American Express Membership Rewards - Places that dont take AmEx and it really pi$$es you off

-London Underground
-Subway
-Southampton University Fees Office / Student Union Shop /
-McDonalds (although dont take any cards)
-Costa Coffee

My car and house insurance company.

The utility companies.

These are large payments that would otherwise generate a lot of miles.

[This message has been edited by Andy2 (edited Dec 01, 2003).]

Why not switch to Privilege, they take Amex. They also offer best rates especially for younger drivers with cars in the high insurance group

Sams Club, USAA (I spent about $5K a year with them and they won't touch AMEX), several local/regional furniture companies, my local Kawasaki dealer (jet skis, 4-wheeler every other year, etc), local Trane a/c (commercial and residential) dealer, geez, the list is endless.

London Underground not accepting Amex is very annoying. However, there is a way around this one if you're buying a Travelcard. Go to any National Rail station, and not only will they they accept Amex, but you'll most likely get a 5% discount (from the second time you buy a Travelcard from them). The 5% discount is supposed to compensate mainline train passengers for delays, but in practice anyone who buys their Travelcard from a National Rail station receives the benefit, even if they travel only or mainly on the Tube.

the number of times I've handed my card over, they've looked at it, swiped it and after the machine beeps at them over and over again......

"there's something wrong with your card".

how right they are! it has a little blue box on it that means I can't use it in half the places I visit.

always have a visa/mastercard as well (or just ditch the amex http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif )

I Germany you can pay for almost nothing except at restaurant, hotels and fancy stores/boutiques in major cities with credit cards. That sucks!

Insurance, cars, taxes, investments, etc. forget it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

I've got to say that Amex acceptance in the UK is just cr*p compared to Australia or the US.

More often than not I cannot use it ....

John Lewis is one that comes to mind that does really annoy me ...

Boots, Woolworths and JJB sports. Even restaurants that present the bill in an amex folder don't take it!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozzie:
I've got to say that Amex acceptance in the UK is just cr*p compared to Australia or the US.

More often than not I cannot use it ....

John Lewis is one that comes to mind that does really annoy me ...</font>

Is that still true of JLP Ozzie, Waitrose started taking Amex a while back and I presumed that the rest of JLP were now taking it aswell?

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Bazz
Still Flying

I was in John Lewis last weekend and they swiped the card and took a little while to realise that they still don't take amex.

Out came the mastercard (again).

I've got a solution for you ILUVCITIBANK...

If you go to Walmart and buy gift cards with your AmEx, the gift cards then will work at Sams Club!

Happy Shopping!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danam:
I was in John Lewis last weekend and they swiped the card and took a little while to realise that they still don't take amex.

Out came the mastercard (again).</font>


Yep this is true. This is what is so stupi - why on earth would Waitrose (which I would assume be on much lower profit margins) be taking the card when John Lewis do not ?

- Trader Joe's

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danam:
Even restaurants that present the bill in an amex folder don't take it!</font>You should call Amex about this!

Iran

Replay Jeans in Paris also don't accept American Express! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

~Eric

Comcast

MisterNice

Safeway
But Albertson's takes it

Wierd - Safeway in UK take it.
I can also get my underground tickets at Ealing Broadway on the card - must vary by station?
And now all at 1.5 points per £ - luvly jubly!!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rewardfreak:
Wierd - Safeway in UK take it.</font>

Safeway is also about the only place in Gibraltar that accepts Amex.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rewardfreak:
I can also get my underground tickets at Ealing Broadway on the card - must vary by station?</font>

What is the merchant name on the transaction? London Underground or the name of a National Rail company?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozzie:
Yep this is true. This is what is so stupi - why on earth would Waitrose (which I would assume be on much lower profit margins) be taking the card when John Lewis do not ?</font>

Remember when John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and most British supermarkets didn't accept any cards at all? They started accepting debit cards, then Visa/MasterCard and then Amex. John Lewis is the only one that hasn't made the final move to accept Amex.

I still even have my John Lewis and M&S store cards from those days when they were the only cards you could use in those shops. I don't bother carrying them any more though.

I've used my card before at McDonalds it depends on the franchise, I know the motorway service stations don't.

Boots is an annoyance, so I avoid them now.

Thomas Cook will take it for holidays but not for ForEx.

M&S in Gibraltar take the card - though it is billed as someone else.

may sound stupid, but I will actually try and avoid places that don't take it. Especially with the way you can rack up MR points on even small purchasses.... I just shifted from Play.com to Amazon as they take AmEx and I buy a fair few DVD's.

Interesting side note, AmEx lost one of its prize partnerships - Disney. They still take AmEx but its no longer the official card, VISA is instead. Universal have Discover as their preferred card.

I do have my backup Visa card from my bank, but it gets used less than 15 times a year. Whereas my AmEx is used over 1000 times a year.

Thanks,
Richard

Richard,

CDWOW seem cheaper at the moment, especially when you use the www.cd-wow.com/amex (http://www.cd-wow.com/amex) link.
Use it to make every order individually and just pick the pay and go option (not create an account). Then you can use it for the same card many times.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichardMannion:
M&S in Gibraltar take the card - though it is billed as someone else.

</font>

Marks & Spencer in the UK take the card too, well Newbury & Hedge End, Southampton

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ILUVCITIBANK:
Sams Club, USAA (I spent about $5K a year with them and they won't touch AMEX), several local/regional furniture companies, my local Kawasaki dealer (jet skis, 4-wheeler every other year, etc), local Trane a/c (commercial and residential) dealer, geez, the list is endless.</font>

Sam's Club is an easy one. Go to your local Wal-Mart (or walmart.com) and buy a gift card. Pay with Amex. I'm sure that they'll close this loophole someday, but until that time... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
-London Underground
-Subway
-Southampton University Fees Office / Student Union Shop /
-McDonalds (although dont take any cards)
-Costa Coffee</font>

McDonald's here in Chicago is pilot testing credit card terminals. They take Amex (and ExxonMobil SpeedPass) but I hardly see anyone using them, other than myself. Seems to annoy the McWorkers, as well...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by haveric:
McDonald's here in Chicago is pilot testing credit card terminals. They take Amex (and ExxonMobil SpeedPass) but I hardly see anyone using them, other than myself. Seems to annoy the McWorkers, as well...</font>

I'd love Burger King to take cards (do they? I dont know) then get your order and go back for a pot of ketchup, 10 cents please, then whip out the Centurion card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danam:
the number of times I've handed my card over, they've looked at it, swiped it and after the machine beeps at them over and over again......

"there's something wrong with your card".

how right they are! it has a little blue box on it that means I can't use it in half the places I visit.
</font>

Yeah, but that's still better than having them swipe your AMEX card, finding nothing happens so they try swiping it again. Still nothing. So you buy it with a different card thinking the AMEX is not going to work. A month later you find twin charges on your AMEX statement.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danam:
Boots, Woolworths and JJB sports. Even restaurants that present the bill in an amex folder don't take it!</font>

I take the folder with me in these circumstances and claim to be an Amex agent appointed to reclaim their property

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nfh:
What is the merchant name on the transaction? London Underground or the name of a National Rail company?</font>


Well spotted nfh - I've just checked my statement on line & it says Thames Trains Ltd.
Shouldn't we be lobbying Ken Livingstone to get points for travel on the underground (when it's working)? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
I'd love Burger King to take cards (do they? I dont know) then get your order and go back for a pot of ketchup, 10 cents please, then whip out the Centurion card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

Burger King again depends on the franchise, the service station ones do.

I've used my Centurion Card there a number of times - on small transactions I regualrly use it for Car PArking in Reading at £2 a time.

I've had some sub 10p charges before on there - paying the small few pence diffrence on an AmAzon order after using gift vouchers springs to mind.

Thanks,
Richard

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterNice:
Comcast

MisterNice</font>

Comcast of New Jersey has accepted Amex for well over a year now. I have it on autobill so it hits my Amex every month. I wish it were so easy with all utility-like companies.

Snowcap

Not taken by Ohio State but all the private schools take them!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Snowcap:
Comcast of New Jersey has accepted Amex for well over a year now. I have it on autobill so it hits my Amex every month. I wish it were so easy with all utility-like companies.

Snowcap</font>

Comcast of VA takes it as well, but only if you call in. Don't think they do autopay.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Snowcap:
Comcast of New Jersey has accepted Amex for well over a year now. I have it on autobill so it hits my Amex every month. I wish it were so easy with all utility-like companies.

Snowcap</font>!?! Really !?! We used to pay by card and then they announced ~two years ago that they weren't doing that any more -- at the same time as they stopped one month of free cable modem service if you paid a year in advance. I'll have to call!

Stanford university doesn't accept AmEx for tuiton :/ Their bookstore accepts it but for some reason, they wont let you pay tuiton on it!

Is there somewhere you'd like to use your American Express card? (https://home3.americanexpress.com/uk/merchant/secure/leads_general/ges_referral_uk.asp)

Fill out the online form, This is a UK one but I am sure there must be a US version too

see www.amexsucks.com (http://www.amexsucks.com)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rkp:
Stanford university doesn't accept AmEx for tuiton :/ Their bookstore accepts it but for some reason, they wont let you pay tuiton on it!</font>

LOL, if I could have paid my tuition I would have been Centurion by now. Do any universities accept Amex for tuition?

Amex used to have a team in their New Industry Development Department (in the Establishment Services or merchant Division) dedicated to acquiring colleges and universities to accept Amex credit cards. It fizzled out though since many colleges and universities balked at the high merchant fee (or discount rate) on such a high-end transaction. It became too much of a hurdle for Amex to get over and so they stopped all merchant acquiring efforts in this industry.

Snowcap

Just another request for John Lewis to take Amex, great store, but don't like having to use my Visa card there. I always make a point of asking them why they don't take the card, and they say it's because they get charged too much.

I used to buy my travelcards from South West Trains who took Amex. Now I've switched to an Oyster card, they don't accept it which is rather annoying (part of TfL I think).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slow:
see www.amexsucks.com (http://www.amexsucks.com)</font>

But for Chri$t sakes don't be tempted to post anything that encourages R1ley to come to this board. Since he joined AmexSux in March (or thereabouts) he has ruined what was a good board.

IMHO that is.

------------------
Bazz
Still Flying

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bazz:
But for Chri$t sakes don't be tempted to post anything that encourages R1ley to come to this board. Since he joined AmexSux in March (or thereabouts) he has ruined what was a good board.

IMHO that is.

</font>

Have just looked over there based on what you said Bazz and Riley appears to be small, hairy, grunt a lot, and live in a Norwegiann cave. Sounds like a TROLL to me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
-London Underground
-Subway
-Southampton University Fees Office / Student Union Shop /
-McDonalds (although dont take any cards)
-Costa Coffee</font>

Correction:

Subway do take AmEx as far as I know, well the one near me does. I asked them when I was in there a few weeks ago and the guy said look at the notice and you'll see. He said it in such a tone that it gave me the impression that he knew it wasn't on there. I could see all the usual symbols but no Centurion figure or AmEx blue sqaure so paid cash http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif. Then in there last night at 2am (don't ask) I noticed in text above all the symbols it read:

We also accept American Express cards

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
Have just looked over there based on what you said Bazz and Riley appears to be small, hairy, grunt a lot, and live in a Norwegiann cave. Sounds like a TROLL to me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif</font>

ROFL

------------------
Bazz
Still Flying

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bazz:
But for Chri$t sakes don't be tempted to post anything that encourages R1ley to come to this board. Since he joined AmexSux in March (or thereabouts) he has ruined what was a good board.

IMHO that is.
</font>

Here he is http://www.uiausa.com/Riley.JPG

Bearing in mind he is in United inventors Association (http://www.uiausa.com/MeetThePanel.htm) you'd have thought he might have invented a slighly better card than AmEx http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

In Israel, any place which accepts any credit card (and almost every place does) accepts Visa, MC, Diners and Amex.

And, yes, I can pay for my Big Mac with it.

I know Ohio Northern takes AMX but they probably have to with tuition at $30,000 a year. We paid that way several times then kids transferred to Ohio state and Bowling Green and no more MR for tuition payments! OSU has a really poor payment setup IMHO. Basically stand in line with your check or do a direct withdrawel from your checking and avoid the line. And None of them send tuition bills anymore. They send it online to the kid who forgets to tell you about it.

Local grocery stores in St. Louis area. That one really sucked back when I had the Delta Amex.

FBG,

Be careful, this is one Troll who will come after you. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

------------------
Bazz
Still Flying

[This message has been edited by Bazz (edited Dec 08, 2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bazz:
FBG,

Be careful, this is one Troll who will come after you. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

</font>

Holy ...., I'd better go to DEFCON 1 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Travelex http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

I'd rake in the miles if they took it

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave_C:
I used to buy my travelcards from South West Trains who took Amex. Now I've switched to an Oyster card, they don't accept it which is rather annoying (part of TfL I think).</font>

Oystercard.com don't take Amex, but if you phone them on 0870 849 9999, they will accept Amex. Remember that you can usually get 5% off if you buy your Travelcards from National Rail stations, so by having the convenience of an Oystercard, you are foregoing this 5% discount. I'm waiting for National Rail stations to start issuing Oystercards.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by haveric:
McDonald's here in Chicago is pilot testing credit card terminals.</font>

McD's has been taking Visa in the Chicago area for a couple years in my experience.

------------------
Visit FlyerTalk Dining http://flyertalk.com/diningfr.shtml

It never really bothered me if a place didn't take Amex, of course everyone who has an Amex has a Visa or Mastercard too.

The times that it did annoy me is when they would accept Amex and then charge a surcharge or they would grumble when I presented the card and ask if I could pay by some other method.

I don't really blame the merchants though since Amex charge a lot more per transaction than other card issuers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ironmanjt:
LOL, if I could have paid my tuition I would have been Centurion by now. Do any universities accept Amex for tuition? </font>

NYU used to take Visa & MC w/o a fee. Now it takes AmEx and MC w/ a 2.5% fee.

d

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Doppy:
NYU used to take Visa & MC w/o a fee. Now it takes AmEx and MC w/ a 2.5% fee.

d</font>

Cool - I'd happily pay the 2.5% (which is really only 1% after the 1.5% cash rebate)to get the extra qualifying dollars.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichardMannion:
M&S in Gibraltar take the card - though it is billed as someone else.</font>

I'm in Gibraltar now and loads more places now accept Amex than when I was last here in August 2002. Many of the shops in Main Street accept the card as well as restaurants and pubs that definitely didn't accept the card last year. Something has definitely changed here. However, one shop did ask whether I had a Visa card instead to which I replied "Yes, but I don't use it" and they then accepted my Amex card without further comment.

I'd love it if my laundry/drycleaners took Amex. In fact they will only accept CC's if the charge is more than $25.

we are running a wine shop and accept all credit cards ... besides amex. reason: we have opened the shop four weeks ago, and two later we were able to accept all cards. only amex has more forms than anyone else, and are harder to reach over the phone than anyone else. i am ready to pay 30% more commmission to them than to other cardpayers, but i would expect at least SOME attention from them.
anyway, we keep filling their forms and trying to call them every day to get it fixed.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
Marks & Spencer in the UK take the card too, well Newbury & Hedge End, Southampton</font>

All M&S stores in the UK and Ireland started taking Amex 3.5 years ago (along with Diners, JCB, Visa and Mastercard). All the overseas stores are franchises (hence the different name on the Amex bill) and were allowed to set their own policy, leading to the hilarious situation of people being able to buystuff in Gib on Amex and getting a cash refund in the UK http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif .

I'll add my votes for the Underground and Jonh Lewis, plus a couple of local restaurants and all pubs and bars in the UK!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Swanhunter:
I'll add my votes for the Underground and Jonh Lewis, plus a couple of local restaurants and all pubs and bars in the UK!</font>

And I will add a vote vote for MacDonalds. It would be nice to earn a reward point on the occasional Sausage and Egg McMuffin and Coffee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Internaut:
And I will add a vote vote for MacDonalds. It would be nice to earn a reward point on the occasional Sausage and Egg McMuffin and Coffee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I really can't understand why people want to charge 2 or 3 pound transactions to their credit cards. Are you people like the Queen who doesn't carry cash?

I'd certainly prefer not to carry any cash at all.

I have traveled for weeks at a time throughout South America with nothing but a corporate AMEX card. Yeah, there are some places that dont take the card and I have a personal VISA for those circumstances, but I just do my best to avoid those places.

I always ask first, and if they say no, I tell them why and take my business elsewhere.

Travelex at LHR tole me they would only accept a Corporate AmEx, are they bull$hitting me. Besides the fact a Corp. AmEx has Corporate or Business or something across the front what is the difference to Travelex accepting one of those of my BA AmEx??

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
Travelex at LHR tole me they would only accept a Corporate AmEx, are they bull$hitting me. Besides the fact a Corp. AmEx has Corporate or Business or something across the front what is the difference to Travelex accepting one of those of my BA AmEx??</font>

No they are not bull$hitting you. Amex are quite funny about getting travel cash on a personal Amex card. I can get cash on my little used corpoorate card (the only use I have for it when trvelling on business) but not my personal card.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ex Amex Card:
I really can't understand why people want to charge 2 or 3 pound transactions to their credit cards. Are you people like the Queen who doesn't carry cash?</font>

I hate having to carry and manage cash. Also, I'm on this quest for free stuff. The more Amex reward points I can get, the more free stuff I can get. For example, some of my MR points got me an extra night at an Intercontinental in Tokyo earlier this year. It was part of a nice little tax free pay rise for all the travel I did for my employer in 2001/2002 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

And then you have those people who have actually *STOPPED* taking Amex. In the UK, all House of Fraser stores (a very large department store chain) stopped taking Amex on 1 September. Are Amex that mad they won't reudce their commission fees to the extent that such a large retailer actually drops the card ?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Internaut:
And I will add a vote vote for MacDonalds. It would be nice to earn a reward point on the occasional Sausage and Egg McMuffin and Coffee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

I would not drink their horrible coffee unless I get 1 million MR points for that.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ex Amex Card:
I really can't understand why people want to charge 2 or 3 pound transactions to their credit cards. Are you people like the Queen who doesn't carry cash?</font>

Woops. I got caught in an airport last weekend with no Euros to pay at the bookshop and had to charge €2.75 on my Platinum American Express. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Here's an idea -- Stop patronizing businesses that don't accept Amex -- and let them know that you are doing so!

Yes, the merchants don't want to pay the higher transaction fees, but they don't realize the value Amex brings to the table -- more affluent, higher-spending customers. If every affluent, high-spending customer has his/her Amex denied, and then whips out a Visa card, of course it's not in the best interest of the merchant to accept Amex!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
Travelex at LHR tole me they would only accept a Corporate AmEx, are they bull$hitting me. Besides the fact a Corp. AmEx has Corporate or Business or something across the front what is the difference to Travelex accepting one of those of my BA AmEx??</font>

I had a similar problem with a BMW dealer in London. When I paid the deposit for my new car, they said they had stopped accepting Amex. When I paid for some other things a month later, they said they accepted Corporate Amex cards, but not personal cards. No doubt this was so as not to alienate high-spending business customers whose only corporate card is Amex. I reported the matter to Amex's supression department who explained the rules to the BMW dealer. The dealer then refunded all the money I had paid them with my Visa card and recharged it to my BA Amex card. Since then, the dealer has accepted Amex without any questions.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nfh:
Oystercard.com don't take Amex, but if you phone them on 0870 849 9999, they will accept Amex.</font>

Have you succeeded in doing this? I rang yesterday and the agent said Amex wasn't on his list http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nfh:
Remember when John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and most British supermarkets didn't accept any cards at all? They started accepting debit cards, then Visa/MasterCard and then Amex. John Lewis is the only one that hasn't made the final move to accept Amex.

I still even have my John Lewis and M&S store cards from those days when they were the only cards you could use in those shops. I don't bother carrying them any more though.</font>

I shop in Waitrose regularly, and pay with my Amex. I was in John Lewis several weeks ago making a major purchase (first time since I acquired a UK Amex), and asked about Amex. I was told the above, and that I was "lucky" they took anything other than their own account card.

I'll add STA Travel to the list

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
I'll add STA Travel to the list</font>

Halifax Insurance Services. It was a big renewal premium too, but no cashback for me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

SAFEWAY

However when I was in Hawaii, the Safeway stores accepts Amex. In california they do not.....go figure

[This message has been edited by SteveT (edited Jan 09, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SteveT:
SAFEWAY

However when I was in Hawaii, the Safeway stores accepts Amex. In california they do not.....go figure</font>

You get Safeway in Hawaii? Is this is an in the grocery store? We have them in the UK but didn't realise they were in the US

Safway is major in the US and includes Von's and another chain whose name I can't remember at the moment http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif.

However, Safeway US and Safeway UK are now separate companies; Safeway US sold the UK chain some years ago, to Argylls, I think, and I believe it is changing hands again.

If you sign up for the Safway/Von's/other one card and link it with your UA account, you can get 125 UA miles for every $250 you spend http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Verizon, for a home-office business line.

How many millions of people tele-commute, have a second phone line, and get reimbursed for the cost via an expense report?

And, isn't Verizon supposed to be encouraging uses just such as this? You'd think Verizon would make it easy on everyone whose employer issues AMEX Corp CC for expenses.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ijgordon:
Here's an idea -- Stop patronizing businesses that don't accept Amex -- and let them know that you are doing so!
</font>

This as a rule is my policy. I can list on one hand the places I patronize that don't accept Amex, and I'm not exactly going to choose a university based on this. ;-)

On another note, here's why I charge small under 5 USD transactions. $4.69 would be $5 if I paid cash - I would lose the change. Add this up several times over and the convenience of not carrying coins MORE than makes it up to me. Not to mention the 1.5% cashback.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by evilmarq:
Have you succeeded in doing this? I rang yesterday and the agent said Amex wasn't on his list http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif</font>

South West Trains at both Wimbledon and Richmond are now issuing Oyster Cards and they DO take Amex. Also, if you are a season ticket holder there, you will get your 5% crappy service discount after the first month! Hooray! You still have to queue up though http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Vons in So Cal, which is a Safeway owned company does accept Amex.

In New york, I have a few bad guys:
1. Geico Car Insurance
2. NuVisions Cable
3. Trump the landlord
4. Limo driver (most)
5. Mc Donalds/ BurgerKing

Good Guys:
1. MTA subway
2. Parking Tkts
3. Starbucks
4. Movie Theatre (except Paris theatre)
5. Drugstore

to list a few...

Boots the Chemist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Gas stations in South Africa do not accept credit cards at all!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fbgdavidson:
Boots the Chemist http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif</font>

If you have a Lloyds pharmacy locally, they take Amex.

Course everyone knows Sams says NO to AMEX (and M/C and V to be certain).

Just found out SBC, as in Southwestern Bell Corp,you know, one of the Baby Bells, doesn't accept AMEX for monthly telephone service payments. There goes about 1/5th of the entire US (SW'ern USA to be specific) down the tube.

ALso have known for awhile that USAA, a premier insurance company based in San Antonio, selling literally billions of dollars worth of insurance, real estate, and investment products world-wide to armed servicepeple, and military retirees...says NO to AMEX. Yep, USAA takes M/C and Visa, but not AMEX.

Ditto for Reliant Energy - major utility based out of Houston. They welcome V or MC for utility payments, but will not accept AMEX.

Methinks AMEX is still just too darned greedy...they refuse to budge on the discount rates they charge, so USAA, SBC, Reliant, and SAMS says...get lost AMEX.

[This message has been edited by ILUVCITIBANK (edited Feb 05, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Methinks AMEX is still just to darned greedy...they refuse to budge on the discount rates they charge, so USAA, SBC, and SAMS says...get lost AMEX.[/B]</font>

Or darned stupid!

To turn down that much potential business is obviously lunacy

Nordstrom and Costco only take AMex (no m/c or visa).

Has anyone worked out how to put the London Congestion charge on Amex ? It cant be used for online payments but maybe through some retail outlets ??

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Frequentflyer99:
Has anyone worked out how to put the London Congestion charge on Amex ? It cant be used for online payments but maybe through some retail outlets ??</font>

A lot of petrol stations that accept Amex are Ken-gestion Tax outlets, e.g. Sainsbury's. However, as I've never paid this silly tax, I'm not sure whether these outlets insist on cash payment for the Ken-gestion Tax. It could be like lottery tickets, where you must pay cash because the profit margin is so low, even though the retail outlet accepts credit cards for everything else they sell.

When trying to pay by Amex in restaurants in the UK, one frequent response from waiters is "Sorry, that's the only card we don't take". A good response to that is to give them a Diners Club card. Of course, they're even less likely to take Diners, but it certainly proves them wrong - "I thought you said Amex is the only card you don't take".

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nfh:
... Ken-gestion Tax ...</font>


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I have the online form saved as Congestion shifting charge in my Favorites on the basis that Ken has shifted the congestion to just outside the zone, but I do like your alternative http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nfh:
It could be like lottery tickets, where you must pay cash because the profit margin is so low, even though the retail outlet accepts credit cards for everything else they sell.</font>

I've been able to buy my lottery tickets at Tesco with Amex - granted, it's been included in a purchase of a carton of smokes, but there's been no problems.

Michael

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mcuth:
I've been able to buy my lottery tickets at Tesco with Amex</font>

In that case, you could probably do the same with the Ken-gestion Tax (assuming that Tesco are an outlet for it). Then you could also get Clubcard points, convertible to a whopping 8 BA Miles for each £5 Ken-gestion Tax payment.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> In that case, you could probably do the same with the Ken-gestion Tax </font>

Well, luckily that madness hasn't quite spread to the Royal County of Berkshire....yet http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (although Reading Borough Council were talking about introducing something similar a while back *sigh*).

Nope, for now I'm fairly happy getting 2xMR points (to turn into VS miles) on my food, smokes, lottery & petrol - of course, not forgetting Clubcard points too http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Michael
(edited to make a little more sense maybe http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif)

[This message has been edited by mcuth (edited Feb 22, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flamboyant 1:
I Germany you can pay for almost nothing except at restaurant, hotels and fancy stores/boutiques in major cities with credit cards. That sucks!

Insurance, cars, taxes, investments, etc. forget it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif</font>


in Germany big supermarkets like Walmart and Real take all kind of credit cards. Small neighborhood supermarket like "Extra" have recently introduced accepting creditcards, at first visa, now even amex. mastercard is not accepted (probably cause extra's owner Metro does not like that their biggest opponent karstadt is the biggest issuer of mastercards in germany!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by meghadhoot:
In New york, I have a few bad guys:
1. Geico Car Insurance
2. NuVisions Cable
3. Trump the landlord
4. Limo driver (most)
5. Mc Donalds/ BurgerKing

Good Guys:
1. MTA subway
2. Parking Tkts
3. Starbucks
4. Movie Theatre (except Paris theatre)
5. Drugstore

to list a few...</font>

Found another Bad place.
Koepal VolksWagon Dealer and Service in Queens NewYork. its a big place and shame on them.. for denying amex.. I know its their choice - not mine..

My favorite restuarant here in Augusta say, the fees are to high. I told them they should reconsider as the business they lose would make up for it. Also, my favorite hotel web site won't take them; however, after saving 60-90 per stay, I have to use my Visa.

JJB Sports

bellsouth

it's amazing how impossible it is to try to use AMEX exclusively....always have to have a VISA around as well....DISCOVER is almost easier!

My dad went into our local Power House store today and tried to buy an oven using the Amex card I've given him and they don't take Amex http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif . We have a bi-latteral points agreement - I earn him Tesco points and he puts any major purchases on the Amex. I normally get the better deal, accept today.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Frequentflyer99:
Has anyone worked out how to put the London Congestion charge on Amex ? It cant be used for online payments but maybe through some retail outlets ??</font>

I asked today at the petrol station at Sainsbury's in Greenwich and they only accept cash for the Ken-gestion Tax. I don't know whether Tesco have a similar policy.

[This message has been edited by nfh (edited Feb 28, 2004).]

American Express Travel Shop in Newbury :rolleyes:

Wouldn't accept my BA Amex for foreign currency, they said it was because Amex dont recognise the BA Amex as an American Express card.....right....ok. They told me they'd accept all other credit cards, so I offered Diners Club :D

American Express Travel Shop in Newbury :rolleyes:

Wouldn't accept my BA Amex for foreign currency, they said it was because Amex dont recognise the BA Amex as an American Express card.....right....ok. They told me they'd accept all other credit cards, so I offered Diners Club :D

So what credit card do they recognise it as? Visa, Mastercard....no hold BA became a Card Issue company of its own right. I find it strange they were prepaired to take an Amex Charge card, but not an AmEx branded co partnership credit card which they endorsed when they took the card business from Natwest in late 2000.

My favorite liquor store in Washington DC does not take Amex, just Visa and MasterCard, although one time when I was buying around $400 worth of stuff I handed the cashier my Amex and he said, "Sorry, we don't take that," right before the manager walked by; the manager saw the total on the register and said, "For that purchase we can take an Amex." I used my BA Visa instead, though, since it would have taken longer for them to call Amex and the store was crowded with a long line for the checkout. (People in the US always seemed puzzled when an American pulls out a BA Visa--"Why British Airways?" Then I tell them it was for purchasing Concorde tickets and they always seem really awed at the notion :D ) The other reason that I think it's a little odd that this store doesn't take Amex is that the ABC stores in Virginia do, and as a general matter the ABC stores can't hold a candle to the privately-owned liquor stores in DC.

The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia, doesn't take Amex either. That rather surprises me given that it's a renowned place that does not lack for celebrity/wealthy clientele (one time they opened on a Sunday, only because President Clinton requested they do so, for a birthday party for Barbra Streisand). I would think that some of their famous clientele would want to use an Amex--but I guess the wealthy people may have enough money that they don't care! ;)

No they are not bull$hitting you. Amex are quite funny about getting travel cash on a personal Amex card. I can get cash on my little used corpoorate card (the only use I have for it when trvelling on business) but not my personal card.
Anyone know if this is true in the US as well? Last month I wanted to buy pesos from Amex but they wouldn't let me use my Platinum Card for it. If I could use my corporate card (likewise, little-used), I'd remember that for next time.

Can't believe that BellSouth, one of the baby bells doesn't accept AMEX....

We also accept American Express cards

To differentiate or make you feel embarassed for asking? :p

Here in Seattle, King County Metro bus passes are sold at a local drugstore chain (Bartells). Purchases there with my Delta AMEX qualify for automatically doubled miles; however, Metro passes can be purchased in cash only there (as an outlet). One can buy the pass online, or at the two Metro offices downtown, using Visa/MC only.

I got my haircut at Visible Changes in Houston, when came to pay I was told no to personal checks, and no to Amex !!!
I could not believe it, I was short on cash and had to track my wife down in the mall, to get the rest of cash needed, it was not a pleasant experience.

I got my haircut at Visible Changes in Houston, when came to pay I was told no to personal checks, and no to Amex !!!
I could not believe it, I was short on cash and had to track my wife down in the mall, to get the rest of cash needed, it was not a pleasant experience.

OK then, hands up who DOESN'T carry a VISA or Mastercard as a backup for when their Amex is refused? :eek: :confused:

I just did a count - I have 3 VISA cards and a Switch (debit card) in addition to my Amex. I couldn't imagine relying on Amex 100% of the time. :(

OK then, hands up who DOESN'T carry a VISA or Mastercard as a backup for when their Amex is refused? :eek: :confused:

I just did a count - I have 3 VISA cards and a Switch (debit card) in addition to my Amex. I couldn't imagine relying on Amex 100% of the time. :(


I have learned to carry a Visa and Mastercard just incase the card gets declined for no reason, regardless of whether the establishment has the ability to take the card in the first place. What do they say, "Once bitten, twice shy." Well I think in my case I might have been bitten more than twice, but I remain "shy" for ever as I never leave my house with a few backup pieces of credit. Now off to the forex thread to speak of my US transactions there.

Best

Kiran

Bars @ Henley Royal Regatta

They sell bottles of champagne for £210 and expect you to pay cash! They don't accept any cards :eek:

NB. I wasn't on the £210 bottles!

The McDonald's across the street from my office in downtown DC is about to start taking plastic, including Amex if the logos on the machines are to be believed. They have the same kind of swipe machines that you see in many supermarkets, but they are not yet active.