Choice of credit/charge cards in TV

[travelstiles]

Is there a good reason why most of the establishments in TV do not accept the American Express card? I realize that they charge a slightly higher fee to the merchant to process payments, but I've personally found that no company is better at backing up the consumer than AMEX. Since I don't carry credit card balances, I don't mind paying their annual fee for the great customer service they provide. Their purchase guarantee program has helped me out several times without any hassles, and the points on their reward program get you some pretty good merchandise and gifts.

Is it a management decision on the part of TV or do the merchants themselves decide what cards they accept here? I'd particularly like to use AMEX in the country club restaurants like Lopez, Mallory, etc.

[MMC24]

I think you hit the nail on the head. AMEX charges too much for merchant processing fees while other cards charge less. Most major credit cards today have the purchase guarantee and point programs so it is no longer unique to AMEX. If you are paying off the balance each month than what makes the difference which card you use. The only major difference today is with AMEX you have to pay the balance each month with others you have more flexability.

[JohnN]

You hit the nail on the head, AMEX charges the merchant too much.
It's not just TV either, it's in a lot of stores.

[carlent]

when we visited TV last year for the first time, we also had a problem trying to use AMEX. I have carried this card now for over 10 years and have never ever had a problem. I get to TV, and it is a problem! It has nothing at all do to with their fees to merchants. It has everything to do with the "arragements"...ie; contracts that are in place with TV management. Only a handful of places are smart enough to take AMEX. One is the new ....Urban Flats" restaurant in LSL. Cattlebaron at Spanich Springs also takes it. Now go figure this one out......Cattlebaron (upstairs) takes it and Katie Bell's (downstairs) does not. Same ownership.......lets' have a look at why this is the case. any thoughts?
We own a business and take AMEX as well as every other card. It is smarter to take them all and not lose business.. What would you rather have....customer leaves.....or customer stay's and you pay 1.5% higher and let them use AMEX. You figure it out!
A lot of people only use AMEX.....they will not come into y our business if you do not accept it. It is that simple. It pertains more to restaurants than other retail. Oh by the way.....we had no problem using it at Outback Steakhouse

[JohnN]

Carlent, you and I must be from different parts of the country, here near Memphis, AMEX merchants are few and far between.

[JohnN]

all that said, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, not a big deal to me about the credit cards

[carlent]

I am in New England and lived in Florida for years and never had a problem (south florida ...east coast)

carlent

[784caroline]

In today era of fradulent credit card purchases I would be very hesitant to only own one credit card or one brand of card. Recently as a result of the theft of credit card information from Sweetbay, I received a call that my credit card had fraudlent activity on it and as a result they were cancelling it, taking care of all unauthorized charges and sending me and my wife new credit cards . Well that took approx 7-10 days. If we only had ONE card we would have be "out of luck" especailly if we had any travel plans.
Suggest you have Master Card, Visa and Amex! Coscos only takes AMEX but not MC or Visa and travelling in Europe you find it all across the board on who accepts what

[barb1191]

Caroline.... I thought that Costco also took Discover credit card. Would prefer Discover over AMEX. Would never own a CC where there's an annual fee and as I recall, AMEX charges for same, unless they've eliminated the fee. Also Discover is accepted in more places than AMEX ......b

[Shirleevee]

Costco stopped taking Discover card quite a few years ago. Now it is AE exclusively.

I have found that Southwest Florida and TV do not accept AE. The shop owners I asked stated the AE charged to much.


Shirleevee

[784caroline]

I pay no fee for my AMEX card ! I am not an advocate of AMEX, just have it when and where necessary. I mostly use a Master Card that is free and tied with a Rewards Program where I accumulate $$ to be used for travel or other merchandise based on the amount of charges accumulated on the card itself. With the gas bills higher than normal the charges add up quickly!