Debit card rewards
Jan 7, 2020, 9:16 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
This article indicates that while surcharges were enabled by Federal legislation, some states have laws to preclude it. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Puerto Rico are mentioned. Hopefully I interpreted the article correctly. It also has links to use to report abuse.
Jan 7, 2020, 9:25 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Article is not properly researched. Many states, including California, no longer feel they can enforce their no-surcharge laws due to other legal developments. So, the consumer is on their own. This is why surcharges are growing because the merchants (and acquirers) feel they are okay to do it.
Jan 7, 2020, 11:04 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Article is not properly researched. Many states, including California, no longer feel they can enforce their no-surcharge laws due to other legal developments. So, the consumer is on their own. This is why surcharges are growing because the merchants (and acquirers) feel they are okay to do it.
Jul 31, 2020, 9:03 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 50
I will add my two cents. Popeye's Chicken, where I live does not take Amex. Two gas stations, that I know of, charge a minimum for credit card purchases. I want frequent either of them because of that.
Jul 31, 2020, 10:14 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
AmEx spoke about this surcharge topic (and debit cards) on their last earnings call. Because of the current drop in business revenue, AmEx feels they are not going to see merchants add surcharges in the short-term. Further, AmEx is "hurting" because they do offer lower fees to non-T&E categories (groceries, other business types), so there is some competitive aspects. AmEx is again exploring the debit market. They will offer one in China when they start their card there. The analyst pointed out that debit was strong in the US because of financial management, but I think AmEx knows debit is just not as profitable.
Aug 1, 2020, 4:00 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
AmEx spoke about this surcharge topic (and debit cards) on their last earnings call. Because of the current drop in business revenue, AmEx feels they are not going to see merchants add surcharges in the short-term. Further, AmEx is "hurting" because they do offer lower fees to non-T&E categories (groceries, other business types), so there is some competitive aspects. AmEx is again exploring the debit market. They will offer one in China when they start their card there. The analyst pointed out that debit was strong in the US because of financial management, but I think AmEx knows debit is just not as profitable.