Amex shop small

some_time_soon

OK I am now more than a little confused:o. I registered my amex card and checked the map at amexshopsmall.co.uk/map. {found in their terms and conditions} and found a lot of listings for my general area. Have I done something wrong maybe or have they updated the participating merchants?
Any info would be gratefully received
TIA
.

keiran

Yes, there's lots of participating merchants, at least in London...

I think they did update them in batches on the map, but should be complete now

Note that if you visit a listed merchant and they claim not to take Amex, Customer Services will give a £5 credit (to at least used to)

Tucker

I think this promotion is great. Lots of participating local shops, pubs, restuarants near me, even my butcher. I bagged two nice fillet steaks with £5 off yesterday.

I am surprised this has not featured on Martin's Money Tips Email (unless I missed it). I only found out by accident as Amex Customers Services mentioned it when I called to change my payment date.

Why hasn't it been in the weekly email??

Bougainvillea

I can see the map on my phone but it only shows roughly where the shops are and I can't see the names of the shops.

Is there any link to see the names of the shop on a phone?

Thanks

Bougainvillea

Tucker wrote: »

I think this promotion is great. Lots of participating local shops, pubs, restuarants near me, even my butcher. I bagged two nice fillet steaks with £5 off yesterday.

I am surprised this has not featured on Martin's Money Tips Email (unless I missed it). I only found out by accident as Amex Customers Services mentioned it when I called to change my payment date.

Why hasn't it been in the weekly email??

It was in last week's email
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/03-12-2014/

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/amex?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=oneliner-four&utm_term=03-Dec-14-lt&utm_campaign=deals&utm_content=31

catwoman73

I think this is more of a ruse by Amex to trick small businesses into signing up with them rather than an altruistic 'support small businesses' promotion.

As others have said, Amex charges can be much higher than Mastercard/Visa, which is why many small businesses don't take Amex (quite rightly IMHO - small businesses don't get the volume discounts on bank/card charges that chains do and these charges can significantly eat into profits).

reclusive46

catwoman73 wrote: »

I think this is more of a ruse by Amex to trick small businesses into signing up with them rather than an altruistic 'support small businesses' promotion.

As others have said, Amex charges can be much higher than Mastercard/Visa, which is why many small businesses don't take Amex (quite rightly IMHO - small businesses don't get the volume discounts on bank/card charges that chains do and these charges can significantly eat into profits).

Amex charges these days aren't any higher than Visa or MasterCard, especially if you renegotiate your rate if your an existing merchant. New merchants get the better rates if they sign up anyway.

thebritishbloke

Roger1 wrote: »

Last year, we went to a local Indian restaurant listed in the guide and displaying the AmEx logo. When we tried to pay, they said first that they didn't take AmEx, then that the machine was broken and then that the boss was out.

We ended up signing 3x AmEx paper vouchers for £10 each, so had £15 off our £30 lunch.

reclusive46: the ShopSmall deal is available for ALL AmEx cards, including those issued by AmEx themselves and MBNA, Lloyds, TSB, Barclays ...

I'm not sure how you managed that one, when the T&C's state

Offer redeemable once per merchant, with no limit on the number of merchants.

I've found it odd that One Stop shops are apparently a "small business" even though they're owned by Tesco.

Tucker

Bougainvillea wrote: »

It was in last week's email
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/03-12-2014/

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/amex?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=oneliner-four&utm_term=03-Dec-14-lt&utm_campaign=deals&utm_content=31

Thanks. My apologies. I didn't notice it when I read the email.

So, is the credit is only once per merchant I take it?
I did wonder about that.

I think the promotion is good for drawing your attention to local places that take Amex. I was unaware most of them did and with me having 5% cashback on all purchases, I think it's a big help knowing and will influence where I shop.

Roger1

thebritishbloke wrote: »

I'm not sure how you managed that one, when the T&C's state ...

And I'm not sure why you're making assumptions.

Read on and I'm sure you'll find a reference to 'per card' and 'per person' (or similar).