AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[JohnK]

The places that don't accept it are in the minority of my regular spending. It would be nice if they did accept it, but I understand their issues and carry an alternate payment method for those time.

Agree

I would like to see government and large utilities accept Amex for payment

RTA accepts Amex without surcharge. I think Energy Australia accepts Amex as well, not sure about surcharge.

It would be nice if the tax office accepted Amex and without surcharge. I would love to pay GST and tax installments with Amex.

 

[JohnK]

Currently they offer BT transfers for 0% for 6 months. Like many other CC providers.

I thought this was a good deal until I read the fine print. Every payment you make goes toward reducing the balance transfer first, until it is paid off or the six months is up, and then reducing your outstanding purchases.

 

[JohnK]

Did you know that Amex charge a $30.00 late payment fee if you fail to pay the minimum amount payable, which is 3% of the closing balance, on your statement on the due date. I don’t know of any other credit card provider slugging cardholders this ridiculous fee!

AGC credit line now GE credit line card have been charging $20, could be more now as I have learnt my lesson a few times, for many years if your payment is late.

In fact one time I had an outstanding amount of <$1 in a previous month and got charged a late payment fee. :shock:

 

[cpl]

Currently they offer BT transfers for 0% for 6 months. Like many other CC providers.

I thought this was a good deal until I read the fine print. Every payment you make goes toward reducing the balance transfer first, until it is paid off or the six months is up, and then reducing your outstanding purchases.

Sure otherwise they'd announce "x% for lifetime of balance". The offer is only a good idea if you are happy to freeze your amex for a while 8)

 

[serfty]

... I think Energy Australia accepts Amex as well, not sure about surcharge. ...

Nup, Visa/Mastercard/Bankcard only. I moved from AGL to Energy Australia for 15,000 ff points. 'twas a bit of a shock to find out they didn't take Amex (nor Diners) wheras AGL did. :?

 

[JohnK]

... I think Energy Australia accepts Amex as well, not sure about surcharge. ...

Nup, Visa/Mastercard/Bankcard only. I moved from AGL to Energy Australia for 15,000 ff points. 'twas a bit of a shock to find out they didn't take Amex (nor Diners) wheras AGL did. :?

Sorry my mistake. :?

The rep door knocking a few weeks back was quite happy to offer 3 year lockdown even though I mentioned paying with Amex. What would have they said after the deal, "sorry sir we don't accept Amex but you are now locked in for 3 years". Lucky I didn't go through with the deal for different reasons.

 

[oz_mark]

That is business. It is bargaining. It is life.

This is what spending time in Patpong does to you. :shock:

I haven't spent much time in Patpong. It is a rip off.

Anyone that has visited Thailand knows that bargaining is part of life. All merchants have a calculator which is the bargaining tool. It is a nice game to play. You ask how much, they type in a cost, then it's your turn, then they type in a cost, then it's your turn until you reach a price somewhere in between. In fact if you accept the first price quoted to you then you are seen as weak. Most of the time do not pay more than 60% of the price first quoted to you, anything between 40%-60% of initial quote is acceptable.

I miss the place. I love bargaining them down that extra 10baht. :roll:

Indonesia is better. You get bogged down arguing over the last 100 rupiah, and then you suddenly figure out just how much (or should I say how little) you are arguing over.

 

[PaulZ]

... I think Energy Australia accepts Amex as well, not sure about surcharge. ...

Nup, Visa/Mastercard/Bankcard only. I moved from AGL to Energy Australia for 15,000 ff points. 'twas a bit of a shock to find out they didn't take Amex (nor Diners) wheras AGL did. :?

John,

I don't believe AGL accepts AMEX in SA... It doesn't appear on the back of their bills as an option. How do you pay your AGL on AMEX???

Paulz

 

[Yada Yada]

I haven't spent much time in Patpong. It is a rip off.

It also smells quite badly. And the guys trying to drag you into the bars with their little lists of things that the girls do gets pretty tiring.

Anyone that has visited Thailand knows that bargaining is part of life. All merchants have a calculator which is the bargaining tool. It is a nice game to play. You ask how much, they type in a cost, then it's your turn, then they type in a cost, then it's your turn until you reach a price somewhere in between. In fact if you accept the first price quoted to you then you are seen as weak. Most of the time do not pay more than 60% of the price first quoted to you, anything between 40%-60% of initial quote is acceptable.

I miss the place. I love bargaining them down that extra 10baht. :roll:

Same system applies at the Chinese markets in KL. The calculator thing must be universal. I was thinking of taking my own calculator next time so that I don't have to talk back. Just show them a number.

 

[oz_mark]

I haven't spent much time in Patpong. It is a rip off.

It also smells quite badly. And the guys trying to drag you into the bars with their little lists of things that the girls do gets pretty tiring.

They get upset when you agree by saying 'Ok, take me to see your sister'. Also, Patpong is prohbably the last place I'd use an AMEX card, surcharge or not.

 

[Mal]

Yeah, PP is ok, but very tacky.

Can't say I want to see some of the "treats" on offer.

As a night market, still tacky, but a good visit.

Won't be too long till I head over to BKK again. Will have to use the 'sister' line then and see what the reaction is

 

[mick]

... I think Energy Australia accepts Amex as well, not sure about surcharge. ...

Nup, Visa/Mastercard/Bankcard only. I moved from AGL to Energy Australia for 15,000 ff points. 'twas a bit of a shock to find out they didn't take Amex (nor Diners) wheras AGL did. :?

Could never understand why EnergyAustralia don't mention that they accept MasterCard and Visa payments by BPay on their bills, when they quite clearly do. It says on the bill:

Contact your bank, credit union or building society to make payment from your savings or cheque account.

but if you go to the BPay website, they list MC & Visa as a valid payment method. I've been paying this way for ages and it comes through as a purchase, not an advance. I guess they're discouraging credit card payments...

 

[JohnK]

Same system applies at the Chinese markets in KL. The calculator thing must be universal. I was thinking of taking my own calculator next time so that I don't have to talk back. Just show them a number.

No need to have your own calculator they let you use theirs.

If you come equiped with your own calculator they might get a little suspicious. :wink:

 

[JohnK]

John,

I don't believe AGL accepts AMEX in SA... It doesn't appear on the back of their bills as an option. How do you pay your AGL on AMEX???

Paulz

Sorry Paul that wasn't me that said AGL accepts Amex.

Serfty how did you pay your AGL bill with Amex?

 

[NM]

Same system applies at the Chinese markets in KL. The calculator thing must be universal. I was thinking of taking my own calculator next time so that I don't have to talk back. Just show them a number.

No need to have your own calculator they let you use theirs.

When they type in a price and show you, just type in a more attractive number (on their calculator) and smile and nod. They know what you mean and will either agree (in which case you should have chosen a lower number) or shake their head, which is a signal to start walking towards the next stall, at which point they will call you back to negotiate further. Just keep typing in the price you want to pay.

 

[TravFF]

Energy Australia initially caught me out with the "no Amex" rule too which irked me greatly because I specifically asked the sales rep if I could pay with Amex, which she told me I could. When I found out I couldn't, I rang the company to complain and they then explained how to do it.

You can pay with Amex if you ask them for a direct debit form. Do a direct debit to your Amex card and then you're paying with Amex. Tada.

Hope that helps!

 

[JohnK]

Same system applies at the Chinese markets in KL. The calculator thing must be universal. I was thinking of taking my own calculator next time so that I don't have to talk back. Just show them a number.

No need to have your own calculator they let you use theirs.

When they type in a price and show you, just type in a more attractive number (on their calculator) and smile and nod. They know what you mean and will either agree (in which case you should have chosen a lower number) or shake their head, which is a signal to start walking towards the next stall, at which point they will call you back to negotiate further. Just keep typing in the price you want to pay.

I can tell you have played this game before. :wink:

 

[serfty]

Energy Australia initially caught me out with the "no Amex" rule too which irked me greatly because I specifically asked the sales rep if I could pay with Amex, which she told me I could. When I found out I couldn't, I rang the company to complain and they then explained how to do it.

You can pay with Amex if you ask them for a direct debit form. Do a direct debit to your Amex card and then you're paying with Amex. Tada.

Hope that helps!

AHA! So then they debit it when they want! Nix to that!

 

[Yada Yada]

I can tell you have played this game before. :wink:

Yes, the "walk off" usually helps drop the price dramatically. Funny stuff.

 

[oz_mark]

I can tell you have played this game before. :wink:

Yes, the "walk off" usually helps drop the price dramatically. Funny stuff.

And they seem upset if you don't play the whole walk off game.....

I wonder if Amex are going to issue calculators with a Surcharge button?