We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Why dont Emirates accept AMEX?

Hi, I would like to book some flights for a friend as I have a credit card and it offers more protection so I have been advised.

On the Emirates website when choosing to pay it lists different banks but AMEX is not listed.

So I am wondering why this is the case and what is the best credit card to open just to pay for holidays/flights moving forward as I do not own a credit card other than Amex plattinimum.

Many thanks everyone. 
«13

Comments

  • la531983
    la531983 Posts: 2,361 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Any Visa or Mastercard would be fine tbh, all would carry the same protection. Can't comment on why they don't accept Amex, does seem odd. 
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,401 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 27 August 2023 at 2:34PM
    Amex fees for merchants are quite a bit higher than Visa or Mastercard which is why a lot of places don't accept it,

    It really is a case of Amex? That WON'T do nicely.
    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific to 30/6/24 £491.56, Chase Interest £37.40, Chase roundup interest £1.14, Chase CB £82.04, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints to 30/6/24 £70.22, Topcashback £82.04, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £2, Ipsos survey £20
    Total £840.70/£2024  41.5%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%

  • El_Torro
    El_Torro Posts: 1,609 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    American Express has higher charges than other credit cards. This is why the rewards with Amex are higher than Mastercard or Visa. This also means that a lot of retailers / companies don't accept American Express.

    If you want a credit card that is more widely accepted go with a provider that offers Mastercard or Visa. The protection is essentially the same for all 3. 
  • Marchitiello
    Marchitiello Posts: 1,275 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 27 August 2023 at 3:00PM
    Emirates does generally accept Amex but it depend from the “departing country” of that particular booking if it does accept it or not. I have not booked with them since 2020, but I believe they definitely did accept them for UK departures when I last made my booking. 
  • Whilst I have always kept Amex, I find it is refused by so many companies that I rarely use it anymore. The refusals are purely to do with Amex charging a third more than other cards. After all these years, I have long been expecting Amex to rectify this matter but they never have and don't seem to give a fig.

    I keep it because it was the first premium card I ever had ( Platinum) in the days when I did a great amount of business travel, especially to The States. I really don't need it now and you have reminded me to get round to dumping it, as I do not travel too often now and, in any case, I have enough other premium cards and I mainly use my NatWest Black Card. 
  • daivid
    daivid Posts: 1,277 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Whilst I have always kept Amex, I find it is refused by so many companies that I rarely use it anymore. The refusals are purely to do with Amex charging a third more than other cards. After all these years, I have long been expecting Amex to rectify this matter but they never have and don't seem to give a fig.

    Amex use part of the revenue from higher merchant fees to provide higher rewards and what is typically thought to be better customer service than visa/mastercard card rivals. If they reduce their fees they will not be able to sustain these perks and thus will lose their USP and attractiveness. I doubt there is anyone who has Amex who cannot get a visa/mastercard as backup - I carry one of each, try the Amex then use one of the others if it is not accepted.
  • TadleyBaggie
    TadleyBaggie Posts: 6,304 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    JGB1955 said:
    I may be wrong but thought that buying airline tickets for a third party breaks the 'chain' and provides no protection.
    This was my understanding too.
  • SiliconChip
    SiliconChip Posts: 1,498 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    JGB1955 said:
    I may be wrong but thought that buying airline tickets for a third party breaks the 'chain' and provides no protection.

    You're certainly right for Visa and Mastercard, I'm unsure whether Amex have different rules although I'd have thought it unlikely.
  • JGB1955 said:
    I may be wrong but thought that buying airline tickets for a third party breaks the 'chain' and provides no protection.

    You're certainly right for Visa and Mastercard, I'm unsure whether Amex have different rules although I'd have thought it unlikely.
    The rule relates to UK credit products - nothing to do with the card scheme or lack of it. 
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 346.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 238.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 614.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 174.8K Life & Family
  • 252K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.