# Is American Express accepted as well as Visa & MC? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 17, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210 "2016-09-17T23:30:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/61 "2016-09-21T04:26:31Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Funnily enough, most of the places I worked would accept cheques (pretty much no one in Australia uses personal cheques to pay for things now, and the same was more or less true a decade ago too). Oddly enough, I’ve been to a couple of mom-and-pop stores that won’t accept debit or credit but will accept checks. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/62 "2016-09-21T09:38:38Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > Oddly enough, I’ve been to a couple of mom-and-pop stores that won’t accept debit or credit but will accept checks. I gather personal cheques are still relatively commonly used in the US, or at least not mostly unheard of the way they are here nowadays. Still, as you say, it seems odd someone would accept them (and the risk of them bouncing) but not a credit or debit card. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/63 "2016-09-21T10:11:03Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Honestly, I can’t think of where you could be going to in Bangkok that passes the surcharge along anymore these days. Except maybe the bars in the red-light areas? The few that might take cards, it wouldn’t surprise me, but I always pay cash in those. I didn’t mean to imply that you only hang out in five star places. All the merchants in Fortune Town and Panthip Plaza add on the 3 percent in my experience, and the pharmacy I use, the optometrist I use, shops on Khao San Road, the bigger shops at chatuchak which take credit cards, small travel agents etc. You’re right the big chain places don’t add on 3 percent, guess I haven’t used those recently. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/64 "2016-09-22T05:54:29Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I didn’t mean to imply that you only hang out in five star places. All the merchants in Fortune Town and Panthip Plaza add on the 3 percent in my experience, and the pharmacy I use, the optometrist I use, shops on Khao San Road, the bigger shops at chatuchak which take credit cards, small travel agents etc. > > You’re right the big chain places don’t add on 3 percent, guess I haven’t used those recently. I’ve only ever paid cash for equipment at Panthip Plaza and not used Fortune Town. And admittedly I only went to Khao San Road once a year or two and even then paid cash. But if any places there are passing on the 3% service charge, they’re definitely in the minority these days. Most places in Thailand, local or chain, simply stopped doing it about 15 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/65 "2016-09-22T16:41:57Z")
If you travel to Europe just be aware that American Express may not be accepted, definitely in Ireland American Express certainly has issues. Visa or Visa Debit worked where ever I went, so far in Europe & Asia. Just be aware that some car rentals may not accept a debit cards. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/66 "2016-09-22T16:45:32Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I gather personal cheques are still relatively commonly used in the US, or at least not mostly unheard of the way they are here nowadays. > > Still, as you say, it seems odd someone would accept them (and the risk of them bouncing) but not a credit or debit card. Cheques have a fixed or lower cost when lodging to accounts - but of cos come with the risk of bouncing. They can also be lodged into a private account, therefore circumventing the tax & charge. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/67 "2016-09-22T19:49:46Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’ve only ever paid cash for equipment at Panthip Plaza and not used Fortune Town. Well ok just a side note of advice, anything you want at Panthip Plaza you can get at Fortune Town with less hassles, a better price and no touts trying to sell pirated porn DVD’s to you. And it’s directly at Rama 9 MRT exit 1 so easier to get to than Panthip as well 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/68 "2016-09-22T21:26:20Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Are there _any_ places that accept Amex but not Visa or Mastercard? There were two restaurants near me that took AmEx but not Visa or MC. I say “were” because one of them reversed their policy a couple of years ago. AFAIK, the other one still only takes AmEx. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/69 "2016-09-23T02:52:45Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Well ok just a side note of advice, anything you want at Panthip Plaza you can get at Fortune Town with less hassles, a better price and no touts trying to sell pirated porn DVD’s to you. And it’s directly at Rama 9 MRT exit 1 so easier to get to than Panthip as well 😃 Won’t matter to me anymore, as I’ve left Thailand and have set up in Hawaii. I’m still surprised to learn though that there are any places left there that still pass on the surcharge. But here’s a tip: If you can somehow get them to itemize the surcharge on your invoice or receipt, then your card company will disallow that part of the charge once you show them. It’s a big no-no. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/70 "2016-09-24T00:25:46Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Cite, please. I can vouch for **Annie-Xmas** , she does work in a store. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/71 "2016-09-24T14:39:47Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Cite, please. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, that doesn’t sound right to me at all. > [@RaftPeople](#): > > I can vouch for **Annie-Xmas** , she does work in a store. Cites you want? [Cite 1](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/06/16/heres-why-american-express-can-charge-more-than-vi.aspx) [Cite 2](https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/retailers-accept-american-express/) [Cite 3](https://www.quora.com/How-much-higher-are-American-Express-interchange-fees-than-those-of-Visa-and-MasterCard) [Cite 4 (Irish)](http://www.irishtimes.com/news/aib-amex-charge-highest-rates-for-credit-ifsra-1.976555) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/72 "2016-09-24T21:35:26Z")
As a business owner, I’ll take AmEx, but I prefer Visa or MC. AmEx charges way too much in processing fees. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/73 "2016-09-24T21:50:30Z")
> [@Doughbag](#): > > Cites you want? > > [Cite 1](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/06/16/heres-why-american-express-can-charge-more-than-vi.aspx) > [Cite 2](https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/retailers-accept-american-express/) > [Cite 3](https://www.quora.com/How-much-higher-are-American-Express-interchange-fees-than-those-of-Visa-and-MasterCard) > [Cite 4 (Irish)](http://www.irishtimes.com/news/aib-amex-charge-highest-rates-for-credit-ifsra-1.976555) It appears that all of those cites confirm that American Express charges higher fees than Visa or Mastercard. I don’t think anyone was disputing that. What people _were_ questioning was the statement from **Annie-Xmas** that “Visa and MasterCard charge the merchant less if they don’t take AmEx.” Now that may be true, but like others, I’d like to see confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/74 "2016-09-24T23:33:46Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It appears that all of those cites confirm that American Express charges higher fees than Visa or Mastercard. I don’t think anyone was disputing that. What people _were_ questioning was the statement from **Annie-Xmas** that “Visa and MasterCard charge the merchant less if they don’t take AmEx.” Now that may be true, but like others, I’d like to see confirmation. Just a note: In the United States, at least, Visa and Mastercard do not set the rates that are charged merchants. Merchants do not deal directly with Visa and Mastercard, they deal with financial institutions called “acquirers” (often indirectly through “processors”). Each acquirer/processor sets their own rates, called the “merchant discount.” Visa and Mastercard set the rate that the acquirer pays, called the “interchange rate.” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/75 "2016-09-25T04:12:26Z")
I’ve never had an Amex card, so please forgive me if this turns out not to be true. But my understanding is that unlike Visa and MasterCard, an Amex cardholder must pay the entire bill each month. If that’s true, that could explain the higher fees charged the merchant. Amex isn’t getting any interest revenue from the cardholder. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/76 "2016-09-25T04:21:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It appears that all of those cites confirm that American Express charges higher fees than Visa or Mastercard. I don’t think anyone was disputing that. What people _were_ questioning was the statement from **Annie-Xmas** that “Visa and MasterCard charge the merchant less if they don’t take AmEx.” Now that may be true, but like others, I’d like to see confirmation. Yes. Nobody is disputing it costs the merchant more in fees to take American Express. That’s pretty much common knowledge, at least as far as this thread is concerned. It’s the part you quoted in Annie’s statement that is piquing our interest. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/77 "2016-09-25T04:28:14Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’ve never had an Amex card, so please forgive me if this turns out not to be true. But my understanding is that unlike Visa and MasterCard, an Amex cardholder must pay the entire bill each month. If that’s true, that could explain the higher fees charged the merchant. Amex isn’t getting any interest revenue from the cardholder. It _used_ to be true that Amex cardholders were expected to pay off the bill each month. That may be why they always called it a “charge card” and not a “credit card”. But now Amex has a variety of products, including credit cards that need not be paid off at month end. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/78 "2016-09-25T04:29:27Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’ve never had an Amex card, so please forgive me if this turns out not to be true. But my understanding is that unlike Visa and MasterCard, an Amex cardholder must pay the entire bill each month. If that’s true, that could explain the higher fees charged the merchant. Amex isn’t getting any interest revenue from the cardholder. Way back when that was true. Although American Express will give you a traditional Green Card if you insist, Amex does virtually no promotion of those types of cards any more. And there are some corporate purchasing cards that work that way, but basically Amex has found that leaving money on the table is not in their best interest, and almost all of the cards that it promotes to the general consumer graciously allow the consumer to pay off over time and to pay Amex interest. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/79 "2016-09-25T04:32:22Z")
Thanks. Good to know. Then I guess the continued higher fees for the merchant is just maintaining tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210/80 "2016-09-25T04:43:13Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yes. Nobody is disputing it costs the merchant more in fees to take American Express. That’s pretty much common knowledge, at least as far as this thread is concerned. It’s the part you quoted in Annie’s statement that is piquing our interest. “Visa and Mastercard” don’t charge the merchant anything under any circumstances. The merchant’s acquirer or processor charges the merchant (and they, in turn, pay for the privilege of processing the charges through the V and MC networks). The acquirer/processor is free to charge the merchant whatever the traffic will bear. Merchants shop around for the best packages. I doubt that there is a policy at Visa USA or Mastercard International to require or encourage such behavior. But an individual acquirer (that does not accept Amex) can (for example) offer a discount to a merchant for running all of their charges through that acquirer or for running a certain volume of purchases through the acquirer. So, for example, the merchant may be offered a better price if they run $1,000,000 a month through that acquirer. But if a given merchant is splitting its receipts between Visa/Mastercard and Amex, they might not be able to reach such a threshold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-express-accepted-as-well-as-visa-mc/766210.md?page=5)