What is the point of American Express cards?

chattychappy

I've often seen Amex stuff (the folders they put the bill in, "table reserved" etc) in restaurants where they don't take Amex cards. Chinese restaurants seem to be the worst.

Indeed when I first worked in Saigon, I'd often see the stickers on the windows of shops (visa/mastercard too). Staff would get hold of them and put them up to make their shops look more international/modern. No chance of using a CC there though!

Vectis

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

globetraveller

Vectis wrote: »

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

Maybe they are better at moneysaving than you and can afford to spend their savings on something nice
:rotfl:

Cell

No go from B&Q this afternoon. And I can't renew my season ticket with AMEX either. Couldn't buy car insurance either. All valuable cash back opportunities gone.

The B&Q bit surprised me I have to say.

Still, I pay nothing for it, so I've not lost anything.

reclusive46

Cell wrote: »

No go from B&Q this afternoon. And I can't renew my season ticket with AMEX either. Couldn't buy car insurance either. All valuable cash back opportunities gone.

The B&Q bit surprised me I have to say.

Still, I pay nothing for it, so I've not lost anything.

B&Q used to take it but they stopped due to a disagreement between Amex and B&Q. Amex now heavily promote Homebase. I've been lucky with car insurance, the last 3 years I've actually found the company who offers me the cheapest quote takes Amex.

Stephen_C.

Vectis wrote: »

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

No doubt that FlyerTalk's UK audience is active on these forums, as well as readers of HFP.

pvt

Vectis wrote: »

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

I guess I very much fit into the bracket you describe above. But I'm an avid money saver, always looking for a deal, and always on top of what my consumer rights are.

That's how I choose to spend my money.

Meanwhile I have a 17 year old car in good working order, that costs me very little to run.

So I, in turn, wonder why so many people come onto this forum discussing massive financing loans that they struggle to service, for cars they cannot afford to buy outright, and that will depreciate like a brick.

We're all different. And my view is that life's too short for Economy class and cheap wine.

guesswho2000

Vectis wrote: »

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

Stephen_C. wrote: »

No doubt that FlyerTalk's UK audience is active on these forums, as well as readers of HFP.

I would fit into that category, but I find lots of ways to save money. Using the premium lounges comes as part of Oneworld status, so costs nothing (as I'm taking the flights which earn the elite qualifying miles anyway) and also get free (except taxes) flights/hotel stays - FT/HfP are also great resources in terms of money saving.

Hilton's credit card and a load of points recently got me two nights in the London Hilton on Park Lane, for instance, my Hilton Gold status (which I got for free via an offer online) got me a room upgrade to a suite and free breakfast, the train I took to London was free using redspottedhanky vouchers promoted online. I did have to pay for the topup on my Oyster card though ! Alright, I can't do it that cheap every time, but it's a good example.

chattychappy

I think "moneysaving" operates at all levels, apparently the Duke of Edinburgh is a bit of a skinflint in his own way.

Flights are complicated - hence forums such as "flyertalk". I rarely fly long haul economy, I usually fly business class or premimum economy. I almost never pay for business class. Most people in business class haven't paid for a business class ticket. In Europe, though, I've got no problems flying Easyjet if they are cheaper than BA or whoever.

I sat next to a rich bloke for 16 hours on a flight to Asia. A CEO. Two wives (!), six kids, a small island, a yacht blah blah blah. By a wild coincidence, I sat next to the same bloke again only a few weeks later. We got to know each other and later he offered to finance a startup I was involved in. A million was small change to him. But, I still remember the first time I met him he was extolling the virtues of Nationwide - no fees/loading for withdrawals on the debit card*, no loading on their CC. He had an Amex plat card, but only used it for insurance. Didn't spend because of the loading and when in the UK still didn't use it because he felt sorry for businesses having to pay their fees and he got miles on his usual CC anyway.

In fact, my observation of business/first class travellers is that they are just as "money saving" as everyone else. Ie some don't care, some are obsessive.

(* that was the case then)

msallen

Vectis wrote: »

Must admit I'm struggling a bit with the concept of people from this Moneysaving Expert site jetting around the world on BA flights, using Premium Lounges at the airports, dining at 'top London restaurants' and staying at Hilton hotels around the world.

But maybe that's just me? Maybe other people have different ideas of money saving.

Surely if you can fly business for a similar price to economy, stay in top hotels for the same price as cheaper ones and get free upgrades in hotels, that is the very essence of money saving!