merchants can now charge more if you use plastic.

[jlewisinsyr]

why wouldnt it belong in transportation? car rental companies are merchants are they not?

Yes, they are, but this is more about credit cards then about car rentals, but obviously the mods feel this is value added being here and not in some other forum.

Do you mind paying a 3-4% surcharge to use your card? If so I'd start taking amex again. AMEX is the most expensive card to take. 4-5% on average.

No offense to small business owners, but when you're looking to attract business, especially business of other businesses on corporate travel, you have to think about the customer. Business travel is very lucrative (albeit volatile at times) and business customers are all about convenience. If you won't take my business AMEX, I probably won't bother with your establishment.

The general consumer is a little more variable, but there are many who will only charge things to their cards (regardless of type). I have no issues with paying cash when traveling to countries not that forward with credit cards, but in the US, I can tell you I almost never carry cash at home and when traveling just to tip valet, etc. Cash is a huge risk, it's hard to track and prove and if lost/stolen cannot be replaced.

Business is tough and I understand the costs of accepting other forms of payments (I'm very aware), but a business also has customers and businesses must weigh the convenience of their customers with the costs of generating their business. If it works for you to not accept AMEX (or in general, any credit card) that's great, but from a customer's point of view you're possibly failing to reach a market.