AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[ric_melb]

Well some places don't accept Amex, or have a surcharge, but I would say at least 80% of the places I go accept it, and without surcharge.
Only some service stations have a surcharge, no BP ones I go to have.
And it is well accepted without surcharge at most supermarkets, big stores, and restaurants. Most hotels also, with some stupid exceptions.
So in the 20% of places you use the Visa.

 

[straitman]

I spoke to a few people who have CC cards which are mostly dual AMEX + VISA/MC...(as in, 2 cards, 1 account).
They said that they main problem carrying around an AMEX was that it rarely got use. If you have the opportunity to use it, there is usually a surcharge, eg, petrol station, or that alot of people just don't accept them because of the high merchant fees.
Now, before l go and get myself a CC which has 2 cards in essence (1 AMEX and 1 which is either a VISA or MC), what are most peoples opinions on this? Just putting it out there and l'm curious for the replies.
Thanks in advance.

Oneworldplus2,

It will really depend upon where you spend you money.

I find that a few places do not accept Amex but most places that I have big spends do accept Amex and often with no loading or the same loading as other CC's.

 

[simongr]

I use Amex for 90% of my purchases - all with no surcharge.

This is what I charge:

- Food
- Alcomohol
- Fuel
- Comics
- Clothes
- Baby stuff
- Electrical/computing

This is what I don't charge:

- Rates
- Utilities

Frankly the whole "people don't take amex" doesnt really stack up for me.

 

[BlueAU]

I asked my Mum if she paid her rates for her property on credit card. She said the council wanted 7.5% for Visa/MC and NO AMEX acceptance !!! I thought some of the AMEX charges were bad. :shock:

 

[mvjs]

City of Boroondara (Melbourne) accepts AMEX with no surcharge.

 

[kyle]

City of Boroondara (Melbourne) accepts AMEX with no surcharge.

Now the secret's out! Amex was never printed on the rates notice, but it's available via Postbillpay.

 

[straitman]

Now the secret's out! Amex was never printed on the rates notice, but it's available via Postbillpay.

I quite using Postbillpay some while ago but may have to look into it again then.

 

[mvjs]

I quite using Postbillpay some while ago but may have to look into it again then.

Billers get to choose what cards they want to accept on Postbillpay, most seem to choose against AMEX unfortunately.

 

[straitman]

Billers get to choose what cards they want to accept on Postbillpay, most seem to choose against AMEX unfortunately.

Still it is certainly worth a look.

 

[JohnK]

I have no problems paying with Amex where I want to pay with Amex.

Sure there are some places that do not accept Amex but I try to avoid these places unless absolutely necessary, like competition golf on Saturday morning, and use cash instead. For rates and water bills just use Australia Post and let them have the commission instead of the credit card companies.

Visa or Mastercard is only used once in a blue moon like last week when NRMA called and said if I paid the green slip that day over the phone they would send me a $25 Coles/Myer Voucher. Too easy....

 

[TweedleB]

Hi to all.
Have just joined this site tonight so not sure about all this. I phoned amex once in regards to card being not accepted at very many places. Their answer was to supply the name of the place and they would contact them to see if they would like to join up with amex. As usual no follow up was received. I also have been told by a long time amex user that if you call them and complain that they will reimburse the surcharge. Not sure.

 

[straitman]

Hi to all.
Have just joined this site tonight so not sure about all this. I phoned amex once in regards to card being not accepted at very many places. Their answer was to supply the name of the place and they would contact them to see if they would like to join up with amex. As usual no follow up was received. I also have been told by a long time amex user that if you call them and complain that they will reimburse the surcharge. Not sure.

TweedleB,

Welcome to AFF.

I must say I have never heard of the reimbursement before your post. Interesting if true though I see that it could open a whole big can of worms :!:

 

[TweedleB]

G'day Bill
Thanks for the welcome. Have been a watcher for awhile. Love the site so thought will sign up to maybe contribute and learn a lot. Your picture of the platform looks great. Are you on it?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I also have been told by a long time amex user that if you call them and complain that they will reimburse the surcharge. Not sure.

It is an Amex policy to do so, but only in places such as the US where surcharges are actually against the law. Good luck pulling that one in Australia

 

[TweedleB]

Thanks for the advice ChrisCh. Will not worry about calling for a refund here then. Have a great weekend to all. Off to bed

 

[NYCguy]

I got this email from Amex AU today, having complained in December about the BNE Marriott's Amex surcharge:


Dear Cardmember,
Thank you for contacting American Express® regarding your recent experience at BRISBANE MARRIOTT HOTEL.

We have contacted the management at this establishment and are pleased to inform you they have agreed to warmly welcome the American Express Card and also not impose any surcharge. We will remain in contact with their management to ensure ongoing American Express Card acceptance.


So the system does work!

 

[ric_melb]

Wow how amazing that the Brisbane Marriott would attempt a surcharge.
Wonder if this was property specific or occurs at other Marriott hotels in Australia.
Hard to believe that a large American based hotel chain would contemplate it, let alone allow it.
Shows that feedback is important. :mrgreen:

 

[auriga]

Wow how amazing that the Brisbane Marriott would attempt a surcharge.
Wonder if this was property specific or occurs at other Marriott hotels in Australia.
Hard to believe that a large American based hotel chain would contemplate it, let alone allow it.
Shows that feedback is important. :mrgreen:

Agree that it is quite ridiculous for a hotel like that to have a surcharge!

 

[yo yo ma]

Wow how amazing that the Brisbane Marriott would attempt a surcharge.
Wonder if this was property specific or occurs at other Marriott hotels in Australia.

The Surfers Paradise Marriott states on their bookings site:
Please Note: Credit card payments incur 1.5 percent service fee added to amount payable.

This is applicable to payments by all credit cards.

 

[Keith009]

Hard to believe that a large American based hotel chain would contemplate it, let alone allow it.

It could be a property-specific decision rather than a chain-wide one. A lot of these hotels are independently owned, and if franchised - independently managed. I think the owner of each property are able to set their own CC policies.

Nonetheless, this is hardly a B&B and yes it is surprising that a large city hotel like that would impose any kind of CC surcharge or refuse any particular CC.