American Express anyone?

[Upper-cruster]

I have 2 Amex cards. One is the regular one, the other is the Blue card (you pay in monthly installments, zero percent interest for the first 6 months - and yes, I use it judiciously).

I make about 14K a year (grad student) and Amex comes in handy when I am traveling (less need to carry cash) and keeps my other cards free for major expenses that I wouldn't be able to pay off in one month. Also, using Amex FORCES me to pay my balance in full - keeps me sober about using credit.

So is it true that if you have AE you have to pay the full balance at the end of the month?

 

[makedah]

I have 2 Amex cards. One is the regular one, the other is the Blue card (you pay in monthly installments, zero percent interest for the first 6 months - and yes, I use it judiciously).

I make about 14K a year (grad student) and Amex comes in handy when I am traveling (less need to carry cash) and keeps my other cards free for major expenses that I wouldn't be able to pay off in one month. Also, using Amex FORCES me to pay my balance in full - keeps me sober about using credit. I must add that I've had the Amex for a few years and now I can pay some charges things "over time," but I don't. I also used to get their apps for gold card membership, but it didn't seem worth the $350 annual fee.

 

[makedah]

UC - yes, but note my edit. After a while (assuming you pay on time - I think I had my card 2 years before they offered me this option) you can select some charges to repay on a monthly basis. I have no idea what the interest rate is for this option.

 

[makedah]

Velvett - hey, I didn't know you had a shop. What kind is it?

Yes, I've heard the same thing about why lots of businesses (esp. smaller ones) won't take Amex. It costs them too much.

 

[Ffactor]

I agree with Velvett. I had American Express for a long time and I had terrible experiences with them. I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it if you want.

 

[Y_lifter]

The main difference between AE and Visa is that Visa is accepted at more small retail outlets and overseas than AE.
The other difference is that the standard AE card in NOT a revolving charge account meaning you are supposed to pay the entire ballance each month. AE does now offer a revolving card though.

In the old days (80's) AE was thought of as a premium card and had restrictive memberships.
These days, almost anyone with a bit of credit can get an American Distress card.

AE generally also has higher annual fees

I had a company AE card and now have a company Visa.
I have found no difference in service and have noticed the Visa card is more widely accepted at smaller retail outlets.

 

[anabolicmd]

I guess this means you were just talking shit? If you have a number for all these incredible services I'd really like it.

No it means that if you dont know how to get a hold of customer service for yourself, you are too dumb to take advantage of their services anyway.

 

[velvett]

Last time I was in Europe - It's been a while so thing may have changed - no merchants took AMEX only VISA.

Kinda blows the AMEX = cool trendy snob theory

 

[OXANDRIN]

i have amex....no pre-set spending limit.... and is just as good that the balance is due at once because if you don't have the cash you shouldn't be buying the shit.

 

[gonelifting]

I have`nt paid an annual fee on ANY card for years, or EVER. It`s maybe because I don`t have the mileage cards or something. I would never have a card that you pay a fee for. I have like ten cards now.