AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[ChrisFlyer]

Thanks for your message, but it didn't really answer my question I was seeing if in the countries mentioned above (not Australia), anyone remembers Diners being accepted where Amex wasn't. I'd still use my two Amex cards before Diners, as I can earn 1.5QFF/$, and the best Diners offer is 1QFF/$, but if many merchants in those countries accept Diners but not Amex, I'd rather use that instead of VI/MC, as it's still more points.

I can think of a few airlines in Australia, as well as an event ticketing company, that accept Visa, MC & Diners, but not Amex. As I've heard Diners acceptance is quite decent in Europe & the UK, I was just wondering how it compares to Amex

 

[straitman]

I suspect that if the Defence Dept didn't use Diners that they may have closed up shop in Oz.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

True! I think the only good thing that I've heard about them in the last couple of years is the acceptance partnership with Discover in America haha!

 

[bd2068]

Just a follow up on the NRMA decision to refuse Amex. I have now converted 3 motor vehicle polices, 1 CTP and a home and contents policy from NRMA (each as they expired) to GIO who do take amex.

The result $6500 to Gio and minus $7800 to NRMA. Yes - I actually saved on the changeover!!!

The First policy I did was a MV policy and when I explained I was intending to convert all my policies as they came due the GIO staffer agreed to start me off with a 3 policy discount rate even though i was only doing one!

 

[zzyss]

Just a follow up on the NRMA decision to refuse Amex.

Out of interest, how many years were you with NRMA? I've been with them long enough to qualify me for an additional 5% loyalty discount on all my policies.... although this is still less than what you ended up saving. Will have to check it out...

 

[sparoy]

Just a follow up on the NRMA decision to refuse Amex. I have now converted 3 motor vehicle polices, 1 CTP and a home and contents policy from NRMA (each as they expired) to GIO who do take amex.

The result $6500 to Gio and minus $7800 to NRMA. Yes - I actually saved on the changeover!!!

The First policy I did was a MV policy and when I explained I was intending to convert all my policies as they came due the GIO staffer agreed to start me off with a 3 policy discount rate even though i was only doing one!

I too has just about completed the transition from NRMA to GIO.

With 4 comprehensive motor vehicle, 4 CTP and 2 home and contents policies, I told them every time why I didn’t renew with NRMA, in which they always replied “But we accept Visa and MasterCard” and I replied back “But I don’t want to use Visa or MasterCard, I love using my Amex”.

I have been with NRMA for over 10 years before the switch, and even with the all the loyalty discounts, GIO still ended up cheaper.

 

[bd2068]

Out of interest, how many years were you with NRMA? I've been with them long enough to qualify me for an additional 5% loyalty discount on all my policies.... although this is still less than what you ended up saving. Will have to check it out...

I have been with NRMA for over 30 years - still have two more policies to convert and looking forward to it!!!

 

[edman]

NRMA are aware of the Amex issue judging by the comments of the telephone salespeople. The only problem is that their decisions re Amex have led to some of us realizing there are better options out there.

 

[lovestotravel]

I was with GIO for my home & contents x 2 and a few cars but recently changed the cars to Car Insurance Australia - Online Car Insurance Quotes - The Buzz Insurance who accept Amex!

Saved about $130 per month on the cars!

Home and Contents - GIO - Are pretty competitive!

 

[hummel]

Went to purchase some sunglasses this weekend from Sunglass Hut and was told they don't accept Amex at all.

Suprised me a great deal I put it on my visa. Normally I purchase online but thought I would give a retailer a go.. back to online it is!

 

[lovestotravel]

I purchased sunglasses at MEL airport a few weeks back, as I left my Sunglasses at home. It was a Sunglass Hut store I think....

They accepted Amex there.

Probably a franchisee......

 

[aschmid]

... to GIO who do take amex.

Just a quick one on this comment. I am with GIO and i recently checked their direct debit agreement but it seemed to me they only accept VISA/MC.

How did you manage to get them to accept AMEX?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Amex is listed in their payment options - Comprehensive car insurance - Car insurance quotes - GIO Australia

 

[aschmid]

I recently had my car for services at Knox Ford which is a large Ford dealership and when it got to pay for it I was hit with "3% surcharge" for paying with AMEX.

There is one thing that made me think about this experience:

They have on their front door a nice sign saying "American Express cards welcome!" you know the usual one you see on shop front doors.

Now wouldn't AMEX ask them at least to take this down when they are asking their customers for surcharge on AMEX cards?

Further is this something the ACCC would be interested in? In a way they are luring you in with this sign given you the assumption it's "welcomed" and then surcharge you - that's sound like false advertising to me, isn't it?

I reported the incident of course via the AMEX website but I have never seen anything coming back of this or just don't know as you never get any replies.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

The 'cards welcome' decal is given to businesses as standard, regardless of surcharges (one comes in the AMEX welcome pack, and it has 'cards welcome' on most of the other available decals too). Although it does give the implication that there would be no surcharge, as long as you were informed of the surcharge before a payment obligation was entered into, you unfortunately have no case against the business - as the logo simply denotes that AMEX is an accepted payment method.

Did they have a sign on display on or near the counter, or was it printed anywhere if you got a quote in writing before deciding to have the work done? If unsure, you can always ask before deciding to give them your business.

 

[drron]

This report in the SMH is interesting-
Credit card surcharges in NSW's sights
Hopefully with some pressure on the federal govt with the banks current popularity we may get some change to the legislation.I can live with being surcharged what the CC companies charge,anything more is a rip off.

 

[oz_mark]

Interetsing they want to ban blended rates as well. That could be messy from an admin point of view.

 

[serfty]

Well, my Medibank has gone to monthly statments; the last one had a card with an offer of $30 debit card if I went to direct Debit on Visa/Mastercard. (meh!)

Today I received an offer from Amex for 10K MR points if I transferred to one of three Amex accepting private health insurance companies.

Benefits would be matched with no waiting periods.

I have been with Medibank Private since 1983 - however, the switch could be on!

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes received that postcard in the mail today and means I'll be ditching HBA and moving to one of the boni point partners.

I recently changed my Mother's electricity from Tru Energy who don't accept Amex. When I rang to ensure I was out of the contract I got the standard "why are you leaving us"

I said because "you don't accept Amex"
He: "Oh is that all?"
Me: "What do you mean is that all?"
He: grumbled that it "seemed silly to change providers simply because I can't pay via Amex."
Me: "Well the offer with Energy Australia is exactly the same, if not perhaps a tiny bit cheaper and they accept Amex. I will earn an extra 2500 Qantas points by changing, which I value at about $200"
He: "Oh"
Me: "So that's why I was changing"
He: "Well you are defiantly out of contract, so thank you"


Yes I know it was a phone monkey but I was happy to play...:shock:

 

[oz_mark]

Well, my Medibank has gone to monthly statments; the last one had a card with an offer of $30 debit card if I went to direct Debit on Visa/Mastercard. (meh!)

Today I received an offer from Amex for 10K MR points if I transferred to one of three Amex accepting private health insurance companies.

Benefits would be matched with no waiting periods.

I have been with Medibank Private since 1983 - however, the switch could be on!

Interesting my monthly statement offered me the $30 card for going direct debit, as long as it wasn't from a CC. I guess posting me statement each month is cheaper than just charging my Amex.

I'll take a look at switching from Medibank (after 25 years of membership)