Originally Posted by
TravelerMax
So Louie, are you saying that (based on your comments on the Cofinoga, etc.) that the automated péages on networks that accept AmEx will take cards without chips?
And I might as well go ahead and stick this question in there for anyone - - what is the general acceptance of American Express cards at gas stations? Widely accepted? Rarely accepted? Rarely accepted in rural areas?
Thanks again to all respondents.
From my experience, automated or manually operated toll booths in France accept all Visa and MC with or without chip, except Electron (and its MC equivalent, if any). Amex is another story : some operators accept it, some do not.
Regarding gas station :
- automated ones do not accept non chip cards, whatever the issuer, nor they accept Electron
- rural stations usually do not accept Amex
IME, less and less stations are accepting Amex. Indeed, large network operators such as Shell have sold all their stations to independant dealers (Avia, for instance) or to networks that do buy the gas from producers and make low margins. Both of them do not accept Amex because of high fees.
Total dealers in the rural areas may not accept Amex, specially if they are not directly controlled by Total (independant dealers under Total brand).