Almost every merchant where I use plastic takes AmEx. Discover, too. Common exceptions: mom-and-pop stores, physicians'/ dentists' offices, public offices like county court clerks, university tuition pay sites.
They're great for shopping online, if you do this, because they will back you up in a heartbeat if the card number is stolen. I had great support on this when my Gold card suddenly started buying MP3 players and shipping them to Vietnam.
They're great for shopping online, if you do this, because they will back you up in a heartbeat if the card number is stolen. I had great support on this when my Gold card suddenly started buying MP3 players and shipping them to Vietnam.
@Anonymous wrote:Benefits of the card are great, especially when traveling on business or pleasure. Amex is the ONLY card that offers true coerage when renting cars..> Life insurance when traveling by air whentickets are purchased with card... And there's apretty good rewards program for a fee.Also helps to get a good ratio of Revolving, Charge, Installment and Mortgage accounts.Rob
IME, AMEX Green and Gold is not the best car rental insurance and I am pretty sure that Platinum is the same. AMEX takes/claims a secondary (backup) insurance position after any applicable or possible primary coverage (like your auto policy or any company/employer policy) that may/can have liability, which they require you to disclose in the event of an accident. AMEX generally only covers the deductibles of your primary coverage and then possibly overages if your primary coverage does not have adequate limits, or if your policy specifically does not cover rentals.
The Discover Escape and CapOne Pro Ultra both provide PRIMARY car rental coverage that does not even require any submission or disclosure of any other coverage, up to $50,000. They also provide travel accident, delay, cancellaltion/interuption and luggage insurances. And the AF's are $60 on Discover and $39 for CapOne.
AMEX (gold and plat) offer a variety of GOLD EVENT ticket access to various events 2-3 days prior to general public sales and other perks. Platinum provides certain airport VIP lounge access. The charge cards have an option to apply for PAY OVER TIME where you can elect to pay for larger or qualifying purchases over more time than end of month....but again you have to request and be approved on your account, not every purchase will qualify and there will be separate limits on what they allow you to accumulate and pay over time.
IME IMO 
@pizzadude wrote:
"Also helps to get a good ratio of Revolving, Charge, Installment and Mortgage accounts"
Rob, can you clarify - does FICO scoring weigh charge accts differently than revolving, such that having both types would be a plus ? As opposed to just having revolving accounts ?
I'm not sure if he meant that, or just meant in general it looks good to someone pulling your report to have that variety.
Personally I got an AmEx card so I could use their financial tools and keep myself in line. I don't think that will be a problem, but better safe than sorry. Like the poster above said, AmEx is really good about helping out with identity theft as well.
Also, I hate to say it, I just like the idea of being able to have an AmEx card. In my line of work (server in a restaurant) I see a lot of AmEx cards and when I do I usually sense a good tip coming my way. Especially if they have that magical word along the top... CORPORATE. 
End digression... I remember not even qualifying for the lamest of sub-prime cards not that many years ago and going from that to getting offers for AmEx Gold cards (went with Green though) makes my finance pants happy. Quite a stupid reason, I know, but hey... some people shell out for Black and Centurion cards for no better reason.