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B&Q will now accept American Express cards

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Just in time for a Bank Holiday weekend full of DIY, American Express has announced that B&Q will now accept its cards.

A reader tipped us off about this last week after seeing a sign in his local store, but forgot to take a photograph. Rhys and I both headed down to our respective local B&Q stores looking for evidence but couldn’t find any. The rumours were true, however.

For years, B&Q was the company we always mentioned as the exception when discussing ‘who accepts American Express?’. If you were ultra-dedicated, you would go to Tesco or another retailer to buy B&Q gift cards with your American Express card, but this wasn’t exactly ideal or practical for most people.

I’m not sure who the biggest hold-out is now. Aldi and Lidl both take American Express. Costa Coffee seems to have pulled back from its decision to stop taking American Express this month, as the ‘no more Amex’ signs quietly disappeared.

For clarity, I am not sure of the exact day that this kicks in. It will definitely be in place before the Bank Holiday weekend but it might not be working today.

Based on what we’ve seen when Amex has brought other major partners on board, we may see a cashback offer popping up to encourage cardholders to visit and to show B&Q it is getting a return on its investment.

If you will now spend more time in B&Q, remember to join B&Q Club. You receive reward vouchers based on your spending and all new members receive a £5 discount voucher, valid on a £30 purchase.

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Category

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Comments (129)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Super Secret Stuff says:
    18 May18 May 17:24

    Expecting the HfP offices to look super swanky! 😉

  • Steven says:
    18 May18 May 17:44

    B&Q have accepted it for a week at least, seen it by fluke when went to pay. Hadn’t been in for a while so didn’t think much of it.

    Hopefully Screwfix next to save on PayPaling everything there

    • Rob says:
      18 May18 May 19:43

      Rhys was in last Thursday and could not use it.

      • Steven says:
        23 May23 May 20:06

        Was away on holiday with no signal so only just seen this again. I definitely used it on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th according to my Amex statement.

  • Harrier25 says:
    18 May18 May 17:45

    The biggest retailer that still doesn’t accept Amex may be B&M.

  • Brian says:
    18 May18 May 17:54

    Home bargains don’t take Amex either

    • Symon says:
      18 May18 May 18:39

      I remember using Amex in Home Bargains, although that was a couple of years ago!

  • Muzer says:
    18 May18 May 17:59

    Greggs! At least the one I went in the other day in St Pancras station.

    • Super Secret Stuff says:
      18 May18 May 18:49

      Doesn’t Greggs now accept Amex? I’ve forgot, been so long!

    • Dave Barron says:
      18 May18 May 20:39

      Greggs don’t accept Amex but if you pay via the Greggs App you can top up using PayPal (linked to Amex)

  • Ian says:
    18 May18 May 18:29

    You can’t be serious when you say people would buy B&Q gift vouchers at Tesco just so they could pay with an Amex card? Very sad if true.

    • Alex says:
      18 May18 May 18:42

      I have multiple times, not for every transaction I admit. But when buying all the flooring for our house. A new kitchen – it’s worth the effort!

      • Blenz101 says:
        18 May18 May 18:46

        I bought a new kitchen with the same back when Tesco offered 150 bonus points on GC purchases. Got a stack of Amex and CC points.

      • BLG says:
        19 May19 May 11:54

        The effort may have been better put to finding a real trade outlet to source kitchen, flooring, building materials etc. Been in the trade over 40 years and can count on one hand the times I have bought from B & Q

    • mark2 says:
      18 May18 May 19:05

      Better still buy at Morrison’s when there is 10% statement credit from Amex and maybe Virgin points.

    • John says:
      18 May18 May 19:45

      Sad for you missing out on £100s of savings even if you don’t care about avios.

      If you are already going to Morrisons or Tesco it costs you 20 seconds extra to get gift cards for something you already know you want to spend

      • Stu N says:
        18 May18 May 20:18

        Have done it when I’ve been spending reasonable sums of money as my local B&Q is in same retail park as a Tesco. Loads of Avios and a chunk out my voucher spend for 5 mins effort.

    • The Urbanite says:
      18 May18 May 20:21

      This is a website that attracts a considerable percentage of people who like collecting points. I don’t think finding a roundabout way of earning on spend is sad at all. Round these parts I admire the people who make the effort.

      • Youllnever says:
        19 May19 May 00:57

        Agree. The whole point (pun intended) is to make sure as much as your spending is being rewarded. Also, purchasing gift cards are hardly inconvenient anyway.

    • Mike says:
      18 May18 May 21:04

      Ian – I have done so many times

    • the_real_a says:
      18 May18 May 21:13

      Not really when you are spending £1000`s. As a landlord even with “Trade discounts” at all the other usual places, B&Q usually comes out cheapest/best value.

    • RussellH says:
      18 May18 May 21:30

      I did buy a B+Q gift card at Morrison’s (next door to B+Q) when Morrison’s were doing 7% off everything via Amex.

    • Sam says:
      18 May18 May 21:37

      The problem with B&Q gift card is that you will end up having a credit note (printed on the receipt roll which will fade easily) for any refund or exchange and this once forced me to buy something up before I forget. Unless I’m really sure I want that item and know that item has no issues I have been sticking with paying by card at B&Q.

    • Rob says:
      19 May19 May 10:20

      Tesco used to offer 150 Clubcard points (360 Avios) for every £50 gift card you bought for any retailer …. it made points-sense to fund your entire life via gift cards bought in Tesco 🙂

    • Anna says:
      19 May19 May 19:13

      How is it sad, Ian? If you’re a serious DIYer spending hundreds or even thousands of £ there it makes absolute sense to pay by Amex if at all possible. No effort to sling a few gift cards in the basket when heading for the Tesco/Morrisons checkout.

  • Isherwood says:
    18 May18 May 18:46

    Rob, can you have a word with Home Bargains, Greggs and my vets please. Sooner they all get on board with taking Amex the happier I’ll be. Although Virgin would be the loser here.

  • Aston100 says:
    18 May18 May 19:00

    Noteable places that didn’t accept my Amex cards:
    KFC, Hobbycraft, Matalan, Screwfix, the RAC and Phat Buns burger bar in Sparkbrook Birmingham.

    • kpk1981 says:
      18 May18 May 19:02

      Screwfix take Paypal (which accepts Amex)

      • Alex says:
        18 May18 May 19:30

        Screw fix also owned by B&Q so might change in coming months…

    • Harrier25 says:
      18 May18 May 19:16

      Wow! Everyone stay away from Phat Buns burger bar in Sparkbrook Birmingham. 😂

    • N says:
      18 May18 May 19:31

      Screwfix to follow B&Q? Same owners and all that.

    • Chrisasaurus says:
      18 May18 May 20:42

      Come on phat buns get yourself together…

      • Sloth says:
        18 May18 May 21:35

        Need to get down to Phat Phuc noodle bar in Sydney st, chelsea who do take Amex and are normally on shop small as well!

        • Nick says:
          18 May18 May 21:52

          Yep, very good use of SS!! Except last year, when they didn’t care in the slightest for covid restrictions. But usually, yes!

          • Rob says:
            18 May18 May 22:34

            Do they take Amex?! Went there a few times for lunch before we got the HfP office and I was at home more. Might give it a go next month.

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