Service charge to use Amex in Crowne Plaza Birmingham [UK]
 

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Birmingham UK yesterday and was told on checking out that there's a £3.50 service charge to pay with Amex but no charge for other cards. I've stayed there before without this policy and I've never had it at any other hotel. Is this an IC new policy or just local? I'll post this in the IC forum as well.

Tell amex. They will refund the charge, and will deal with the property directly as they should not be doing that.

Is that correct? I don't recall ever being charged a fee to use Amex at a hotel, but am regularly charged by airlines. How is it ok for airlines to charge but not a hotel?

The airlines that do charge, charge for all credit cards. This hotel is just charging for Amex cards, that is against Amex's rules.

You have a pretty strong case, IMO, if you booked via an IHG website. That tells you the price you will pay, and unless it states a possible surcharge for amex on the booking, I don't think you need to pay it. Even more rock solid if you booked a pre-paid rate and paid/guaranteed it with an Amex

I had the same issue at this hotel last October. It was only to settle my bar bill as it was a rewards night stay so I ended up paying cash.

Thought it was strange at the time, particularly in this brand of hotel.

Contact Amex. They'll inform merchant services and take care of the matter.

I once reported my local Mcdonalds for refusing my card. Ended up with a panic call from the franchise owner and £10 to spend :P

Good point - I didn't think of that.