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Got Amex now regretting it, advice please...

2

Comments

  • Paul_1977
    Paul_1977 Posts: 992 Forumite
    I have had issues with my Amex, thorn tons chocolate don't accept them, and there was another coffee chain which I can't remember.

    I am ditching mine at the end of the year as I don't use it enough to be worth it. If you use it a lot its worth it.
  • Doctor_Duke
    Doctor_Duke Posts: 303 Forumite
    Also to add to others I have two AMEX cashback cards for a while and their acceptability has grown during this period. As well as the best cashback rates I've taken advantage of some great deals, like statement credits if I spend xx in retailer xx. Keep it. One of the best on the market. Remember it's your flexible friend :-)
  • MrSilk
    MrSilk Posts: 1,515 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've always found Amex to be generous with credit limits too. I've got three of their credit cards (each has different rewards/cashback) and two of their charge cards. Although now they have a rule that you cannot hold more than 2 of each so don't know if they will want to close one.

    I find that more and more stores are starting to accept AmEx, the problem is AmEx take longer to pay the store so that's why most independent stores prefer another bank/provider.


    I've no issues with paying by Visa Debit if that's what the store prefers.
  • Batman2017
    Batman2017 Posts: 134 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Keep the amex. 1st year me and my wife uitilised the cashback cards raking in £260 between us for everyday spend. Then last year I got the preferred rewards gold card(which comes with handy airport lounge passes):beer: I used the points earned to get amazon vouchers where I bought continental tyres for my car saving a big cash purchase. Just remember to cancel before the card renews (unless your a big spender, for me it wasnt worth the £140 renewal fee)
  • reclusive46
    reclusive46 Posts: 2,698 Forumite
    Paul_1977 wrote: »
    I have had issues with my Amex, thorn tons chocolate don't accept them, and there was another coffee chain which I can't remember.

    I am ditching mine at the end of the year as I don't use it enough to be worth it. If you use it a lot its worth it.

    Thorntons has a very small amount of franchise stores, all of the corporate ones do take it. A small number of caf! nero franchise stores also don't take it (Some of the ones in Heathrow T3 come to mind).
  • ah23
    ah23 Posts: 49 Forumite
    Keep the amex. 1st year me and my wife uitilised the cashback cards raking in £260 between us for everyday spend. Then last year I got the preferred rewards gold card(which comes with handy airport lounge passes):beer: I used the points earned to get amazon vouchers where I bought continental tyres for my car saving a big cash purchase. Just remember to cancel before the card renews (unless your a big spender, for me it wasnt worth the £140 renewal fee)
    planteria wrote: »
    it's the best spending card on the market..
    just get another cashback/points card to use as a backup.
    i currently spend with Amex Cashback/Barclaycard Cashback(Visa)/TSB Debitcard.. depending on circumstances.
    i wouldn't give up too easily, and don't ask if they take it, just use it..that will increase your results.

    Hi folks

    This sounds like a stupid question, but when AMEX gives you "cash back" on purchases, how exactly do you get the cash back in your hand?
  • jaydeeuk1
    jaydeeuk1 Posts: 7,714 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    You don't, unless you opt for a gift voucher like PC world instead.

    It comes off your balance on your registration anniversary.
  • ah23
    ah23 Posts: 49 Forumite
    jaydeeuk1 wrote: »
    You don't, unless you opt for a gift voucher like PC world instead.

    It comes off your balance on your registration anniversary.

    When you say it comes off your balance, is this provided you have any balance outstanding when it comes to the registration anniversary?

    E.g. if I haven't spent the AMEX credit come the anniversary month, what happens to my entitled cash back?

    Also, I assume that if I have spent £1, 000 in the anniversary month, and my cash back rewards amount to, say, £200, AMEX effectively "pays off" £200 off my credit card bill, leaving me to pay the remaining £800?

    In other words, your "cash back" is essentially AMEX paying off a portion of your credit card bill for that anniversary month (paying off the amount you have earned in cash back)?

    Thanks.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It's a credit to your account.
  • bearcat16
    bearcat16 Posts: 339 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 10 April 2016 at 2:40AM
    Amex is awesome, best cards available and exempt from all the ridiculous meddling with interchange fees the EU has been doing, so rewards will likely remain generous.

    Accepted in all supermarkets and petrol stations, so working up a big spend every month is easy unless you only shop in small independent stores or brew your own petrol.

    I've got the British airways one, which earns us a free 2-for-1 companion ticket every year. Wonderful!

    Started with a limit of £4K, raised to £7k after 9 months and then raised to £11k a few months after that.

    Offers are superb too, eg £5 credit when spending £10 at post office, or £10 credit when spending £50 in debenhams. Earn 2 avios for every £1 spent. Can't rate highly enough!
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