Frustrated That Not Everywhere Accepts Amex? Here’s How We Get Around This

If you’re loyal to American Express and love earning points on every purchase, there’s nothing more deflating than hearing the dreaded line: “We don’t take Amex.”

It happens far more often than any of us would like, whether you’re at a restaurant, a shop, or even certain online retailers. For anyone who’s serious about maximising rewards, this limitation can feel like a genuine roadblock.

But why is Amex acceptance still inconsistent? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

Let’s break down why Amex is such a hit-and-miss card in the UK, and explore the best non-Amex credit cards to help you keep earning travel rewards wherever your Amex isn’t welcome.

Why Many Places Still Don’t Accept Amex

While American Express is a premium card with strong rewards and perks, it comes with higher processing fees for merchants. These fees are usually higher than what Visa or Mastercard charge. You see where we are going with this.

For big retailers, that’s often not a dealbreaker. But for small and medium-sized businesses, the margins are slimmer, and those extra costs matter. As a result, many shops, bars, cafés and local services simply decide not to accept Amex at all. Now, it is important to say here that we completely understand why small business don't accept Amex, and we support this decision.

It's so important to support local, independent business wherever you go, so consider this almost like a guide on how you can keep doing whilst earning those points to get you on holiday!

This is where a few other cards come into their own.

Just a quick heads-up: Points Well Made is here to dish out the juicy details on miles and points, but we’re not your financial advisers. Any decisions you make regarding products featured on this site are your own responsibility, and you should always consider whether a product suits your personal circumstances. While we chat about all manner of lender goodies, we’re not a lender ourselves. Remember, you know you best.

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card is a great alternative, being a Mastercard, for anyone who wants to keep earning generous travel rewards when Amex isn’t accepted. You’ll earn 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on everyday spending, and 3 points per £1 with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays, giving you a strong return even on routine purchases.

The card comes with a £160 annual fee, but regular users often find that the earning rate and perks outweigh the cost. There’s typically a sizable points bonus early on, helping you build your balance quickly.

Spend enough each year and you’ll unlock a companion ticket or an upgrade voucher — both of which can be extremely valuable, especially for anyone who flies with Virgin Atlantic. Combined with wide Mastercard acceptance and the ability to redeem points across partners like Delta and Air France-KLM, this card fills the Amex gap seamlessly.

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Barclaycard Avios (Free Version)

The free Barclaycard Avios card is ideal for anyone who prefers earning Avios over Virgin Points. As a Mastercard, it’s accepted almost everywhere, and you’ll earn 1 Avios per £1 spent, an impressive rate for a no-annual-fee card.

New cardholders usually receive a modest welcome bonus after hitting a small spend target, which is a nice boost early on. There’s also the opportunity to earn a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher each year if you meet the spending threshold, making the card even more valuable for BA travellers.

If you want a simple non-Amex card that earns well, integrates perfectly with the Avios ecosystem, and costs nothing to keep, this is an excellent option.

Barclaycard Avios Plus (Paid Version)

For heavier spenders who want to maximise Avios earning, the Barclaycard Avios Plus card offers one of the highest earning rates on a Mastercard: 1.5 Avios per £1. The card costs £20 per month, but frequent flyers or big spenders may find the rewards quickly justify the price.

This version typically includes a generous welcome bonus, often one of the strongest Avios offers available in the UK, and you can earn a BA cabin upgrade voucher each year through regular spending. With near-universal acceptance and top-tier earning potential, it’s a powerful partner to your Amex.

The Best Strategy: Use Amex Where You Can, and These Cards Everywhere Else

The smartest approach is simple: use your Amex whenever it’s accepted to earn Membership Rewards, Nectar points, cashback, etc. Then use your Virgin Atlantic Reward+ card or a Barclaycard Avios card for all non-Amex spending. Whether you prefer Virgin Points or Avios, you’ll keep earning strong rewards on every purchase.

Above all, make sure to pay off your balance in full each month — otherwise, interest charges will outweigh the value of the points you’ve earned.

Final Thoughts: Not Everywhere Accepts Amex? Here’s How To Get Around This

While it’s undeniably annoying that not every shop takes Amex, you don’t need to lose out on earning rewards. By pairing your Amex with either the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card or one of the Barclays Avios cards, you can continue building points or miles on almost every pound you spend.

Use Amex where it works. Use Virgin or Barclays where it doesn’t. And enjoy watching your travel rewards grow faster than ever.

Helena

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