Why do BA partner with AMEX?
Apr 25, 2017, 7:37 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
The Lloyds Avios Amex has a 0% FX fee. I hadn't considered the Amex exchange rate though - is that noticeably different from the Mastercard one (which is itself very close to the mid-market rate)?
Apr 25, 2017, 7:38 am
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
I Understood the commission rates AMEX charged the retailers used to be high ; up to 3.5% but now they have rationalised them to being similar to the mainstream and hence wider acceptance. In a way its good that BA choose a more niche partner rather than VISA etc . The same can't be said for TESCO!
(Has the time come to partner with M&S ; 2 quality brands...... don't go there)
(Has the time come to partner with M&S ; 2 quality brands...... don't go there)
Apr 25, 2017, 7:38 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
Nearly everywhere takes Amex these days, even Poundland!
I sometimes find that places that claim they don't take it (my butcher for one) either don't want to admit they do (higher fees?) or don't realise that they do until my iPhone processes the transaction with Amex.
The few large places I come across that don't take it are easily be replaced by another that sells exacly the same stuff at identical prices (e.g B&Q/Screwfix, which is the only one I can think of really).
Online I use PayPal linked to Amex if a retailer accepts Paypal but not Amex, athough I'm wary of losing section 75 protection on purchases over £100.
I sometimes find that places that claim they don't take it (my butcher for one) either don't want to admit they do (higher fees?) or don't realise that they do until my iPhone processes the transaction with Amex.
The few large places I come across that don't take it are easily be replaced by another that sells exacly the same stuff at identical prices (e.g B&Q/Screwfix, which is the only one I can think of really).
Online I use PayPal linked to Amex if a retailer accepts Paypal but not Amex, athough I'm wary of losing section 75 protection on purchases over £100.
Apr 25, 2017, 7:41 am
#34
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,904
The bmi Amex, god rest its soul, was the best thing that happened to my wallet. My fuel bill when I used to drive to customer site in west London 3 days a week paid for at least 2 F trips to Thailand.
The only 2 places that don't accept it around here are my local Indian takeaway and Aldi for which the Hilton visa comes in nicely.
Amex's customer service and fraud detection is head and shoulders above the competition as well. I would have a BA card but the fees are a steeper than the Amex gold card.
The only 2 places that don't accept it around here are my local Indian takeaway and Aldi for which the Hilton visa comes in nicely.
Amex's customer service and fraud detection is head and shoulders above the competition as well. I would have a BA card but the fees are a steeper than the Amex gold card.
Apr 25, 2017, 7:43 am
#35
Join Date: May 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 143
I live in Scotland and find a LOT of places won't take it. Any local shops, coffee shops, independent restaurants all don't take it.
Sure big chains (McDonalds etc) do take it. But many local places do not.
Just seems a bit mad they would partner with a CC not widely (certainly compared to VISA and MC) accepted.
Sure big chains (McDonalds etc) do take it. But many local places do not.
Just seems a bit mad they would partner with a CC not widely (certainly compared to VISA and MC) accepted.
Any local shops is quite a stretch as Amex Shop Small demonstrates.
Off the top of my head these are the indies I frequent which take it in Glasgow.
Good Spirits
Two Fat Ladies
Mellis
Glasgow Museums
Stravagian/The Chip
Valhala's Goat
Then again most of my spend is Wetherspoons, McDonalds, National Rail and supermarkets (inc Whole Foods) which is all good.
Its rare for Visa/MC to offer promos.
Apr 25, 2017, 7:45 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
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Apr 25, 2017, 7:47 am
#37
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Exec Club (Silver)
Posts: 454
I live in a rural part of Scotland and rarely have any issues when attempting to pay with my BA Amex. There are a small number of places that don't accept it however I find these to be few and far between.
It was probably more of an issue several years ago when I first got the card but the situation has definitely improved a lot over the last few years.
I've also got a Tesco CC Mastercard which I'll use in any places that don't accept Amex. I've got my CC account set up to automatically convert them to Avios and credit my BAEC account.
Again with online shopping very few outlets don't accept Amex. For the ones that don't 99% of them accept PayPal and you can set up your PayPal account with your BA Amex so you pay through PayPal but essentially you're still able to use your Amex for the purchase.
It was probably more of an issue several years ago when I first got the card but the situation has definitely improved a lot over the last few years.
I've also got a Tesco CC Mastercard which I'll use in any places that don't accept Amex. I've got my CC account set up to automatically convert them to Avios and credit my BAEC account.
Again with online shopping very few outlets don't accept Amex. For the ones that don't 99% of them accept PayPal and you can set up your PayPal account with your BA Amex so you pay through PayPal but essentially you're still able to use your Amex for the purchase.
Last edited by GlasgowBlue; Apr 25, 2017 at 9:07 am
Apr 25, 2017, 8:03 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
Looking at my card spend, its roughly 5-20% mastercard, the rest is amex. That's with me always using the amex where possible.
Amex is great and I definitely use it where possible over the mastercard but I don't think its possible to solely rely on Amex like you could do with a Mastercard. Most shops in London are ok but a lot of online shops don't take it. I just spent a grand on bicycle parts online and they didn't take amex.
Amex is great and I definitely use it where possible over the mastercard but I don't think its possible to solely rely on Amex like you could do with a Mastercard. Most shops in London are ok but a lot of online shops don't take it. I just spent a grand on bicycle parts online and they didn't take amex.
Apr 25, 2017, 8:05 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: London
Programs: Newbie BA Gold
Posts: 570
Do you have amex/card protection using PayPal? I always just use the mastercard in this case rather than amex via paypal.
Apr 25, 2017, 8:12 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Yes they should have done something smart like Lloyds, how Lloyds gives you 2 cards, an Amex and a Mastercard. The Mastercard is only used 'for emergencies ' as it earns 10 times or so less miles than the Amex!
I would say about 95% of the places I go/buy stuff from accept Amex.
I have a few places that actively moan when I pay by Amex as they pay higher commission despite them technically being able to accept it, but then I just pretend its the only card I have and they usually relent = )
Even FR accept Amex now = )
In fact, the only place that regularly I have to pay by Mastercard except gov.uk of course would be Lidl!
I would say about 95% of the places I go/buy stuff from accept Amex.
I have a few places that actively moan when I pay by Amex as they pay higher commission despite them technically being able to accept it, but then I just pretend its the only card I have and they usually relent = )
Even FR accept Amex now = )
In fact, the only place that regularly I have to pay by Mastercard except gov.uk of course would be Lidl!
Apr 25, 2017, 8:15 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Middle of Nowhere
Programs: Lowly BAEC Bronze, VS, IHG Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 231
WE WANT A LOCAL CREDIT CARD, FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.
(I live in deepest, darkest Wales, and have no issues putting the majority of my spend through an Amex)
(I live in deepest, darkest Wales, and have no issues putting the majority of my spend through an Amex)
Apr 25, 2017, 8:18 am
#43
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Apr 25, 2017, 8:47 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,648
Apr 25, 2017, 9:04 am
#45
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
Often tool station offer a better price. Although if you use Click and Collect at Screwfix they do accept paypal and you also get avios through the eStore - the order is usually ready in minutes.