[umanwizard]

I don't understand how having an Amex leads to anxiety.

In the maybe 5% of cases where Amex isn't accepted, this is the experience:

Me: hands over Amex Vendor: Oh sorry, we don't take Amex. Me: hands over Chase visa Vendor: Thanks!

[throwaway91111]

Sure. A decent card works 100% so you don't need two cards to purchase something. Otherwise what's the point?

Edit: this is really a question better answered with words than a downvote.

[phil21]

I have yet to find an issuer on Visa/MC that can even remotely touch Amex's customer service.

I've tried. Everyone else is simply anti-consumer, to the point of being nearly fraudulent. Amex on the other hand generally "just works" how you would expect when something comes up or when you need to do something.

I agree - if there were never any problems ever, who cares. Go with the cheapest zero fee Visa and be happy.

The experiences I've had recently with multiple Visa issuers have led me to cancel those cards, and now I keep exactly one Amex as my primary, and a backup Visa just in case it's not accepted somewhere. I tend to avoid those businesses if possible.

Amex is so far and away better on their customer protection/service it's not even really a competition. They are playing a different ballgame.

Ignoring chargebacks, anti-consumer practices to collect additional fees, etc. - just something as simple as losing a credit card and needing a replacement sent is eye opening. A typical Visa/MC (even a so called premium card) will take a week. If you're lucky. Good luck if you happen to be traveling, have fun dealing with a 90 minute phone call involving an escalation to a manager. Amex will overnight you a new card to a random third world country with a 5 minute phone call.

It's stuff like that which keeps me firmly in the Amex fold. If/when they start screwing that part of their offering up, I'll switch instantly. So far their competition has a long way to come. The last two credit cards I've signed up for (for promotions) I've canceled within 60 days due to horrific anti-consumer - and in my opinion - entirely fraudulent business practices. I refuse to do business with folks who actively are trying to rip me off.

For people who are willing to jump through hoops and make a credit card issuer's problem theirs - amex is not the choice for you. For folks who think their bank should work on their behalf and not be something I have to set a calendar reminder for in order to remember stuff? Amex is the choice.

I actually get angry thinking of my last Visa experience (Google Credit) - it was so anti-consumer I can't even believe it's legal.

[bspn]

> A typical Visa/MC (even a so called premium card) will take a week. If you're lucky. Good luck if you happen to be traveling, have fun dealing with a 90 minute phone call involving an escalation to a manager. Amex will overnight you a new card to a random third world country with a 5 minute phone call.

Counterpoint: I've had a Citi Premier Mastercard since 2008 and have lost it several times over that period. Every single time I call the conversation is sub-5 minutes and I ALWAYS have a new card in hand within 24 hours, including the time my wallet was stolen in London.

[hkmurakami]

I think I could say the same thing about the Chase Freedom CC with quarterly rolling 5% bonus categories.

"A decent card works 100% with all purchase categories for rewards. Otherwise what's the point?"

[AlexB138]

I keep two credit cards, the primary being an Amex. I do that because I like Amex's buyer protection, and their support has been between acceptable and impressive the few times I've had to deal with them. I keep a backup for when I can't use the Amex, similar to the above poster.

I do find it slightly annoying that I have to have a backup, but it's fairly rare that I need it, and the tradeoff is worth it for me.

I find it strange people are down voting what seems like an honest question about a pretty utilitarian matter.