Does anyone know if it is possible to use an AMEX card to pay for something in a place where AMEX is not one of the cards accepted?

Are there any apps that can mask the AMEX card as something else to resemble the cards that are taken? (VISA, MC, DISCOVER)?

The card number itself is different by issuer and the first several digits identify who that is.

Without another card number that somehow "routes" to your AMEX that will be impossible, and any sort of routing also not an option. Imagine the fraud we'd see if that was even remotely possible.

Now if you're talking about using an intermediary like Paypal at the merchant then they won't know or care what the settlement mechanism is on the backside. But for a direct card-to-seller transaction not going to work.

quote:

Originally posted by JeffSig2022:
Does anyone know if it is possible to use an AMEX card to pay for something in a place where AMEX is not one of the cards accepted?

I can't imagine how that would be possible.

pay for item with another card.
Transfer transaction cost from Amex to checking account
Pay other card with checking account.

This puts the balance on your Amex card, but won't necessarily earn you any points.

No.

I imagine that, if you register the card in a payment service, ala Apple Wallet, you could "pay with your phone/Apple Pay" and the merchant would not see that AMEX was involved. The confirmation notice I got from AMEX when I did this indicated that this would be the case. It specifically said that Apple would not see or store the card number.

Maybe get a PayPal debit card and use the AMEX as the back end into PayPal?

If they take Apple Pay you could use that on the point of sale, but funded/linked to your AMEX.

Are you trying to maximize your MR points?

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

I imagine that, if you register the card in a payment service, ala Apple Wallet, you could "pay with your phone/Apple Pay" and the merchant would not see that AMEX was involved. The confirmation notice I got from AMEX when I did this indicated that this would be the case. It specifically said that Apple would not see or store the card number.

Merchant do not see the specific card number, but I believe that they do see what type card is used (AMEX, MasterCard, VISA).

PayPal or apple pay are two work arounds to use AMex where it isn’t accepted

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Merchant do not see the specific card number, but I believe that they do see what type card is used (AMEX, MasterCard, VISA).

This ^^^^^

Using Apple Pay does not change what CC is used, just the mechanism for using it.

E.g.: Costco does not accept MasterCard. When my CU recently switched from Visa to MC that created a problem for my wife and me. We fixed it by acquiring Costco Visa cards. When we shop at Costco and I pay via Apple Pay I have to select the Costco Visa card. Their terminals will not accept our MC card--Apple Pay or no Apple Pay.

The reason many merchants don't like to accept AmEx is AmEx' fees. That wouldn't change using Apple Pay with an AmEx card.

quote:

Originally posted by lizardman_u:
pay for item with another card.
Transfer transaction cost from Amex to checking account
Pay other card with checking account.

This puts the balance on your Amex card, but won't necessarily earn you any points.

That would incure a cash advance transaction fee.

We carry the AMEX platinum and use it for most of our shopping. The exceptions are Costco and Amazon with their branded cards.

You could buy a Visa gift card and pay for it with your Amex. They are sold many places, but a quick google search found www.thegiftcardshop.com, where it appears you can buy a card up to $500 for a $5.95 fee. I think that will be your issue- the fee charged relative to the amount of the gift card.

The only way I can think of is if you use an app like Apple Pay or Zelle.

That would connect the card to the app, and then the merchant would have to accept that app as payment.

Some smaller vendors will take Venmo. If they do, may want to look into this:

https://www.americanexpress.co...peer/send-and-split/

--K

quote:

Originally posted by Kranky:
Some smaller vendors will take Venmo. If they do, may want to look into this:

https://www.americanexpress.co...peer/send-and-split/

--K

I use the Amex send account for Venmo almost exclusively. Very convenient and does put the balance on your Amex account.

However, if you're looking to acquire reward points or miles or earn towards a spending based offer, this type of spend will not qualify.

Furthermore, per the terms and conditions:
"You are not permitted to use your Send Account to pay for the purchase of goods or services, to make payments to merchants, or for any type of business payment or other similar designations, or to make payments on loans or debts you owe arising from the purchase of goods or services or other transaction with a merchant."