American Express (Amex) acceptance is very high in the U.S. (around 99% of credit card-accepting businesses), but less consistent globally and at small businesses due to higher merchant fees, with major exceptions like Costco (Visa only) and some retailers (like Aldi) opting out; while major brands and most places accept it, you'll encounter more denials at independent shops and some specific large retailers.
While there are exceptions, American Express is accepted at most airports, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, subscription services and online merchants. According to its website, Amex is now accepted at 99 percent of U.S. places that accept credit cards. But this may be less true in other parts of the world.
In Australia, American Express (Amex) isn't accepted at major discount retailers like Aldi and Costco, some smaller independent businesses, and certain government service payments (like vehicle registration), mainly due to higher merchant fees, though acceptance at large retailers is widespread. You should always carry a backup Visa or Mastercard, as smaller cafes, restaurants, and local shops often decline Amex.
Where Is American Express Not Accepted? While Amex is generally accepted by all major retailers in the U.S., there's one notable exception. While American Express used to have an exclusive partnership with Costco, the wholesale club currently only accepts Visa credit cards at its warehouses and gas stations.
Canceling cards shortly after receiving the bonus: If you have a history of closing Amex cards soon after earning the welcome bonus, this behavior may trigger the pop-up.
It's been our experience that applicants who were not approved for a new account at one time may qualify in the future. We welcome you to apply for any of our American Express Cards, but please wait at least 30 days from the date you received the decline letter before submitting a new application.
The credit limit you can expect for a $70,000 salary across all your credit cards could be as much as $14000 to $21000, or even higher in some cases, according to our research. The exact amount depends heavily on multiple factors, like your credit score and how many credit lines you have open.
The Amex 2/90 rule is a guideline limiting most people to approval for no more than two new American Express credit cards within a 90-day period, even if they meet other rules like waiting five days between applications (the 1-in-5 rule). This rule specifically applies to credit cards, not necessarily charge cards, and is a key factor in managing how many new Amex cards you can open and get welcome bonuses for.
Historically, American Express charged higher fees than their competitors, making their cards less attractive to merchants. Merchant funding was also a slow process.
Before you head out to Costco, make sure there is a Visa in your wallet if you're going to use a credit card because your American Express card won't work there. Whether you decide to go with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi or another Visa card depends on your situation and interests.
The main cons of American Express (Amex) include limited merchant acceptance (due to higher fees for businesses), high annual fees on premium cards, and strict credit requirements, often needing good to excellent credit; plus, some traditional Amex cards are charge cards requiring full monthly payment, unlike typical credit cards, and points transfers can sometimes be slow, notes Investopedia, Finder.com.au, Credit Suite, Bankrate, Point Hacks, Half Past First Cast, and YouTube}.
Yes, Bunnings hardware stores in Australia allow American Express cards as a form of payment.
Aldi accepts Amex for in-store payments, alongside Visa, Mastercard, and contactless methods.
But there's one hurdle AMEX users know all too well: many merchants, both large and small, do not accept American Express due to higher processing fees. From retailers like Costco and, as of August 2024, eBay to countless smaller restaurants and stores, AMEX is often a no-go.
100,000 American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth $1,000 to $2,000 or more, depending on redemption; you get about 1 cent per point ($1,000 total) using the travel portal or gift cards, but can achieve 2 cents per point or higher ($2,000+) by transferring to airline/hotel partners for premium flights, yielding significantly more value, according to Bankrate and WalletHub and The Points Guy.
Personal Amex cards only consider your personal card history from the past 24 months. Business Amex cards operate under separate rules and do not usually block personal bonuses.
Hardest Card to Get Overall
Why it's one of the hardest cards to get: The hardest card to get is the American Express Centurion Card, known simply as the “Black Card.” You need an invitation to get Amex Centurion, and only the super rich and famous can expect to get the call.
Amex minimum income requirements vary significantly by card and country, but generally range from around $45,000-$50,000 for some standard rewards cards (like the Explorer card in Australia) up to higher amounts like $65,000 for premium cards (Qantas Ultimate), or even business revenue requirements (e.g., $75,000 for Business Platinum). Some Amex cards, particularly in markets like Canada, surprisingly have no stated minimum income.
Disadvantages
No, you cannot get an American Express credit card with a 600 credit score, which is considered bad credit. Most Amex credit cards require a credit score of 700 or better for high chances of approval. This means you need to have at least good credit to get an Amex credit card.
The best credit card that is rumored to have a $100,000 credit limit is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While Chase does not publicly disclose the highest credit line available for the card, there are online reports of people getting around $100,000 in spending power, or even more.
Improving your credit in 30 days is possible. Ways to do so include paying off credit card debt, becoming an authorized user, paying your bills on time and disputing inaccurate credit report information.
How Much You Should Spend With a $20,000 Credit Limit. Spending between $200 and $2,000 per month is best for your credit score. You should avoid having a balance above $6,000 when your monthly statement gets generated.
If you're just starting out, a good credit limit for your first card might be around $1,000. If you have built up a solid credit history, a steady income and a good credit score, your credit limit may increase to $5,000 or $10,000 or more — plenty of credit to ensure you can purchase big ticket items.
Although your income doesn't affect your credit scores, it can be an important part of your creditworthiness, which affects your eligibility for new credit cards and the credit limit you're offered. If you're looking for a new card, you can compare Capital One's credit cards to see the potential benefits and bonuses.