Amex backup?

Pittsy82

Can anyone recommend a credit card I can use for when places don’t accept American Express? I might just be being unlucky but it seems like around half the time I go to use it, it’s not accepted.
It doesn’t have to be great cash back but just something to use instead of my debit card, thanks in advance.

NoodleDoodleMan

Any Visa or Mastercard credit card really - you just need to trawl through the offers to identify what suits you best.

If you haven't had one previously it might be best to see what your local banks can do - always good to speak to somebody face to face if/when a problem arises.

BoGoF

No idea where you are shopping if 50% don't accept. Small, local retailers are more likely not to accept.

Apply to your bank for their credit card.

Mutton_Geoff

Take your pick here - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-credit-card-rewards/

blue.peter

As others have said, any Visa or MasterCard will do fine. There's an eligibility checker on the main MSE site - head for https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/ and scroll down a bit. It's under the heading "Tools & Calculators". Try using that, and see what it suggests for you.

I must say that I'm surprised by the ratio of AmEx refusals that you're getting. My experience is that mine is accepted 90%+ of the time.

2ilent8cho

Which Amex card do you have? I have the British Airways one so i want Avios for everything i buy, so i use the Tesco Credit Card as my backup as i can convert Tesco Clubcard points into Avios too and they give you 1 point for every £8 spent outside of Tesco. If you shop at Tesco that might be a good alternative to you if its more cashback than Airmiles you are after.

Natwest do a reward credit card that you can exchange for vouchers called Trade Up or you can just exchange for cash.

Barclaycard do a 0.25% cashback reward credit card.

I am also surprised you are finding so many places you cannot use Amex. Some places it does not work contactlessly like Asda and i have to chip and pin, but it is rare i have to use my backup Tesco credit card.

Pittsy82

I may have exaggerated slightly when I said 50% ��
It’s not accepted a frustrating amount though! At big businesses too, in the last week or so it’s been declined with TUI (annoying as booking a holiday was one of the main reasons I wanted to get a credit card!), glasses direct, home bargains. It was also declined in Morrison’s but the cashier said they accepted Amex so I don’t know.
Thanks for your suggestions