New to AMEX, few questions!

GingerBob_3

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Fewer places, yes.

Far fewer? I'd suggest you're over-egging it there.

I'd say "far fewer" is about right. Most small merchants don't accept it, and even some big ones, e.g. B&Q, don't.

thebritishbloke

GingerBob wrote: »

I'd say "far fewer" is about right. Most small merchants don't accept it, and even some big ones, e.g. B&Q, don't.

All depends on where you live and where you shop. I live in quite an affluent area, and I'm yet to have my AmEx declined in any of the local businesses.

camperdown9

thebritishbloke wrote: »

All depends on where you live and where you shop. I live in quite an affluent area, and I'm yet to have my AmEx declined in any of the local businesses.

Things have changed over the past few years. My partner has an amex platinum card and I have the second card on it. When we first got the card lots of retailers didn't accept it. Places like Boots, John Lewis etc. Now many more retailers seam happy to take it and even smaller business. I think from memory Amex had a small business weekend promotion a few months back.

Also with TSB, Lloyds and Barclaycard all now issuing Amex cards I guess they are becoming more popular.

Alex

thebritishbloke

camperdown9 wrote: »

Things have changed over the past few years. My partner has an amex platinum card and I have the second card on it. When we first got the card lots of retailers didn't accept it. Places like Boots, John Lewis etc. Now many more retailers seam happy to take it and even smaller business. I think from memory Amex had a small business weekend promotion a few months back.

Also with TSB, Lloyds and Barclaycard all now issuing Amex cards I guess they are becoming more popular.

Alex

Yup exactly.

I also ended up getting about £25 back from that small business promotion. Can't argue with free money, and I'm pretty sure AmEx foots the bill for it rather than the store.

reclusive46

thebritishbloke wrote: »

All depends on where you live and where you shop. I live in quite an affluent area, and I'm yet to have my AmEx declined in any of the local businesses.

This. In my day to day life I never go anywhere (large or small business) that doesn't take American Express. All of the small local businesses now take it, even the Premier Franchise now takes it (As of last month) Everywhere I want to go, takes it.

TBeckett100

I think you'll find the points make better BA Avios miles than buying wine, though I did use the points to pay for car hire

Alikay

GingerBob wrote: »

I'd say "far fewer" is about right. Most small merchants don't accept it, and even some big ones, e.g. B&Q, don't.

Clarks shoes are another place we spend quite a bit, and Amex isn't accepted there. Very few smaller local places accept it - hairdressers, takeaways, independent restaurants etc. Our dentist makes a fortune from our family too, but again, its Visa and MC only...

I have noticed recently, though, that Wilkinsons and Iceland have both started to accept Amex :T and when we visit DS1 in London it's more widely accepted there.

thebritishbloke

Alikay wrote: »

Clarks shoes are another place we spend quite a bit, and Amex isn't accepted there. Very few smaller local places accept it - hairdressers, takeaways, independent restaurants etc. Our dentist makes a fortune from our family too, but again, its Visa and MC only...

I have noticed recently, though, that Wilkinsons and Iceland have both started to accept Amex :T and when we visit DS1 in London it's more widely accepted there.

As myself and reclusive46 have said, it all just depends on the area you live in. If you live in an area with an average low income, chances are small businesses won't accept it. Average income, you might find a few. Higher income areas, you'd expect most places to take it.

reclusive46

Alikay wrote: »

Clarks shoes are another place we spend quite a bit

I have noticed recently, though, that Wilkinsons and Iceland have both started to accept Amex :T and when we visit DS1 in London it's more widely accepted there.

It depends on the Clarks shoes. The one near me does take it. You can also pay online via paypal with Amex (including click and collect).

Wilkinsons is a new retailer (Bizarrely they can't take the chip in some of them though and have to swipe the card and get you to sign) but Iceland have taken it for well over a decade.

Out of interest have you reported any of the smaller businesses to Amex via their online webform? I've done this before and Amex will give them a call and try to sign up. They've been very successful when I've told them about places.