American Express Review & Best AMEX Casinos
Last updated: 16 June 2021
American Express is the 4th largest card network in the world. Interestingly, American Express is both a credit card network and a credit card issuer. This global service company processes payments. Its main products are credit and debit cards, charge cards, and travel-related services. As they say, they are among the largest international payments networks, forward-looking and customer-focused.
Well, here is where our experts’ team steps in to check such claims. We are bringing you a detailed lowdown on American Express and its cards. Especially from an online casino player point of view. You will learn all about the fees, deposits and withdrawals, timeframes, casino bonuses, and limits if you decide to use Amex for online gambling.
If you need assistance, we provide you with an overview of American Express customer support. Yes, we’ve assessed how customer-oriented they really are! Also, we are sure you would want to know whether the Amex is available in your country, so we bring you a detailed report on that too. And, finally, would you like to learn how the first American Express card looked like? Intriguing enough? Then continue reading!
Top Casinos That Accept AMEX Deposits
As a member of the Big Three, alongside Visa and Mastercard, Amex is one of the most popular banking methods among gamblers today. Even though Visa and Mastercard are more prevalent at online casino cashier sections, American Express is not far behind. American Express dominates the US market. But as a global brand available in close to 100 countries worldwide, you can expect to see its distinctive logo on many online casino websites. To help you find the right choice, we bring you our selection of the best American Express online casinos.
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10% Cashback up to €200- Great selection of banking options
- Two Cashback offers
- 7 bonuses to choose from
Vegas Crest
18 + | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply 200% up to $1,000
30 Free Spins- Over 900 casino games
- Excellent reputation since 2014
- Bitcoin payments
100% up to €300 100 Free Spins- Daily cashback
- Impressive live casino
- Crypto friendly casino
100% up to €500 200 Free Spins- High game variety
- Many bonuses
- Stable cashier
100% up to €100 300 Free Spins- Excellent reputation
- Local payment options
- PayPal payments for UK, SE, ES
100% up to €300 300 Free Spins- UK, Malta, Sweden licences
- Impressive live casino
- Wide array of banking methods
300% up to $2,000 180 Free Spins- Real money casino rebate
- Regular slot & table tournaments
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100% up to $100- Very good reputation
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200% up to $2,000 100 Free Spins- Very good reputation
- Online since 2007
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Company Background
American Express (Amex) is an American financial corporation and a leading issuer of personal, business, and corporate credit cards. American Express is an international brand that offers many financial services to clients across the globe. This is one of the oldest and widely recognized payment processing companies. It was founded in 1850 in New York as an express mail business. In 1857, American Express diversified into financial services, and in 1891 it launched its first traveler’s check. The company opened the first office in Europe (Paris) in 1895 that established it as an international company.
Amex issued the first charge card in 1958 in the US and Canada and was the first to introduce plastic embossed cards in 1959. The first American Express Gold card was issued in 1966, and the Platinum Card debuted in 1984. Three years later, they rolled out the Optima card, the first not requiring full payment at the end of the month.
In 1972 the company started building international card-issuing partnerships in South America and Europe. In 1991, the company decided to go for a wider acceptance and started including mainstream merchants (like Walmart) into its network. American Express is best known for its Green, Gold, and Platinum charge cards. In 1999, Amex introduced the Centurion Card (Amex Black Card) for wealthy clients. They also launched the Blue, Zync, Cobalt Card, and several business cards for small businesses.
Target Markets
American Express is an international company that delivers its products and services across the globe. More precisely, American Express is present in 95 countries and regions worldwide, supporting 71 currency. As an American corporation, the primary target market is the United States of America. However, Amex started growing its global footprint in 1972 by establishing international partnerships with companies from South America and Europe. Today, American Express caters to customers from all parts of the world, including the UK, Canada, Brasil, Japan, India, Norway, Australia, etc.
The regions they cover are the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, LATAM, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, Australia, and India. It is interesting to know that Amex hasn’t gained much popularity in Europe. Many merchants refuse to accept these cards because they have higher fees. The company has offices in the US, Canada, the UK (London), Singapore, Australia (Sydney), and India.
How to Set Up an American Express Account: Step by Step Guide
American Express is one of a few financial service providers capable of processing electronic payment cards and issuing them. In most cases, the cards are issued directly from Amex, without an intermediary. To register an account, follow the steps outlined below.
Create an account
To create your American Express online account, visit the official website, and enter the My Account menu section. Then click the Create New Online Account.
Get started
A new window will open, asking you to enter your details to set up a new account. You need to fill in a 15-digit card number field and 4-digit card ID. They assist you by explaining where to find these details, as their position may differ depending on the card. Once done, confirm.
Set up
After you have clicked the confirm button, you’ll just need to follow the straightforward, step-by-step registration process. In the US, you have to provide your social security number. You will also be asked to provide a security question (date of birth, or year of birth).
Finish
Finally, create your user ID and password, secure the account by selecting one of the security questions, and finish the process.
Available Currencies
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AUD
BRL
CAD
CHF
CLP
CZK
DKK
EUR
GBP
INR
JPY
MXN
MYR
NGN
NOK
NZD
PLN
RUB
SEK
USD
ZAR
Casino Deposits and Withdrawals
To make a deposit at American Express casinos, follow these steps:
- Create a casino account and go to the deposit section.
- Select credit cards as a payment method and pick Amex.
- Fill in the card number, expiry date, CSC (card security code, the same as CVC/CVV), and enter the deposit amount. In some casinos, you will need to provide the cardholder name too.
In case of withdrawal, the casinos who want to pay out through the same channel will ask you to verify your account before processing the payment. You will need to submit a copy of the ID, passport, driving license, or utility bill as proof that you are the real cardholder. However, the majority of online casinos don’t support withdrawals with Amex. In that case, you will probably have to use bank transfer for cashouts.
Detailed Overview of Transaction Fees
American Express has a broad portfolio of credit, debit, charge, gift, prepaid cards for consumers, businesses, and corporations. This means they have a complex set of fees that depend on the card type. Some Amex credit and charge cards have an annual fee in return for valuable rewards, features, and benefits.
The cards issued in the US range in cost between no annual membership cost (for example, Blue card) and a yearly cost of $550 for the Platinum card. Most cards have the transaction fee of either $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater. The foreign transaction fee is either not applicable (for cards with membership fees) or 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
In the UK, the foreign transaction fee is 2.99%, and the cash advance fee is either £3 or 3% of the amount, whichever is greater. The best way to determine the exact costs is to ask your bank or check the card’s agreement. You can find these agreements on the official website.
Most online casinos that accept American Express cards as a payment method doesn’t charge any processing fees on your Amex deposits. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule, so always check the casino’s T&C and read the fine print. As for the withdrawals, unfortunately, the majority of online casinos don’t offer American Express as a withdrawal method. Instead, in most cases, you will see a direct bank transfer as an alternative.
Timeframes for AMEX Payments at Online Casinos
If you decide to use Amex as a preferred payment method, one of the main benefits is that deposits are processed in real-time. It means the money is deposited straight to your online casino balance so that you can go directly to the lobby and find your favorite game.
When it comes to cashing out, the story is different. The casinos that allow cashing out with Amex have a timeframe of 4 business days to transfer money into your account. However, we’ve already mentioned that many online casinos don’t allow you to withdraw the winnings with American Express cards. They offer other options, usually bank transfer.
In this case, the timeframes are between 4 and 12 banking days. The bank transfer processing time at Cherry Jackpot, Roaring 21, and CasinoMax is within 4 days. Drake Casino says that the bank wire transactions can take up to 12 business days.
Deposit and Withdrawal Limits
The average minimum amount you can deposit in your online casino account with American Express is $25-$35. The maximum is usually $500, but at some casinos, this amount may depend on player status. Higher limits are available for VIP players.
CasinoMax, Roaring21, and Cherry Jackpot also have a $750 daily deposit limit for credit or debit cards. Furthermore, there is a weekly limit of $2,000 and a monthly limit of $3,000. The minimum amount you can withdraw with bank transfer is $100-$200. The maximum is $4,000 or $5,000.
Best AMEX Casino Bonus
Casinos that accept American Express as a payment method offer valuable bonuses for you to enjoy upon signup. You will most probably be offered an attractive welcome bonus as an incentive to keep playing. Some welcome bonuses may double or even triple your first deposit. If you deposit $100, you may get another $100 on top of the original amount. To help you make the most of it, here is a list of the best American Express online casino bonuses we’ve selected for you.
35% Instant Cashback
Cashback
Not required
10x
Ongoing
$10
No maximum
Nomini
Cashback
Not needed
1x
Ongoing
€50
No maximum
Slotland
Deposit
WELCOME1
25x B
Ongoing
$25
No maximum
Wazamba
Welcome Package
Not needed
35x
Ongoing
€20
No maximum
Kassu
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
40x B
Ongoing
€10
€100 for Free Spins
Genesis
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
40x B
Ongoing
€10
€100 for Free Spins
Tsars
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
25x (D+B)
Ongoing
€20
€500
Slotocash
Deposit
Free Spins
SLOTO1MATCH
25x (D+B)
Ongoing
$20
No maximum
Security
American Express safeguards and monitors users’ accounts with various measures. They apply the latest encryption technology to ensure secured online transactions and sensitive data transfers. All confidential information is automatically protected with 128-bit encryption. They also have automatic time-outs that log you out after 10 minutes of inactivity. You need to log in again, which protects you from staying logged in on some public device by accident.
The personal security key is another verification measure, alongside unique user ID and passwords that users create when they set up their online accounts. Also, Amex has pre-purchase verification that requires you to provide a billing zip code or the credit card’s security code to authenticate the cardholder’s identity.
Customer Support
American Express has 24/7 support, and you can speak to a real person instead of a chatbot. This is one of the main advantages, the actual call center you can contact whenever you need support. If you need local help, check the website in your language and find the number in your country. The Live Chat is available only if you have a registered online account. If you do, log in and click the chat icon to speak to a Customer Care Professional. You can also call them at the phone number on the back of your card.
Amex is active on Twitter and Facebook. To contact them, tweet a question to @AskAmex or @AskAmexUK or use a Messenger. They reply fast on Twitter and are truly helpful. As a company with numerous cards and services, they have several numbers for different issues. The best way to determine how to reach out for a specific reason is to check the website (Contact us in the footer).
One of the exciting things about Amex is that they offer physical addresses to send them letters. American Express also features the TTY (TeleTYpe) and TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) for people who don’t hear well enough and don’t understand speech, even with amplification. In this way, Amex shows that it genuinely cares about all the customers.
Some reviews say Amex has the best customer support in the financial industry that provides a premium service to its clients worldwide. Furthermore, they claim this is very professional and fantastic customer service with a live chat and almost immediate help on hand 24/7. But, player feedback paints a different picture. We’ve got quite a few reviews where people complained about how terrible their customer service was, saying their agents answer using scripted robotic responses but don’t resolve simple issues. So, although you can reach out and get a real person on the line, you’ll likely get a generic answer. Or they’ll transfer you multiple times with a long waiting period.
The primary impression is that Amex may have had excellent customer service, but this has changed. Now, customer service reps cannot explain many issues, especially regarding the limits, charges, canceled cards, etc. They refer the problem to the back office, which, by many accounts, doesn’t take calls or respond to emails.
Player Experiences
Most clients using American Express cards are satisfied with the quality of service. This is not such a big surprise, given that this is one of the best-known brands in the world.
However, there are complaints regarding Amex’s high fees and the tendency to significantly lower your credit limit even if you pay everything on time. Moreover, some clients say American Express will even cancel your card without informing you. Many people warn others to avoid Amex cards, as many merchants don’t accept them, especially outside the US.
People say that in a case of mistake (e.g., wrong payment), even if you immediately inform them and explain, they will punish you by lowering the card’s limit. This affects the credit score, and people aren’t happy with it. Or they will charge you an enormous fee or interest rate, or even cancel the card. Many are bitter about the fact it is almost impossible to dispute them.
Extra Features
American Express is renowned for its Membership Rewards program and the rewards points you can earn as an Amex member. You can add up rewards points during your everyday shopping and redeem for various purchases, in restaurants, hotels, and at the checkouts of many merchants. Some of the most well-known names that partnered with Amex are Walmart, Amazon, PayPal, Hilton, Marks & Spencer, British Airways, Harrods, etc.
Amex also has personal and business gift cards that have no usage fees after purchase.
Cards with annual membership costs (Green, Gold, Platinum, etc.) enjoy different benefits. Some of them are airline fee credit, dining credit, usage of the exclusive airspace lounges, preferred seating, car rental privileges, concierge, Hilton Honors Gold Status, no foreign transaction fees, etc.
Some Amex cards also have cashback options after spending a certain amount (Blue Cash Preferred, Blue Cash Everyday, etc.).
American Express Experiences allow you to explore the latest in entertainment, such as concerts, movies, sports, and more. These are exclusive offers for eligible Amex card members.
Mobile Capability
You can download the Amex Mobile app to track your spending, manage transactions and cards, find rewards and special offers, make payments, and get real-time account alerts. The app is available in App Store and Google Play. Amex also supports both Apple and Google mobile wallets, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 and later, with Apple Watch and other Apple Pay devices.
The company features American Express contactless payments. Contactless is a quick and secure way to make payments up to $30 using American Express cards. The only thing you need to do is find the contactless symbol, touch the card on the reader, and wait for the confirmation beep.
Interesting Facts
- American Express was founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1850 by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield. These three merged their express companies to create a joint-stock express mail business.
- The initial idea of launching a travel charge card dates back to 1946. When Diners Club issued a card in 1950, Amex decides to step in. The first card was issued in 1958, with an annual fee higher than Diners Club to distinguish itself as a premium product.
- The company's logo is a Roman centurion. This logo was introduced in 1958. Since then, it has been a recognizable symbol on Amex credit and charge cards, and traveler's cheques.
- The first cards were made out of paper. American Express was the first to introduce plastic embossed cards in 1959.
- Believe it or not, from the early 1980s until 1991, Amex reduced interchange fees to merchants that accepted Amex as the only credit or charge cards. You can imagine how Visa and Mastercard must have felt. They complained that this was unfair, but American Express managed to capitalize on this Elite-only branding. They still mention this "exclusive partnership" advantage in their advertising.
- In 1991 a famous "Boston Fee Party" ended Amex's policy of forcing merchants to accept only Amex cards for payments with higher fees than Visa and Mastercard. American Express decided to change the exclusive-only philosophy and go for broader acceptance. They started including mainstream merchants like Walmart to its network.
- American Express has a network of Centurion Lounges at the world's largest airports. These lounges are designated for their Platinum and Centurion card owners. There are 12 Centurion Lounges in the US, one is in Hong Kong, and three more are under construction.
- American Express is among the gods of advertising. Since 1975 and famous David Ogilvy's highly successful campaign, "Don't Leave Home Without Them" with Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden, Amex regularly uses celebrities in ads. Here are just a few names: Jerry Seinfeld, Kate Winslet, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Tiger Woods, Venus Williams, and Beyoncé.
FAQ
Can I use American Express for casino deposits and withdrawals?
Yes, but there aren’t many online casinos that will allow you to withdraw the winnings using American Express. The majority will enable Amex deposits, but for cashing out will offer other options.
Are there any fees for American Express payments at online casinos?
American Express deposits aren’t charged. If the casino uses USD or CAD as a primary currency, and you wish to pay or withdraw the money in other, conversion rates will apply. Also, Amex cards have their own fees. Check them with your bank or online, as they are different for each card.
Is American Express safe to transfer money?
Yes, of course. Amex uses 128-bit encryption, security key, personalized user ID and password, and other advanced security measures to protect all transactions and personal data.
Do I have to create an account in order to use iDebit?
You don’t have to, but we strongly advise you to do so if you want to get rid of those annoying deposit fees.
Is American Express available in my country?
American Express covers all the most important markets. To find out if it has a representative in your country, visit the official website and in the footer search for your country. Or visit your bank and ask if they issue Amex cards.
Is American Express a recommended payment method at online casinos?
Amex is one of the highly recommended payment methods. However, make sure to check if your desired casino supports depositing and cashing out with American Express. Most casinos don’t allow you to withdraw money with Amex, so check if they offer the alternative that works for you.
How long do withdrawals take when using American Express?
At online casinos that support American Express withdrawals, this procedure usually lasts 4-5 business days.
What are the American Express currency exchange fees?
American Express has currency exchange rates that are either 2.7% for conversion to US dollars, or 2.99% in the UK.
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