How Widely Is American Express Accepted?

How widespread is American Express?

A 2020 Nilson report states that American Express is currently accepted by 10.6 million merchants in the United States, or 99%.

Why don’t so many places accept American Express cards?

Why don’t all stores accept American Express cards? The answer is simple: companies want more money in their pockets. American Express charges higher fees to stores or merchants than other credit card networks like Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Are American Express cards widely accepted?

Visa and Mastercard are by far the most widely accepted cards, with Discover slightly behind those brands and American Express at a quarter. … The 2020 Nilson Report states that American Express is currently accepted by 10.6 million merchants in the United States, or 99%.

Where is American Express not accepted?

American Express is not accepted everywhere, because American Express charges sellers higher fees than Visa, Mastercard. This means that retailers like Costco, independent boutiques, and many family-owned businesses are reluctant to accept your American Express card.

How popular is American Express internationally?

American Express cards are accepted internationally in more than 160 countries and territories. This includes all members of the United Nations, except those subject to US sanctions. However, Amex cards are more widely accepted in some parts of the world than others.

Why do salespeople hate American Express?

All credit card issuers charge a fee, but not all issuers charge the same fee. This tool allows merchants to choose which credit cards they want to accept. Various commissions often make or break a trade for a trader. For this reason, many merchants, especially small businesses, do not accept American Express cards. 27

Is it legal not to take Amex?

American Express rules do not explicitly prohibit floor rates, but its policy is to discourage any business practice that creates a barrier to acceptance. However, Amex does not discriminate against the Amex card, so if the merchant does not have a minimum fee for Visa and MasterCard, the merchant can…

Do most companies accept American Express cards?

American Express cards are accepted by millions of merchants, but not all credit card stores. While you’ll likely find that the vast majority of stores you visit accept your Amex card, there are several reasons why you should always have a spare card. 23

Isn’t American Express accepted everywhere?

American Express cards aren’t accepted everywhere, but there’s a reason they’re so popular with customers. … As for merchants, each merchant is free to accept Amex or not. Most of the time, the higher commissions are not worth paying.

Does Walmart accept American Express?

We accept :

Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express debit and credit cards. Walmart credit cards. EBT cards.

Are American Express cards accepted at gas stations?

Most major gas station chains (such as BP, Exxon, Shell, Texaco, Gulf, and Murphy USA) accept American Express cards, but you may find some independent gas stations that only accept Visa/Mastercard/Discover cards. This is because American Express charges sellers a higher handling fee.

Why is American Express not accepted anywhere?

American Express cards are not as widely accepted as MasterCard or Visa cards. … Some retailers refuse to accept Amex cards as payment because they have to pay higher processing fees than Visa and MasterCard. This may mean that you may be surprised.