Giving up on Amex cash back card.

reclusive46

lisyloo wrote: »

Experiences with Amex vary.
I use mine for most of my spending, but I definitely need another card for small businesses like - dentists, hairdressers, farm shop, markets.
Where you shop will affect you experience. For example if you do your weekly shop in a supermarket then you can probably use Amex, but if you like farm shops and local markets then you probably can't.

I didn't find the reply condescending at all.
If you don't like the product then it makes sense to walk away.



Anyone can buy lounge access, sometimes from as little as £15/£20.
There do seem to be now two-tier of lounges though.
The £20 ones that are full of the hoi poloi and the proper "business class" ones.

If you mean as a benefit on a card, then I don't think card/credit is the deciding factor, but it is the "higher-end" Amex cards (often with high annual fees) that offer it.

I agree. Where I live even all the small business's locally take Amex (Even my hairdresser just started to take it). I've been to other places in the country where small business acceptance has been fairly poor.

One thing I would say is though, is never ask a retailer if they take Amex, in the past I've done this and been told no but in reality they do and the staff member just doesn't know. Also don't pay much attention to card logos I know of many places that don't show the Amex logo but do take it (Big and small retailers).

bxboards

I live in a pretty rural location with mostly independant shops and none take AMEX here and the next town has a few major stores, but these include B&Q and Screwfix which don't take it.

My AMEX was also not accepted in a local CoOp in another town this morning, even though there was an AMEX symbol next to the checkout.

I mainly use my AMEX for Ebay, but certainly if I used it in physical shops only I'd b stuffed up here.

My AMEX replaces a Capital One Business Aspire which I could use everywhere.

Nick_C

I've just started using my BA Amex card after a two year gap as the avios rewards are better than the 0.5% I get on my M&S card.

What really impressed me though is the one off offers that were available. I've spent £1000 on my Amex since 1 June, and had £30 cashback; £15 Ocado, £10 Shell, £5 Boots.

I'm surprised how few places no longer accept Amex.

lisyloo

I'm surprised how few places no longer accept Amex.

Depends entirely where you shop.
My dentist, hairdresser, insurer, small shop, small on-line shops, farm shops, markets etc. don't take it.

For me it's worthwhile, but it seems pretty simple to me.
If it doesn't work for you then don't bother - nothing condescending in that.
Personally I can't be bothered to go to much effort for 0.5% cashback, so none of the other cards seem worthwhile to me (although of course I do have a mastercard for when Amex doesn't work).

SuperHan

SPalin wrote: »

Don't you have to have a (fee charging) charge-card to get the lounge access...
They don't give it to 'plebs' on cashback credit cards.

True, but I e-mailed to ask if my cashback card would give me access, and they've told me to pay and they will refund once I have used the lounge, so it's worth trying.