This has been bugging me for the longest time. Why the hell would I even CONSIDER getting a Discover or American Express card? The waitress says, “I’m sorry, we don’t take Discover.” Why the hell not? Is there some reason that credit from Discover is worse than credit from Visa? Why? What’s the difference? It’s all credit!
Visa and MC take a lower percentage.
I think American Express charges the most. That’s why many establishments won’t take it. Sam’s Club takes only Discover. That’s why I keep my Discover Card.
Kickbacks. 
Visa/MC charge less, and in some cases have anti-competitive contracts, where you can’t sign on with anyone else.
With this I totally agree. I have a UK debit card called SWITCH. While I have absolutely no justification for my opinion, I do feel that every major company, and indeed every minor company, should be forced to change their practice to fit in with MY specific requirements.
Somebody said Visa do a debit card but I’m damned if I can figure out how to get one (if anybody knows please tell me - I tried their website but it’s too bizarre). It’s Microsoft all over again. Most UK outlets accept Switch, or at least acknowledge it by posting a snotty sign saying they don’t accept it, but as far as I can tell there’s no way to get a Straight Dope mug without something Visa-ish or Mastercardy.
Ross, try your bank instead of Visa directly. Many banks now offer check-cards directly linked to your checking account, but with a MC or Visa…uhhh…thingy, so it’s accepted wherever MC and Visa are.
Re: The OP
Since American Express is a “charge card” instead of a credit card (you have to pay 100% at the end of each month; there is no credit) it is generally considered somewhat of a yuppie card, and mostly accepted at places that sell highly-priced goods, in my experience.
Discover is mostly useless.
American Express also doesn’t have a limit, which comes in handy in certain circumstances. I’ve been in a situation where I had to buy $20k worth of equipment for work on very short notice (no time to get purchase orders, etc), and I knew I’d be reimbursed by the end of the month, so I put it on my AmEx. No way that would have worked with the pathetic charging limits my visa cards have.
I have all 4 of the major cards: Amex, Discover, and the other 2.
I use Amex or Discover whenever I can. I hate monopolistic companies, and like to stick up for the little guy. I would note that my Amex is an Optima card. (Sticking up for the little guy only goes so far, and that doesn’t extend to paying $75 (?) a year!)
P.S. By the way, my computer is a Mac.
Well, Discover is actually Sears, so they’re not that little. And AmEx is a major corporation themselves. But I will admit that Visa/MC does look pretty monolithic from where I’m standing.
There is a good side to that – if you carry a MC or Visa, you can pretty much always buy stuff or get cash when you need it (at least in the First World). Monopoly power can sometimes be useful, even to the consumer.
I’ve had my Discover Card for years and like getting the $500 rebate every summer… but I also have a Visa card for those places in the US that don’t accept Discover… and I agree there are many.
I live on the west coast and I travel a lot on business and pleasure and almost all Airlines, Hotels, Rent A Car places and most resturants I frequent accept Discover. I always ask and if they don’t I use my Visa… it’s no big deal.
The Discover Card is free (just like my Visa) so they make their money on the transactions I make. I also pay off all of my credit cards each month so they don’t make any money on interest charges (where the money is for most of these guys).
Amex costs me big $$$ each year so I don’t feel like paying them just for the priviledge of using their card.
I charge everything (including grocieries) and even charge my phone, power and water bills to my credit card. Why pay for it now when I can pay for it 30-60 days from now?