AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[Moopere]

Just always be a bit careful when paying insurers, government, telco's, utilities, etc as Amex only pays 0.5 points/1$ spent across pretty much their entire range of cards now. Once you add the inevitable higher surcharge as well it can make those Amex points pretty expensive to buy.

 

[cmon0005]

Just always be a bit careful when paying insurers, government, telco's, utilities, etc as Amex only pays 0.5 points/1$ spent across pretty much their entire range of cards now. Once you add the inevitable higher surcharge as well it can make those Amex points pretty expensive to buy.

Also be careful of merchants that aren't actually any of the above but are classified on amex's system as a telco /utility / insure.. It's a pain to deal with especially when you've made a big purchase and are expecting full points!

 

[Moopere]

Also be careful of merchants that aren't actually any of the above but are classified on amex's system as a telco /utility / insure.. It's a pain to deal with especially when you've made a big purchase and are expecting full points!

Yikes! I haven't hit any of these yet. Can you give an example? There must surely be a list or definitive definition someplace? surely?

 

[cmon0005]

Yikes! I haven't hit any of these yet. Can you give an example? There must surely be a list or definitive definition someplace? surely?

See my previous thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....wards/0-5-pts-incorrectly-credited-60927.html

Basically I bought a Solar Power system from True Value Solar, they do not sell Electricity or make/distribute it, but they were classified by AMEX as a Utility, AMEX agreed with me after escalating it that they are not a Utility but wouldn't change their classification due needing to redo the merchant agreement or something like that. Instead they gave me a manual points adjustments.

 

[Moopere]

Mmm. I think I may have missed the original thread. Exactly the type of thing that would get me pretty worked up as it happens. So ... it appears the merchant chooses their own category and ....presumably ... pays their fee accordingly (???)

This is why I hate overly complex products .. Amex used to be fairly simple and straightforward, you paid you money and got your points. With so many exceptions and general baloney going on now you almost need to be making phone calls before purchases ... its a bit ridiculous.

 

[Chicken]

Can you give an example?

So far I found:

CityRail in Sydney
QLD Motorways / GoVia
Road & Maritime / formerly Road & Traffic Authority

 

[gizzard]

I purchased lunch at a small shop in The Rocks, Sydney called Dare Food, Store Locations « Dare Food.

As it was only a small place I doubted whether they would take Amex and was surpised that they said they did. What I should also have asked is whether they added a surcharge for using it as they slapped 3% on to the bill without telling me and the receipt then said "I agree to accept the surcharge amount". I wouldn't have done had I known.

 

[prozac]

I purchased lunch at a small shop in The Rocks, Sydney called Dare Food, Store Locations « Dare Food.

As it was only a small place I doubted whether they would take Amex and was surpised that they said they did. What I should also have asked is whether they added a surcharge for using it as they slapped 3% on to the bill without telling me and the receipt then said "I agree to accept the surcharge amount". I wouldn't have done had I known.

And are you fuming about the tip you left them?

 

[albyd]

That's the way I think of it. When a restaurant surcharges then that's the only tip they're getting.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

From the ACCC website :[h=2]"Credit card surcharges[/h]Businesses can choose whether or not to pass on the cost of accepting credit card payments to their customers. However, if you decide to impose a credit card fee, you must ensure your customers are aware—before they enter into the transaction or contract—that a fee will apply and the amount of the fee."

eg If a service station does not have a sign on the pumps (and it must be reasonably large !) they cannot charge a surcharge.

 

[Moopere]

What I should also have asked is whether they added a surcharge for using it as they slapped 3% on to the bill without telling me and the receipt then said "I agree to accept the surcharge amount". I wouldn't have done had I known.

Mmm, reports are growing of this type of bad behaviour. Get a refund, thats what I'd do. Politely let them know that they have overcharged and ask for a refund.

 

[OzEire]

I purchased lunch at a small shop in The Rocks, Sydney called Dare Food, Store Locations « Dare Food.

As it was only a small place I doubted whether they would take Amex and was surpised that they said they did. What I should also have asked is whether they added a surcharge for using it as they slapped 3% on to the bill without telling me and the receipt then said "I agree to accept the surcharge amount". I wouldn't have done had I known.

Same place that got me.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....cepted-or-surcharge-6391-242.html#post1108480

 

[zzyss]

Just always be a bit careful when paying insurers, government, telco's, utilities, etc as Amex only pays 0.5 points/1$ spent across pretty much their entire range of cards now. Once you add the inevitable higher surcharge as well it can make those Amex points pretty expensive to buy.

Oddly enough this doesn't apply to bank-issued Amex cards. For example I still get 3 Westpac Altitude points (1.5 equivalent on airline FF schemes) buying tickets from Cityrail using my Altitude Black. Same goes for utilities where the PostBillpay/Paypal trick works.

 

[whatmeworry]

Rego is up renewal. Hopefully I will be able to pay again via paypal and thus Amex.

You will. I did two days ago.

The billpay code cannot be paid via this service at this time. Please refer to your bill for an alternative form of payment.

Damn. Looks like Vicroads has been pulled off the post bill pay site.
Will have to try in store to see if they accept AMEX.

 

[blackcat20]

Interesting one at a winery/resort the other week. Cellar door had a surcharge for Amex, so I used Visa. Restaurant said all cards had a surcharge, used Amex and none charged. Resort did not mention a surcharge so used Amex; discovered Id been charged a surcharge when looking at the invoice later...

 

[lovestotravel]

Interesting one at a winery/resort the other week. Cellar door had a surcharge for Amex, so I used Visa. Restaurant said all cards had a surcharge, used Amex and none charged. Resort did not mention a surcharge so used Amex; discovered Id been charged a surcharge when looking at the invoice later...

Got to like it when they forget to add the surcharge

 

[edman]

Got a call from Amex merchant today advising they had dropped our merchant fee from 1.95% to 1.8%. Which is why I ark up every time someone tries to impose a surcharge. At that rate the cost to accept Amex is less than it is to accept some Premium or overseas Visa/Mastercards.

 

[Plutonus]

Amex merchant website says average interchange fee is 1.75% - get back on the phone!

Source: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/merchant/payments-and-processing.html

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I've noticed that Westfield now has CC surcharges of 2.5% in car parks and 1.5% when buying gift cards online.

Has anyone tried buying a Westfield gift card at the concierge lately? (Any surcharge if buying in person instead of online?)

 

[FreddyFattler]

I havent used it yet but I downloaded the Paypal app yesterday.

Lists a lot of places that will accept paypal ie restaurants cafes etc.

If you have a local that has a surcharge perhaps give the app a go, ive only compared prices at one place..my fave Indian joint and they were the same as their menu.