If someone doesn't accept American Express...

[vanillabean]

and all you have is an American Express card, is there some sort of service to bridge the gap?

(I don't know why they simply don't get a Square reader!)

[-Cal-]

Square Cash or Paypal

Similar services

[daybreakgonesXe]

May be a little off-topic, but I had an instance where a restaurant did not have the AMEX sticker on their door, but the waitress took it anyway and it went through. Then the next night I went with a different waitress made sure to tell me they didn't accept AMEX cards when I tried to pay the bill. I found it a little weird, but I guess whoever their credit card processor is actually takes all four, but the restaurant themselves prefer not to take it due to swipe fees.

[Mattopotamus]

That's the reason I always carry my double cash MasterCard.

[jsucool76]

This is why you never carry only one network card (especially if that network is amex)

If you go into a restaurant and only have an amex and they dont accept it, you either pay in cash, or you run out on your bill.

I try to keep at least one card on each network in my wallet.

[PNW_Hunter]

Always carry a Visa or MasterCard

Agree with the previous comments.

I have many Visa cards, along with my discover and Amex, but no mastercards.

Can't recall a place that doesn't take Visa besides Costco, until 2016 of course.

[Anonymous]

OP only has amex. The answer is visa or master gift cards.

[SunriseEarth]

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@Anonymous-own-fico wrote:

and all you have is an American Express card, is there some sort of service to bridge the gap?

(I don't know why they simply don't get a Square reader!)

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In-store, you may not have much of a choice.   Online, PayPay is a good option.   In my experience, I've found that many online businesses don't accept Discover (haven't had issues with AMEX acceptance online).   However, they will accept PayPal, so I can use my Discover to fund the PayPal transaction.  

Square seems like a good option for some small businesses.   My community choir is a non-profit group and we have Square readers in order to accept donations.  

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

OP only has amex. The answer is visa or master gift cards.

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OK, I think we were reading as "have only bought an Amex card to the place" whereas your interpretation could well be correct, and then yes, buying a MC/V gift card is the way to go.   If the Amex card is one with supermarket bonuses (such as BCE/BCP/ED/EDP/BC) then buying a gift card with it at a supermarket can be cost effective.

[Open123]

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@Anonymous wrote:

OP only has amex. The answer is visa or master gift cards.

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+1

Right, some of my Visa/MC spending are made with GCs purchased from the supermarket with my EDP.