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khull

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#159992 19-Dec-2014 12:38
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Amex cards have been a topic here in the past however, I am interested to hear experiences from members who have the Platinum Charge Card (or know of others, given it might not be accessible) and what is the service like?

Please note, this discussion is not about:
- comparing rewards the Amex Charge Card vs other credit cards vs another Amex credit card - it is specific to the experience to using the charge card
- any annual fees associated with the card or comparison of annual fees with another card or the value of the annual fees paid
- the ability to use Amex cards or the acceptance of Amex by merchants

Some bit of history - I have had quite a few close encounters with fraud-concerns and disputes over past transactions with a bank that will not be named/shamed here (you can dig up if you have your private investigation hat on). Long story short, I was not entertained and had rather tense discussions with the bank citing that I should settle with the merchant instead (which I tried and failed which is why I went to the bank, with paperwork and evidence of conversations for disputes handling)

Despite the bank having a policy to deal with incorrect charged amounts and processes to handle failure to deliver items/service from merchants, they showed me the door. I am sick of having to deal with experiences like these.






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heylinb4nz
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  #1200541 19-Dec-2014 12:52
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My credit card was involved fraud 2 months ago, $5000 worth of online purchases over a weekend. ANZ reversed all charges within 7 days no questions asked. Their policy was quite good. I once had an AMEX many years ago just to get the 0% interest for 6 months on balance transfer.

Got rid of it for all the reasons you stated not to talk about. 






freitasm
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  #1200543 19-Dec-2014 12:55
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Does it have to be a Platinum version? I have a Gold one - member for about 25 years now (sorry, not to be too specific in the open). The best thing is that I only moved to NZ in 97, and AMEX was the only card I could just change my address and be done with it. Everything else had to just be cancelled.

I use it mainly for business expenses now - travel, accommodation, meals. Day to day expenses go on other brand-cards.

Very few places won't accept it - mainly small cafes and some smaller online retailers. Everything else I had no problem using it.






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old3eyes
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  #1200639 19-Dec-2014 16:05
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freitasm: Does it have to be a Platinum version? I have a Gold one - member for about 25 years now (sorry, not to be too specific in the open). The best thing is that I only moved to NZ in 97, and AMEX was the only card I could just change my address and be done with it. Everything else had to just be cancelled.

I use it mainly for business expenses now - travel, accommodation, meals. Day to day expenses go on other brand-cards.

Very few places won't accept it - mainly small cafes and some smaller online retailers. Everything else I had no problem using it.




Pay at the pump??




Regards,

Old3eyes




hsvhel
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  #1200641 19-Dec-2014 16:09
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old3eyes:
freitasm: Does it have to be a Platinum version? I have a Gold one - member for about 25 years now (sorry, not to be too specific in the open). The best thing is that I only moved to NZ in 97, and AMEX was the only card I could just change my address and be done with it. Everything else had to just be cancelled.

I use it mainly for business expenses now - travel, accommodation, meals. Day to day expenses go on other brand-cards.

Very few places won't accept it - mainly small cafes and some smaller online retailers. Everything else I had no problem using it.




Pay at the pump??


Used mine today at a gull self service, no issues





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khull

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  #1200655 19-Dec-2014 16:32
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freitasm: Does it have to be a Platinum version? I have a Gold one - member for about 25 years now (sorry, not to be too specific in the open). The best thing is that I only moved to NZ in 97, and AMEX was the only card I could just change my address and be done with it. Everything else had to just be cancelled.

I use it mainly for business expenses now - travel, accommodation, meals. Day to day expenses go on other brand-cards.

Very few places won't accept it - mainly small cafes and some smaller online retailers. Everything else I had no problem using it.




Their website does not carry the card any more - so the next available one with Purchase Protection is Platinum. Again fees aside, I'd like an organization to actually assist me in disputes not shun.

Good to hear others that have experience recovered from (outright) fraudulent activity I am interested to hear from people who have concerns with their transactions.

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  #1201006 20-Dec-2014 11:26
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I may be the lucky one - having had credit cards since the late 80s I never had to chargeback or fight a fraudulent transaction. I hope it doesn't happen now...






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Geektastic
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  #1201281 20-Dec-2014 23:13
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I had one for a few years but in the end got rid of it for reasons we can't mention..!

When they ring me and tell me I can have a Centurion card I will be happy to take it.

"the largest purchase ever made on one was $36 million for a rare porcelain chicken cup by Liu Qiqian.[10] Many retailers object to the high commission charges on large purchases and prefer to offer a cash discount. The card is used for refueling superyachts and private aircraft where the bills can frequently exceed $100,000." (Wikipedia)





 
 
 

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Talkiet
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  #1201296 20-Dec-2014 23:51
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Anyone saying Amex is accepted most places clearly doesn't buy much. I've got an Amex for the Rewards and I realistically estimate that it's accepted at probably 75% of the places I try to use it - whereas I've never had a Visa or Mastercard refused (except at some tiny places where they have a blanket 'no credit card' policy).

Cheers - N





Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.


old3eyes
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  #1201334 21-Dec-2014 07:17
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Talkiet: Anyone saying Amex is accepted most places clearly doesn't buy much. I've got an Amex for the Rewards and I realistically estimate that it's accepted at probably 75% of the places I try to use it - whereas I've never had a Visa or Mastercard refused (except at some tiny places where they have a blanket 'no credit card' policy).

Cheers - N



Yes I found the same.  I got an AMEX card back in 1987  but gave it up about 2 years ago.. I was great for travel and the like   but for general shopping, getting fuel and  Pack  n Save it was hopeless. The Air NZ Airports rewards were good though..




Regards,

Old3eyes


networkn
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  #1201363 21-Dec-2014 09:29
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I'd have to say when we were robbed in the USA and our cards taken, ASB, Kiwibank and ANZ were all terrible to deal with (Visa and Mastercard), the people got about 60K USD off our cards (They didn't cancel my wifes copy of my card or my copy of my wifes cards), but Amex really stood up, made sure we had cards within a couple of hours. For us when we travel Amex has been outstanding, however in NZ there
are a considerable number of places who either charge an elevated % to use one, or won't accept one at all. BNZ who issued our Amex were completely amazing, even paying for us to stay in the US at their expense for the hassles we had. Took weeks when I got back from the US to sort with ASB, the bank I had been with for 20 years, closed my accounts immediately after.

Geektastic
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  #1201368 21-Dec-2014 09:42
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networkn: I'd have to say when we were robbed in the USA and our cards taken, ASB, Kiwibank and ANZ were all terrible to deal with (Visa and Mastercard), the people got about 60K USD off our cards (They didn't cancel my wifes copy of my card or my copy of my wifes cards), but Amex really stood up, made sure we had cards within a couple of hours. For us when we travel Amex has been outstanding, however in NZ there
are a considerable number of places who either charge an elevated % to use one, or won't accept one at all. BNZ who issued our Amex were completely amazing, even paying for us to stay in the US at their expense for the hassles we had. Took weeks when I got back from the US to sort with ASB, the bank I had been with for 20 years, closed my accounts immediately after.


Amex is good in the USA - and more accepted than here too. I often found people wouldn't take it here.





mudguard
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  #1201466 21-Dec-2014 13:22
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I use one for work, three meals a day,, rental cars, flights, home one week in eight. I would say the acceptance rate would be 50%. I know the shops around the country pretty well but the odd motel and hotel won't take it. I do find that surprising, however I just make a note, let my colleague know, and stay somewhere else.
As for dairies, small supermarkets and a lot of cafes, no chance. Sigh. The company I work for does a Visa product too.

gmball
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#1201469 21-Dec-2014 13:36
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I'd recommend looking at the Kiwibank Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. Accepted in more places than Amex, annual card fee is $150 vs $395, same earning rate of 1 airpoints dollar per $75 spent, 1 status point per $200 spent.

Plus added benefits such as 1 Air NZ Koru lounge pass per $20K spent and discounted Koru club membership.

And supports a NZ business rather than a overseas conglomerate :-) 

khull

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  #1201516 21-Dec-2014 14:51
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gmball: I'd recommend looking at the Kiwibank Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. Accepted in more places than Amex, annual card fee is $150 vs $395, same earning rate of 1 airpoints dollar per $75 spent, 1 status point per $200 spent.

Plus added benefits such as 1 Air NZ Koru lounge pass per $20K spent and discounted Koru club membership.

And supports a NZ business rather than a overseas conglomerate :-) 



Appreciate that however this isn't the intended topic, from a value point of view the Airpoints card has better return and acceptance. And I would probably keep a similar arrangement or the OneSmart card by AirNZ. 

Again, I'm interested in the handling and service provided by Amex Platinum for transaction disputes in conjunction with claiming under Buyer Purchase Protection and extended warranties.

Concierge is nice but I doubt the effectiveness?

Geektastic
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  #1201540 21-Dec-2014 16:06
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gmball: I'd recommend looking at the Kiwibank Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. Accepted in more places than Amex, annual card fee is $150 vs $395, same earning rate of 1 airpoints dollar per $75 spent, 1 status point per $200 spent.

Plus added benefits such as 1 Air NZ Koru lounge pass per $20K spent and discounted Koru club membership.

And supports a NZ business rather than a overseas conglomerate :-) 


Wow. $20,000 for one lounge visit?! I'd expect naked girls delivering very personal services for THAT much money per visit!! ;-)





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