about the promotion to but in many are open to all even if your not told about them.

reclusive46

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Any of the reward AmEx cards will all depend on your need/ desire for airmiles/ hotel membership points. If you do want/ need them then the AmEx schemes can be very good. If you dont travel at all then a cashback card (AmEx or otherwise) will probably be better for you.

I agree with others on acceptance, many places do. Since Lloyds teamed up with AmEx acceptance has also gone up significantly. You can find some problems with small/ indep places but almost everyone has a second card to use in these cases.

You do somewhat have to play the game with the MR points, there is fairly often promotions (eg at the moment spend over $250 via their travel website and get 25,000 bonus points) either on spending or redemption. They can occasionally be a little selective on who they tell about the promotion to but in many are open to all even if your not told about them.

Acceptance will be improving even more now I imagine now BarclayCard is going to be issuing Amex branded cards. I can't imagine Barclaycard not pushing Amex acceptance for their small merchants. I don't think they'd be very happy that a BarclayCard Amex wasn't accepted at a BarclayCard merchant. It could end up the same as what BarclayCard merchant services do in the US, we won't provide a terminal to you if you don't accept Amex.

planteria

i have used Amex Cashback Credit Card for years, and i certainly don't see a reduction in the number of outlets i can use it. that said, i do back it up with Barclaycard Visa or HHonors Visa for those places that don't accept Amex.

thesaver79 wrote: »

I hardly ever need to take out my non Amex cards... and I cannot but recommend the Gold card with the current offer!

i am interested in whether i ought to be using a chargecard from them instead. 1.5% cashback is doing me nicely, at this stage. c.£1k/yr has been nice.

reclusive46

planteria wrote: »

i have used Amex Cashback Credit Card for years, and i certainly don't see a reduction in the number of outlets i can use it. that said, i do back it up with Barclaycard Visa or HHonors Visa for those places that don't accept Amex.



i am interested in whether i ought to be using a chargecard from them instead. 1.5% cashback is doing me nicely, at this stage. c.£1k/yr has been nice.

If your spending that much, you would definitely be better off with a charge card.

richard734

yep, the Barclaycard AMEX tie up can be nothing but good for card acceptance... the fees SHOULD go down for retailers as they will be using the standard Barclaycard fees rather than the Amex fees.