Amex acceptance issues

[rgd51]

I opened up my first Amex card, the cash magnet. Thought I would see if the hype of the great customer service is what it's made about to be without having to worry about an annual fee. I read that 99% of merchants in the US that take credit cards take Amex. Is that true? I only know of a couple places near me that don't take it but since I've never used Amex before i wasn't really paying attention to it in the past. In this country will I run into issues with people merchants accepting it?

[Hoben02]

I think that is more the case if you plan to do international travel like Europe you may have issues. As for the 99% maybe it's due to Costco since they are hooked to visa

[wasCB14]

At the places I shop the acceptance rate is probably closer to 90%. In one minute I thought of 6 merchants I bought from in the last year that didn't take Amex, and I doubt I've shopped at 100 places, let alone 600.

Maybe that 99% figure includes a lot of tiny digital storefronts.

[rgd51]

Does this mean I shouldn't have opened a cash magnet?

[1LostArk]

I'm the last year I've run into my share of places (mostly restaurants and small businesses) in the US that take Visa / MC but not Amex. Just carry a backup Visa and don't worry about it. 

[1LostArk]

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@rgd51 wrote:

Does this mean I shouldn't have opened a cash magnet?

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On the contrary. Build a history with Amex of paying in full. Eventually you'll get offers for better cards from them. They do have some of the best cards for whatever your needs might be.

[rgd51]

I PCed my freedom unlimited to a freedom flex and then got the cash magnet to be my catch all card to get 1.5% instead of 1% on non category spend. It's so rare where I am to see a place that doesn't take Amex.

[Aim_High]

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@1LostArk wrote:

I'm the last year I've run into my share of places (mostly restaurants and small businesses) in the US that take Visa / MC but not Amex. Just carry a backup Visa and don't worry about it. 

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I agree with @1LostArk and @wasCB14 that, depending on where you shop or dine, the real-life rate is probably less than 99%.  While they like to advertise that rate as-a-whole, I travel around the continental US regularly and have often found merchants who decline AMEX.   It has really stood out to me since I didn't have AMEX cards for several years and then added them back to my wallet. 

As @1LostArk said, it's most often small local businesses and restaurants.  So the 99% includes a lot of national chain merchants and restaurants.   But most people don't just shop/dine at national chains.  Consequently, I'd never just travel with an American Express card alone of any type, and whether domestically or internationally.  Same for Discover.  The acceptance rate is just better on Visa/Mastercard.

On the other hand, it doesn't mean you shouldn't have one.  Just don't rely on it alone. 

[rgd51]

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@Aim_High wrote:

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@1LostArk wrote:

I'm the last year I've run into my share of places (mostly restaurants and small businesses) in the US that take Visa / MC but not Amex. Just carry a backup Visa and don't worry about it. 

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I agree with @1LostArk and @wasCB14 that, depending on where you shop or dine, the real-life rate is probably less than 99%.  While they like to advertise that rate as-a-whole, I travel around the continental US regularly and have often found merchants who decline AMEX.   It has really stood out to me since I didn't have AMEX cards for several years and then added them back to my wallet. 

As @1LostArk said, it's most often small local businesses and restaurants.  So the 99% includes a lot of national chain merchants and restaurants.   But most people don't just shop/dine at national chains.  Consequently, I'd never just travel with an American Express card alone of any type, and whether domestically or internationally.  Same for Discover.  The acceptance rate is just better on Visa/Mastercard.

On the other hand, it doesn't mean you shouldn't have one.  Just don't rely on it alone. 

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It was between this and the cap one quicksilver but I canceled my cap one cards a year and a half ago since I was upset at them for bucketing my starter card I'd had with them for years and I said things I shouldn't have said to the CSRs which I regret so I doubt they'd want me back as a customer. 

[NoMoreE46]

Don't look back on gettting this card. 

Look forward on using it where ever accepted.