Trend of NO credit card logos displayed on the door
Aug 30, 2016, 11:27 am
#1
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Trend of NO credit card logos displayed on the door
Have you noticed more and more restaurants (main exception is fast-food ones) not displaying accepted credit card logos on the door ? Is this some kind of clean/zen/Feng shui design trend ?
As a Canadian American Express credit card holder, this is an annoyance for me because it makes it harder to know whether the restaurant will accept Amex or any credit card at all and it lets the restaurant hide the competitive disadvantage that they do not take Amex
As a Canadian American Express credit card holder, this is an annoyance for me because it makes it harder to know whether the restaurant will accept Amex or any credit card at all and it lets the restaurant hide the competitive disadvantage that they do not take Amex
Aug 30, 2016, 12:40 pm
#2
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I hadn't noticed this, but I'm sure I will from now on 
Since Amex isn't widely accepted in Canada, I always have my TD Aeroplan Visa on standby, but it is nice to know upfront so that you don't have to ask.
Since Amex isn't widely accepted in Canada, I always have my TD Aeroplan Visa on standby, but it is nice to know upfront so that you don't have to ask.
Aug 30, 2016, 1:27 pm
#3
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I too carry a Mastercard as a backup, but a matter of principle, I try to research and patronize only those restaurants that take Amex in the areas where I go.
Aug 30, 2016, 3:29 pm
#4
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I'm curious why this is a matter of principle. I love my Amex too but I understand why restaurants don't want to take it. After all, they are private businesses with tight profit margins. Why accept an Amex card which charges higher vendor fees when most people carry a Visa or MC (even those with an Amex)? If I was a restaurant owner, I'm not sure that I would want to accept it.
Aug 30, 2016, 3:43 pm
#5
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I'm curious why this is a matter of principle. I love my Amex too but I understand why restaurants don't want to take it. After all, they are private businesses with tight profit margins. Why accept an Amex card which charges higher vendor fees when most people carry a Visa or MC (even those with an Amex)? If I was a restaurant owner, I'm not sure that I would want to accept it.
Discover $17
Master Card $23
Visa $26
AMEX $32
I paid an extra 1/2 point to take AMEX and gladly did so.
Aug 30, 2016, 4:51 pm
#7
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Aug 30, 2016, 6:26 pm
#8
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I really don't blame places on low margins for not taking Amex, but I get particularly annoyed with London theatres who invariably won't take it. They charge a small fortune for intermission drinks and then won't take Amex. Sometimes, I enjoy ordering drinks and then refusing them when they won't take the Amex.
But, back on topic, most places with design sensibility will not clutter their doors and shopfronts up with unnecessary signage.
But, back on topic, most places with design sensibility will not clutter their doors and shopfronts up with unnecessary signage.
Aug 31, 2016, 12:32 am
#9
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I actually find that most places I go to in the US don't have the logos on the door (or if they do I don't notice them / don't pay attention to them) but it's generally not an issue. If there is any sort of restriction, it's far more common to see a "NO AMEX" sign as opposed to a more subtle door that only has Visa/MC logos (and the NO AMEX sign is more effective in getting my attention).
I do pay attention though when traveling abroad, especially in certain parts of Europe and Asia where finding a place that takes any credit card, much less an Amex, can be a tough act
I do pay attention though when traveling abroad, especially in certain parts of Europe and Asia where finding a place that takes any credit card, much less an Amex, can be a tough act
Aug 31, 2016, 11:25 am
#10
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Or in my experience, it's common to see a NO CREDIT CARDS/CASH ONLY sign if credit cards are not accepted.
Aug 31, 2016, 11:34 am
#11
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Some restaurants will accept Amex but not advertise as much. Some restaurants will decline initially, but accept if you say you have no other cards.
What needs to be stamped out is restaurants that give you the check in an Amex-branded folio, but don't accept Amex!
What needs to be stamped out is restaurants that give you the check in an Amex-branded folio, but don't accept Amex!
Aug 31, 2016, 12:31 pm
#12
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My guess is either the stickers were provided by the credit card companies in the past and the companies have stopped as a cost cutting measure, or the stores/restaurants had to buy the stickers, and have stopped as a cost cutting measure.
Aug 31, 2016, 12:50 pm
#13
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I still look for the stickers but I can't remember the last time I tried to pay at a restaurant with a credit card only to be refused. FWIW, I only use MC and VI. I do agree it seems like the stickers are becoming extinct.
Aug 31, 2016, 1:01 pm
#14
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Visa and MC are almost universally accepted and you can safely assume that any restaurant will take them unless they state otherwise. Unfortunately Amex is much less widely accepted, especially outside of the US.
Aug 31, 2016, 3:34 pm
#15
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I always found it funny that American Express is much more wildly accepted everywhere else in the world except America. 
I have American Express for over 30 years but just canceled it. Costco stopped taking it and everywhere else I could use VISA... so no reason to carry an AE card.
I have American Express for over 30 years but just canceled it. Costco stopped taking it and everywhere else I could use VISA... so no reason to carry an AE card.