American Express in England
 

Having been to London previously, I am well aware of how readily Visa & MasterCard are accepted. However, I'm returning soon with first time visitors who want to know about the acceptance of the American Express card. Is is widely accepted in London?

Yes <BR>

AMEX is accepted widely but not as universally as Visa.Don't count on always being able to use AMEX, I have been refused.Visa is better, also for ATMs.Some places have a definite disike of AMEX, I remember being told why but can't remember now, don't think the vendor gets a good deal.

Frank is correct. Vendors are charged more comission by Amex for using their cards. Visa and Mastercard are excepted almost everywhere, but not Amex.

Dear Ms Jeffreys, <BR> <BR>All the above is quite true, and I've ceased to hold an American Express card. But when I did have it I didn't annoy waiters with it. I put it into any Lloyd's Bank cash machine and drew money (albiet at a £2 charge). Such machines are common, I think with an altered name: they are lsss common than Visa and MasterCard machines. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Hi Susan <BR> <BR>Forget your Amex. Us Uk retailers have to pay an absolutely ridiculous commission so if we do take it we don't really want to and if we don't (like me) your'e stuffed anyway. A good plan is to get out the Amex and then ask if it is any cheaper with the Visa - commission can vary from 1.5% for visa to 5.5% for Amex!!!! <BR> <BR>Happy Shopping

Hi Susan, <BR> <BR>All I have to add is that when I was in London in 1995 and when I went to Scotland this month, I had no problem at all using my AMEX (green or Optima). <BR> <BR>I used a both Visa and an Optima card. I haven't gotten my Visa statement in yet, so I don't know which card gave me the best exchange. I can email you with the results if you wish. <BR> <BR>Kittie

We had some problems last summer with our mastercard in smaller restaurants and shops in London. Whoever they called for approval had a problem with it being a U.S. card. No problem with Amex at the restaurant where approval on the mastercard was taking so long.