Amex not accepted

[Neil]

Yep the one I was talking about is the one Locutus has given the link for!.

Neil:)

Thank you very much, I will look into this now and hopefully all my woes will be over [y]

I know this has gone a bit off topic but, just following on from the info offered on the BAA Worldcard.

It has taken me all this time to get in contact with anyone who could give me information at BAA on the Worldcard and they have now told me that I can't have one because the company decided a couple of years ago that it was for existing members only and no new applications would be accepted. So that's that avenue closed.

Does anyone have any other VS mile earning credit card options that they know of, otherwise it looks like I will have to go with the HH card.

thelaceys

[Neil]

Originally posted by thelaceys

Does anyone have any other VS mile earning credit card options that they know of, otherwise it looks like I will have to go with the HH card.

thelaceys

Why not just stick with the VS Amex card? - the vast majority of places accept it and you are going to get a much better £ to miles rate than any other card were you will have to do transfers - maybe get the HH card to keep as a "back up" but I can't see the logic in not having the VS Amex

Neil:)

To backup what Neil is saying - My VS card is the first time I have ventured down the Amex route. I have been pleasantly suprised by the acception rate local to me. I think I have been turned down only twice. (Once was while trying to pay for my staff account at work!! [B)][:0] )

Everyones spending habits are different though, I cannot shed any light on any other non Amex, VS mile earning cards.

Are VS miles important enough to change your shopping habits?? If not try the BMI MC, some of their miles plus cash rewards are very good indeed...

Geo.F.Trumper in Mayfare don't take amex [:(]. so little chance of BA miles from my shaving requisites unfortunately[:(!]

Virgin Net doesn't take it (!) and nor do Alpine - a company who re-fits barge boards, soffits and so on (whatever they are). Just lost out on 10,000 airmiles....[:(!]

Geo.F.Trumper in Mayfare don't take amex . so little chance of BA miles from my shaving requisites unfortunately

There's always Tesco;)

Thanks for the feedback.

Unfortunately either I live in an Amex phobic area or my shopping habits are a bit odd, but other than the supermarket for my general weekly shop and the local hardware store which I rarely visit, just about no-one else will entertain my card. Although I would very much like to keep it, what's the point if I can't spend on it and so can't earn the miles, might just as well get a card that I can use, I won't be losing out much by not having it. My local shops all tell me that they are charged triple the normal retailers charge for accepting Amex so I don't really blame them, but I am really disappointed.

thelaceys

[Neil]

It is strange that you encounter so many shops/retailers who do not accept your Amex. I guess if it is a lot of local type shops then it is understandable but I have still only the 1 company reject my card (ticketmaster) and have not had any problems since.

If you are finding it pointless in having the card then I guess you might as well move to another one, because really, unless your CC spend is fairly large each month then the miles gained from it are pretty pitiful and not really that beneficial

Neil:)

My local shops all tell me that they are charged triple the normal retailers charge for accepting Amex so I don't really blame them,

The rate amex charge me as a retailer is not that much more than visa and mastercard.It does take a couple of days longer for funds to hit my account with the commission deducted upfront, rather than being charged (Visa MC debit cards) at the month end, but no big deal.

Originally posted by jaguarpig

My local shops all tell me that they are charged triple the normal retailers charge for accepting Amex so I don't really blame them,

The rate amex charge me as a retailer is not that much more than visa and mastercard.It does take a couple of days longer for funds to hit my account with the commission deducted upfront, rather than being charged (Visa MC debit cards) at the month end, but no big deal.

Same with us : 0.32% of a difference between the charges on MC/Visa and Amex. So not alot really.

David.

Originally posted by jaguarpig

Geo.F.Trumper in Mayfare don't take amex . so little chance of BA miles from my shaving requisites unfortunately

There's always Tesco;)

Don't think our Sailor could lower himself to that level. Even if he can't spell Mayfair [}:)]

Originally posted by thelaceys
I know this has gone a bit off topic but, just following on from the info offered on the BAA Worldcard.

It has taken me all this time to get in contact with anyone who could give me information at BAA on the Worldcard and they have now told me that I can't have one because the company decided a couple of years ago that it was for existing members only and no new applications would be accepted. So that's that avenue closed.

Does anyone have any other VS mile earning credit card options that they know of, otherwise it looks like I will have to go with the HH card.

thelaceys

Hmm, I'd suggest you try again because personally I've only had the BAA WorldCard for about 2 weeks. I've not even had my first statement yet and it makes a perfect backup card to the Amex for collecting virgin miles.

It is true however that their Internet presence has completely vanished off the face of the earth!

I've spoken to customer services for you (0500 844 844 option 1) and they have told me that they aren't cancelling the card or winding it down. The operator reacted as though the card is alive and well and was surprised at my suggestion. I told him I didn't get a copy of the members magazine with my card so he sent one through (good service) and it's called Emporium and dated Spring/Summer 2006. It talks (briefly) about how to get the free upgrades on the heathrow, gatwick and stanstead express on the BAA WorldCard specific pages which was the main reason for my request.

The number to apply for the card is 0800 032 0395 which is a generic Bank of Scotland branded card line. They will ask you what card you're applying for. When I applied last month they did seem to have difficulty finding the card on their system, but they did manage it eventually, and although there was no specific script for the card, they used their generic Halifax script and all was ok.

James

Originally posted by sailor99
Geo.F.Trumper in Mayfare don't take amex [:(]. so little chance of BA miles from my shaving requisites unfortunately[:(!]

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/ takes Amex so does Liberty Department Store both sell Geo.F. Trumper. I don't think Tescos does (sell Geo.F. Trumper that is)

Originally posted by David

Originally posted by jaguarpig

My local shops all tell me that they are charged triple the normal retailers charge for accepting Amex so I don't really blame them,

The rate amex charge me as a retailer is not that much more than visa and mastercard.It does take a couple of days longer for funds to hit my account with the commission deducted upfront, rather than being charged (Visa MC debit cards) at the month end, but no big deal.

Same with us : 0.32% of a difference between the charges on MC/Visa and Amex. So not alot really.

David.

For me it's
MC = 1.28%
Amex= 2.95%
Maybe I should try them again. Who is your payment processor: Streamline?

Originally posted by flying low
OK, hate to say I told you so, but... I said ages ago that the move to amex would be a bad thing miles earning wise, and it's proved to be the case. I've got the BA Amex, and finding places to spend on it tough. I've kept my VS mastercard and will rinse it right up until December 31st. (Then move to BMI)

Ditto

squish, thank you, gave customer services a call, was instantly accepted. Have received all the paperwork and it's on it's way back right now. Much appreciated. [oo]

thelaceys

Wouldn't normally use plastic in Costa Coffee but caterer failed to deliver refreshments to training course this morning so needed to quickly get my hands on a load of coffees & Danish pastries....you've guessed it, Costa don't accept Amex - surprising I thought for a chain with thousands of outlets across UK [n]

Annoying that I've got a car service due this month + road tax and neithr of them accept Amex. Would have been a few easy miles for that as well

where do you apply too for accepting amex cards?

I count myself as a 'local trader' and pay 1.25% commission to Visa/Mastercard and 3.5% to Amex. You won't be surprised to learn that we are reluctant to accept Amex. Obviously the larger retailers can negotiate a better rate.

My suspicion is that because of the higher commission charges (and annual fee), Amex can do a better deal for Flying Club Miles with Virgin than Mastercard could, although I don't know how the system works. This might explain the changeover.

On a more positive note, I have recently used my card to pay the deposit on a new car. If I could use it to pay the balance.....!


Mike

Oh god, this has just broken a dream I had last night. I was buying - oh, can't remember, some furniture or something electronic - and in my dream, I remember thinking quite clearly that the cost was £1750 - but more importantly, 3500 miles.....

Just how sad does that make me? Answers on a postcard please, or PM me

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by taurus
I count myself as a 'local trader' and pay 1.25% commission to Visa/Mastercard and 3.5% to Amex. You won't be surprised to learn that we are reluctant to accept Amex. Obviously the larger retailers can negotiate a better rate.

But do you and other small business owners notice that AmEx cardholders tend to spend more that Visa/MasterCard/Other cardholders?

Seams to ring true for a small restaurant I 'cook the books' (well bad joke but provide bookkeeping services to.).

Interesting anomaly in Boots opticians. Bought daughter some new specs, and had my Amex card refused. Thought they'd made a mistake, as I know Boots take Amex. However, another member of staff said he'd had the same thing happen the day before - not with Amex per se, but also with a Virgin Atlantic Amex. Their card reader won't accept it, even by swiping. I was asked if I had another card, to which I replied that I did, but that I earn double points on this one. The other member of staff (the one who'd already experience the problem) said yes, that what the other customer had said and he wasn't happy about it either. However - there was a (convoluted) way round it. They sent me to the photography dept - ie into the store proper, and told me to buy gift vouchers to the value of the specs, and then come back adn pay with the vouchers. I did this and got the points that way.

Honestly, the more I have this card, the more of a liability it seems to be...[:0]