Why do BA partner with AMEX?
#62
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
#63
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
My experience here in Glasgow is that Amex is widely accepted, but that I'm not surprised by smaller places that don't take it.
At Oran Mor once, we settled our bill by Amex with one of the staff, only for the manager (I assume) to come over and say that he would "let us away" with it this time, but that they don't accept it, and that he was within his rights to cancel the transaction! I said that he could refund us if he wanted, but we wouldn't be paying again!!
At Oran Mor once, we settled our bill by Amex with one of the staff, only for the manager (I assume) to come over and say that he would "let us away" with it this time, but that they don't accept it, and that he was within his rights to cancel the transaction! I said that he could refund us if he wanted, but we wouldn't be paying again!!
Once at a laundry store I told the salesman 'I don't know' and played ignorant (straight out of the Alex Cruz playbook!!!) when he asked me if my card was Amex or not. I said let's give it a try and I actually paid contactless Amex with Apple Pay so he couldn't see the card = )
When he saw that the transaction went through and he printed the reciept of the card machine and it said American Express on it, he got angry and said never do that again, the accountant gets very angry!
Needless to say I found another dry cleaner who actually does accept American Express without crying wolf about it.
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
AMEX has come on leaps and bounds in the UK in terms of who accepts it. A lot of merchants get it standard now when they apply for merchant accounts.
They regularly have promotions to attract small business. IIRC they now have a flat fee of 2.5% for small merchants, which isn't fair off the going rate for credit card fees.
I have a BA Amex but i don't use it as much as perhaps I ought to. I have a business platinum which I do the bulk purchases and just transfer the AMEX points to the private Avois
They regularly have promotions to attract small business. IIRC they now have a flat fee of 2.5% for small merchants, which isn't fair off the going rate for credit card fees.
I have a BA Amex but i don't use it as much as perhaps I ought to. I have a business platinum which I do the bulk purchases and just transfer the AMEX points to the private Avois
#65
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
When I came over the UK 25 years ago, I had my Australian Amex card. I happened to be in their West End office for some reason and when they found out I was staying for 2 years on my working holiday visa, they offered to transfer my card to UK based one no questions asked. Given that I was contracting at the time, I thought it was fantastic. The only bank to let me open an account was the then Abbey Nat - but only a debit card, not a credit card.
Having the Amex was great, but it was pretty limited then. Sainsburys, car hire and travel agents seem to be it. How times have changed.
Some oddities exist. I was getting lunch at the Japan Centre in the West End today and the hot food counter eftpos machine doesn't accept Amex, but their main shop tills do. Couldn't be bothered to go there to queue and pay so just used my Lloyds Avios Amex.
Having the Amex was great, but it was pretty limited then. Sainsburys, car hire and travel agents seem to be it. How times have changed.
Some oddities exist. I was getting lunch at the Japan Centre in the West End today and the hot food counter eftpos machine doesn't accept Amex, but their main shop tills do. Couldn't be bothered to go there to queue and pay so just used my Lloyds Avios Amex.
#67
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,499
And it is really rather good, comparatively.
No Section 75, but you would get whatever protection PayPal provides...I don't know the details on how good that is.
Be aware, though, that merchants can block/disable Amex through PayPal if they wish to (although many do not).
Be aware, though, that merchants can block/disable Amex through PayPal if they wish to (although many do not).
#68
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,736
If Sainsburys took it 25 years ago then only just as I can remember the launch. The office was full of dummy plastic cards for months.
#69
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Unfortunately I have a fair few sizeable transactions coming and all of them say "all major credit cards accepted with the exception of american express"
The majority seem to be interior design related, and its annoying as they amount to tens of thousands of pounds. One supplier will take it but charges 3% + VAT extra. Of the 2 cars I've bought in the last 3 years, despite one having the american express placard on their desk, they would only accept it for £500 of the total transaction.
So yes, its wonderful that I can do my weekly shop on Amex, and buy my £2 espresso, but approximately £70k in cars, and £40k in home hardware has been a big no.
The majority seem to be interior design related, and its annoying as they amount to tens of thousands of pounds. One supplier will take it but charges 3% + VAT extra. Of the 2 cars I've bought in the last 3 years, despite one having the american express placard on their desk, they would only accept it for £500 of the total transaction.
So yes, its wonderful that I can do my weekly shop on Amex, and buy my £2 espresso, but approximately £70k in cars, and £40k in home hardware has been a big no.
Last edited by aceman; Apr 25, 2017 at 5:13 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
Its a bit of a weird situation as Costco US only take Visa. So Costco cards from one country can't be used in the other.
When I was living in the UK I rarely ever went anywhere that didn't take Amex. Even Poundland take Amex now!
#71
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
I was working in Sheffield for a short time and was surprised literally everywhere seemed to take it, even takeaway places and franchises that don't normally take it (like Subway and Premier stores).
#72
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 470
#73
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 115
The government spends six times more per person on transport in London than the North. Forgive us for not equipping our hourly bus with contactless to pay our £4 fare.
#74
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
#75
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
Isn't it only their own Mastercard, not any Mastercard? I'm assuming this is for in store purchases, I know online is different.
My problem with Amex is the annual fee. Last time I looked to get a card with similar benefits to my visa card the Amex annual fee was $700. Absolutely no way I could justify that.
My problem with Amex is the annual fee. Last time I looked to get a card with similar benefits to my visa card the Amex annual fee was $700. Absolutely no way I could justify that.