AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[whatmeworry]

Nope, they just don't accept it, full stop.

One way around it, is buying stuff online at HS and paying via paypal with a AMEX attached card.

 

[Mr_Orange]

One way around it, is buying stuff online at HS and paying via paypal with a AMEX attached card.

Thanks for the tip, although that would still require a visit to the shop to scope out what I wanted, but that's not a deal breaker.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Nope, they just don't accept it, full stop.

Seems inconsistent with what they state online:

'Can I pay with a credit card?Yes, we accept payments online with the following credit or debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Harris Scarfe Gold and Silver credit cards.'

Frequently Asked Questions

 

[Franky]

Any Credit Card or just Amex Card?

Any credit card. We realised on a recent trip to Eorope in September that car rental agencies would no longer honour our Visa debit card for the security deposit, it never being an issue in the past.

 

[whatmeworry]

Seems inconsistent with what they state online:

'Can I pay with a credit card?Yes, we accept payments online with the following credit or debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Harris Scarfe Gold and Silver credit cards.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Front page shows no AMEX.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Seems inconsistent with what they state online:

'Can I pay with a credit card?Yes, we accept payments online with the following credit or debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Harris Scarfe Gold and Silver credit cards.'

Frequently Asked Questions

I was in one of their shops earlier this week and there was a sign stuck to the EFTPOS terminal: 'AMEX not accepted', or similar.

 

[Cynicor]

We havent had a credit card for 20+ years, and have just picked up a couple of AMEX Qantas Ultimate cards. Somewhere above I believe it was said that many small businesses levy a surcharge for this card. Mrs Franky bought an item at JBHFI yesterday, around $50 or so, and there was a sign at the counter stating there was a 'surcharge' of 2.?% on Amex transactions. I would'nt call JBHFI a small business, so should we expect similar at other larger businesses?

If shopping at JB, don't tell them it's an Amex and you are normally fine. Just say credit card. Or lie and say visa and swipe/tap yourself.

 

[Franky]

If shopping at JB, don't tell them it's an Amex and you are normally fine. Just say credit card. Or lie and say visa and swipe/tap yourself.

Sounds good to me..

 

[albyd]

It's been drummed into the checkout operators to check before allowing you to tap. Was told once (while holding a Visa in hand) that often people have said it's Visa then tap their Amex.
I still don't get why they haven't just negotiated a better merchant rate. Not like they're a mom & pop business with low turnover.

 

[TomVexille]

It's been drummed into the checkout operators to check before allowing you to tap. Was told once (while holding a Visa in hand) that often people have said it's Visa then tap their Amex.
I still don't get why they haven't just negotiated a better merchant rate. Not like they're a mom & pop business with low turnover.

We've walked out on an $800 sale before when they refused to waive the surcharge

 

[Tremere]

We havent had a credit card for 20+ years, and have just picked up a couple of AMEX Qantas Ultimate cards. Somewhere above I believe it was said that many small businesses levy a surcharge for this card. Mrs Franky bought an item at JBHFI yesterday, around $50 or so, and there was a sign at the counter stating there was a 'surcharge' of 2.?% on Amex transactions. I would'nt call JBHFI a small business, so should we expect similar at other larger businesses?

If its a low value item, grab a JB Gift card from a retailer that does take AMEX and then use that at JB.
You can scoop up some extra points in whatever secondary rewards program (Flybuys/WOW/etc) at the same time.

 

[KLN]

it's always irked me that NRMA didn't accept Amex, but i have just noticed that they now accept payments thru Paypal. Yay! can now pay on Amex via paypal.

 

[prozac]

it's always irked me that NRMA didn't accept Amex, but i have just noticed that they now accept payments thru Paypal. Yay! can now pay on Amex via paypal.

You need to login to get the paypal option.

 

[KLN]

it's always irked me that NRMA didn't accept Amex, but i have just noticed that they now accept payments thru Paypal. Yay! can now pay on Amex via paypal.

**edit**

just did the same thing with Sydney Water too

 

[OzEire]

Yeah, 3% in an Amex bill folder.

 

[Jacksond]

I use Amex for 99% of my purchases for the points. I have had both of my NAB credit cards hacked starting in October '16 and things are not resolved yet. There were a couple of attempts on my Amex card at the same time. Amex resolved the problem immediately by declining the false charges or quick refund. For this reason I was willing to pay a 3% surcharge when I bought a camera lens recently. The points covered the extra amount. I have kept my NAB cards blocked and will cancel them when and if the problems are resolved.

 

[drross]

View attachment 93559

yeah, 3% in an amex bill folder.

need a dislike button

 

[Rnwillia]

I find that in South Australia there are many (too many) retailers that either won't accept Amex or charge a fee of 2-3.5% for it's use. I either tend to avoid those places or use my Visa card but Online it can often be much simpler as by using Pay Pal one can choose what card to use and still get the relevant points. So for example Telstra won't accept Amex but they do accept Pay Pal so I pay by Amex through Pay Pal. I will not visit a restaurant that won't take Amex and am looking forward to viewing ChrisCh's list mentioned in this blog.

 

[Pleb Status]

I find that in South Australia there are many (too many) retailers that either won't accept Amex or charge a fee of 2-3.5% for it's use. I either tend to avoid those places or use my Visa card but Online it can often be much simpler as by using Pay Pal one can choose what card to use and still get the relevant points. So for example Telstra won't accept Amex but they do accept Pay Pal so I pay by Amex through Pay Pal. I will not visit a restaurant that won't take Amex and am looking forward to viewing ChrisCh's list mentioned in this blog.

When has Telstra not accepted Amex? I have been paying my mobile bill for years on my various (but not direct) Amex cards. Paying via direct debit avoided the CC surcharge as well.

 

[Jurahn]

Have been to several BP service stations with the recent "spend $40, get $10 back" Amex offer, and all have had an Amex surcharge (which is one of the reasons I don't usually go to BP). Our local Caltex Woolworths (Starmart) introduced an Amex surcharge several years ago, so I rarely go there any more either.