<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickW:
I think that's a really odd position. I'm more inclined to shop at places I can pay with my AmEx, simply because I like to accumulate MRs.
Do you think, given the choice, stores would rather a) not have my business at all or b) incur a slightly higher discount rate on my purchase?
By the same measure, would you think that store owners think 'oh my God, another ........ costing me money' when you pay on a Visa credit card as opposed to using a debit card? Or, as usual, is the ire reserved for American Express?</font>
I think you just answered your own question.
Most Amex holders will have another credit card (or 3), plus a debit card. When you pull out your Amex to pay, the shop knows you're choosing to use it for other reasons, e.g., MRs, company expenses, etc. So yes, they want the sale, but they also want their margin maximised.
Therefore, you always get the best price when shopping with cash, especially with large items.
Of course, the large (chain) stores wouldn't care less, but to smaller retailers, the 2 - 3% difference (or whatever it is) matters a lot.
On more than one occasion, I want to cancel my UK Amex - the service is one of the worst I've ever experienced with a finanical company. The only reason I still have it is because of its transfer to Starwood and forunately for me, most places I buy accept it. If Amex UK offer the Starwood Amex that the US have, then I'm more than happy to ignore the service or there lackof.