Rolling up to an Arco station and wondering if you can use your American Express card to pay? You’re not alone.
As a regular AmEx cardholder myself, I’ve had the same question when fueling up at Arco.
The quick answer is – some Arco locations accept American Express cards, but not all.
The acceptance depends on the specific franchise owner.
Read on and I’ll give you the inside scoop on paying with AmEx at Arcos across the country.
Why Some Arcos Don’t Take AmEx
Before diving into which locations accept American Express, let’s look at why some Arco franchise owners choose not to take AmEx.
High processing fees – American Express charges higher processing fees to merchants than other card brands. For small profit margins, those fees really add up.
Regional demographics – In areas without as many AmEx members as Visa/MC/Discover, it doesn’t make financial sense for Arcos to accept it.
Technical issues – Occasionally AmEx payment systems experience outages that prevent authorization.
Customer habits – Many regular Arco customers pay cash or with debit/Visa/MC. AmEx may see lower usage.
Owner preference – Some franchise owners simply prefer not to deal with American Express.
So in areas where AmEx acceptance doesn’t drive profits, technical issues occur, or customers rarely use AmEx, Arco locations can decide not to take it.
Tips for Finding Arcos that Take AmEx
Now that you know why acceptance varies, here are some tips for paying with your American Express card at Arco:
- Check your location first – Call ahead or swing by to ask if your local Arcos take AmEx.
- Look in affluent metro suburbs – Arcos in middle and upper class areas are more likely to take AmEx.
- Try Arcos in business districts – Locations frequented by commuters often take AmEx.
- Scope out newer stations – Recently built or renovated Arcos tend to accept AmEx.
- Ask attendant before fueling – Confirm AmEx is accepted before you pump to avoid issues.
- Have a backup Visa/MC/cash – Carry a second payment option in case AmEx is declined.
With some strategic picking of locations, you can usually find an Arco to take your American Express.
But when in doubt, just ask before you fuel up!
Let me know if you have any other questions about paying with AmEx at Arco stations.
I’m happy to share more tips about smooth payments.