Sydney Opal Top up - AmEx Shop Small Promo - Nov 2014

FiDad on 05/11/2014 - 11:43
Last edited 13/09/2016 - 13:48 by 1 other user

Hi All. I figred out Opal top was the best way to take advantage of Amex shop small promo for me. I thought it would be good to setup a page where we can point to each other best places to take advantage of this deal. meumax has kindly provided below list of places in sydney city where this should work in original thread

http://1drv.ms/1u1SIf7 (Link created by love a bargain)
CBD
Lucky Charm QVB ($2 surcharge for AMEX!!)
Sussex St Convenience Store 368 Sussex St Sydney
Darling Park Newsagency 201 Sussex St Sydney
City Convenience Store 379 Pitt St Sydney(Works with $1 surcharge) Confirmed by Lokesh7. Also works at Ezmart across the road(corner of liverpool & pitt st) with $1 surcharge
Ezymart 6 York St Sydney
Connaught Sydney Newsagency 187 Liverpool St Sydney
Sussex Newsagency 151 Sussex St Sydney
Pavillion News 126 Phillip St Sydney
Ezymart near menies hotel(50 cent surcharge) - Confirmed by djones145
Pyrmont
Convenience Store Village 38 Harris St Pyrmont
Quay Newsagent Alfred St Circular Quay (on the train station side of the road) $1 surcharge
City Supermarket, 1 Alfred St $1 surcharge (corner of Pitt St)
City convenience 37 Pitt $1 surcharge
Ezy Mart 58 Pitt St 50 cents surcharge
Loftus convenience 16 Loftus St $1 surcharge
Below shops are confirmed by carwashhair
Taylor Square Newsagency 163-169 Oxford St Darlinghurst Y $1

Ghalla Convenience Store 1/263-265 Castlereagh St Y $2

World Square newsagency Shpp 7 387 Pitt St Y $1

City South Convenience 22 Campbell St Haymarket Y $2

Eclipse/Downtown Convenience Shop 1 743-755 George St Y $1

Glebe Point Newsagency 335-341 Glebe Pt Rd Y 2.5

Uni Supermarket/Ezy mart Shop 13, 2-12 Glebe Pt Rd Y 50c - $1

Ezy Mart Broadway 225 Broadway (nr Shop centre) Y $2
And for a zero fee so far, the winners are….

City Convenience 419 Pitt St Y $0

IGA Annandale Booth St Annandale Y $0
City convenience 525 george st $1
Below 2 with $2 surcharge
City convenience 614 george st
Lucky charm Newsagency (in the tunnel to town hall station from george st)

Shops Not accepting Amex (Confirmed by OzBargainers)

Supanews in Chatswood Chase won't take AMEX. Confirmed by Love a bargain
60 Park Street, Sydney City Convenience
419 pitty st

Has anyone successfully topped up opal using Amex for any of these places for this promo? Have you got any other places to add around Sydney to this list? I Intend to try City Convenience Store at lunchtime today and will reprot back how I go.

Deal Page- https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/165381

General Discussion American Express Shop Small Statement Credits

Related Stores

American Express
American Express

Comments

  • nhbvgynh on 10/11/2014 - 22:53

    For those in the Sutherland area - Metro Petroleum at Jannali accepts Amex and does Opal top ups, plus I got an email pretty quickly confirming it should be eligible for the shop small thing. 3% surcharge = 60c.

    However if you have a card with a chip, be warned that it does appear to make their terminal hang (NAB one) which resulted in an awkward conversation with the attendant about how yes, this was the only card I have and the only way I can pay for the opal top up. Eventually he had to enter the card number manually on the terminal after the contactless also failed.

    • meowmeowmeow on 11/11/2014 - 09:48

      Hah that's awkward. I think the convenient point at Sutherland is shop small, but i haven't checked if they do opal. Was going to check it out this week sometime. Will update when i do.

    • nhbvgynh on 12/11/2014 - 01:13

      Another one in the area is the Gymea Supermarket (not Supabarn - general store called Gymea Supermarket not far from the station on the Kingsway side of the railway). Owner was a little reluctant to let me buy an Opal topup with Amex as he told me that Amex charges him 5% while he only gets 2.5% commission on Opal sales. So I offered to pay the 5% and he accepted.

      $21 = $20 opal topup and another shop small email from Amex.

  • rah1 on 12/11/2014 - 09:49
    +1

    NO:
    NSW Convinience Store - 119A Macquarie Street Parramatta, not accepting Amex. However, they pointed out their sistern concern which does accept Amex.
    Parra City Convinience Store - Shop 2, 138-140 Church Street, does accept Amex with a $2 surcharge. but DOES NOT accept Amex for Opal recharges, only for other purchases.

    YES:
    NSW Convinience - 253 Church Street, ACCEPTS Amex for Opal recharges with a 50c surcharge.

  • Cryptarcadian on 12/11/2014 - 15:29

    419 Pitt St, Sydney is pretty inconsistent?
    Not accepting American Express at all today.

  • djones145 on 13/11/2014 - 12:44

    ezymarts in Wynyard very dodgy

    I got charged 50cent and $1 dollar surcharge

    wife got charged $1 and $1.5!

  • FiDad on 13/11/2014 - 14:27

    1nwtst

    Just did a run around town hall using my supplemantary card and used this successfully at 6 places below.Got emails for all of these successfully.
    These 4 with $1 surcharge
    World square newsagency
    City convenience 379 pitt st
    City convenience corner pitt and liverpool st
    City convenience 525 george st

    Below 2 with $2 surcharge
    City convenience 614 george st
    Lucky charm newsagency (in the tunnel to town hall station from george st)

    Also can confirm that 419 pitt st is definitely not taking Amex anymore.

    • illumination on 26/11/2014 - 01:08

      I was told 419 Pitt St were also not taking Amex, but I prompted for the surcharge and was given permitted ($1).

    • ksyu223 on 28/11/2014 - 10:43

      Hi Lokesh may I ask where you got the addresses from? I searched the shop small map but the 3 city convenience stores wasn't listed.

      • FiDad on 28/11/2014 - 10:56

        Got these addresses from other users in this and previous threads

  • roughana on 14/11/2014 - 10:21

    Northpoint Newsagency 100 Miller Street North Sydney has promo material up.
    Initially they declined to accept an Opal topup on Amex claiming they received 2.5% from State Transit and had to pay Amex 3.5%. I offered to pay a $1 surcharge and they put the transaction through.

  • shinryoku on 15/11/2014 - 11:34

    Those that work near or go past North Ryde, I did a topup with 4% surcharge. It's on the list and email received.

    Riverside News Plus - Shop 3, 3 Julius Ave, NORTH RYDE NSW 2113

  • Thalius on 15/11/2014 - 22:37

    Has anyone tried the IGA Annandale one which is purportedly Amex-surcharge free? Might give it a go tomorrow. :)

    And thanks for someone pointing St James Pharmacy out! Will try there tomorrow (if it's not open on a Sunday, then I'll try it on Monday).

    • FiDad on 16/11/2014 - 20:13

      How did you go with st james pharmacy Thalius?

      • Thalius on 17/11/2014 - 09:38
        +1

        Hi Lokesh,

        Just topped up now. No surcharge, no issues.

        However I haven't received an email from Amex yet (CBA Amex though?)

        Will keep you updated about credit coming through.

        But others have reported getting credits without email notification so I'm hopeful.

        • FiDad on 17/11/2014 - 16:01

          Thanks for the update. I will try them tomorrow as well

        • Thalius on 21/11/2014 - 07:59
          +2

          @lokesh7:
          Credit here is confirmed.

        • SAM JIM on 21/11/2014 - 08:03

          Tried yesterday. No surcharge. Email received. Awaiting credit. Thanks for sharing.

  • westernculture on 17/11/2014 - 09:25

    Bear in mind that maximum opal balance is $250, and some newsagency staff might give you hard time if you already have high balance and still want to top up.

  • mehow on 17/11/2014 - 13:11

    just got the email and it says:
    " Limited to 10 statement credits per a Card Member with no more than one statement credit per business location. "

    I guess that means you cant go back to same shop!?!?

    • wutang01 on 17/11/2014 - 13:12
      +1

      Correct. I've made that mistake myself :P

      • FiDad on 17/11/2014 - 13:18

        Yep can't go back to same shop with same card. Works fine with supplementary card though

        • roughana on 17/11/2014 - 13:55
          +1

          … when the supplementary card has been successfully registered (e.g. has a different card number).

  • chin on 19/11/2014 - 11:39

    Hurricanes Grill restaurant @ Brighton accepts without surcharge and is a part of small shop Amex offer

    • roughana on 19/11/2014 - 12:55
      +1

      For Opal top-ups?

      I think you've posted in the wrong thread. I think you meant this one.

  • aec on 19/11/2014 - 13:08

    The convenience store on kent st charged 3% extra. Pretty good.

    • FiDad on 19/11/2014 - 14:39

      Smartbuy Convenience Store?

      • aec on 21/11/2014 - 07:48
        +2

        Opposite to inski shop. The owner may be Korean, much better attitude than those Arabian.

        • joannatan on 25/11/2014 - 01:25

          what is the shop name and the address, yeah i went to 1 alfred st, the owner intially said $1 then increase to be $2. holly shit, i said just process it

        • aec on 25/11/2014 - 19:48
          +1

          @joannatan: Ms Tan, you wont miss it, there is only one shop there, between market street and king street.

  • andymic on 19/11/2014 - 16:16

    Smartbuy Convenience Store, 344 Kent St
    is actually at 379 Kent St (shop #2)

    • derpdeder on 19/11/2014 - 22:34

      You are correct. Streetview told me the address was 344 but it is 379.

      • FiDad on 20/11/2014 - 07:08

        Another one around there is city convenience at corner of Kent and Market St. $1 surcharge but I got the email straight away

        • aec on 21/11/2014 - 07:50

          When I walked in 2days ago, these tools told me they didn't accept amex.
          Then, across the market street, there I'd another shop. The nice guy told me they didn't have surcharge, but they didn't do opal either.

          Today, its 38 degree in Sydney. I don't think I will walk down to Haymarket/world square to top up my card. :(

        • FiDad on 21/11/2014 - 10:33

          @alwayseric: There still another week to go. I am planning to go there on monday to do the last top up using my supplementary card and while I am there also get my second $250 myer gift card using my supplementary card. Been a good month using Amex. Should get $350 credit all up, could have been $400 but I missed out on registering my supplementary card for dan murphy deal

        • bfg100k on 21/11/2014 - 10:50

          @lokesh7: the $250 myer gift card is purchased from myer? I was under the impression that gift card purchase is excluded for that offer?

        • FiDad on 21/11/2014 - 10:56

          @bfg100k: Nope doesnt seem to be exluded; Purchased it on Tuesday and got the credit in my account this morning. I was not sure so decided to only buy one and wait for the credit before buying another

        • bfg100k on 21/11/2014 - 11:09

          @lokesh7: Awesome! Will pick one up over the weekend. Given that Myer gift cards are valid for 2 years, plenty of time to use it.

        • aec on 21/11/2014 - 11:13

          @lokesh7:you mean the one that you spend more than $250 and get back $50 from amex? I bought a Bose soundlink:)
          As for Dan murphy, I think THIS time gift us excluded. Can you confirm with real experience? I have not purchased yet.

        • FiDad on 21/11/2014 - 11:18

          @alwayseric: for Dan murphy offer plenty of people reported successfully using gift card purchases to get the credit. I have not yet done it as the offer does not expire until end of Dec. I will do it in my next billing period and report whether it worked or not

        • FiDad on 06/12/2014 - 09:29

          @alwayseric: I Have got credit for buying three gift cards at Dan

  • joannatan on 20/11/2014 - 23:36

    city supermarket - 1 alfred st, charge me $2 extra

  • zzyss on 21/11/2014 - 16:44
    +1

    The Castlereigh St one listed in the spreadsheet didn't take Amex when I tried it yesterday.

    Also couldn't find "Lucky Charm" in Museum area - the one that matches the description is Hyde Park Newsagency, but didn't get a chance to check whether they took it or not.

    Ended up putting through $120 in top-ups yesterday during my break, saving $55 after surcharges taken into account!

  • wutang01 on 22/11/2014 - 08:47
    -1

    " Limited to 10 statement credits per a Card Member with no more than one statement credit per business location. "

    Going to two different EzyMarts counts as different business locations right?
    e.g. 58 Pitt Street and Cnr of Liverpool/Pitt St?

    • FiDad on 22/11/2014 - 10:47

      Yes

    • wutang01 on 22/11/2014 - 10:51
      +1

      Just figured it out for myself. Answer is yes.
      Thanks for the negative whoever you are.

  • roughana on 24/11/2014 - 00:13

    I went for a walk through the CBD today. These are my results.

    Wynyard
    EzyMart in Carrington St next to Menzies - $1 surcharge (I asked if they took Amex for Opal)
    EzyMart cnr York St and Wynyard St - no surcharge (I didn't say I was using an Amex)

    QVB-ish
    379 Kent Street - 50c surcharge

    Darling Harbour
    Sussex Newsagency 151 Sussex St - no surcharge (I didn't say I was using an Amex)
    City Convenience corner of Sussex St & Druitt St - $1 surcharge (I asked if they took Amex for Opal)

    I have received emails for all 5 purchases.

    • roughana on 27/11/2014 - 13:05
      +3

      Credits received for all of the above.

      • tghtarse on 27/11/2014 - 17:05

        great. Waiting for my two EzyMart credits :)

  • tomorrows_angel on 24/11/2014 - 16:34

    Darling Park newsagency just charged me an 80 cent surcharge. I don't mind as I'm still $9.20 up but just letting you know :)

  • Ash-Say on 25/11/2014 - 17:32

    What is the maximum balance you can have on Opal Card?

    • aec on 25/11/2014 - 19:43

      $250.

    • FiDad on 25/11/2014 - 19:44

      $250.This is why I ordered a extra card midway through Nov

  • illumination on 26/11/2014 - 01:04

    Where do you guys report a shop which appeared on the list to get credit back? One of the links posted above is just a generic "report".

    Some places seem to be missing now.. which were previously there (EzyMart 6 York St, World Square Newsagency, City Convenience 37 Pitt St, Loftus Convenience). Kinda scared to go these ones now. If we get an email after a transaction does that mean we are definitely getting the credit..? Because I got one from 37 Pitt St even though it's no longer on the list.

    Btw a general tip for all. If they claim to not accept AMEX, prompt them to surcharge you and they budge.

    All the City convenience places seem to charge $1 for AMEX now.

    More specific updates from past few days:

    City Convenience Shop 7, Alfred St (around the corner from Starbucks) was good. Attendant was co-operative and friendly.

    City Convenience 37 Pitt St initially claimed they don't take AMEX at all - only when I asked, "even for a surcharge??" was he willing to do it for me.
    I was just paranoid though and I only did one card because I couldn't find it on the shop small list, but I did get an email after the transaction.

    City Convenience 1 Alfred St (corner George St & Alfred St - next to PJ Gallagher's) they say their machine doesn't take AMEX. I asked the guy to try (and he was happy to) and it really didn't work :S

    Quay Newsagency don't like you doing multiple cards during peak hour (understandable).

    109 Harrington St do not like you doing multiple cards, but are willing to do "a few cards for $2.00 surcharge" - this is what I was told.

    55 George St (The Rocks, near Pancakes on The Rocks) do not do Opal top-ups.

    I have had consistent success at 419 Pitt St, 379 Pitt St, EzyMart 127 Liverpool St, 368 Sussex St, 525 George St, 614 George St - been to all of them numerous times.. except 614 George St couldn't do it last time I went (machine was not working).

    World Square Newsagency were good (but are no longer on the list?? scared we won't be credited) - they do 5% surcharge. Open until 7:30pm weekdays, 6pm weekends.

    Hope this helps.

    • Sweetnsour on 28/11/2014 - 18:34

      ILS city convenience on pitt st near Encasa restaurant didnt charge surcharge. Used numerous cards to top up

  • illumination on 26/11/2014 - 01:18

    Has anyone found any for inner-west (Strathfield, Burwood, Croydon)?

    • kati on 26/11/2014 - 15:41

      Nope, have you?

      Newsagent at Ashfield station concourse not taking Amex despite ShopSmall promo bags displayed at entrance.

      Newsagent at Rochester St Homebush does not take Amex.

      • illumination on 26/11/2014 - 18:08

        Nope.. only one I can find on the list is Croydon convenience store (9/9-11 queen st), and I probably won't be going there anyway.

        • kati on 26/11/2014 - 18:09

          Ah thanks for reminding me, I was going to give that one a shot tomorrow. Will report back, pity it isn't close to a station…

        • kati on 28/11/2014 - 17:34

          @kati: Tried it today, nope, they do not do Opal topups. Couldn't find anything worth $20 in the store to buy, as they were pricey convenience-store type stuff.

  • tghtarse on 26/11/2014 - 09:27

    Update as of this morning - only tried a few:
    1. World Square Newsagency - 387 Pitt St - $1 surcharge - Success
    2. City Convenience - 379 Pitt St - $1 surcharge - Success
    3. ILS / City Convenience - 419 Pitt St - FAIL - the guy advised only CHQ / SAV
    4. City Convenience (ILS / Downtown) - 743-755 George St Haymarket - FAIL - Guy advised that there is some problem with eftpos machine which wont take amex
    5. City Convenience - near Town Hall - 525 George St - $1 Surcharge - Success

    • Sweetnsour on 28/11/2014 - 18:35

      ILS city convenience guy didnt charge surcharge. Must be a newbie, so loaded up my opal.

  • jgtsai on 27/11/2014 - 13:01

    Just been to these 3 near Circular Quay.

    City Convenience, 37 Pitt St $1 surcharge
    Ezy Mart, 58 Pitt St $1 surcharge (up from 50c that someone else reported)
    Loftus City Convenience, 16 Loftus St $1 surcharge

    I asked what the surcharge was for topping up Opal with an Amex card before handing anything over just to make sure there'd be no issues.

    As with previous comments, the signed and PIN transactions sent emails straight away. Still waiting for the third email which I tapped.

    • djones145 on 27/11/2014 - 13:37

      the one on George street and hunter also accepts it
      just went today
      City Convenience

      if you need another one

  • SmiTTy on 27/11/2014 - 16:00

    Just in case anyone is in the hills district - I can confirm that oakhill village newsagency was able to do a $20 top up for me. But because I had 2x amex cards, i asked for 2x $20 top ups. He said no because he gets charged twice (and suggested i do a 1x $40).

    The net of it… he only allowed me to do 1x $20 top up.. no surcharge,

  • tghtarse on 27/11/2014 - 17:04

    Can anyone confirm that the credit from the following newsagencies in CBD? I got email but didnt get credit. They are also NOT in the AmEx Shop Small website
    1. World Square Newsagency
    2. City Convenience - 525 George St

    • jackofspade on 27/11/2014 - 17:24

      I received credit for both yesterday for top ups on Saturday.

      • FiDad on 27/11/2014 - 20:13

        Yes i received credits for both of these

  • meumax on 27/11/2014 - 19:18

    For anyone near Campbelltown NSW I had success at Chamberlain St newsagency 70 Chamberlain St Campbelltown. No surcharge!

    Don't bother with The Mall Newsagency or Centric Newsagency in Campbelltown, both listed on the shop small map but both no longer exist.

  • djones145 on 28/11/2014 - 12:55

    Smartbuy Convenience Store, 379 Kent St
    only charged 3%, 60 cents!

    time to hit this place!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Fishy on 28/11/2014 - 13:30
    +1

    Wu Pharmacy 629 George St does top up with 40c surcharge.

    • FiDad on 28/11/2014 - 14:43

      Are they part of shop small? Did you get confirmation email from amex after top up?

      • Fishy on 28/11/2014 - 14:48
        +1

        Yup it is in the list and got email straight away.

        Used 3 out of 4 cards. The female staff was fast too :D

        • FiDad on 28/11/2014 - 15:27

          Thanks for the update. A bit too late for me for this round but i will remember to give them a visit next time amex runs a shop small

  • kati on 28/11/2014 - 14:11

    Update: tried today at Uni Supermarket/Ezy mart Shop 13, 2-12 Glebe Pt Rd Y 50c - $1
 - mentioned in the opening post

    They are not taking Amex. :(

  • djones145 on 28/11/2014 - 15:16

    done for this round
    3 cards, all 10 done! :P

    time to get wife to get a few before the week is over!

    • FiDad on 28/11/2014 - 15:25

      Wow well done. I have managed to do 20 transactions on my 2 cards as well; only 14 of them for opal top up though

      • djones145 on 28/11/2014 - 15:28

        yeah
        I did 17 opal top ups
        2 at dentist
        6 shops
        4 cafes

  • ohbargain on 28/11/2014 - 15:23

    the one near menzies hotel served me very well, very nice.

    • djones145 on 28/11/2014 - 15:30

      yeah he was nice
      the one on George street (across from the cinema was nice
      he was asking which places are shop small cause he wanted to do it too
      ezymart at pitt and Liverpool was not friendly
      didn't even say thank you
      the kent street one was nice

  • suti on 28/11/2014 - 16:04

    Not accepted, even with an offer of a surcharge at

    1) EzyMart next to Newtown station (listed as "EZYMARK KING STREET 324A KING ST, NEWTOWN, NSW, 2042" on the shop small website)

    2) PYRMONT BRIDGE CONVENIENCE, 19 PYRMONT BRIDGE RD, CAMPERDOWN, NEW SOUTH WALES, 2050

    Accepted with $1 surcharge at

    1) RIMA CONVENIENCE STORE 137 KING ST, NEWTOWN, AU, 2042 (corner of King & Missenden)

  • tweety96 on 29/11/2014 - 11:30

    Just wondering I remember last yr the confirmation emails says you quality whereas this year it says we are checking to see if purchase qualify? Everyone else gets the same?

  • Thalius on 30/11/2014 - 17:04
    +1

    Thank you to Lokesh and everyone here for your help!

    I've just run up 9 opal top ups, 5 of which were today.

    Funnily enough, a lot of the places which were denoted as "free" or 50c surcharge were in fact all $1 surcharges haha. I think they must've caught on to the fact people were topping up.

    IGA Annandale was free (received email straight away)

    379 Kent St was $1
    161 Sussex was 3%
    Cnr York and Wynyward was $1
    ezyMart near Menzies at Wynyard was $1

    All of the above, I received emails soon thereafter.

    58 Pitt paywaved me and so I didn't get the email. But I hope it'll be on my transaction record as today bc if it isn't, The promotion expires tonight. $1 surcharge as well

  • djones145 on 01/12/2014 - 06:01
    +3

    Let's hope they do this again soon!

    • zzyss on 01/12/2014 - 09:26

      I think we had 3 lots this year (although August was only $5 back on $20) but still… bloody oath the only thing that would be better is free money raining from the skies.

  • derpdeder on 02/12/2014 - 09:55

    Thanks to everyone that contributed to this, made it very easy to get to the $100.

    Logged into my Amex-issued Amex and they are offering 15% off Membership Rewards points used to pay for your Shop Small purchases. If you're someone who uses you points for gift cards, this brings it down to a rate better than the $50 gift cards. 6,068 points gets you $50 worth of purchases versus 6,750 for $50 gift cards, or the regular rate of 7,143 per $50 using it for purchases.

    • FiDad on 02/12/2014 - 11:53

      Yes I saw that too. Definitely going to take advantage of this

  • spacecowboy on 29/10/2015 - 00:34
    +1

    Taylor Square Newsagency closed down a month ago if you want to update list.

    http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/competitions/afte…

  • FiDad on 30/10/2015 - 13:48
    +1

    Did opal top successfully at below 3 places with instant email from Amex. All three charged $1 surchage

    World Square newsagency
    City convenience 419 Pitt
    City convenience 379 Pitt (Ezmart across the road corner of liverpool & pitt st is refusing to do it this year though)

  • SydChamp on 30/10/2015 - 14:44

    any other deals apart from opal cards?

  • cardiology on 08/11/2015 - 10:37

    Sussex St Convenience Store 368 Sussex St Sydney not doing Opal top up.

  • wutang01 on 22/11/2015 - 17:21
    +1

    Did an Opal topup run this morning, and this is my summary:

    City Convenience (near Town Hall) - 525 George St, Sydney - $2
    Wu Pharmacy - 629 George St, Sydney - 50c
    Ezymart - 58 Pitt St, Sydney - $1
    City Convenience - 37 Pitt, Sydney - $1
    City Supermarket (corner of Pitt St) - 1 Alfred St, Sydney - $1
    Loftus Convenience - 16 Loftus St, Sydney - $1
    World Square Newsagency - 387 Pitt St, Sydney - $1
    City Convenience - 379 Pitt St - $2
    City Convenience - 419 Pitt St, Sydney - $2

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