The power of gift cards has transcended their traditional use at stores that issue them. This is owed to payment card firms like American Express and Visa, which create cards that can be widely used across companies/businesses that support them. So, if you have a penchant for great food or drinks, you should know how to use American Express gift card at a restaurant.
An Overview Of Using American Express Gift Card
American Express (AMEX) gift cards work the same way you use the credit/debit cards from the payment card issuance company. The convenience and flexibility that this gift offers make it one of the best cards to have. This means that the card can be widely used, unlike closed-loop gift cards that have limited use cases.
There are many ways to use American Express gift cards, which include for shopping at different retail stores and gas stations. The card is also one of the best restaurant gift cards that you can use or give a loved one to have a relishing dining experience.
Interestingly, there is a wide range of restaurants, lounges, or coffee shop that support AMEX gift card payments. These include popular places like McDonald’s, Merivale, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Sushi Hub, Zeus Street Greek, Bennelong, Casa Ristorante Italiano, Nick’s Restaurants and Bars Greek, Cho Cho San, etc.
However, it should be noted that you can use your American Express gift card after you’ve created an AMEX account with your card. One such account is the Rewards Checking account, which enables you to earn a $2 reward from using the card.
The value of AMEX gift cards ranges from $25 to $3,000 – allowing you to access a variety of food and drinks at your preferred restaurant. You can use the card to order food and beverages online or at the point of payment at physical stores.
How To Use American Express Gift Card At Restaurant
Here are the typical steps to use AMEX card as a payment method:
Step 1: Visit Your Preferred Restaurant
As stated earlier, there are many restaurants, coffee shops, and lounges that accept American Express cards and, by extension, the AMEX gift card. So, choose your preferred restaurant to purchase food or drinks offline or link.
Step 2: Use AMEX Gift Card At Checkout
Choose to use your American Express card for online purchases or at the cashier point at physical restaurants and other dining stores.
Step 3: Redeem American Express Card Value
This is the point that you need to enter your card details if you are making an online order for food and drinks. These details include your 15-digit card number, expiration date, and the 4-digit security code.
On the other hand, you can get AMEX gift cards at physical restaurants or coffee shops by giving the cashier to swipe or scan the card to deduct the cost of purchase from the card.
Step 4: Payment Confirmation
Your purchase is completed upon the successful confirmation of your payment using the American Express gift card. Your order will be processed by your preferred restaurant if you make an online payment. This is also similar to getting your food or drinks at physical shops.
Tips To Get The Best Dining Experience With American Express Gift Card
1. Confirm If Restaurant Accepts AMEX Card
It is essential to confirm that your preferred restaurant supports AMEX card payments. This is because there are some stores/shops that do not accept such payments. That will prevent you from abandoning your purchase at the point of payment.
2. Check Your AMEX Gift Card Balance
The culture of confirming your gift card balance also applies to checking AMEX gift card balance before using it at restaurants. This gives you a clue of what your card can afford without spending above the card balance. It will also prevent encountering AMEX gift card errors due to insufficient funds during checkout.
3. Be Aware Of Pre-Authorization
It is possible for some restaurants to place a pre-authorization hold on your card, which is why you must have enough balance to cover your bills. For better understanding, a pre-authorization is a temporary hold placed by merchants on a card and reserve funds for a future payment transactions.
4. Remember Tips
While some restaurants may request tips, remember that your AMEX card may not cover the tip. Hence, you must have another form of payment, preferably cash, to settle the tips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Using AMEX Gift Card At Restaurant
Can I Use an American Express Gift Card At A Restaurant?
Yes, you can use AMEX gift cards at restaurants – a function of their support for American Express payment cards. Some of those restaurants are McDonald’s, Uber Eats, Casa Ristorante Italiano, Sushi Hub, etc.
Is It Safe To Use an AMEX Gift Card At Restaurants?
It is considerably safe to use AMEX gift cards at restaurants. You can use the card online or give it to a cashier, as you will see the amount deducted from the card.
Are AMEX Gift Cards Accepted At Restaurants Outside the United States?
Yes, there are restaurants in Canada and other countries that accept the AMEX card payment. So, it is not exclusive to the United States. For instance, Casa Ristorante Italiano is available in Sydney, Australia, and you can use the card there.
Conclusion
American Express gift cards allow you to explore a dining experience across various restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops that support AMEX card payments. You can use the card at restaurants in different countries outside the United States.
However, it is important to check your card balance and use the gift card at restaurants that accept its payment to enjoy a great taste of food or drinks.
