Discussion
I've got one simply because I can collect British Airways points with it and I'd use it all the time if I could. But it's getting increasingly difficult to find anywhere to use it. Amex always charged a high fee to retailers but either it's gone up or retailers are getting more fed up. A couple of places near me actually say they will take it but charge an extra 3%.
Are Amex in danger of putting themselves out of business?
Are Amex in danger of putting themselves out of business?
kiethton said:
Really?
Only high street shop I've had any real issue with not taking it has been Kingfisher (B&Q/Screwfix)
It may be different in London, but few independent high street shops accept it (your lucky if they take card payment!)Only high street shop I've had any real issue with not taking it has been Kingfisher (B&Q/Screwfix)
Never found a Gas station that does not accept, as well as Tesco etc.
Weird. I'm finding an increasing number of places seem willing to take Amex as payment. And as someone's already said, online retailers offering PayPal means you can now use it more frequently online too.
My understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
My understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
MrBarry123 said:
Weird. I'm finding an increasing number of places seem willing to take Amex as payment. And as someone's already said, online retailers offering PayPal means you can now use it more frequently online too.
My understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
Burger King are often franchises, far lower central control vs. McDonalds too - this may be part of itMy understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
familyguy1 said:
we are forced to have these as a "company credit card" and its seemingly worse in Europe when travelling with work.
I think even debit cards that are company issued have high fees - it's just that most retailers don't realise. No idea if there's something that alerts the retailer but our guys complain they do get refused quite a bit.MrBarry123 said:
Weird. I'm finding an increasing number of places seem willing to take Amex as payment. And as someone's already said, online retailers offering PayPal means you can now use it more frequently online too.
My understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
It's not 90 days, but it is a week or two from memory. When I did accounts work for a small business the Visa/Mastercard payments came through to our account within 3 days, but Amex took a while longer. Amex also deducted their fee before paying the balance, whereas Visa/Mastercard would invoice monthly for the fees. I don't recall the fee being particularly large in comparison.My understanding as to why Amex aren't always liked is a) because of the higher charge they levy on retailers and b) because retailers have to wait 90 days to be paid the funds by Amex*.
*I was told that by a retailer who didn't accept Amex so it could be a lie. It would make sense though given the 90-day protection Amex offer on purchases.
You do get some curiosities though e.g. KFC and Burger King don't accept Amex which seems bizarre given their size and global presence.
ETA: What I am finding though is more and more car parks (!?) seem to state they accept Amex but due to a "technical difficulty" cannot accept it "at this time". The problem then remains unresolved forever.
I use mine for all my Business expenses and collect the Avios and companion vouchers (which have become harder to use). Never really had any major issues using it although a few places are unwilling to accept. What you should be aware of is the charges for purchases in foreign currency, fine if you are on expenses but not so good if you are making a large personal purchase such as a piece of Jewelry, it may not be quite the bargain you had worked it out to be.
tuffer said:
I use mine for all my Business expenses and collect the Avios and companion vouchers (which have become harder to use). Never really had any major issues using it although a few places are unwilling to accept. What you should be aware of is the charges for purchases in foreign currency, fine if you are on expenses but not so good if you are making a large personal purchase such as a piece of Jewelry, it may not be quite the bargain you had worked it out to be.
Yes, definitely agree on this. The exchange rate costs are so high that I decided to get another Amex card for company expenses billed in euros so I could avoid these costs.
David Beer said:
Can not remember the last time it was not accepted. The insurance and travel upgrades are worth it alone. Always found great exchange rates also. Just got back from four weeks in USA of course everywhere accepted it. Itsa huge annual fee but worth every penny.
Out of interest, how did you find great exchange rates? The conversions from USD into GBP is at their default rates, and 'great' it is definitely not. Perhaps 'acceptable' for one off purchases, but if you assume the points are worth circa £0.005, a poor exchange rate on foreign currency purchases removes all of the value of the points and then some.
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