More Atlanta small businesses accepting AMEX cards

Why were American Express cards not being accepted at the more than 40,000 new places they are now accepted at in Atlanta?

There are multiple reasons why a business may choose not to accept one form of payment over another. That said, in the last two years, we have seen a significant increase of merchants accepting AMEX cards in the U.S. – over 1.6 million more places across the country and over 40,000 in Atlanta between 2013 and 2015 – because we have taken a number of steps to expand our merchant coverage. Much of our focus has been on getting more small merchants to accept AMEX. We have changed the way we do business with small merchants by making it easier for them to work with us.

Through our program called OptBlue, which launched in 2014, processors now set the pricing for AMEX card acceptance. This means eligible small merchants have more rate options and can shop around for a rate that works for their business. Additionally, the program makes it simpler for merchants to accept AMEX because merchants now receive a single statement, one deposit and one point of contact for all card brands they accept. This has enabled us to add more small merchants in the Atlanta area and beyond.

What effect will OptBlue have on the national business economy?

OptBlue is one of many AMEX initiatives aimed at helping U.S. small merchants grow their business by connecting them with high spending, loyal card members. With OptBlue, many more small merchants have the opportunity to benefit from American Express' card members who on average spend four times more than MasterCard and Visa cardholders. Our card members want to be able to use their card wherever they want. For instance, in the Atlanta area, 18.21 Bitters started accepting AMEX cards through OptBlue and was able to delight their customers who like to use their AMEX card to accrue airline miles. We are excited about OptBlue and what it can do to grow acceptance of AMEX at small merchants.

In the OptBlue program, third-party acquirers contract directly with eligible U.S. small merchants. How were things going before this new initiative?

In the past, AMEX owned the contract with small merchants and determined pricing for card acceptance. Under the OptBlue program, third-party acquirers contract directly with small merchants, determine the pricing that works for merchants and provide servicing. This means that small merchants who sign up through OptBlue benefit from an all-in-one solution and have the convenience of working with a single provider – making it easier to accept AMEX.

What makes a merchant eligible for the program?

OptBlue is open to eligible U.S. small merchants that have a projected AMEX charge volume of less than $1 million per year.

Does this program allow OptBlue merchants to accept credit cards and charge cards?

OptBlue enables eligible small merchants to accept AMEX credit cards and charge cards the same way they accept other card brands.

The statement: "OptBlue participants now account for 99% of the merchant acquiring volume in the U.S." What does this AMEX statement mean?

This means that the third-party acquirers participating in the OptBlue program represent nearly all of the U.S. acquiring market.

Please explain the OptBlue small merchant benefits of recommendations, free online advertising, and Shop Small map services?

Our recommendations platform promotes local businesses to card members about where to shop or dine based on their location and how they use their card. For small merchants, this means getting visibility in front of card members who may or may not have frequented their business before. We also provide free online advertising to eligible small merchants that is targeted to card members in their area. Lastly, our Shop Small map, a digital map that our card members use to find places to shop, is another channel that small merchants can receive placement on to increase visibility.

Ultimately, we want to drive more of our card members to our small merchants, and these are a few examples of how AMEX is helping small merchants grow their business.

How has OptBlue changed things in Atlanta?

OptBlue has helped expand AMEX card acceptance in Atlanta. Over 40,000 more places have begun accepting AMEX Cards between 2013 and 2015, thanks in large part to the OptBlue program. This means that more small merchants can benefit from our high-spending and loyal card members and our card members can use their cards at more places in the Atlanta area.

Give three major benefits for AMEX card-holding customers from the OptBlue initiative?

The three major benefits for AMEX card members are:

• More places to use their AMEX cards: OptBlue has helped expand American Express' coverage in the U.S. There are over 1.6 million more places now accepting AMEX cards, enabling our card members to use their cards in more places.

• More opportunities to support small businesses: OptBlue is aimed at growing the number of small merchants accepting AMEX cards, making it convenient for consumers to shop small year round.

• More locations to earn Membership Rewards: With more locations accepting AMEX, card members have more occasions to earn Membership Rewards when shopping.

What are the three major benefits for OptBlue small merchants?

The three major benefits for OptBlue small merchants are:

• Flexible rate options: Now with merchant service providers setting the rate for accepting AMEX cards, eligible small merchants have the opportunity to find a rate that works for their business.

• One statement and deposit: Small merchants save time with one statement for all the cards they accept, simplifying their accounting and bookkeeping processes. They also receive one deposit for all the card brands they accept, allowing them to get paid faster and better manage cash flow.

• One contact for servicing: Small merchants have one service contact for all their questions and needs.

How is OptBlue doing internationally?

We launched OptBlue in Canada in June 2015 and have been pleased with the progress to date. We are also planning to launch OptBlue in Mexico later this year.