Amex surcharge question

[PaulST]

Hi all,
I've just got my first Amex card (Platinum Reserve) and I'm keen to know, will I be told I'm being charged a 2-3% surcharge when I use it or is it just taken for granted and charged? I recall in the past seeing signs and being told that Amex card users are charged extra but I've been using it for a week and no one has said anything.

Thanks.

PS: I've already used the Amex lounge at Sydney T1 once last weekend which was great. You get a fantastic view of the aircraft arriving too.

 

[TomVexille]

I believe it's illegal to charge extra without notifying you of the surcharge.

 

[lovestotravel]

Welcome to the nightmare of using Amex..

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ards/amex-not-accepted-or-surcharge-6391.html

 

[opusman]

Credit card surcharging, proudly brought to you by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Also known for other enlightened economic policies such as an ever-inflating housing bubble, and a crashing Australian dollar.

 

[Plutonus]

Credit card surcharging, proudly brought to you by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Also known for other enlightened economic policies such as an ever-inflating housing bubble, and a crashing Australian dollar.

Deep.

But to answer the original question, in my experience 95% of the time they tell you, or it's printed on menu/price list.

 

[blackcat20]

I have had a surcharge snuck in without being notified. Was not impressed when I discovered it and reported it to Amex.

 

[bismarck]

IME they will, 99% of the time, inform you of the surcharge. Sometimes they'll just have a sign up that says it, but even then they'll usually inform you verbally as well.

FWIW, I have found Amex acceptance to be great at 80-90% of places I shop.

The big gap for me at the moment is my health insurer and Opal.

 

[Plutonus]

The big gap for me at the moment is my health insurer and Opal.

Top up at Woolworths. Even better if you have a platinum edge

 

[bismarck]

Top up at Woolworths. Even better if you have a platinum edge

I do occasionally. But I love the convenience of auto top up.

 

[albyd]

Wow I'm surprised they don't take Amex on auto top up. RTA etag takes Amex and Diners for its auto top up.

I usually do a larger top up at Woolies on platinum edge to avoid too many trips.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[andye]

Wow I'm surprised they don't take Amex on auto top up. RTA etag takes Amex and Diners for its auto top up.

I usually do a larger top up at Woolies on platinum edge to avoid too many trips.

Off topic sorry, but I couldn't get ROAM etag to accept my diners-didn't seem to like the number of digits. Is there a workaround?

 

[andye]

My experience is that surcharges are less common than just not accepting.
The provider that irritates me most is Caltex where it is really difficult to know if there will be a surcharge. It seems to have some connection to whether it is a Woolworths Caltex, a Woolworths/Starmart Caltex, a Starmart Caltex or an independent Caltex. They also have different policies regarding acceptance WISH cards and eGift cards.

 

[Mr_Orange]

My experience is that surcharges are less common than just not accepting.
The provider that irritates me most is Caltex where it is really difficult to know if there will be a surcharge. It seems to have some connection to whether it is a Woolworths Caltex, a Woolworths/Starmart Caltex, a Starmart Caltex or an independent Caltex. They also have different policies regarding acceptance WISH cards and eGift cards.

WISH eGift, as distinct from plastic cards, are only accepted where there is actually a Woolworths store at the Caltex station.

I think the Amex surcharge applies to Starmart, since Woolworths accept Amex. Don't know about independents as there aren't any I use. The surcharge at Starmart is relatively new, as in some time in the last 6 months.