Anyone find it annoying checking if someone takes AMEX or not?

[LS2982]

I'm trying to give the prepaid card good usage but trying to figure out if the business takes it or not is really annoying!! IS there like a master list of big companys that take them?

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm... I doubt there's a single, comprehensive list anywhere. But, you can always just check the door/window or register in the place that you're shopping/doing business in. Do they have the Amex insignia? If not, just quickly ask-- 3 seconds of your time. Or, better yet, just wait until checkout, then whip out your card, and let them tell you that they don't accept Amex. More than likely, they do. Since 2009, I've only encountered one merchant that doesn't accept Amex-- they also don't accept Mastercard, or Discover. I have noticed, however, that a lot of smaller establishments might not have the Amex insignia on their door/window/register, so I usually just ask... "Do you accept Mastercard". It's always been "yes", save for that one merchant.

[mokong]

im here in SoCal one night i went to In n Out burger ,when i tried to pay my bill with my AMEX BCE the cashier told me "oh sorry sir we dont accept AMEX".thank God i have other mastercard.

[pizzadude]

Yeah I have noticed that a lot of smaller restaurants and business don't take AMEX. If it is not clear that they don't take it, I will offer it and let them tell me if they can't process.

[Anonymous]

---

@LS2982 wrote:

I'm trying to give the prepaid card good usage but trying to figure out if the business takes it or not is really annoying!! IS there like a master list of big companys that take them?

---

In general I find that big companies, high end places, and chain stores/restaurants almost always accept Amex. I have no qualms about swiping Amex at these places, no matter how small the transaction. There are very few exceptions, I know that Sam's Club doesn't and read somewhere that Dollar General doesn't. Its usually small businesses and mom and pop type stores/restaurants that don't take it. Even if they do, I've encountered merchants that are reluctant to take it and ask if you have a Visa/MC. Technically they aren't supposed to do this but if its a place I come back to I don't put up much of a hassle. If its a small purchase at a mom and pop store I don't even offer to pay with Amex since I know transaction fees are highest for these owners, in the 3+ percent range since they don't get offered the break that larger businesses get.

With the prepaid card I'm not sure what the transaction fees are but I highlighted my experience with how their cards are perceived in general. If prepaid catches on perhaps there will be a shift in how small businesses view Amex and more will start accepting them.

[CS800]

Although I try my best to checl the doors, windows or even registers, Sometimes, you cant find any logo to see. Went to this store in Boston and there were no signs what they accepted. Found out they accep anything. But I had to go to the register and have both the AMEX and the Visa ready just in case.

In England, if you go to some small towns, thye dont always display what they take. AMEX doesnt seem so popular.

[boomhower]

I don't see the big issue.  If I don't see it on the door I just ask.  I you have that big of a problem with it don't carry Amex.  It's not secret they are not the most widely accepted card out there.

[Open123]

I carry brand new $100 bills, and if the merchant says "no AmEx," I give them the $100 to break the change.

Voila, a vast majority of merchants and restaurants offered to "make an exception" and take my AmEx card "this time."

[Juan123]

i have that same problem with discover..... my favorite restaurant doesn't take discover >_< i don't see the big deal, how much more could it cost to process amex and discover transactions?

[learnin113]

I always offer my Amex first.  If they say no, I grab something else.  Simple.