AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[StevePER]

I think I must have submitted this one a few years ago...

Thank you for contacting American Express® regarding your recent experience at BEST FLIGHTS.

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.

This morning I put in a submission for the local IGA, where Amex is accepted but neither my card or my wife's will work.

Has anyone found anywhere that accepts the contactless Amex yet?

 

[serfty]

Unfortunately the government does not allow the sale of tobacco online. Hasn't for a few years.

Couldn't you buy ex BKK/SIN/HKG, there no LAG rules on tobacco.

In any case this will all be somewhat moot in 32 days.

 

[Cynicor]

In any case this will all be somewhat moot in 32 days.

Must have missed something; what is happening in 32 days? I remember a discussion on relaxation on LAG rules but thought this was never actually going to happen.

 

[serfty]

Must have missed something; what is happening in 32 days? I remember a discussion on relaxation on LAG rules but thought this was never actually going to happen.

See what I quoted:

Unfortunately the government does not allow the sale of tobacco online. Hasn't for a few years.

From September 1st, Duty free limits on tobacco import will drop by 80% from 250 sticks/250gm (a Carton) to 50 sticks/50gm.

 

[Cynicor]

See what I quoted:From September 1st, Duty free limits on tobacco import will drop by 80% from 250 sticks/250gm (a Carton) to 50 sticks/50gm.

Ah, got confused, sorry.

This may upset a few people, but a great move by the government. I don't even care if it is just to revenue raise, smoking is moving in the right direction in this country.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Ah, got confused, sorry.

This may upset a few people, but a great move by the government. I don't even care if it is just to revenue raise, smoking is moving in the right direction in this country.

Wish they'd introduce some rebate scheme for returning empty cigarette packs with the correct number of butts contained within them too...

 

[Pleb Status]

Has anyone found anywhere that accepts the contactless Amex yet?

Coles, with the new colour EFTPOS, accepts contactless Amex. As you are in PER, Coles Subiaco has them and they work very well. No pin up to $100 I believe.

 

[JohnK]

Couldn't you buy ex BKK/SIN/HKG, there no LAG rules on tobacco.

Tobacco and cigarettes are not quite the same when purchased overseas. I noticed the difference with Benson and Hedges when I used to smoke.

In any case this will all be somewhat moot in 32 days.

I thought the new limits were going to be 100 gms. Anyway you are allowed to carry one packet/pouch on your person for personal use so purchase one outbound and purchase one inbound.

 

[fantasy86dj]

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I was wondering what the experience of forum members is about AMEX card not being accepted in many places or a surcharge is asked for and in particular if anybody has any insight if AMEX is doing anything about it?

Just to make my point this month I spend around $2,000 on my AMEX credit card. This is my preferred method of purchase as I get points. However I also had to spend around $1,000 on my VISA because of AMEX not being accepted.

That's like 1/3 of the places do not accept AMEX card!?!

Also I have frequently complaint to AMEX about this on their website. Occasionaly they respond back with a letter saying that they can't do anything about this and continue to expand their network in Australia.

Is this true? Are they expanding their network or does it shrink? Any experience from forum members?

Also with the new laws coming in that shops can pass on credit card fees to consumers AMEX is really at an disadvantage from my point of view as they charge higher fees and now shops can legally pass it on to customers.

For me last billing cycle I earnt 1509 points against my Mastercard and 3962 points against my AMEX (I have CBA Diamond). So that gives me 27.58% against the Mastercard and 72.42% for my American Express. I am still getting the unworthy merchants that do not take American Express but it has improved over the past 3 or so years when I first started using American Express.

I do pay surcharges on a lot of places for the "pleasure" of having American Express such as JB HI Fi. But the Mastercard split is more for insurances that would not touch American Express because of the merchant charges associated.

 

[wxxnxs]

For me last billing cycle I earnt 1509 points against my Mastercard and 3962 points against my AMEX (I have CBA Diamond). So that gives me 27.58% against the Mastercard and 72.42% for my American Express. I am still getting the unworthy merchants that do not take American Express but it has improved over the past 3 or so years when I first started using American Express.

I do pay surcharges on a lot of places for the "pleasure" of having American Express such as JB HI Fi. But the Mastercard split is more for insurances that would not touch American Express because of the merchant charges associated.

I think it's fair to calculate base on the actual amount you spent rather than points earned. CBA diamond AMEX gives 3 points per $ and M 1.25 per $, so based on your points scheme, you spent $1207 on Mastercard and $1321 on AMEX, almost 50% on each, not much difference.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Ok another bizarre aspect of CC charges I don't understand. You pay using AMEX and they charge you an extra x% for the AMEX transaction.

So why then does it appear on AMEX statements as two seperate line items? One for the actual payment and the second for the surcharge? the surcharge payment is of itself an additional transaction?

 

[serfty]

Ok another bizarre aspect of CC charges I don't understand. You pay using AMEX and they charge you an extra x% for the AMEX transaction.

So why then does it appear on AMEX statements as two seperate line items? One for the actual payment and the second for the surcharge? the surcharge payment is of itself an additional transaction?

That would depend upon the retailer/seller you are buying from.

Most of the surcharged purchases I have had have simply shown as one line with the surcharge inclusive amount.

 

[SeatBackForward]

That would depend upon the retailer/seller you are buying from.

Most of the surcharged purchases I have had have simply shown as one line with the surcharge inclusive amount.

I just had a hotel payment go through, $300 odd dollars on the date I made the booking (two weeks prior to staying). Was advised by the hotel reception staff that there is a CC surcharge. Now today I see a charge two days after the actual stay for $3.30..

If the surcharge is associated to the transaction why isn't it all wrapped up into a single transaction to minimise the payment?? Sounds like a bit of cooking the books if you ask me.

 

[serfty]

I just had a hotel payment go through, $300 odd dollars on the date I made the booking (two weeks prior to staying). Was advised by the hotel reception staff that there is a CC surcharge. Now today I see a charge two days after the actual stay for $3.30..

If the surcharge is associated to the transaction why isn't it all wrapped up into a single transaction to minimise the payment?? Sounds like a bit of cooking the books if you ask me.

Hmmm ... many hotel's apply, say, a 1.5% fee for CC payments.

However, for most prepaid rates I book, the actual quoted rate is charged and that's the last I come across it except for incidentals upon check-out (to which a fee may be applied).

Note that if a CC is compulsory when booking (such as Hilton online bookings at pre-paid rates) - i.e. there's no other payment option than the CC, then subsequently charging any CC fee in relation to the nightly rate booked would be in breach of regulation even if there's a notification regarding the fee on the booking pages.

The reason for this is the price that is quoted when booking must include all charges (i.e be the actual total including any CC fee on the rate). The regulations are such that it is not for the consumer to work out an additional 1.5%.

 

[zzyss]

Gah. The Woolworths gift card website (everydaygiftcards.com.au) stopped taking Amex, dangnabbit! Amex seems to be the first thing that's dropped whenever a business is running at "low margin" (whether real or imagined) - regardless of the business size or reputation.

My Amex use is slowly but inexorably being phased out to only large physical retailers (i.e. supermarkets, department stores)

 

[markis10]

Gah. The Woolworths gift card website (everydaygiftcards.com.au) stopped taking Amex, dangnabbit! Amex seems to be the first thing that's dropped whenever a business is running at "low margin" (whether real or imagined) - regardless of the business size or reputation.

My Amex use is slowly but inexorably being phased out to only large physical retailers (i.e. supermarkets, department stores)

I think the autoclubs still take it and are happy to also give you a 5% discount

 

[Moopere]

My Amex use is slowly but inexorably being phased out to only large physical retailers (i.e. supermarkets, department stores)

My small business purchases are slowly being phased out as less of them accept Amex ....

Actually, thats not really true, but I couldn't resist the obvious (the futile) response to usually smaller business not accepting my payment type of choice. My grocery shopping, to use an example, was 100% IGA before I hopped onto the FF points game, I now shop at Woolies ... Bunnings provides my hardware now instead of other smaller firms who don't accept Amex, and the list goes on and on.

I've allowed my goods and services preferences to be dictated to a large degree by my own perception of overall cost which now includes a discount to me by way of FF points. Its up to business out there to actually want my business, because I'm past nitpicking on products (by and large) and usually find something I'm happy with at the retailers I choose, therefore the differentiation becomes service and customer satisfaction.

Without any real effort, weeks, even months can go by without needing to pull a mastercard, but I've found it interesting that there appears to be noticeable difference between some of the capital cities. I'm in Perth, and don't find Amex acceptance any sort of issue. Likewise when I'm in Melbourne ... seems to be accepted almost everywhere, and where its not there are suitable local alternative sources of goods that do. Sydney however, for whatever reason, seems to find me using my M/C more, and by quite some margin. Perhaps its just that I don't know the city as well?

 

[deft]

Omniblue cafe charges a whopping 3.5% for AMEX.

Metcentre

 

[brha01]

My small business purchases are slowly being phased out as less of them accept Amex ....


Without any real effort, weeks, even months can go by without needing to pull a mastercard, but I've found it interesting that there appears to be noticeable difference between some of the capital cities. I'm in Perth, and don't find Amex acceptance any sort of issue. Likewise when I'm in Melbourne ... seems to be accepted almost everywhere, and where its not there are suitable local alternative sources of goods that do. Sydney however, for whatever reason, seems to find me using my M/C more, and by quite some margin. Perhaps its just that I don't know the city as well?

Have just gotten home from a week in Sydney. The restaurant in the hotel I was staying in (CBD) was closed for renovations so I took a wander each morning from the hotel to find some breakfast. My biggest problem was not so much finding somewhere that took AMEX, it was finding somewhere that took cards at all! Of the five cafes within a few blocks of the hotel, only two of them has EFTPOS facilities. Of the two that did, one of them had a minimum of $30! As all my work travel expenditure must go on a corporate card, I have no choice but to avoid places with no EFTPOS facilities (or outrageously high minimums). Surely in this day and age basic EFTPOS facilities are part and parcel of doing business?? The crazy thing was that when I went to pay with my card and was told 'no sorry', the woman two people back in the line behind me let out an audible sigh and walked out too. Just how much business are they doing themselves out of?

I have never experienced this in any other city.

 

[RWJ777]

Have just gotten home from a week in Sydney. The restaurant in the hotel I was staying in (CBD) was closed for renovations so I took a wander each morning from the hotel to find some breakfast. My biggest problem was not so much finding somewhere that took AMEX, it was finding somewhere that took cards at all! Of the five cafes within a few blocks of the hotel, only two of them has EFTPOS facilities. Of the two that did, one of them had a minimum of $30! As all my work travel expenditure must go on a corporate card, I have no choice but to avoid places with no EFTPOS facilities (or outrageously high minimums). Surely in this day and age basic EFTPOS facilities are part and parcel of doing business?? The crazy thing was that when I went to pay with my card and was told 'no sorry', the woman two people back in the line behind me let out an audible sigh and walked out too. Just how much business are they doing themselves out of?

I have never experienced this in any other city.

That is such a pain, I know exactly where you're coming from. Our CFO imposed corporate credit cards on everyone to make transaction reconciliation easier and the result has been a nightmare when you're travelling -- which he rarely does of course. I end up having to pay for stuff in cash sometimes and the either forget to ask for a receipt or misplace it, meaning I'm paying my employer's expenses. No wonder the CFO wanted to do it! But made all the more annoying given so many merchants flat refuse to take cards these days, Amex the worst among them.