American Express (Amex) isn't universally accepted due to higher merchant fees, meaning you'll find it less common at smaller, independent shops, some government services, certain big retailers like Costco, and in some countries (especially parts of Europe and Asia) where Visa/Mastercard dominate, so always carry a backup card. Major Australian retailers like Aldi also famously reject Amex.
In Australia, you'll find American Express (Amex) often not accepted at discount retailers like Aldi, wholesale clubs like Costco, many smaller local businesses/cafes, and some government services (like vehicle registration) due to higher merchant fees, so always carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup, though major retailers generally accept Amex.
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.
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.
We support the following payment methods for Pay & Go: Apple Pay (VISA, Mastercard & AMEX)
If you love to eat out, you can use your American Express Card at top restaurants and more casual spots across Australia. Enjoy tasty menus and popular wines at the Crown or Merivale. If you're in a hurry, use your Amex Card at KFC and Subway, or head to The Cheesecake Shop for a delicious dessert.
Accepting Amex would allow consumers whose only credit card is Amex to shop at Costco, but by doing so, Costco would open itself up to higher costs or higher prices.” And since it's important for Costco to keep prices low, it isn't in the best interest of their members for them to offer Amex as a payment option.
Does Woolworths accept American Express (Amex) cards? Yes, Woolworths supermarkets in Australia accept American Express cards for payment.
That's because American Express charges merchants a higher fee than competitors do. All credit card networks charge processing fees for businesses to accept card payments from that network. But some fees are higher than others.
Cardholders of the American Express Platinum Card® or any other type of Amex members, can try using the American Express Auto Purchasing Program, which connects you to dealers who accept American Express and let you charge $2,000 or more toward a car purchase on your Amex card.
Historically, American Express charged higher fees than their competitors, making their cards less attractive to merchants. Merchant funding was also a slow process.
ALDI FAQs. We accept several forms of payment including cash, most debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), SNAP, Link cards and contactless pay such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
You can register Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards in the app. Payment cards registered must be issued by a U.S. bank.
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.
What is Australia Post's American Express (AMEX) surcharge? Australia Post charges 2.00% for American Express payments.
We accept the following payment methods with Shell EasyPay: Visa (credit cards only) Mastercard (credit cards only) American Express.
Credit card currently accepted include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Debit card currently accepted include Visa Electron, Delta, and Maestro. Direct debit.
Some independent retailers and businesses choose to not accept Amex, as there tend to be higher merchant fees.
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.
Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, Reducing Balance Gift Cards, AMEX, PayPal, Zip, ApplePay and Afterpay.
We accept Paypal, Zip, Afterpay, flypay and all major credit cards including MasterCard, American Express, and Visa. Target gift cards, Target e-gift cards, and Coles Group & Myer gift cards are also welcome.
Whether an American Express card is worth getting depends on your spending habits and financial situation. American Express cards often come with significant rewards, including travel perks, cashback, and shopping protections, which can outweigh the annual fee for frequent users.
This is likely because processing fees for Amex payments tend to be higher than for Visa or Mastercard, so many retailers don't accept it. To check whether it's accepted, simply look for the American Express symbol at the till or checkout page if shopping online.
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Costco switched to Visa mainly for business reasons. Though they enjoyed a 17-year exclusive relationship with American Express, eventually they could not negotiate a renewal of the contract with the terms they wanted.