AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[lovestotravel]

Amex not accepted by Doyle's at Watson's Bay.

FAIL to both Amex and Doyles

 

[serfty]

Amex not accepted by Doyle's at Watson's Bay.

Been like than for many a year ...

 

[TonyHancock]

Been like than for many a year ...

First time I had been for a long time, as a side note I found the staff surly and eager to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

 

[StevePER]

Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney have a 3% surcharge.

 

[Moopere]

Thats weird. Mercedes Benz insurance which is, so far as I can tell, nothing more than a team inside Allianz has accepted Amex for at least 2 years - but the kicker is that they try for 2.5% surcharge. I'll be speaking with Amex about that before renewal this year

Responding to my own post here.

Had a whinge via the Amex reporting site about the surcharge from MB insurance. Can't remember when that was, but theres a good chance it was around about when we were having this discussion ... JAN/FEB 2011?? (though it may have been later).

Anyway, I had to laugh when I got this from Amex this morning, though its good to see that they do take an interest even if it takes a while:

Dear Cardmember,
Thank you for contacting American Express® regarding your recent experience at MERCEDES-BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES AUST.

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.

You can find more places that warmly welcome the American Express Card at:
www.americanexpress.com.au/businessdirectory (for Australian businesses)
www.americanexpress.co.nz/businessdirectory (for New Zealand businesses)


We thank you again for your valuable feedback.



Geoff Begg
Vice President/General Manager Australia/New Zealand
Global Merchant Services​

MB Insurance were not able to quote me competitively this year and I took my business elsewhere ... anyone else able to confirm Amex's belief that this is fixed?
​

 

[edman]

These emails must come in batches, because I got one today for something I lodged midway through last year, the same as Moopere's.

Who did you end up insuring with btw? I found they were way off the mark too and ended up with AAMI who by good luck more than anything, also accept Amex, and with no surcharge.

 

[straitman]

These emails must come in batches, because I got one today for something I lodged midway through last year, the same as Moopere's.

Who did you end up insuring with btw? I found they were way off the mark too and ended up with AAMI who by good luck more than anything, also accept Amex, and with no surcharge.

I got one a month or so ago from Amex (saying they were going to investigate) an issue I raised almost a year earlier.

 

[lovestotravel]

These emails must come in batches, because I got one today for something I lodged midway through last year, the same as Moopere's.

Who did you end up insuring with btw? I found they were way off the mark too and ended up with AAMI who by good luck more than anything, also accept Amex, and with no surcharge.

I hope you registered for this ?

[h=2]Earn 10 Bonus Points for every $1 spent when you sign up for a new policy with AAMI[/h]

 

[xt_20]

Caltex on Beach Road (cnr Duffy) in Carine surcharges. They were at 10% once upon a time, and MC/VC was 5%! My jaw dropped when I saw that. I believe it's lower now, but last time I filled up there (probably 12 months ago) I used a fleet card.

Caltex along Guildford Rd, Mt Lawley, Perth - 3.75% surcharge for Amex and 1.25% surcharge for Visa. Sign at the bowser reads "we do surcharge for the following cards, but offer good and friendly service". Not sure how much "good and friendly service" can make up for 3.75% surcharge (service was just ordinary for me).

 

[lovestotravel]

Caltex along Guildford Rd, Mt Lawley, Perth - 3.75% surcharge for Amex and 1.25% surcharge for Visa. Sign at the bowser reads "we do surcharge for the following cards, but offer good and friendly service". Not sure how much "good and friendly service" can make up for 3.75% surcharge (service was just ordinary for me).

Pathetic!

Did they offer to pump the petrol for you ? That's the only way "good and friendly service" can be obtain

A grumpy staff member at the counter doesn't "give good and friend service"

3.75% for Amex means they have to be charging above the actual fee Amex charges them, also 1.25% for Visa is way too high

Should be 0.8% for VI/MC and 1.5% for Amex in most cases!

 

[Cynicor]

Remembered another caltex that surcharges- the one by UWA on stirling highway. High surcharges from memory, but don't know the amount.

 

[oz_mark]

Remembered another caltex that surcharges- the one by UWA on stirling highway. High surcharges from memory, but don't know the amount.

The one on Great Eastern Highway between the airport and Burswood surcharge (or did last time I was there) as well.

 

[xt_20]

Pathetic!

Did they offer to pump the petrol for you ? That's the only way "good and friendly service" can be obtain

A grumpy staff member at the counter doesn't "give good and friend service"

3.75% for Amex means they have to be charging above the actual fee Amex charges them, also 1.25% for Visa is way too high

Should be 0.8% for VI/MC and 1.5% for Amex in most cases!

If they had pumped petrol for me and brought a portable machine to swipe my card, and not requiring my signature, then I might consider accepting the 3.75% But in this case, I just pumped $15 and paid cash (at the counter), while informing the attendant to tell his boss that I wouldn't be back. Don't think it will make a difference.

 

[lovestotravel]

If they had pumped petrol for me and brought a portable machine to swipe my card, and not requiring my signature, then I might consider accepting the 3.75% But in this case, I just pumped $15 and paid cash (at the counter), while informing the attendant to tell his boss that I wouldn't be back. Don't think it will make a difference.

Indeed on all points!

 

[xt_20]

Indeed on all points!

That said, are there ANY Caltex stations (not Caltex Woolworths) that do not surcharge? I might avoid all of them completely.

 

[haydensydney]

First time I had been for a long time, as a side note I found the staff surly and eager to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

I had a terrible experience there one time - we were upstairs and there was only one (or two?) wait staff for the entire area, and no-one was being served. After an hour and only having had our starters (and after trying to get the attention of staff to get some more wine for ages) we simply just walked out. It was the worst service that we had received in any restaurant (ever!) and we had no hesitations in the walk out statement. Still makes me angry to this day - I have never returned.

 

[Moopere]

Who did you end up insuring with btw? I found they were way off the mark too and ended up with AAMI who by good luck more than anything, also accept Amex, and with no surcharge.

I went with Shannons in the end. I was surprised how competitive they were (was expecting the opposite). I gave MB Insurance the benefit of final offer before I made the decision, but they declined to be even in the competitive ballpark.

[Edit: No Amex at Shannons though ... I did mention it to them. VISA/MC with no surcharge however]

 

[edman]

I hope you registered for this ?

Earn 10 Bonus Points for every $1 spent when you sign up for a new policy with AAMI

I did not even know about it And it looks like even if you are registered you have to obtain your quote using a special link. Moved my Benz to them 2 months ago and the wifes Audi to them yesterday (hasn't gone through yet so thought I might be able to sneak in), so thats two substantial policies I've missed out on. One more policy due in a couple of months few months so will have to remember then, hate missing out on those points...

Having said that, I have reached my cap and the last bonus points deal on bigw.com.au I missed out on too, although there may be a posting delay on it like with the DSE promo

 

[edman]

I went with Shannons in the end. I was surprised how competitive they were (was expecting the opposite). I gave MB Insurance the benefit of final offer before I made the decision, but they declined to be even in the competitive ballpark.

[Edit: No Amex at Shannons though ... I did mention it to them. VISA/MC with no surcharge however]

AAMI cheaper for me (CLK350, A6 and A3) though only slightly, I will be needing Shannon's services soon when my Harley becomes due. Hopefully they listen to your comment re Amex!

 

[serfty]

I did not even know about it And it looks like even if you are registered you have to obtain your quote using a special link. ...

You may find that the quote via the special link may not be as competitive as through normal channels. (I may be wrong on this.)