Why is American Express not accepted everywhere?

American Express is not accepted everywhere because American Express charges merchants higher fees than Visa, Mastercard.

This makes retailers like Costco, independently owned boutiques, and many family stores shy away from accepting your American Express card.

Hi! You are right – fewer places take American Express, and that can be so frustrating. When you use any credit card, the merchant/vendor pays a percent of your purchase to the credit card company. American Express charges vendors slightly higher fees than do Visa and Mastercard, so some businesses, especially smaller ones, choose not to accept American Express. As a business owner, I would be reluctant to say “no” to anyone who wants to buy from me, but many businesses don't think it is worth it for them to accept American Express. You will want to evaluate whether the annual fee and the limited acceptance of an American Express card make it worth you're carrying one. Many people love them, so it may be perfect for you. Best wishes and thanks for writing!