Why is AMEX popular

[harvyk]

Could someone please fill me in as to why AMEX is so popular considering

1. They are not universally accepted, there are many places which only accept Visa / Mastercard.
2. They almost universally when accepted have a surcharge attached, either when other types have no surcharge, or when all credit cards have a surcharge it's at a higher percentage than other cards.

So why do people chose to use a card, which is not accepted everywhere and will cost extra for the privilege of using it.

 

[oz_mark]

Historically, it has had a reward program that has returned a greater percentage of your spend as rewards. This has changed a bit with recent changes, but there are still circumstances where the rewards on spending on Amex will exceed the rewards that you will get on other cards.

The best card varies over time, and maybe it is not Amex for most people any more. Some cards still have good features that may suit different market segments.

 

[k3nnis]

For me the Plat EDGE is popular is due to the 3 X at supermarkets and 2X at petrol stations with no surcharge. Also the free flight a year pretty much covers the annual fee...

 

[NM]

For me the Plat EDGE is popular is due to the 3 X at supermarkets and 2X at petrol stations with no surcharge. Also the free flight a year pretty much covers the annual fee...

That very much sums up my use of Amex. I also have a corporate Amex, but its not linked to any rewards program (a condition of our Corp Card policy).

 

[CMak]

I use it for the points - I like flying Singapore Airlines overseas and I like the MR 1 for 1 transfer rate.

 

[lovestotravel]

It is accepted pretty much everywhere I go, so stating that there are "many places that do not accept it" is NOT true

I rarely if at all pay a surcharge so it does not cost extra to use it

 

[k3nnis]

Is there a list on AFF that shows popular places which accepts AMEX without surcharge?

i.e. for each category, e.g. car insurance, home insurance, groceries, retail, etc

 

[simonpenny408]

Service lose a card anywhere in the world and they get a new one in your hand ​usually within 24 hours.. Visa and MC normally take a week and will only send the card to your home address which is about as useful as a chocolate teapot

 

[RickyT84]

For me the Plat EDGE is popular is due to the 3 X at supermarkets and 2X at petrol stations with no surcharge. Also the free flight a year pretty much covers the annual fee...

This is the same reason that I kept my AMEX issued Plat Edge credit card. As I pay a reduced annual fee through my professional organisation, a simple SYD-MEL free flight covers the annual fee plus more.

I also have a bank issued AMEX card that I use at places other than supermarkets and petrol stations that I earn 3 points per $1.

 

[k3nnis]

Which bank issues Amex is this? Westpac black? It's 3 points but after conversion it's 1.5 miles per $?

This is the same reason that I kept my AMEX issued Plat Edge credit card. As I pay a reduced annual fee through my professional organisation, a simple SYD-MEL free flight covers the annual fee plus more.

I also have a bank issued AMEX card that I use at places other than supermarkets and petrol stations that I earn 3 points per $1.

 

[Ricardo]

I guess you need to weigh up what works for you, for me it's the following,

MR points conversions to various airlines at 1 to 1 mostly
The companion credit card (reserve) with the free flight to Aust and NZ cities
The insurance (although this has been watered down somewhat in the past year or two)

The service can be hit and miss and the travel service offerings are poor at times, the recent changes to MR points have also been a negative, but overall it works for me at present, but one needs to review each year to ensure you get value from the card for your fee.

Also the various bonus points for new members is also a draw card when looking at say the Qantas card with 50k in bonus for various spends.

 

[NM]

Which bank issues Amex is this? Westpac black? It's 3 points but after conversion it's 1.5 miles per $?

Its a real Amex card, not a bank issued branded card. Look at the Amex web site and look for the Platinum Edge Credit Card (https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/platinum-edge-credit-card/). Note that the points earning is for Membership Rewards points in the Ascent program. I move the points from there to AAdvantage laundered via SPG.

 

[markis10]

Service lose a card anywhere in the world and they get a new one in your hand ​usually within 24 hours.. Visa and MC normally take a week and will only send the card to your home address which is about as useful as a chocolate teapot

In theory......

 

[simonpenny408]

They've done it for me 3 times. Singapore, Manila and Taipei. I had a clumsy couple of years when I kept losing my wallet

 

[Limewood]

I like my Amex because I get 1.5 QFF points for each $1 spent, I rack up stacks points at PO buying Express Post satchels, also Woolies, BP and Bunnings at times, also numerous others with small commission

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Is there a list on AFF that shows popular places which accepts AMEX without surcharge?

i.e. for each category, e.g. car insurance, home insurance, groceries, retail, etc

Check out my Amex Acceptance Wiki American Express Acceptance Wiki (and yes, I have already removed SkyBus...)

Personally, I find Amex to be well-accepted with big business, chains and restaurants - particularly in our capital cities. A number of smaller stores also accept it, and it's accepted everywhere that I regularly visit. There are a few (cheaper) restaurants that do not accept it (even with a surcharge), and you can't use it for paying QLD registration and licence fees, but almost all of my transactions are on Amex - which makes the fee worth it.

Finally, 2.5 QFF points/$1AUD spent with QF also adds up nicely (Earth Black), and also practically pays for the annual fee!

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the link.

 

[k3nnis]

I noticed your list includes China Doll restaurant to get 3 QFF per $, but I had a look on QFF site and it is no longer on their list of restaurant partners? Or maybe it's an error on QF's site?

Check out my Amex Acceptance Wiki American Express Acceptance Wiki (and yes, I have already removed SkyBus...)

Personally, I find Amex to be well-accepted with big business, chains and restaurants - particularly in our capital cities. A number of smaller stores also accept it, and it's accepted everywhere that I regularly visit. There are a few (cheaper) restaurants that do not accept it (even with a surcharge), and you can't use it for paying QLD registration and licence fees, but almost all of my transactions are on Amex - which makes the fee worth it.

Finally, 2.5 QFF points/$1AUD spent with QF also adds up nicely (Earth Black), and also practically pays for the annual fee!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I noticed your list includes China Doll restaurant to get 3 QFF per $, but I had a look on QFF site and it is no longer on their list of restaurant partners? Or maybe it's an error on QF's site?

Oops, no, that'll be an error on my site. They used to be a QFF partner, but that was discontinued. I'll update it shortly!

 

[dodgeyhack]

I've only recently gotten an Amex.
Seem to be finding lots of opportunity to use it without surcharge. I'd say 50% of purchases.
The increased acceptance of Paypal in online stores helps matters.