What is American Express?
AMEX is perhaps the third most common credit card and one often used for online casino gambling. The card has a rather large following and has been named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top brands in the world. As such, it is a rather safe form of payment that is accepted at some of the most reputable casinos.
The name American Express comes from the company’s roots as an express mail service. It does not mean the card is limited to only U.S. consumers. Those from other countries, including the UK, are eligible for this card and often use it for online gambling.
Players may use one of three different cards for mobile gambling. First is a charge card, which requires you to pay the balance in full each month. This is an excellent option for anyone who would like more control over what they spend. The second is a prepaid credit card, which also allows you to place limitations on your gaming. Rather than paying the balance at the end of the month, you load the card with money upfront. The third choice is a traditional credit card, which is the one players most often use.
When it comes to AMEX credit cards, consumers have different choices, such as the EveryDay, Gold, and Platinum cards. These cards allow users to earn points on purchases that can later be redeemed for other rewards. Unfortunately, those purchases are typically limited to only certain categories, such as restaurants and rarely apply to deposits made at online casino sites.
How to Use
You’ll find many online casinos that accept this card and some that do not. As such, you should first check to see if your casino is one that does. Log in to your account and then go to the banking section. There, you should see a drop-down list of credit cards that the site accepts.
Some sites accept AMEX as a deposit method but do not allow the use of it for withdrawals. Accordingly, you should also check to see if your casino allows this. U.S. players, in particular, may run into snags when trying to withdraw funds using this card. Just because a platform doesn’t allow withdrawals doesn’t mean you can’t play using American Express. It just means you will need to have another payment method, such as an e-wallet, for withdrawals.
To begin playing, enter the amount of your deposit as well as your credit card information. Your deposit will then be available for play almost instantly. Making a withdrawal may be somewhat more complicated, even if you are playing on a site that allows it. For example, you may need to contact support to have them help you with this. This is one reason why many players choose a different withdrawal method even when AMEX is available to them.
Advantages
There are plenty of advantages to using the American Express card for online gaming, such as:
- Being almost as widely accepted as MasterCard or Visa
- Having great customer support available
- Built-in security measures to safeguard against fraud
- Low deposit fees
- Being able to choose from a credit card, prepaid card, or charge card
Disadvantages
The AMEX card does come with some disadvantages, including:
- Fees of anywhere from $95 to $495 per year just for being a cardholder
- Few, if any, withdrawal options
- Not being offered as a payment method in many casinos
- Deposits are considered cash advances and therefore come with higher interest rates
Conclusion
As a trusted form of payment, American Express is also one that many casino players will find easy and convenient to use. Choose a reputable online casino site that accepts this payment form, and you can enjoy nearly seamless deposits.