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, 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.
Greggs and KFC do not. Most big retailers accept Amex, including Amazon, Argos, B&Q and the Post Office. However, it's not accepted by Sky, or Virgin Media. If you're unsure when paying, it might be worth asking the cashier beforehand.
We support the following payment methods for Pay & Go: Apple Pay (VISA, Mastercard & AMEX)
Yes, Woolworths supermarkets in Australia accept American Express cards for payment.
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 pay for your online order with Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit or debit cards, or use Coles Pay or PayPal.
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.
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.
For enrolled Card Members only, the bank or operator who owns the ATM may charge you a fee for withdrawing cash on your Card. American Express also charges a Cash Advance Fee when you withdraw cash from an ATM using your Credit Card. This fee is $2.50 or 2% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater.
Historically, American Express charged higher fees than their competitors, making their cards less attractive to merchants. Merchant funding was also a slow process.
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.
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.
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}.
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.
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.
It has to do with how credit card companies charge us. American Express charges a higher interchange fee. to its merchants like us, and that's the fee that we pay to accept. and process credit transactions.
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.
Once enrolled, you can withdraw cash from over 1.2 million ATMs worldwide. Use our helpful ATM Locator, at americanexpress.com/atmlocator to find your nearest ATM, whether at home and abroad. You can also use your Credit/Charge Card Cash Advance facility overseas at any of our partner ATMs. Charges may apply.
Aldi accepts Amex for in-store payments, alongside Visa, Mastercard, and contactless methods.
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.
You can pay for Netflix via debit or credit card (including American Express) – plus by by prepaid card (if your card provider allows it), PayPal or with a gift card.
Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, Reducing Balance Gift Cards, AMEX, PayPal, Zip, ApplePay and Afterpay.
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.
At Australia Post, you can pay by EFTPOS, MasterCard, Visa, AMEX or cash. Passport offices accept EFTPOS, MasterCard, and Visa only.