topic Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards in Credit Cards

Question about AMEX Credit Cards

IncrsCreditScore1 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:01:52 GMT

I see so many on here recommending a variety of AMEX credit cards. I have always been told to forget about AMEX credit cards, because so many merchants do not accept AMEX If that is so, why are there so many recommendations to apply for an AMEX card. Also, is there a web site where I can find out what merchants do accept AMEX cards?

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

azguy13 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:05:22 GMT

@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
I see so many on here recommending a variety of AMEX credit cards. I have always been told to forget about AMEX credit cards, because so many merchants do not accept AMEX If that is so, why are there so many recommendations to apply for an AMEX card. Also, is there a web site where I can find out what merchants do accept AMEX cards?

I have only run into a few places that do not accept Amex. I think those places are generally gas stations in the middle of nowhere and some small businesses. Honestly, I see more people take Amex than Discover, and Discover is being accepted more and more.

I do not know of a website where you can see the merchants that take Amex. Honestly, I would not consider this to be an issue in apping for one.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:09:10 GMT

@azguy13 wrote:
@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
I see so many on here recommending a variety of AMEX credit cards. I have always been told to forget about AMEX credit cards, because so many merchants do not accept AMEX If that is so, why are there so many recommendations to apply for an AMEX card. Also, is there a web site where I can find out what merchants do accept AMEX cards?
I have only run into a few places that do not accept Amex. I think those places are generally gas stations in the middle of nowhere and some small businesses. Honestly, I see more people take Amex than Discover, and Discover is being accepted more and more.

I do not know of a website where you can see the merchants that take Amex. Honestly, I would not consider this to be an issue in apping for one.

Ditto. Especially now adays with square card readers and the like accepting AMEX for even the super small businesses.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

youdontkillmoney — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:17:36 GMT

@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
I see so many on here recommending a variety of AMEX credit cards. I have always been told to forget about AMEX credit cards, because so many merchants do not accept AMEX If that is so, why are there so many recommendations to apply for an AMEX card. Also, is there a web site where I can find out what merchants do accept AMEX cards?

^^^^^

I live in a major metropolitan city (gives you a perspective of the diveristy/variety of businesses around me) and 99% of the businesses I visit accept my AMEX Platinum. I carry a MC or VIsa as backup for when they don't.

Off the top of my head these places do not accept it:

Gas station (no brand mom and pop)

A utility company that only takes MC/Visa (I forget if its the electric or gas company for my home utility bill I pay online)

Small mom and pop dollar stores/restaurants takes only MC/VIsa

Goodwill thirft store only takes MC/Visa

In n' Out BUrger only takes MC/Visa

That's all that comes to mind for me.

From fast food restaurants to full service restaurants and malls to high end designer stores such as Bloomingdales and Barneys NY, I have not had a problem with them taking AMEX.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Kenny — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:15:24 GMT

And I live in a very rural area and 99% takes my Amex.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:18:22 GMT

In and Out doesn't take it, and thats about it in my neck of the woods

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

steve23111 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:01:37 GMT

The vast majority of places that accept credit cards are capable of accepting AMEX. A small percentage chooses not to, but I have found that when they ask "do you have another card" a response of "no" will almost always result in them finding a way to take it... ie, just going ahead and swiping the damn card. Most of these are small businesses and when you're standing there with a stack of merchandise, if it comes down to taking your card or losing the sale, they will take the card.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

youdontkillmoney — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:05:21 GMT

@steve23111 wrote:
The vast majority of places that accept credit cards are capable of accepting AMEX. A small percentage chooses not to, but I have found that when they ask "do you have another card" a response of "no" will almost always result in them finding a way to take it... ie, just going ahead and swiping the damn card. Most of these are small businesses and when you're standing there with a stack of merchandise, if it comes down to taking your card or losing the sale, they will take the card.

^^^^

I believe AMEX charges a higher merchant fee versus MC/Visa for use of the AMEX card so smaller businesses do not sign up. If this is the case, then swiping an AMEX card without signing up with AMEX is not possible for the merchant. But I hear what you're saying some merchants have signed up with AMEX but do say "do you have another card", and as last resort will take AMEX (assuming they are signed up on the AMEX system)

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

WillTeasle — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:10:56 GMT

@youdontkillmoney wrote:
@steve23111 wrote:
The vast majority of places that accept credit cards are capable of accepting AMEX. A small percentage chooses not to, but I have found that when they ask "do you have another card" a response of "no" will almost always result in them finding a way to take it... ie, just going ahead and swiping the damn card. Most of these are small businesses and when you're standing there with a stack of merchandise, if it comes down to taking your card or losing the sale, they will take the card.
^^^^
I believe AMEX charges a higher merchant fee versus MC/Visa for use of the AMEX card so smaller businesses do not sign up. If this is the case, then swiping an AMEX card without signing up with AMEX is not possible for the merchant. But I hear what you're saying some merchants have signed up with AMEX but do say "do you have another card", and as last resort will take AMEX (assuming they are signed up on the AMEX system)

This. Amex does cost the business a bit more.

My Blue Cash is my primary card at this time. Very rarely do I have to go to a Master Card backup. I'd say I put about 95% of my spending through Amex and the other 5% goes elsewhere only if Amex isn't accepted.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Pat94108 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:18:25 GMT

Amex is my primary card and where I live I don't have any major issue. Yes, there are some places where I ran into the occasional, we don' take Amex but I usually try to avoid them in the future. And I agree with the poster who said that Amex seems to be more accepted than Discover. I recently went to brunch with a friend and he tried to pay with his Discover It and they didn't take it but they accepted Amex (I told him to get an Amex but he wouldn't listen lol).

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

IncrsCreditScore1 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:20:49 GMT

Thanks to all of you for your replies. This has me rethinking strategy for obtaining a credit card. How is the AMEX/Costco card viewed by you all?

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

youdontkillmoney — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:22:44 GMT

@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your replies. This has me rethinking strategy for obtaining a credit card. How is the AMEX/Costco card viewed by you all?

^^^

AMEX is AMEX and COstco will take anything AMEX

It depends on the card you want and for what reason, whether it fits your lifestyle. If you just want an AMEX to use at Costco, get the one that gives you the most value.

If you want one for travel and the luxe lifestyle, you move up to Gold and Platinum and Centurion.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Gunnar419 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:37:49 GMT

@KennyRS wrote:
And I live in a very rural area and 99% takes my Amex.

I live in a rural area and none of the grocery stores and many of the mom & pop businesses take Amex. Neither do the local utility services. All the gas stations do. Ironically, while many small, established businesses don't take Amex, tons of ad hoc one person businesses DO take it thanks to services like Square that enable anybody with a smartphone or a tablet to take ccs.

Best thing about Amex is the ability to backdate, which really can improve AAoA over time.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

ACsteel — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:37:29 GMT

@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your replies. This has me rethinking strategy for obtaining a credit card. How is the AMEX/Costco card viewed by you all?

Well you heard a lot of praisers, here's my take on it.

Indeed AMEX is accepted at a lot of places in USA, but it depends as well, places like NYC have trendy neighborhoods with merchants that just refuse to deal with AMEX. Also I travel a lot and overseas while some places do accept AMEX, a lot of places do not.

I've had all their charge cards except the centurion, and honestly it never made a difference. Here in NYC people scoff at that card b/c most are financially savvy and know how ridiculous the AFs are, you will not get wow, you'll get a, "ouch 450, phew". Long are the days of AMEX being the prestige card to have, they have been on the news a lot lately for not being able to maintain the same satisfaction as they use to b/c all the competition matches them or beats them.

So in the end why do you want a card that has a possibility of not being accepted, has exorbitant annual fees, and not the greatest rewards? Also in this day and age AMEX just seems archaic and not exciting, it comes from a time where internet didn't exist and concierge service was praised, come on who calls an operator anymore to book flights. The only card I have left with them is the BCE and I'm not impressed enough to keep it around, for 3% I'll put groceries on my barclays for a solid 2% with a rotating 4% and minimize the sillyness of reaching for one out 20 cards for a single percent bonus.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Gunnar419 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:40:04 GMT

@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
Thanks to all of you for your replies. This has me rethinking strategy for obtaining a credit card. How is the AMEX/Costco card viewed by you all?

Do you mean the Amex True Earnings card? Most people love it.

I have a BCE, which I can't get much benefit from locally because of the problem mentioned earlier about rural grocery stores not taking it. I plan to get the True Earnings Costco Amex later this year and am looking forward to getting more use from it than the BCE.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

sexy_kitten7 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:49:41 GMT

Yeah. This is a non-issue. Just carry a back up card (or 6)!

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:08:54 GMT

@sexy_kitten7 wrote:
Yeah. This is a non-issue. Just carry a back up card (or 6)!

Well, as others have said, depends where you are, and certainly not a non-issue outside the US.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

DaveSignal — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:10:36 GMT

I move around frequently, but currently live in England. I can't, off the top of my head, think of a single place that takes Amex. I am sure that there is a hotel somewhere that takes it though.

However, if you live in the United States and don't travel, most places will take Amex.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

mrlh1980 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:11:29 GMT

Ha my American Express Premier Gold card holds a lot of weight. I spend between 24,000.00$ - 45,000.00$ a month with no issues. I like when I swap the charge doesn't take long to process. If a store doesn't want to take my American Express then they don't want my business. As a consumer I don't care if American Express charges the business a high percentages. That's the cost of doing business. If you care that much then accept cash only and see how much people want to spend money at your establishment. Credit is KING. As a business person I welcome American Express because I get more people who have them come to my spot.

Re: Question about AMEX Credit Cards

peaceonearth — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:27:07 GMT

@azguy13 wrote:
@IncrsCreditScore wrote:
I see so many on here recommending a variety of AMEX credit cards. I have always been told to forget about AMEX credit cards, because so many merchants do not accept AMEX If that is so, why are there so many recommendations to apply for an AMEX card. Also, is there a web site where I can find out what merchants do accept AMEX cards?
I have only run into a few places that do not accept Amex. I think those places are generally gas stations in the middle of nowhere and some small businesses. Honestly, I see more people take Amex than Discover, and Discover is being accepted more and more.

I do not know of a website where you can see the merchants that take Amex. Honestly, I would not consider this to be an issue in apping for one.

Yes, AMEX Cards are more welcomed than Discover.

This happened to me less than 2 hours ago, I tried purchasing 5 airline tickets for $6,696.14 after entering all passenger names and DOB...I found out the website only takes VISA, MasterCard and AMEX and I had to use my AMEX Card.