topic Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically? in Credit Cards

Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

designated_knitter — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:33:56 GMT

I recently got approved for a Navy GoRewards and the main reason I didn't go for the More Rewards is because it is an Amex.

But the MoreRewards is more attractive in terms of point structure.

Is Amex as widely accepted in the US as Visa and MasterCard?

If so, since I'm still within 30 days of having gotten approved, can I request a product change to the MoreRewards?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:39:48 GMT

According to the article I posted a while back, amex has reached parity with Visa and MasterCard.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Jordan23ww — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:47:28 GMT

I've had my more rewards over a year and I've never gone anywhere that doesn't accept it or my "real" Amex cards. Only place that didn't take it was when I tried to pay my Homeowner dues with it online.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Jnbmom — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:48:17 GMT

Amex is accepted everywhere nowadays just like visa and MC.

The old days it along with discover wasn't accepted very easily back then , showing my age 😳

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

designated_knitter — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:01:14 GMT

@Jnbmom wrote:
Amex is accepted everywhere nowadays just like visa and MC.

The old days it along with discover wasn't accepted very easily back then , showing my age 😳

I am showing mine as well! I still remember when Discover was first launched and how revolutionary it was to give cash back!

Thanks everyone!

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

SouthJamaica — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:27:53 GMT

@designated_knitter wrote:
I recently got approved for a Navy GoRewards and the main reason I didn't go for the More Rewards is because it is an Amex.

But the MoreRewards is more attractive in terms of point structure.

Is Amex as widely accepted in the US as Visa and MasterCard?

If so, since I'm still within 30 days of having gotten approved, can I request a product change to the MoreRewards?

Thanks in advance!

IMHO it's not as widely accepted.

And no I don't believe you could do a product change.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

designated_knitter — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:42:45 GMT

Just spoke to Navy and here was what I was told.

I could have done the product change but would have been ineligible for the new card bonus associated with the new card and would lose the new card promo interest rate on the existing card.
you can apply for a product change within your first year. However, if the PC would result in an increase in your interest rate, you are not allowed to do that in the first year. If your interest rate would have dropped or stayed the same, then you are allowed to do a product change anytime in your first year.

I opted not to try to pc the GoRewards because I wanted to retain the new card bonus. I was ineligible for a PC of my platinum because the new interest rate would have been higher.

Thanks again for everyone's input!

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Anonymous — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 22:14:11 GMT

Re relative acceptance, while there is some value in knowing US stats, what really matters more are the actual places you shop. If Amex has 99% acceptance but the 1% includes your major stores the 99% doesn't matter that much (and vice versa with a low percentage but "works for you")

Sure, you may travel a lot and acceptance will matter, but a) it's still going to "local" to wherever you are and b) your day-to-day spending is probably more significant.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

KatSoDak — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 22:25:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Re relative acceptance, while there is some value in knowing US stats, what really matters more are the actual places you shop. If Amex has 99% acceptance but the 1% includes your major stores the 99% doesn't matter that much (and vice versa with a low percentage but "works for you")
Sure, you may travel a lot and acceptance will matter, but a) it's still going to "local" to wherever you are and b) your day-to-day spending is probably more significant.

EXACTLY. When I was approved for the WF Propel which uses the Amex system I was super excited, thinking I could use it almost exclusively for my normal spend. However the first trip to my local grocery store burst my bubble. They don't accept Amex. Same with the other 2 stores I normally frequent. I'm in a rural area so that is a factor of course. I can use it at Hyvee and large grocery stores in Fargo and Sioux Falls of course.

Luckily my propane supplier codes as gasoline so these every-six-week $400+ winter fills result in lots of Propel spend.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

designated_knitter — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 22:30:09 GMT

@KatSoDak wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Re relative acceptance, while there is some value in knowing US stats, what really matters more are the actual places you shop. If Amex has 99% acceptance but the 1% includes your major stores the 99% doesn't matter that much (and vice versa with a low percentage but "works for you")
Sure, you may travel a lot and acceptance will matter, but a) it's still going to "local" to wherever you are and b) your day-to-day spending is probably more significant.
EXACTLY. When I was approved for the WF Propel which uses the Amex system I was super excited, thinking I could use it almost exclusively for my normal spend. However the first trip to my local grocery store burst my bubble. They don't accept Amex. Same with the other 2 stores I normally frequent. I'm in a rural area so that is a factor of course. I can use it at Hyvee and large grocery stores in Fargo and Sioux Falls of course.

Luckily my propane supplier codes as gasoline so these every-six-week $400+ winter fills result in lots of Propel spend.

Never thought you'd be grateful for a 400+ propane bill, huh! 😉

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

KatSoDak — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 22:35:22 GMT

Haha. I'd rather spend it on travel to somewhere warm!

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

coldfusion — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 22:40:16 GMT

I can think of 1 time in the US when I had to pull out a Visa because they did not accept AMEX, it was a small sandwich shop in western Maine.

You're more prone to have trouble if outside the US outside of spots frequented by US business travelers.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Loquat — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:13:34 GMT

I still have a few local places that don't accept Amex. Of the larger places, Lion's Choice, until recently, didn't accept Amex. I don't see it being much of an issue anymore these days.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

pinkandgrey — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:20:25 GMT

It seems that all the issuers are almost on the same footing these days. However, if I HAD to pick one that seems to have the lowest acceptance, I would say it's Disco. Strangely, though, the place where I work doesn't accept Amex.... Crazy

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Mr_Mojo_Risin — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:22:38 GMT

I've had the More Rewards for almost 9 months and have never had a problem with using it.

I've used it pretty much daily without issue.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

GApeachy — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:35:33 GMT

No, not in my town....We have a lot of businesses that will not accept AmEx. County dump site for one, several small businesses ie. Electrical supply company, plumbing supply company, some local restaurants (which also do not accept Discover btw). AmEx is our go-to card(s) but I have my guys carry back up cards as well, like usbank and cap1.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Horseshoez — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 02:43:38 GMT

Up here in New Hamster we have a number of bus lines which run down to Boston, all owned by the same corporate entity if I'm not mistaken, and none of them take AMEX or Discover.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Horseshoez — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 02:46:13 GMT

@Horseshoez wrote:
Up here in New Hamster we have a number of bus lines which run down to Boston, all owned by the same corporate entity if I'm not mistaken, and none of them take AMEX or Discover.

Oh crap, I lied. It has been a couple of years since I took one of those rides down to Boston, I just checked their web site and they now accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and yes, AMEX. Go figure.

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

staticvoidmain — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 04:35:47 GMT

Depends on where you are and where you shop.

The fact that I have to state this means that NO, it is not as widely accepted.

There are merchants who are both budget-conscious to pay Amex fees, but profitable enough to turn away Amex users (specialty stores and lots of Asian merchants in my area for example from restaurants to groceries, and I do not live in a small town at all).

Many articles do state that they are more or less ubiquitous, but I beg to differ based on actual experience.

(Internationally, it's a different story of course, as it is much worse. My favorite was a Hilton hotel not accepting the Hilton credit card).

Re: Is Amex accepted as widely as Visa and MC domestically?

Gunnerboy — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 04:45:11 GMT

I'm in a big city, Seattle, and come across *small* merchants frequently that refuse AMEX. All depends on your shopping habits.