AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[aschmid]

I was wondering what the experience of forum members is about AMEX card not being accepted in many places or a surcharge is asked for and in particular if anybody has any insight if AMEX is doing anything about it?

Just to make my point this month I spend around $2,000 on my AMEX credit card. This is my preferred method of purchase as I get points. However I also had to spend around $1,000 on my VISA because of AMEX not being accepted.

That's like 1/3 of the places do not accept AMEX card!?!

Also I have frequently complaint to AMEX about this on their website. Occasionaly they respond back with a letter saying that they can't do anything about this and continue to expand their network in Australia.

Is this true? Are they expanding their network or does it shrink? Any experience from forum members?

Also with the new laws coming in that shops can pass on credit card fees to consumers AMEX is really at an disadvantage from my point of view as they charge higher fees and now shops can legally pass it on to customers.

[danielribo]

A lot more places seem to be doing it now (because they legally can, so why wouldn't they). I usually do the same as you and end up putting half of my purchases on Visa. What gets me is the fee is never uniform, ranges from 2-5%. If they're going to do it, there should be guidelines so some places aren't just doing it to get a bit of extra $$$ for themselves.

[neil_gardner]

I tried to use my AMEX at Melbourne Duty Free to buy some wine for a friend in California (I was heading out on United).

They wanted to charge a $5 flat fee for using my AMEX over a Visa Card.

I politely declined adn used my ANZ FF Card.

[Damien]

It's disappointing, but that's just how it is. I don't see it changing anytime soon. I suspect it's the very reason most of us carry a Visa as well as an Amex.

[JohnK]

That's like 1/3 of the places do not accept AMEX card!?!

Is this true? Are they expanding their network or does it shrink? Any experience from forum members?

There are places that don't accept Amex but I don't think that the number is as high as 1/3.

Also with the new laws coming in that shops can pass on credit card fees to consumers AMEX is really at an disadvantage from my point of view as they charge higher fees and now shops can legally pass it on to customers.

There is also nothing stopping you from shopping around and find places that do accept Amex without a surcharge and boycott anyplace that does charge you a surcharge. In some cases you may not be able to find alternatives and then you can use Visa or pay cash.

I can purchase most of the things I want/need with Amex and not pay any surcharges. Here are some examples of the top of my head

Car - Bob Jayne, K-Mart Tyre and Auto
Petrol - Coles Express, Woolworths, BP, many others
TV - Optus, Foxtel
Phone - Vodafone, Optus, most low cost international phone cards
Restaurant - Most restaurants I visit readily accept Amex
Liquor - Liquorland, Mac's liquor
Supermarket - Woolworths, Coles
Variety Stores - Big W, Target, Kmart, Lowes, David Jones, Grace Bros
Computer equipment - Harvey Norman, D!ck Smith, Officeworks
Furniture - Harvey Norman
Airfares - QF online, Finnair online, any travel insurance online
Accommodation - Anywhere in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand
Car registration & Insurance - NRMA, RTA

Downtown duty free can go to hell, I'll purchase duty free liquor from Singapore. Unfortunately I can only purchase cigarettes for dad in Australia, doesn't like overseas variety, but still save $60+ for cigarettes while giving them $1 surcharge.

[Jobu]

Are there any places that accept AMEX but not VISA?

Is there any advantage of Mastercard over VISA?

Cheers,

JOBU

[Damien]

Are there any places that accept AMEX but not VISA?

I doubt it. It seems that Visa will allow just about anyone to accept their cards. It also helps that the fees are lower.

Is there any advantage of Mastercard over VISA?

Not in my experience.

[danielribo]

A while ago cabs in Sydney used to take everything except Visa, although that's been changed now.

[markis10]

From a shop's point of view Amex is less attractive than other cards because of:

1. Higher transaction fees that may or may not be recouped back by surcharges
2. Settlement of funds, with othercards the money is credited to your account the next day after settlemetn, with Amex that can be up to 30 days after you settled, effectively a 30 day account.

[MetroAir]

I guess it depends on the relationship you have with the merchant.

My local bottle shop (where I buy a fair bit of wine) recently told me they were going to introduce a fee, when I said that it would spell the end of my shopping there, they waived it and have continued to do so (even put a note up on the till for casual staff).