Amex merchant not accepting card - help?

Hi,
Ive just encountered an amex-accepting, US based merchant who is apparently "unable" to accept my card (claiming its because card is UK issued).
Despite fact I have used card with multiple US-based merchants both in person, over the phone & online , Ive never encountered one who has had a problem processing the card.
Ive searched Amex's FAQs and cant find anything relating to this (unless my search_strings are wrong [?]), and before jumping on the phone to them, Id have preferred to have stuck it in writing to them in order to have presented everything in a clear & coherent manner.
Cant seem to find an email-contact section either, just a link to click on for phone numbers.
Can anyone help with a contact email, or fools-guide to finding a web-form to fill in?

Ive never had an issue with using a UK amex in the states

I'd ask the merchant what issue he has - I can only guess it might be an authorisation issue - like when US gas pumps ask for a numeric zip code - he should be able to contact his amex merchant support and process your payment that way..

[RichardMannion]

Call AmEx UK and ask to speak to the Suppression team, they will be able to assist you with this.

Thanks,
Richard

Suppression team - my amex spending rights are being suppressed!!

Had an issue with a food outlet at Meadow Hall last week.I tried to pay with amex and the card would not swipe,I asked if they accepted Amex and was told yes but they sometimes don't go through[:0].After swipes of the 4 different amex cards in my wallet,the mexican stand off was resolved by several kicks under the table from mrs jag:D prompting me to settle with mastercard.There was no signage in the whole place to say what they accepted.

Originally posted by jaguarpig
Had an issue with a food outlet at Meadow Hall last week.I tried to pay with amex and the card would not swipe,I asked if they accepted Amex and was told yes but they sometimes don't go through[:0].After swipes of the 4 different amex cards in my wallet,the mexican stand off was resolved by several kicks under the table from mrs jag:D prompting me to settle with mastercard.There was no signage in the whole place to say what they accepted.

Same kind of thing happened last week in the duty free at edi. She said " that amex cards are thinner and so don't swipe" [V] and ended up paying by switch.

(250 extra points on moet , but no points on my amex [n])

David

have you ever seen the way amex convert their currencies?! I wouldnt dare use mine abroad!

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by BelfastFlyer
have you ever seen the way amex convert their currencies?! I wouldnt dare use mine abroad!

You mean the 2.73% uplift (commission)? Msot cards do this, not just AmEx. Has often been discussed with AmEx and on here.

Thanks,
Richard

[Scrooge]

Yep.thats the only reason I keep my capitalone card,they don't charge.
When the darn thing wants to work that is..

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by BelfastFlyer
have you ever seen the way amex convert their currencies?! I wouldnt dare use mine abroad!

You mean the 2.73% uplift (commission)? Msot cards do this, not just AmEx. Has often been discussed with AmEx and on here.

Thanks,
Richard

I mean if you use it another country apart from the US, amex convert the currency (lets say euro) like this: Euro - $ - £ and then they add the 2.73%, where as if you use your virging card it's converted euro - £ then 2.75% added.

Ive found all cards charge in one way or another - I had one who claimed not to charge this, but offered a less favourable exhange rate.
The principal problem of course is that you dont know the exact exchange rate when your making a purchase (short of standing in a store with mobile in one hand & calculater in the other).I suppose the only true way to test would be to spend the same amount.

Cheers btw Richard - will be onto suppression on Monday morning.
The company is a pretty well known international auction venue. I could settle the amount due by loading the amount through paypal. However due to their own bizarre exchange rate (where they can only charge Amex by converting it into USD first?!?!?), it works out £20 dearer doing it that way. Im certainly not going to let this one go by without a fight.