AMEX Offline or Online

JGUK

Hi MSEers,

Quick one, was on a plane the other day with a colleague.

That person's AMEX (BA Credit card) didn't tap for contactless on the onboard card machine for the drinks and food service it said operation cancelled or something on the screen but mine AMEX (Charge Card) did tap and went through first time. The amounts were slightly different €23 vs €6 but not sure if that would matter.

Got me wondering do different types of AMEX cards do offline transactions differently? Does anyone know anything more than me?

Thanks!

sausage_time

Not sure this helps this discussion, but on BA I have seen the crew dig out a different machine when I use my Platinum Amex credit card (because the main tablet based one does not work).

JGUK

Thanks for that, this was a Ryanair flight for info so slightly different.

Was wondering if they have different profiles for the BA Credit Cards and their own Charge Cards?

Or maybe it was the amount, not sure. The cabin crew lady said that all AMEX's are online cards which seemed strange to me. as I don't know many credit cards that are online only? And after she said that my charge card worked fine, so who knows.