Smart move by Amex. However it definitely doesn't make it that much more convenient for Aussie consumers, as Amex isn't accepted at a lot of retailers
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Apple Partnering With American Express to Bring Apple Pay to Canada, Australia, Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong
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I'm pretty sure it's well above 75% or 80% who don't accept Amex. And since Costco switched its card from Amex to MasterCard, everyone I know who had an Amex card has cancelled their cards and switched to either MasterCard or Visa.
This joke is even more frustrating than no announcement at all.
It's funny. First people complained that the US got Apple Pay first ("should have gone elsewhere first, ___ has better NFC infrastructure"). Now that it's actually coming to countries other than the US and the UK, people are still complaining. 
FWIW AmEx seemed to be accepted at about ~50% of places in Australia when I was there last year. I was honestly surprised.
FWIW AmEx seemed to be accepted at about ~50% of places in Australia when I was there last year. I was honestly surprised.
I use my AMEX in Australia for 90% of transactions and get more points because of it...it certainly has less support than MC or Visa but to say it's not accepted in the majority of places is ridiculous. Sadly my AMEX was issued by Westpac so I imagine it won't be supported.
I'm Canadian but I am also almost 100% sure that it is not Apple holding up these negotiations. Canada is well known for stifling change. Look at iTunes Radio. The banks are scared to death that they'll lose 1 cent. It's ridiculous. Wouldn't want to take anything away from the poor banks. Customer needs/ wants be damned.
As someone who lives in the UK, has an Amex and has been to Canada, Australia and Singapore, Amex acceptance is absolutely fine (In fact in Australia these days practically everyone takes it (although a small amt will charge a surcharge). I'd say a good 80% to 90% of places accept Amex (With Canada (I know one or two big retailers like Loblaws don't take it in Canada) being the worst, then Singapore and then Australia).
Amex is probably more popular than you imagine, especially in Australia where there are an awful lot of Amex cards issued by other banks as well.
I don't know why anyone would complain about this though. Its good news for everyone as its bound to either do one of two things. Amex will be become even more accepted and will have more people with their cards or it will get the competition to use Apple Pay as well.
I will agree Amex acceptance in Spain is pitiful though.
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Unfortunately, you're absolutely right¡ Even though Spain is the fourth largest Euro economy, iPhone's market share is, strangely, a third or even a fifth of our neighbors'. The only way for Apple to make an impact with Apple Pay is making agreements with the two largest banks, Santander and BBVA (also two of the world's largest, so that could also have a deep impact in other markets) and at least with Caixabank who is the holder of the largest ATM network ... The contactless network is already there long way ago and we're used to use contactless cards everywhere ... so go for it¡ Looking forward for a brighter move from Apple¡
AMEX acceptance may not be ubiquitous like that of Visa or MC, but enough places accept it, and those doing so tend to be bigger ticket merchants (able to cover the fees.)
The banks blocking the implementation of Pay will be loathe to lose the fee revenue that will now be delivered to AMEX as a result of their intransigence, and when the first MC and Visa partner banks cave to Pay, others will soon follow suit for fear of losing both revenue and customers. (Not how Barclays caved shortly after launched in the uk and how a clown of a vp there begged customers to stay on board until Barclays could launch Pay in spring 2016.)
As Pay picks up steam, merchants will realize that strict alliance to the MCX-CurrentC consortium is not in their interest and will enable Pay as soon as their currentc exclusivity lock up expires.
The banks blocking the implementation of Pay will be loathe to lose the fee revenue that will now be delivered to AMEX as a result of their intransigence, and when the first MC and Visa partner banks cave to Pay, others will soon follow suit for fear of losing both revenue and customers. (Not how Barclays caved shortly after launched in the uk and how a clown of a vp there begged customers to stay on board until Barclays could launch Pay in spring 2016.)
As Pay picks up steam, merchants will realize that strict alliance to the MCX-CurrentC consortium is not in their interest and will enable Pay as soon as their currentc exclusivity lock up expires.
What? I live in the GTA and I would say 90% of retailers accept AMEX. The only place I have been to that doesn't accept AMEX, is the smaller independent shops.
It is my main card and used everywhere except a few local restaurants.
The good news on this announcement is there is now actual pressure on the Canadian banks to come to an agreement and push it out faster.
While people won't jump ship just like that, I am sure the banks will get a fair amount of question, complaints and media attention for not having Apple Pay.
Number of places that accept Amex is lower than any other card, but the brutal part is the number of tap and pay readers that also take Amex.
Amen to reclusive46! It's a start, not a destination. And I agree: I travel a lot - I was in Australia in September and October and the only place I couldn't use my Amex was on the airport train in Sydney. Even then, it is accepted at ticket offices, just not in the ticket machine. If you live there I doubt you are buying tickets singly anyway, but have a pass. I've used it in obvious places like hotels and restaurants, but also experiences like diving, supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles, and even"Maccas" (McD's). I've never had an Amex declined in Canada: I don't dispute that it doesn't have the coverage of Visa and MasterCard, but we are talking about edge cases, no? I find my Amex is accepted in the vast majority of places in most countries - which also includes Spain. Furthermore, I had a look and there are fee-free Amex cards available in Canada and Australia if you would like to try Apple Pay. This seems like a non-problem. No one is saying that this is where Apple wants to be, but maybe a little glass half full?
For what it's worth, I have been an Amex customer for many years in the UK and US and while like any company it's only as good as the people you speak to, I have found them to be consistently as good as it gets in the real world. I don't work for them; I don't care if they're not for you; this is just my experience - and I use Apple Pay wherever and whenever possible, which in New York City is quite often. Indeed my only gripe is that a US Amex card doesn't seem to work with Apple Pay outside the US, so I can't use it on things like the London Underground. My tears have dried from this tragedy.
Are Apple sending a message to the banks saying we would like you to be involved with pay but we really don't need you.
If Visa/MC decide to partner with Apple in these countries where does that leave the banks.
If Visa/MC decide to partner with Apple in these countries where does that leave the banks.
You can barely get restaurants let alone anywhere else except for the big supermarkets to use Anerican express. Hate to say it but it's going to be amok or fail in Australia unless they partner with MasterCard
Canada banks won't pay the apple tax. No need to since virtually all cc are chipped already. AP offers NO security advantages.
Since when did contactless cards required a fingerprint scan for security? They literally have zero security those cards.
Sure thing person from the UK who has been to Australia, I'll trust you over my own experience of using Amex in Australia for the last decade
I am Canadian and use my Amex for my daily spending as well as expenses. I find it works at 95% of places. Some grocery stores, Costco and some mom and pop places are the only places that don't take it.
Then Apple needs to target the bigger banks of the country such as the Commonwealth Bank. Only then will the other bank services like ANZ, NAB and WestPac, jump onboard.
Loblaw, Costco, and those mom and pop shops are probably where people spend the most.
I use my amex around Toronto a lot, it's mainly supermarket's like Loblaw's who have their own finacial institution that don't accept it, so it will be a bonus for me.
I used my Australian AMEX a lot in Australia too, the two supermarkets (Woolies and Coles) accept it, and that's where most people will find using apple pay most convenient...Amex might get a burst in use too making them more desirable!
I used my Australian AMEX a lot in Australia too, the two supermarkets (Woolies and Coles) accept it, and that's where most people will find using apple pay most convenient...Amex might get a burst in use too making them more desirable!