Is Amex popular in Italy? can I use Amex credit card to buy train tickets?
Mar 18, 2011, 2:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA - Platinum; Starwood - Platinum; Alaska - MVP75; IHG - Platinum; Hilton - Gold; Marriott - Gold
Posts: 670
Is Amex popular in Italy? can I use Amex credit card to buy train tickets?
Is Amex popular in Italy?
In train station, stores, restaurants, hotels etc.?
In train station, stores, restaurants, hotels etc.?
Mar 18, 2011, 3:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London LON; Rome FCO
Programs: KM P, DL S | SPG G, HH S | Hertz PC, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,370
[QUOTE=kay_jay;16060317]
Is Amex popular in Italy?
Yes
Actually some merchants do not really welcome Amex, despite they're technically able to accept the card, because of high fees. This is quite common at small stores & restaurants, hotels not linked to main groups etc.
When you buy fuel, Amex cards get overcharged € 0.77 cents, as a cost-sharing policy agreed by Amex and operators (
...), although I don't know if that applies only to Amex cards issued in Italy. Well, yes, definetely only to cards issued in Italy.
Is Amex popular in Italy?
Yes
Actually some merchants do not really welcome Amex, despite they're technically able to accept the card, because of high fees. This is quite common at small stores & restaurants, hotels not linked to main groups etc.
When you buy fuel, Amex cards get overcharged € 0.77 cents, as a cost-sharing policy agreed by Amex and operators (
...), although I don't know if that applies only to Amex cards issued in Italy. Well, yes, definetely only to cards issued in Italy.
Last edited by Alice11; Mar 19, 2011 at 4:53 am
Mar 23, 2011, 6:30 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Platinum, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 35
Just got home from Italy last night, and am a big AMEX user. I would say that probably 65% of merchants accept AMEX, but there are many that will only take Visa/MC.
Also, FWIW, every time I tried to use my AMEX at the Trenitalia kiosk, the transaction would fail so I ended up using my MC on all of my train ticket purchases. I bought my tickets from the self service kiosks, so you may have better luck with AMEX at the manned ticket counters (which sometimes have a considerable line).
Safe travels!
Bryan
Also, FWIW, every time I tried to use my AMEX at the Trenitalia kiosk, the transaction would fail so I ended up using my MC on all of my train ticket purchases. I bought my tickets from the self service kiosks, so you may have better luck with AMEX at the manned ticket counters (which sometimes have a considerable line).
Safe travels!
Bryan