How limited is US AMEX acceptance?

[-NewGuy-]

Just curious if AMEX acceptance is still limited these days. I would assume that all big companies (gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, online retailers and sizeable B&M stores, etc) accept it? Are the only merchants that don't (for the most part) mom and pop stores or very small businesses where the merchant fees just aren't worth it to them?

[gdale6]

I have only run up some small operators who do not take the card and most of them are in rural areas. In the bigger cities it isnt even an issue.

[user5387]

I have large insurance and utility bills where Amex is out.

[Creditaddict]

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@msf12555 wrote:

Just curious if AMEX acceptance is still limited these days. I would assume that all big companies (gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, online retailers and sizeable B&M stores, etc) accept it? Are the only merchants that don't (for the most part) mom and pop stores or very small businesses where the merchant fees just aren't worth it to them?

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I rarely find a place that does not take it however my partner works in Korea Town and restaurants in that area rarely take it...

I actually think some of the smaller places now that "Square" has come out are starting to take Amex because they don't actually get charged anymore to take it.

[Creditaddict]

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@user5387 wrote:

I have large insurance and utility bills where Amex is out.

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State Farm started taking Amex in Jan.!!!~

[09Lexie]

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@gdale6 wrote:

I have only run up some small operators who do not take the card and most of them are in rural areas. In the bigger cities it isnt even an issue.

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This question has been asked before and I have to disagree with gdale6 regarding 'rural areas'.  In So Cal, one of the more popular hamburger chains, In n Out does not accept Amex. 

When I was in NY last year, I noticed it wasn't widely accepted at restaurants either. 

[john398]

my power and gas companies do not take it

[RnJ]

Acceptance in my area is high, the majority of online shops accept Amex as well (and that's being said broadly, I use quite a few off-the-wall online shops).

I do not however, ever use Amex at gas stations - in my area, holds of double the amount is never worth it.  I'm not worried about being covered, I just have an adversion to those who put incredibly high holds on a purchase.

[FocusedAndDetermined]

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@09Lexie wrote:

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@gdale6 wrote:

I have only run up some small operators who do not take the card and most of them are in rural areas. In the bigger cities it isnt even an issue.

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This question has been asked before and I have to disagree with gdale6 regarding 'rural areas'.  In So Cal, one of the more popular hamburger chains, In n Out does not accept Amex. 

When I was in NY last year, I noticed it wasn't widely accepted at restaurants either. 

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Lexie, you are correct.  There are many restaurants, gas stations and other locations that do not accept AMEX.  I live in a large suburb of NY and this is true not only in my town but the surrounding towns as well.

[clocktick]

I haven't had any issues lately.  There is one gas station in my town that doesn't take it despite having the sticker in their window, so I don't go there anymore. 

Interestingly enough, there's a restaurant in NYC we went to that accepts Amex and cash only.  I'm glad I had it on me then because I didn't want to run to an ATM for cash!