AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[lovestotravel]

GIO Insurance

 

[JohnK]

Oh boo! NRMA have updated their phone bill payment system and it doesn't take AMEX any more

Anybody recommend a good insurer that takes Amex, which gives a good deal on car comprehensive, CTP and home buildings?

It has been like that for a number of years. NRMA still accepts AMEX (I hope) so go to an NRMA office or call them directly and do not use the automated phone system.

 

[sparoy]

It has been like that for a number of years. NRMA still accepts AMEX (I hope) so go to an NRMA office or call them directly and do not use the automated phone system.

I spoke at length with a supervisor at NRMA and was told that the management has decided not to take Amex at all, so they've taken Amex out from their automated system as well (it was the last loophole that was closed earlier this month).

She said that the percentage of people using Amex in NRMA was small and most people had Visa/MC anyway.

Their call centre stops taking Amex last month, I think the branch did too.

I told them I'm taking my business elsewhere and I'm now going to GIO.

 

[JohnK]

Their call centre stops taking Amex last month, I think the branch did too.

I told them I'm taking my business elsewhere and I'm now going to GIO.

Now there is a shock. A company the size of NRMA has stopped accepting AMEX.

I won't be switching to anyone else but I will now give to Australia Post the commission that was due to go to Amex....

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Well it appears that PayPal have not yet given up on fixing the Amex problem...

I tried transacting again on the (Westpac) Amex card that was successfully added during the brief period of it working - and the transactions have gone through

It's not yet possible to add new Amex card numbers again, but it's better than where they were. An email response to a query on their progress is attached.

Thank you for contacting PayPal, my name is Ayessa and I am happy to
assist you today.

PayPal is working with American Express to enable Australian
card-members to use their American Express credit card for transactions
through PayPal. Until it becomes fully operational, American Express
transactions through PayPal will be declined.

This means PayPal Australia users are currently unable to transact or
add an American Express credit card to their PayPal account. You can
still add another payment method such as Visa, MasterCard or Bank
Account.

We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and we hope to have
this resolved as soon as possible so you can use American Express card
for your PayPal transactions in the future.

It is my pleasure to assist you. Thank you for choosing PayPal.

Sincerely,
Ayessa
PayPal, an eBay Company

... a bit strange that she said all transactions would be declined - as mine has now started working, and this was sent after that happened...

 

[mvjs]

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, does not accept AMEX. Visa and MasterCard only.

 

[straitman]

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, does not accept AMEX. Visa and MasterCard only.

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, still does not work :!:

 

[oz_mark]

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, still does not work :!:

I got my card today. Just trying to figure out how to link it to my QFF account....

 

[mvjs]

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, still does not work :!:

Myki is now operational on Melbourne's trains. No luck if you're a tram or bus user though.

 

[straitman]

Myki is now operational on Melbourne's trains.

That is the theory but there still seems to be issues :!:

 

[SOPOOR]

Myki is now operational on Melbourne's trains. No luck if you're a tram or bus user though.

This should read

"Myki is now operational on Melbourne's trains. No luck if you're a public transport user though.

 

[thewinchester]

This should read

"Myki is now operational on Melbourne's trains. No luck if you're a public transport user though.

I've been sitting here in Perth and just laughing my cough off at the Myki implementation and how badly its going.

Australia's two biggest states can't get a decent public transport ticketing solution in place for quids, yet most other states are done, dusted and working a dream.

Yes, WA was the first to get a smartcard ticketing solution in place. Yes, it took a while longer than planned, but they reduced the barriers to entry by simply sticking with their existing ticketing equipment vendor, and through significant trial and testing over a sustained period, it works a treat.

Being one of those focus group people and testers for Perth's system, I enjoyed free and discounted travel for nearly 9mths doing my best to help them identify every possible user problem imaginable. From testing the application forms, reloading units, the customer documentation, processes and even signage and information decals, I made sure every possible problem I could identify went into making the system work from Launch Day 1.

All I can say is that its one of the big problems in Government, we simply don't learn enough and share enough information between each other. We're seeing the results of this with Myki and T-Card - by not learning from the mistakes of others, they're been an unmitigated failure. Heck knows when NSW will get a new ticketing system, and how long it will take for Victoria's to work is a whole other question.

I look forward to giving Myki a bit of a spanking when I'm in Melbourne next month, look forward to seeing how much of a balls-up it is first hand.

 

[notzac]

I look forward to giving Myki a bit of a spanking when I'm in Melbourne next month, look forward to seeing how much of a balls-up it is first hand.

It's all that and worse. I registered myself a card online to avoid paying for one when they are made available generally - finally received it in the mail, only to have the welcome letter tell me that I'd need to have a concession card with me at all times. What the? I haven't called, but there are quite a few people who've received these v misleading letters; it's apparently a(nother) mistake (cards themselves are fine, letters are wrong).

Srsly, if they can make smart cards work on trams in AMS, what's the big deal here? This isn't exactly rocket science.

I also find it a bit ridiculous that none of the states worked together on these smart card ticketing systems - surely having compatible cards and readers wouldn't have been such a bad idea?

Back OT - of course, I've reported them to AmEx. Has anyone else?

 

[docjames]

It seems Melbourne's new public transport ticketing system, Myki, does not accept AMEX. Visa and MasterCard only.

Not accepting Amex is the least of Myki's problems....

 

[oz_mark]

Being one of those focus group people and testers for Perth's system, I enjoyed free and discounted travel for nearly 9mths doing my best to help them identify every possible user problem imaginable. From testing the application forms, reloading units, the customer documentation, processes and even signage and information decals, I made sure every possible problem I could identify went into making the system work from Launch Day 1.

I was in the test group for Perth, but was only a train user, so I never encountered the issues that the bus users had. Railway stations have an advantage in that they tend not to move, so a given station always stays in one zone

 

[oz_mark]

I also find it a bit ridiculous that none of the states worked together on these smart card ticketing systems - surely having compatible cards and readers wouldn't have been such a bad idea?

FWIW Canberra are installing the same system used by Perth. I doubt they will interoperate though. Maybe I'll try my smartrider card someday - see how it goes.

 

[serfty]

... Back OT - of course, I've reported them to AmEx. Has anyone else?

Until Dec 31 '08 you could employ Amex (& Diners) at certain Met shops in the city.

I purchased my last Yearly ticket* for ~$1800 on Amex at the one at the Town Hall about 55 weeks ago.

*Which coincidently expires today - for the next fortnight I'll be using my collection of "Free" daily tickets obtained during the last year due to Connex not meeting service standards.

 

[oz_mark]

Until Dec 31 '08 you could employ Amex (& Diners) at certain Met shops in the city.

It was also alleged that the ability to use Amex was removed as the regulations/ticket rules removed the use of Amex as a payment method.

 

[serfty]

It was also alleged that the ability to use Amex was removed as the regulations/ticket rules removed the use of Amex as a payment method.

A Chicken - Egg conundrum:

• Did the change in regulation have a side benefit of saving on commission due to Amex being removed as a MOP? or
• Was Amex removed as a payment method to save on commission and the regulation amended to enforce this?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Not accepting Amex is the least of Myki's problems....

I'm not very familiar with the details of Myki, but does it have the ability to be topped up at retailers like 7-Eleven?

In Queensland, you can only use Visa & MasterCard to directly topup your Go Card online, by phone or at the ticket machine at train stations, but if you take the card to most 7-Elevens, you can topup with Amex (Diners too - no surcharge for either card). I sent an email to our transit department asking why Amex wasn't accepted and if there was any way to use it for topups, and this is what they suggested I do. Works a treat