topic Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only? in Credit Cards

Restaurant accepting Amex only?

SouthJamaica — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:37:35 GMT

Today was the first time in my life I went to a restaurant that accepted only American Express cards, and no other cards.

What's that about?

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:42:25 GMT

That is pretty funny! Around home I usually see restaurants that bring the bill to you in an AMEX-branded thing, but have the logo scratched out, taped over, or some other means of stating that they don't accept American Express.

Pretty funny to hear of the polar opposite

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:46:43 GMT

Don't leave home without it...cause you never know when you'll find a place that only takes it?
Good example of why its important to diversify.
Very odd instead.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

GalaxyStars — Wed, 18 May 2016 21:57:59 GMT

That is awesome, you never hear that.

Alot of restaurants here ONLY allow Visa and Mastercard. Atlest the local restaurants.

More than likely the business probably has a agreement with AMEX that gives them some type of benefit or discount to only accept Amex.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

aussiesareforever — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:04:57 GMT

Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

fltireguy — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:05:08 GMT

As a former small business owner, I can say that AMEX can be absolutely awesome as far as discount rates, etc.. if they want your business. I was paying a rate that matched my MC/Visa processing rates, with no transaction fees. I have a friend that owns a small bar and pool hall, he is paying a flat $15 per month, with up to $5K of transactions. No discount rate, or transaction fees. AMEX can be weird, from merchant's perspective...

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

grillandwinemaster — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:05:31 GMT

Weird...

Costco had there exclusivity agreement with Amex due to the large size and volume of the Costco portfolio. I can't imagine a small ma and pa restaurant having that kind of clout! But very cool.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

wasCB14 — Wed, 18 May 2016 22:06:19 GMT

I think I've been there, too. Is the chef's specialty a $1.50 hot dog and soda?

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

grillandwinemaster — Wed, 18 May 2016 23:02:22 GMT

Nice! :-D

Lol

I'm headed there as we speak.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

sponge_gto — Wed, 18 May 2016 23:48:23 GMT

@fltireguy wrote:
As a former small business owner, I can say that AMEX can be absolutely awesome as far as discount rates, etc.. if they want your business. I was paying a rate that matched my MC/Visa processing rates, with no transaction fees. I have a friend that owns a small bar and pool hall, he is paying a flat $15 per month, with up to $5K of transactions. No discount rate, or transaction fees. AMEX can be weird, from merchant's perspective...

$15 for $5k is 0.3%. That's basically a freebie..

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Ghoshida — Thu, 19 May 2016 01:18:54 GMT

There's a small German restaurant in Fredericksburg, TX that takes only Discover and AMEX.

They've got a sign outside that says so as well.

They serve awesome food but their yelp review doesn't do justice because of a big chunk of people who don't have a Discover or AMEX, don't bother to read the sign outside, and simply go and blast them on yelp.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

SouthJamaica — Thu, 19 May 2016 02:32:21 GMT

@aussiesareforever wrote:
Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX

Yes they do. They have a prominent sign + they tell you before you order "we only accept cash and American Express"

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

SouthJamaica — Thu, 19 May 2016 02:33:16 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I think I've been there, too. Is the chef's specialty a $1.50 hot dog and soda?

No it's actually a very nice restaurant.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Kevin86475391 — Thu, 19 May 2016 03:26:36 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@aussiesareforever wrote:
Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX
Yes they do. They have a prominent sign + they tell you before you order "we only accept cash and American Express"

Good thing! I never carry any cash whatsoever and have all credit card networks except AMEX. LOL, so I just couldn't eat there, but I can imagine being horrified not discovering that till the meal was over and I'd run up a big bill. Definitely good that they say it rather than just relying on the sign. Honestly I think there's very little chance I would read/notice a sign. I just automatically ignore signs. It could have my name on it in big red block letters and I probably wouldn't notice.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

grillandwinemaster — Thu, 19 May 2016 04:31:15 GMT

@Kevin86475391 wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@aussiesareforever wrote:
Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX
Yes they do. They have a prominent sign + they tell you before you order "we only accept cash and American Express"
Good thing! I never carry any cash whatsoever and have all credit card networks except AMEX. LOL, so I just couldn't eat there, but I can imagine being horrified not discovering that till the meal was over and I'd run up a big bill. Definitely good that they say it rather than just relying on the sign. Honestly I think there's very little chance I would read/notice a sign. I just automatically ignore signs. It could have my name on it in big red block letters and I probably wouldn't notice.

Agreed! A few years back we were visiting Texas coming from California. We went to the Salt Lick BBQ just outside of Austin. We ran up a decent bill. Just under $200. Come time to pay, THEN the server points to the sign, "We Proudly DO NOT Accept Credit Cards!"

Seriously, it wasn't pretty. I wonder if they have changed there policy? This was a few years back.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 May 2016 04:50:39 GMT

I sorta get if a place is really small and has a lot of very cheap (in price) items for sale so CC fees would kill any hope of a profit but you'd think that a restaurant of all places would know they need to accept credit cards to survive...

I haven't carried cash on a regular basis probably in the last 6-8 years, and even now only carry a debit card begrudgingly for those very occasional times where a place only accepts cash or debit cards.

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 May 2016 04:52:03 GMT

I love it... The ONLY reason I carry a MC in my wallet is just in case I go somewhere that doesn't accept AMEX. I don't carry cash... Ever

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 May 2016 05:03:43 GMT

@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@Kevin86475391 wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@aussiesareforever wrote:
Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX
Yes they do. They have a prominent sign + they tell you before you order "we only accept cash and American Express"
Good thing! I never carry any cash whatsoever and have all credit card networks except AMEX. LOL, so I just couldn't eat there, but I can imagine being horrified not discovering that till the meal was over and I'd run up a big bill. Definitely good that they say it rather than just relying on the sign. Honestly I think there's very little chance I would read/notice a sign. I just automatically ignore signs. It could have my name on it in big red block letters and I probably wouldn't notice.
Agreed! A few years back we were visiting Texas coming from California. We went to the Salt Lick BBQ just outside of Austin. We ran up a decent bill. Just under $200. Come time to pay, THEN the server points to the sign, "We Proudly DO NOT Accept Credit Cards!"
Seriously, it wasn't pretty. I wonder if they have changed there policy? This was a few years back.

Did u respond "I proudly could not pay I don't carry 200 cash with me"

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

grillandwinemaster — Thu, 19 May 2016 13:55:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@grillandwinemaster wrote:
@Kevin86475391 wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@aussiesareforever wrote:
Do they disclose that fact upfront? They would likely be out a lot of money if customers realized after the meal that the restaurant only takes AMEX
Yes they do. They have a prominent sign + they tell you before you order "we only accept cash and American Express"
Good thing! I never carry any cash whatsoever and have all credit card networks except AMEX. LOL, so I just couldn't eat there, but I can imagine being horrified not discovering that till the meal was over and I'd run up a big bill. Definitely good that they say it rather than just relying on the sign. Honestly I think there's very little chance I would read/notice a sign. I just automatically ignore signs. It could have my name on it in big red block letters and I probably wouldn't notice.
Agreed! A few years back we were visiting Texas coming from California. We went to the Salt Lick BBQ just outside of Austin. We ran up a decent bill. Just under $200. Come time to pay, THEN the server points to the sign, "We Proudly DO NOT Accept Credit Cards!"
Seriously, it wasn't pretty. I wonder if they have changed there policy? This was a few years back.
Did u respond "I proudly could not pay I don't carry 200 cash with me"

That probably would have been a good reply. They offered to let me write them a check. A check!!! A lot more chance of them NOT getting there money if there willing to take checks over credit cards! Needless to say, I didn't have my checkbook on me. (I didn't think I would be in a position to write somebody an out of state check!) Crazy Texans! And I mean that in the most respectful, comical way possible!:-)

Re: Restaurant accepting Amex only?

takeshi74 — Thu, 19 May 2016 13:57:54 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
Today was the first time in my life I went to a restaurant that accepted only American Express cards, and no other cards.

What's that about?

Ask the restaurant. Acceptance is up to the merchant.