Yes...AMEX used to be independent...been a user for AMEX since Year 2002...and still is... :-) U can actually use Amex in Tesco and Guardian and many more merchants out there...AMEX is really useful when you're in overseas...used them in hotels too...no problem for them to accept AMEX..

Personally I dont find them any different...maybe bcos Im just a casual user...so once I use ...i settle them off b4 the due date...those days we r able to pay our AMEX bill via Bank Simpanan Nasional...now no more of course...can just pay via maybank2u online...

However...i must say that AMEX's customer service hotline today is still the same...they still maintain the professionalism and efficiency in picking up customers call...unlike maybank's customer service!...so i always feel the difference when i call Maybank credit card customer service hotline and AMEX hotline...sigh ....eventhough now maybank is incharge....