AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[lovestotravel]

WOW.

I walked into a Retravision store that charges 6% for using Amex. Very over the top IMHO.

I have never had reason to contact Amex about surcharges so now I need someone to please point me to where I lodge the 'notice' (Please)

6% - WOW - That is clearly profiting from Amex customers IF they did decide to pay via Amex.

Customer Service - American Express Australia

Selected the 2nd option "So if a business that accepts American Express has surcharged or not welcomed your American Express Card, please let us know the details. You'll give us the opportunity to ensure that the next time it's as easy as it should be."

 

[straitman]

6% - WOW - That is clearly profiting from Amex customers IF they did decide to pay via Amex.

Customer Service - American Express Australia

Selected the 2nd option "So if a business that accepts American Express has surcharged or not welcomed your American Express Card, please let us know the details. You'll give us the opportunity to ensure that the next time it's as easy as it should be."

Thank you.

I have filed a report and will be interested to see what outcome there is.

 

[NM]

6% - WOW - That is clearly profiting from Amex customers IF they did decide to pay via Amex.

I doubt they make much money at all from Amex transactions. Looks more like they have set the surcharge rate in an attempt to stop people using Amex in their store. I doubt any sane person would be willing to swipe the Amex for a 6% surcharge, and will just relent and hand over their Visa/MasterCard. So they might as well remove the Amex signage altogether.

 

[straitman]

I doubt they make much money at all from Amex transactions. Looks more like they have set the surcharge rate in an attempt to stop people using Amex in their store. I doubt any sane person would be willing to swipe the Amex for a 6% surcharge, and will just relent and hand over their Visa/MasterCard. So they might as well remove the Amex signage altogether.

The strange part of this is that the same people have three stores and the 6% only applies at the one store.

 

[yohy?!]

WOW.

I walked into a Retravision store that charges 6% for using Amex. Very over the top IMHO.

I have never had reason to contact Amex about surcharges so now I need someone to please point me to where I lodge the 'notice' (Please)

That's obscene - 'Adult Services' merchants pay less!

https://www152.americanexpress.com/eforms/un/en_AU/eformsPage.do?face=en_AU&prod=Rapid&todo=view

 

[auriga]

6% is ridiculous.

 

[lovestotravel]

The strange part of this is that the same people have three stores and the 6% only applies at the one store.

That is even more strange then!

Is the 6% Amex surcharge in a more affluent area ?

Even so I don't know anyone that would pay 6% to use Amex

My limit is 3.3% and that's at my local comptuer shop, but their prices are lower and/or they match other shops that don't accept Amex so it's a win/win for me!

As for a 6% surcharge establishment making money out of it. I agree that hardly anyone (if anyone at all) would pay 6% so they are not profiteering from it. But if people did choose to pay 6% then they would be profiteering from it.

 

[nlagalle]

WOW.

I walked into a Retravision store that charges 6% for using Amex. Very over the top IMHO.

I have never had reason to contact Amex about surcharges so now I need someone to please point me to where I lodge the 'notice' (Please)

6% is outrageous. Especially considering the Amex rate is close to Visa/MC.

Anyway here is the link to complain:

Customer Service - American Express Australia

 

[Mal]

Saw a cafe in Brisbane which has (IIRC) 5% surcharge for Amex, and (IIRC) 2% other cards.

They really are taking the mickey. Haven't reported them yet, but will get around to it.

If anyone wants to check it out for themselves, they are a cafe in Roma St Parklands, just above the escalators that come from Roma Street Station,

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Well I've had a bit of success in the last few days with avoiding surcharges:

* JB Hi-Fi: Their EFTPOS was hidden behind the counter instead of up on the bench - so I handed the girl the card and said "Amex with PIN, surcharge is fine"... and she just put it through without the surcharge haha

* Connor (clothing store - owned by same group as Tarocash and yd.): The girl didn't actually look at the card properly until after processing it (I said "credit with PIN" - she just assumed that it was Visa/MC), and when realising it was Amex, she made no attempt to charge the surcharge as a seperate transaction (or even made any mention of it, despite their surcharge sign)

My PIN is rather coming in handy!

Also, I went into Cotton On (the normal store, not one of the "Cotton On Body" ones etc etc etc), and they no longer have their 3% charge for Amex/Diners! Also accepted it for only $5 - so very happy!

 

[lovestotravel]

* JB Hi-Fi:..... My PIN is rather coming in handy!

Same story here

 

[Dr Bob]

Checked out of Sofitel Sydney last Sunday (1st time there) & as Amex was being processed I noticed a small sign on counter that said " All credit card payments will incur a 2.5% surcharge". On checking my bill no surcharge charged. Have never had a surcharge at Sofitel Melbourne but will look for a sign when there next week.
Has anyone had a surcharge at Sofitel or other Accor hotels?

Dr Bob

 

[ejb]

...Has anyone had a surcharge at Sofitel or other Accor hotels?

Dr Bob

Yes I have been hit at the cheaper Accor hotels with surcharge for Amex.

Not sure if Visa/MC were also being surcharged.

ejb

 

[zzyss]

My PIN is rather coming in handy!

Huh, might have to try that out. Most people seem to think that Amex cards don't have PINs since they don't have the chip...

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Most people seem to think that Amex cards don't have PINs since they don't have the chip...

That misconception saved me ~$5 in surcharges on that single day haha

 

[ejb]

That misconception saved me ~$5 in surcharges on that single day haha

I have two amex's and neither have PIN's. How did you get a PIN? Did you need a new card?

Thanks.

ejb

 

[markis10]

I have two amex's and neither have PIN's. How did you get a PIN? Did you need a new card?

Thanks.

ejb

Amex issued PINs for those using the cash through ATM facility, however they do not issue PINs for purchase at this stage.

American Express, Safe & Secure - Home

 

[notzac]

Bank-issued AmEx cards tend to have a PIN for purchases; cards issued directly by American Express in Australia don't.

 

[markis10]

Bank-issued AmEx cards tend to have a PIN for purchases; cards issued directly by American Express in Australia don't.

My ANZ Amex was not issued with a PIN, PITA.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

My ANZ Amex was not issued with a PIN, PITA.

The only bank that doesn't issue PINs for them... I'd be rather annoyed haha!

My two personal Amex cards are CBA Gold Awards and Westpac Earth - both are $1->1QFF (plus extra points from bonus partners), CBA capped at 50k points, and Westpac is uncapped with only a $49 annual fee - I signed up during a promo so they left the annual fee as is Although if this wasn't the case, I'd probably be better off with one of the Amex-Amex Qantas cards lol