Wtf is with more and more places not taking AMEX cards

[0roo0roo]

Most likely Visa uses debit card costs and discounts to leverage contracts with businesses and banks to accept/use Visa. Amex can't do this.

i dunno, i was reading about how paypal and such got into business in this months wired, and apparently visa and the rest are already raping retailers. their % charges are based on a time when data transactions was very expensive, now its a bit of a joke, which is how paypal and others can step in to make money. so amex must be even worse

 

[JMapleton]

And you get to have a black credit card which increases the size of your peen. But if you want a black card, you can always pay $500 for the Visa Black (glorified visa platinum) or have one of those elite brokerage cards (need to have $100k + in a brokerage account)

+1 The Centurion is probably the worst deal of them all, the benefits compared to the Platinum are very few unless you have a special situation. Platinum is actually useful and a good deal, but not the Cent, sorry.

 

[Azurik]

+1 The Centurion is probably the worst deal of them all, the benefits compared to the Platinum are very few unless you have a special situation. Platinum is actually useful and a good deal, but not the Cent, sorry.

Owning both, I actually think the Platinum is overpriced for what they offer and the Centurion more than worth it. I'm interested on what exactly do you consider a good deal.

Worst deal of them all? So getting bumped from economy to business class on a transatlantic flight saving you $2,000+ and then getting upgraded to a master suite that usually cost $1,000+ when you're booking a room that's under $300 is a bad deal? In one week, I just saved $3,000 which more than makes up for the annual fee.

The Centurion isn't for everybody, but it's far from only worth it for people in "special situations". There are a ton of business people and travellers out there that this card would help out tremendously. I don't even fly or stay in hotels as much as I did during the Azurik days, but the cost savings from travel alone have outgained any fees I have paid into the program.

I can see more and more clearly the view of this card largely depends on the demographics you are talking to. I am not trying to state I am better than anyone here, or am I trying to say by having this card you are a superior person. It's strikes me humorously that people think Centurion members get this card to increase their e-penis factor. I'm sure the majority of the cardholders could care less.

 

[krunchykrome]

As more companies are struggling now to cut costs, we're seeing a lot of businesses (especially small businesses) no longer accepting AMEX due to their high fees. I always keep another cash back mastercard on me at all times just in case a store doesn't accept my AMEX.

I don't have a problem with it though; I understand why some businesses do this. My wife's parents own a liquor store and a bar and they don't accept AMEX.

What I have a problem with is when stores (usually small businesses) tell you that AMEX is "down", do we have another form of payment. This has happened to me a few times this last year.

 

[Mxylplyx]

My blue card gives me 5% cash back on gas/groceries/pharmacy, and 1.5% cash back on everything else. For me, that adds up to $500-600/year. Few places I go dont accept amex, but I have seen it dropped from a few places since the economy tanked.

 

[Aharami]

My blue card gives me 5% cash back on gas/groceries/pharmacy, and 1.5% cash back on everything else. For me, that adds up to $500-600/year. Few places I go dont accept amex, but I have seen it dropped from a few places since the economy tanked.

You mean upto 5%, right? IIRC, it's only 5% if you spend a shit ton of money. It's a tiered % back depending on how much you spend

 

[krunchykrome]

You mean upto 5%, right? IIRC, it's only 5% if you spend a shit ton of money. It's a tiered % back depending on how much you spend

yea, it's not 5% cash back unless there is an annual fee or some annual spending minimum

I have the true-earnings card and it was my understanding that this was the best AMEX cash back card available (up to 3% on purchases, depending on it's nature)

 

[GeneValgene]

also, amex usually sides with the customer in disputes, and puts the greater burden of proof on the retailer...i can see why consumers would like the amex, while retailers would hate them

 

[Terabyte]

You mean upto 5%, right? IIRC, it's only 5% if you spend a shit ton of money. It's a tiered % back depending on how much you spend

Yep - you have to spend $6500 and then everything after that gets %5 back on gash/groceries/pharmacy. Before $6500, 1% on gas/groceries/pharmacy and .5% on everything else.

 

[FleshLight]

Yep - you have to spend $6500 and then everything after that gets %5 back on gash/groceries/pharmacy. Before $6500, 1% on gas/groceries/pharmacy and .5% on everything else.

Citi Forward offers 5 pts/dollar for groceries/restaurants/books with no minimum spending requirement. Discover More offers 5% CB on rotating categories. Schwab Visa will give you 2% CB on everything. You can do better if you're looking for CB

 

[JulesMaximus]

You mean a higher fee to the retailer to accept AMEX?

Yes, it is typically more than double what Visa/MC charges. Somewhere around 5% IIRC.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

because AMEX continues to ream retailers up the ass

everyone that has an amex has visa/mc, so its not like retailers give a damn about not offering it

Its a choice. Retailers do not have to accept them, but I have told retailers enough times I'd never make large purchases without Amex and if they didn't take it they'd not get the big sales.

I was stunned after two years of telling Frys Electronics this they started accepting it.

 

[krunchykrome]

because AMEX continues to ream retailers up the ass

everyone that has an amex has visa/mc, so its not like retailers give a damn about not offering it

they better start giving a damn- I've left stores before or haven't gone inside upon finding out that they don't take AMEX. Business went to a competitor...

 

[Staples]

Since AMEX charges the retailer 2-3x what VISA charges in transaction fees, most retailers do not like them. And if you were a business owner, you would not either.

 

[Staples]

I'm surprised Costco is Amex only though.

Costco pays nothing to very little in finance charges. They have a deal with AMEX for pushing their cards. For most store credit cards, they pay zero in transaction fees.

 

[JMapleton]

Owning both, I actually think the Platinum is overpriced for what they offer and the Centurion more than worth it. I'm interested on what exactly do you consider a good deal.

Worst deal of them all? So getting bumped from economy to business class on a transatlantic flight saving you $2,000+ and then getting upgraded to a master suite that usually cost $1,000+ when you're booking a room that's under $300 is a bad deal? In one week, I just saved $3,000 which more than makes up for the annual fee.

OK I'll bite.

I guess it depends on who you are. I rarely travel, that's my perspective.

As far as getting bumped into rooms, while is nice, would you really be dropping a grand on that room if you didn't have the Cent? I wouldn't in most case unless I had serious money or the need. In reality, it's causing you to pay partially for a room that you wouldn't have otherwise bought.

As far as I know, most of the same benefits the Cent, the Plat provides. However I know Cent members often free gift cards (they sent out Salvatore Ferragamo cards about a year ago).