American Express cardholders tend to spend more per visit than Visa or Mastercard users, by Amex’s own account. For UK businesses, accepting Amex means access to over 100 million cardholders worldwide.
We rate Amex Merchant Services 6.9 out of 10. The access to premium-spending customers is real, but the higher transaction fees (typically 1.7%-3.5%), limited transparency on pricing, and mixed merchant reviews hold it back. Most UK small businesses should accept Amex through their existing payment provider via OptBlue rather than signing a direct contract.
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This guide explains how Amex merchant services work, what it costs, the difference between direct accounts and OptBlue, and whether accepting American Express makes financial sense for your business. For a broader view of UK payment options, see our merchant accounts hub.
- Amex says its cardholders spend more per transaction than Visa/Mastercard users - the uplift is Amex’s own claim and not independently verified, but it is why premium retail, hospitality and professional services value Amex acceptance
- Direct Amex fees are negotiated, typically quoted at 1.7%-3.5% - the top of that range is well above the 1.69%-1.75% flat in-person rates from Square and SumUp, so the premium is justified only when higher transaction values and customer loyalty offset the extra cost
- Over 100 million Amex cardholders worldwide - declining Amex can mean turning away affluent and international customers, particularly in premium retail and hospitality
- Settlement is typically next working day - via OptBlue, Amex funds arrive on the same schedule as your Visa/Mastercard takings, so there is no separate settlement to manage
- Best for premium retailers, restaurants, and professional services with a high average spend - if your typical transaction is small, the higher fees will erode margins without the average-spend uplift
How American Express Merchant Services Work
American Express runs a closed-loop network – acting as both card issuer and payment processor – which means higher merchant fees but access to premium-spending cardholders.
Unlike Visa and Mastercard (which use an open-loop system with separate issuing banks and acquiring banks), Amex controls the entire transaction chain. It issues the card, processes the payment, and settles with the merchant. This closed-loop model gives Amex more control over rates and cardholder data, but historically made it more expensive for merchants.
Amex is exempt from the UK’s interchange fee caps (0.3% for credit, 0.2% for debit) that apply to Visa and Mastercard. This is why Amex fees are higher – there’s no regulatory ceiling.
UK businesses can accept Amex through two routes:
- Direct Amex merchant account – contract directly with American Express. Best for high-volume Amex merchants.
- OptBlue programme – accept Amex through your existing payment provider (Square, SumUp, Worldpay, etc.) with no separate contract. Best for most small businesses.
American Express Fees and Costs
Amex doesn’t publish fixed rates – fees are negotiated per merchant, typically ranging from 1.7% to 3.5% depending on industry and volume.
American Express doesn’t publish a standard rate card. Your fee depends on your industry, annual transaction volume, and whether you’re on a direct contract or going through OptBlue. You can call 0800 339 911 for a tailored quote.
Direct Account Costs
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction fee | Typically 1.7%-3.5% (negotiated) |
| Setup fee | £0 |
| Monthly account fee | £0 |
| Payment gateway | From £15/month (100 transactions) |
| Per-transaction gateway fee | 7p-12p |
| Contract length | Varies (negotiate) |
The absence of setup fees and monthly charges is a genuine advantage over many traditional merchant account providers. You only pay when you process an Amex transaction. For businesses with seasonal or unpredictable Amex volumes, this means no wasted fixed costs.
OptBlue Costs via Third-Party Providers
Most UK small businesses accept Amex through OptBlue – their existing payment provider bundles Amex acceptance alongside Visa and Mastercard. This is simpler, cheaper for low volumes, and requires no separate contract.
| Provider | Amex Fee | Monthly Fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | 1.75% in person (same as other UK cards) | £0 | None |
| SumUp | 1.69% in person on pay-as-you-go (Amex excluded from the Payments Plus discount) | £0 | None |
| Worldpay | Separate Amex fee (not published) | £17.50 hire (£0 offer to 31 Dec 2026) | 18 months |
| Elavon | Not published | £0 (Start Simple) or £15+ | 12 months |
| Global Payments | Not published | Not published | From 12 months |
Notice that flat-rate providers like Square and SumUp charge their standard in-person rate for Amex (SumUp Payments Plus excludes Amex from its discount) – making them a simple way to accept Amex for small businesses. No separate agreement and no admin overhead, though online and non-UK card rates can differ, so check your provider’s terms.
Features and Tools
Amex provides a merchant portal with real-time transaction monitoring, dispute management, 12-month reporting, and dynamic currency conversion across 127 currencies.
Direct Amex merchant accounts come with the My Merchant Account portal, which offers real-time transaction monitoring, downloadable settlement reports, and 12 months of payment history. The dispute management system sends daily alerts and lets you upload evidence directly through the portal.
Dynamic Currency Conversion is a standout feature for businesses serving international customers. It supports 127 currencies across 170+ countries, showing prices in the customer’s local currency. This is especially valuable for e-commerce, tourism, and hospitality businesses.
Amex Internet Direct lets merchants process transactions straight through Amex servers via XML API, bypassing third-party processors. Amex claims this can reduce per-transaction costs by up to 1%. You’ll need strong PCI DSS compliance to use it.
Support is available 24/7 by phone for account holders (in English, French, and Spanish). Non-members get six-day-a-week support. Amex also provides marketing materials and signage to help businesses advertise Amex acceptance.
Who Should Accept American Express?
Accept Amex if your customers include premium spenders, international visitors, or corporate buyers – skip it if your margins are tight and few customers ask for it.
Accept Amex if:
- You serve premium customers – hotels, fine dining, luxury retail, and professional services attract Amex users who spend more per visit
- You have international customers – Amex’s global cardholder base and dynamic currency conversion are valuable for tourism and e-commerce
- You already use a flat-rate provider – Square and SumUp charge the same 1.69-1.75% in-person rate for Amex as for their other standard cards, so there’s no extra cost to accepting it
- Your competitors don’t accept Amex – you gain a differentiation advantage with Amex-preferred customers
Skip Amex if:
- Margins are tight – if you’re already paying 2.5%+ on a traditional merchant account, adding Amex at 3%+ eats into profit
- Few customers ask for it – if you rarely get asked “Do you take Amex?”, the admin overhead isn’t worth it
- You’d need a separate contract – the hassle of managing two merchant agreements, two sets of reports, and two settlement schedules only makes sense at high Amex volumes
Pros and Cons
Amex gives merchants access to high-spending cardholders but charges higher fees than Visa/Mastercard – OptBlue via flat-rate providers eliminates most downsides.
Our Verdict
We rate Amex Merchant Services 6.9/10 – valuable for businesses with premium or international customers, but unnecessary complexity for most small businesses.
Access to high-spending cardholders but higher fees — most small businesses should accept via OptBlue through existing providers
FREE QUOTE COMPARISON
Compare Merchant Account Quotes from Trusted Suppliers
✓ Save up to 40% on card processing fees
100% free • No obligation • Takes under 2 minutes
The case for accepting American Express depends entirely on your customer base. If Amex cardholders make up a meaningful share of your customers – or if you serve tourists, corporate buyers, or premium shoppers – the higher spending per transaction can more than offset the higher fees.
For most UK small businesses, the simplest path is to accept Amex through a flat-rate provider like Square (1.75%) or SumUp (1.69%) via OptBlue. Same in-person rate as their other standard cards, no separate contract, no admin overhead. Only consider a direct Amex contract if you process high volumes of Amex transactions and can negotiate a competitive rate.
For a full comparison of card payment providers, see our guide to the best card machines for small business or compare card machine costs. You can also read our dedicated Square review and SumUp review for more detail on those providers.
