So, who *does* accept American Express?

I have my bright, shiny, new American Express card, and I've never been happier to have actually qualified for a credit card  .  The question now is, where can I use it?  I got the card to start building a credit history/score, so it's important to me to use the thing.  I know Amazon takes AmEx, but does anyone know of other big retailers that do?  I would particularly love to find a grocery store!

Marks and Spencer!  I have an American Express card that I mostly use at M&S because I know for sure that they'll accept it.  Quite a lot of big high street retailers will also accept AmEx, but not all (I'm looking at you, John Lewis!).

I use my AmEx more than any other card because it's linked to my British Airways account. I've found that just about everyone takes it - Sainsburys and Waitrose definitely do so I suspect Tesco must as well. I put petrol on it too so I know BP, Esso, and Shell all take it.... Actually I know Tesco do as dh has used it to get Tesco petrol.

I actually find it to be a rarity when people don't take it. It's usually smaller non-chain stores that won't.

For anyone looking for a new account, you might want to consider the Lloyds-TSB "Airmiles Duo" card account.   It provides an AmEx card which earns air miles on each use, but also provides a MasterCard which is linked to the same account for those places which won't accept AmEx.

Yep, I have this...I sort of suspected when I read their terms and conditions that, since they aware more miles for the use of AmEx, fewer places take it.  I try not to use my cards at all, but it's nice to know, for Airmiles purposes, if I do use them I at least can use the MasterCard if AmEx isn't accepted.

I seem to remember that Clark's takes American Express as well...hopefully, with everything you've read so far, Mungo, you should have a great start at building up that credit rating.

I have the Airmiles cards, and I've found that a lot more places than I expected take the Amex. Most chain stores I've shopped in have taken it, and even some local retailers. Generally, though, I've found that if it's just a small local shop it probably won't take it because the fees are too high. The supermarket chains I've been to all take it.

Marks and Spencer!  I have an American Express card that I mostly use at M&S because I know for sure that they'll accept it.  Quite a lot of big high street retailers will also accept AmEx, but not all (I'm looking at you, John Lewis!).

John Lewis takes AmEx.  Maybe it's a new thing, but they definitely take it now.

I actually find it to be a rarity when people don't take it. It's usually smaller non-chain stores that won't.

This is my experience as well. 

John Lewis takes AmEx.  Maybe it's a new thing, but they definitely take it now.

I'll have to try again...last time I tried was about June 2007-ish, and they wouldn't accept it (at least the one in Sheffield wouldn't!)

I'll have to try again...last time I tried was about June 2007-ish, and they wouldn't accept it (at least the one in Sheffield wouldn't!)

The only reason I realized it was that we just used it there last week.   

I have had a American Express Gold Card for many years but I don't get air miles.

How do I get air miles with Am Ex.?

My guess is that I need a special type of card from them.

Almost every airline has their own mileage award cards that are amex.

I have the Virgin one cause that's what we fly most often. The others I can think of right now are Delta, BA, JetBlue, and Virgin-America. There are probably plenty others.

Almost every airline has their own mileage award cards that are amex.

I have the Virgin one cause that's what we fly most often. The others I can think of right now are Delta, BA, JetBlue, and Virgin-America. There are probably plenty others.

Thanks Mort! Now who should I fly with? Maybe you just brought my trip to the UK closer

Thanks all!  I just found out that the Co-operative does as well, which is super-convenient, as they have a shop just down the street. 

I'll have to try again...last time I tried was about June 2007-ish, and they wouldn't accept it (at least the one in Sheffield wouldn't!)

It's Sheffield, you probably got the wrong nut of the day.     They should accept what they accept online, plus they're the same partnership as Waitrose, so they should both accept the same payment methods anyway.