I would like to share my experience trying to fill up with at Petronas petrol station with my AMEX.

Background:
There are two types of Petronas station. One only displays "Kad Diterima". Another displays "Kad Diterima" with clear logos of Visa, MC and AMEX.

Case I: Petrol station with no AMEX logo
When I slotted in my AMEX card, the machine detected the card & my name. Then it went to getting approval mode, then the AMEX card got ejected out. Some error message blurted out ('error 14' or whatever ..). The machine went offline for 2 minutes before it back to normal.

Case II: Petrol station with AMEX logo (Awana Kijal)
Similar problem as Case I. I immediately approached the sales counter. They also unable to approve my card usage. Excuse: AMEX network was "offline" which we all know is a silly excuse.

Case III: Petrol station with AMEX logo (Kemaman)
Not satisfied, I went to another Petronas station. Faced similar problem. When consulted the sales counter, the lady said "selalunya boleh terima AMEX". She then called the "station owner" who was obviously goyang kaki somewhere in Bahamas (hehe, just kidding). Still received no firm answer on why AMEX not accepted when the entrance of the station clearly advertised that AMEX is accepted. I tried to tell her that maybe the station owner had secretly disabled the AMEX facility to avoid high merchant fee. Obviously she had no answer to that, "saya pekerja aje kat sini .."

Next step:
Those advertised with AMEX logo but secretly disabling the facility are in clear violation and perhaps even tarnish the image of Petronas brand. I intend to call up myMESRA to get clarification on this.

If anyone had any experience of filling up with AMEX in Klang Valley, perhaps can share the story with me. I reckon the irresponsible act is often done in less populated area that most likely has lower number of AMEX card holders.

Note:
Some of you will advise to fill up at Shell or Esso. But well, I also have Maybank Petronas card with 5 Treatpoints per RM fuel, so it's a good alternative. I just prefer to pile up on my Membership Rewards points.

Yesterday I approached another Petronas station which also has AMEX logo at the entrance. Similar response: unable to accept AMEX and the cashier unable to answer as to why AMEX logo is printed at the main entrance.

That's quite a possibility David83.

Anyhow, I'd like to share my conversation with myMesra customer service today. First, they said definitely Petronas does not take AMEX. So I pointed out that 5 out of 8 Petronas stations in Kemaman district still display AMEX logo. Since they could not give answer directly, somebody needed to call me back and he did. Basically he insinuated that I mistakenly see the AMEX logo for something else. That really got on my nerve. I mentioned even 2 Petronas stations in Cheras have the same AMEX logo, and if needed be, I can show him the proof. Naturally, no answer could be given, so he said he needed to 'check back'.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have my answers.

Just to add a few things that I know ..


There's also an additional charge of RM50 to be enrolled in Membership Turbo (which I signed up 2 weeks ago)


The x2 reward point is applicable indefinitely. But silly Maybank brochures still not updated with x2 rewards only until 31 March 2008 or something like that ..

There's also 10x rewards applicable for green & gold card holders, current promotion is for Marriott & Renaissance hotels in Malaysia (room, F&B, spa, etc). But otherwise, 10x reward is only applicable for Platinum.

I think I did mention in my previous post on how lousy Maybank is on updating information regarding AMEX cards in maybank2u website. A lot of outdated information!

For example, the 2x MR promotion was printed to expire on 31 March 2008 but until today, we all still have 2x points for every RM1. Similarly, the MR turbo program is still going on, except that the information is not immediately updated in maybank2u, geez.

Oh btw, MR turbo is for 3x points, not 2x. It costs an additional RM50/year

LOL, of course no backdate. You just need to decide early on whether turbo 3x is worth the RM50 fee. As for credit card vs charge card, I think as long as got AMEX logo brand, you are eligible .. but the best is to call them directly (finding info on MB2u is like searching for a needle in haystack)



tgeoklin, turbo reward means 3x MR points. 2x points is not turbo yet

What do you mean by interest charge? There's no interest with AMEX charge cards, only late penalty RM50 or more ..

After enough runaround with Petronas petrol station (got AMEX logo but transaction was 'offline', only taking AMEX if the card got smart chip, Mesralink people not aware of their station's practices), I've decided to refuel with Shell today ..

In a blink of an eye, my AMEX got approved and I could refuel my car. Thrown in FOC was tire shining service by one of the attendants. They surely made me a believer. LOL

Of course!

Last week I even ordered iPod on eBay. Paid by my AMEX through PayPal. Already for the x3 reward points in my account. Hehe.

Yeap, I'm aware of that. The prevailing MYR-USD rate was RM3.60 but the rate used by AMEX was RM3.70 but then I thought I really got the iPod price for cheap (compared to those sold at Machines) and the 3x turbo points are hard to give a miss.

For small-ish transaction using USD-MYR, I definitely use my PayPal cash since it's not worth the excessive profit-taking via exchange rates.

OK back to petrol station stuff (LOL!).

Today I attempted to refuel at Shell in Paka (near Dungun), the AMEX card got rejected 3 times. When consulted the counter staff, all of them were clueless despite the station clearly showed logos of MC, Visa, AMEX and even Diner's Club.

My theory still stands: A lot of non-Klang Valley petrol stations disable the AMEX facility for obvious reason, hoping nobody will find out.

Well, just as the case with Petronas stations, I will immediately consult the counter staff if my AMEX got rejected at the pump. Oddly, the Shell staff at the counter also said "kad American Express memang tak boleh encik". It's like a deja vu with Petronas stations that I've encountered.

Does anyone here use Membership Rewards to exchange for hotel points? For example: Starwood which I'm using now ..

Last week I serviced my car @ Toyota service center at Taman Midah. They do accept AMEX.

Then I tried my luck at TM Points, Puchong. Nope, they don't take AMEX. But Celcom branches do.

I've registered with flyertalk since last week. But I mostly hangout at Starwood threads since my AMEX is tied to Starwood points & redemptions.

I agree 100% with you.

But here in Terengganu, I know of one Shell station that "intentionally" disable AMEX facility and kept giving odd excuses as to why I can't use my AMEX there. Maybe I'll report this station to AMEX people.

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Added on April 30, 2009, 2:37 pmYes, that forumer is me!

Petronas Dagangan people have confirmed that they are not taking AMEX but WHY god, WHY do these stations display AMEX logo at the entrance? I'm a Shell believer now, too much runaround by Petronas especially by their station staff.


This post has been edited by my44: Apr 30 2009, 02:37 PM

On redemption, my target is only Starwood preferred guest (SPG) at the moment. Redemption rate: 3,500 MR = 330 SPG points.

Not that favourable, but Starwood program has one of the most generous hotel redemption scheme. My plan is to use these redemption for free or discounted hotel stays in Bali

About SPG, I'm aiming for one night stay in Westin Nusa Dua for 7000 points OR 2800 points+US$45

Another night is at Sheraton Laguna Nua Dua for 10000 points or 4000 points+US$60

Normal rates for these resorts can go up to US$250 per night

MilesAndMore is right, 2000 points (ie: 21,000 Membership Rewards pts) can already get you into Four Points Kuching, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu and some other hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, etc.

Tell me about it!

W Hotels are fabulous and expensive. Not many cities have W Hotels. I think for SPG, you need like 10,000 points + $100. If you use your AMEX often, I guess won't have problem to checkin at W Hotels.

OK, back to topic!

Anyway, based on latest catalogue, direct redemption for hotels like Novotel, Marriott, Intercontinental require very high points.

I think the lowest 30,000 MR points only get you to really "old" hotels, LOL.

Yeah, still waiting for 8x points too. 6-8 weeks after 31st Jul is way too long to do something like this. By then you just forgot that you are entitled to these bonus points, haha!