[[amex_shop_small_guide]]

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Amex Shop Small Guide

Intro

This wiki was inspired by the many comments, tips and repeatedly-asked questions in Amex Shop Small Deals. Much of that information has been migrated to this wiki so that anyone can edit and update it. Reference: (2018 Deal) (2017 Deal) Sept 2016 August 2016 May 2016 Nov 2015 and Myki Nov 2017.

Note that you can sort tables by clicking on the column headings.

If you would like to ask questions or discuss anything about this page, please comment in this forum post.

FAQ

How does it work?
Amex announces these promotions a couple of times a year. Sometimes for a weekend sometimes for a month (usually November). A few days beforehand registrations will open via the “Offers” section of the Amex online banking website or app, or at Amex Connect for non-Amex-issued cards. You need to register each card you want to use and registrations numbers are capped. Then during the Shop Small promotion period, use your card to spend $20 or more in a single transaction at a participating retailer (usually allowed only once per card per location and a limited number of times per card in total) and within a few days Amex will credit $10 to your account.

What to do when it does not work? Reporting to Amex
There were many instances that the shops listed on the map didn't accept American Express, or we didn't get the credit when we spent $20. Many have complained here in the comment section: https://www.facebook.com/americanexpressaustralia/videos/1190803690966323/

Report those shops to Amex:
By email: informationANZ@aexp.com
By Web Contact form: http://amex.co/1AzScGC

Which Amex cards are eligible?
Usually all Amex cards: Amex-issued and bank-issued. If you want to apply for an Amex card, be sure to use one of the referral links from the American Express Referral System for extra benefits.

Can supplementary cards be used?
Yes. Supplementary cards must be registered separately and are treated as completely independent from the primary card. Supplementary cards must have a different card number than the primary card to be able to be registered. Unfortunately, Westpac and CBA bank issued supplementary cards are known to have the same card number.

What are the best things to buy?
This is somewhat subjective. To my mind though, the 'best things to buy' are any things that you WOULD HAVE BOUGHT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PROMOTION WAS RUNNING OR NOT'; but from a 'verified SS vendor', instead of your usual source. Because that way, each transaction is like $10 cash in your pocket (think petrol, pet-food, public-transport-card-top-ups, standard-priced groceries, pharmacy goods, *etc*). If you find yourself buying things you would NOT NORMALLY BUY, *just because the SS promotion is running*, then maybe you are not actually benefiting financially from it. [My personal entry ends here, whatever appears after this sentence was either here already, or has been subsequently added by someone else.]

Suggestions: Travel card top-ups, prepaid mobile top-ups, groceries, pharmacy goods, food and drink at cafes and restaurants, alcohol from bottle shops.
These are particularly good because a) They are goods you'd probably buy anyway b) They are usually competatively priced so it won't cost significantly more to buy them at a participating shop and c) You can split the purchases into multiple lots of $20 or just over and get $10 credit each time (eg Add 3 $20 top-ups to your travel card using 3 cards or at 3 different shops and receive $30 credit, instead of a single $60 top-up like you might usually do).

There may also be charities listed in which case every $20 you donate costs you only $10. Some people have suggested that you can claim back tax on the full $20 donation to eligible organisations, but the legality and morality of doing that is questionable.

How do I know which shops are participating?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xsZWno2TvD4pcscKYpK_x6wt0RzSUgL42L5ZVR41URE/edit#gid=1876413030Google Docs: 2018 List of Shops

2017 listing: Use the Shop Small map or see the following lists extracted from the map by user thydzik ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA. Excel Workbook. All Shop Small Amex Listings Map

How do I use the map and why does it suck so badly?
Yes everyone hates the map. A group of Ozbargainers led by @GnarlyKnuckles has compiled a list of issues to pass on to Amex and try get it improved. Nevertheless, here are some tips to help you use the map:

  • The list on the left of the map shows the details of only ten stores at a time. Those stores will be shown as large, numbered markers on the map, while other stores will be shown as dots. Click the arrow on the bottom right of the list to see details of the next ten stores.
  • You can click on any large or small marker to show the details of that shop
  • A maximum of 100 markers are shown in the map, so if you are viewing an large area with many stores it will not show all of them. You can see if it is over the limit by checking the count at the bottom of the list on the left. If it says “1-10 of 100 Results” then it means it is not showing everything. Zoom in until it shows less than 100 results.
  • Check the checkbox “Redo search when map moved” at the top right of the map or click “Redo search in this area” if you've already moved the map.
  • Use the filter to limit stores shown to “Dining”/“Shopping” etc, but be warned that applying a filter will reset the map to the initial map view, so set the filter first.
  • Sometimes more than one shop is listed at the same address (eg a shopping centre) in which case the marker you are looking for on the map can be hidden behind another one. Zoom in closer and you should be able to tell them apart.

Travel Card top ups

Go Card top up

Trading Name/Amex-registered name Address Suburb Comment Last confirmed
Nextra Day and Night News 1374 Gympie Road Aspley 1 28/10/2015
Burstall Ave News & Casket 185 Belmont Rd Belmont Card machine wasn't linked to Amex yet but Amex paid on request 18/9/2016
NewsXpress Harbour Town Shop M2 Harbour Town Shopping Centre Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive Biggera Waters 1 11/11/2015
City News 10 Eagle St Brisbane 1No Amex For Go Card 2,might work1, Worked fine 27/11/2017 (no challenge) 27/11/2017
Creek St News 40 Creek St Brisbane 1No Amex For Go Card 2, might still work 3 Not in the shop small map anymore (15/11/2016), Confirmed not participating in shop small anymore: 2 15/11/2016
Hao & Han Pty Ltd 360 Queen Street Brisbane No-name, small newsagency next to Flight Centre 1, NOTE: Doesn't currently accept Amex (just installed new payment system and apparently haven't set it up yet):2 09/11/2016
Nextra News Agency 31-35 W Burleigh Rd Burleigh Heads 1 11/11/2015
Nextra Chermside Newsagency Shop 384-385, Westfield Shoppingtown, Cnr Gympie Rd & Hamilton Rd Chermside 1, 2 10/11/2016
News Express 696 New Cleveland Road Gumdale On Amex map and Go-card topup list (called to confirm), but not tested/confirmed
South Bank Beach News Stanley St Plaza South Bank 1 9/11/2018
Ezymart King George Square Tenancy C1 & C2/64 Adelaide Street (King George Square busway station) Brisbane No fees 1, 2 doesn't accept Amex anymore 31/10/2018
Post Office Square News 280 Queen St Brisbane City 1, Not in the shop small map anymore (15/11/2016), Confirmed not participating in shop small anymore: 2
Spar Express 5-218 Padstow Road Eight Mile Plains Back on the map this year; not yet tested 03/11/2018
Nextra Garden City Level 1 Westfield Garden City S/C Upper Mt Gravatt 1 No Surcharge 9/11/2018
Nextra Garden City Level 2 Westfield Garden City S/C Upper Mt Gravatt 1, EDIT: no credit after 5 days - called up customer service to claim credit 18/11/2017
Newsextra Casino News 131 George St. Brisbane 1, 2, 3 9/11/2018
George Street News 370 George St Brisbane 1 7/11/2018
Perry House News Elizabeth St cnr Albert St Brisbane 1, 2, 3 9/11/2018

Myki top up

📍 Google Map of Myki Locations -

Working:

Name Address Suburb Description Last confirmed
Victoria Harbour Pharmacy 66 Merchant St, Docklands No Surcharge 1,2, 3 Nov 2018
Foodworks (Gertrude St Mini Mart) 169-171 Gertrude Street Fitzroy $0-$1 1 Nov 2018
Waverley Road Authorised News 336 Waverley Road Malvern East Note: Not to be confused with Darling South Post Office at the same address Sept 2016
Zouki Royal Melb Hospital 300 Grattan Street Parkville No Surcharge, 1 2, 3 Nov 2018
Southgate News & Lotto 3 Southgate Ave Southbank 3% didn't participate in Shopsmall cashback Nov 2017
The Summit 163 City Rd Southbank No Surcharge 1, 2, 3 Nov 2018
Wattle park pharmacy (Amcal) 1123 Riversdale Rd Surrey Hills No Surcharge, 1,2,3 Nov 2018
Cigarette Express Convenience (YE MAO PTY LTD) 109 Brunswick St Fitzroy $.50, 1 Nov 2018
Boronia Heights Pharmacy 1096 Mountain Hwy Boronia $1 Surcharge Nov 2016
Montmorency Pharmacy 45 Were St Montmorency No Surcharge, 1 Nov 2018
Kilsyth Newsagency 520 - 528 Mt Dandenong Road Kilsyth No Surchage Nov 2016
Brunswick St News 185 Brunswick St Fitzroy 30c/1.5% surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Malvern Authorised Newsagency 114 Glenferrie Road Malvern 3% surcharge Nov 2018
WU & T - Blandford Crescent Milk bar 48 Blandford Cres Bayswater North 3% Surcharge Nov 2016
Pinewood Authorised Newsagency 59 Centreway Mount Waverley No Surcharge, 1, 2, 3, 4 Nov 2018
Daily News 452 Little Collins St Melbourne No Surcharge, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
Prahran Convenience 196 Commercial Rd Prahran No Surcharge, 1, 2, 3, 4 Nov 2018
Prahran Central Pharmacy 229 Commercial Road South Yarra No Surcharge, 1, 2 Nov 2018
Big H Milkbar 95 Chapel St St Kilda 2%, via PM Nov 2018
Westgarth Pharmacy 62 High Street Northcote No Surcharge/Not Accepting Amex 1, 2 Nov 2018
Swanston Street Lotto 3/227 Collins St Melbourne 2%-3% Surcharge, 1, 2 Nov 2018
Halfpenny Pharmacy 381 Sydney Rd Coburg No Surcharge, 1 Nov 2018
Racecourse Lucky Lotto and News 338/380 Racecourse Rd Kensington 3% Surcharge, 1, 2 Nov 2018
Armadale Mini Mart (IGA Exress) Corner of High St and Orrong Road Armadale No Surcharge, 1 Nov 2018
Adam's Pharmacy 413 Nepean Highway Chelsea 1% Surcharge, 1 Nov 2018
Railway Hotel 29 Chapel Street Windsor No Surcharge, 1 Nov 2018
NewsXpress Clayton 345 Clayton Rd Clayton 0-1.75%, 1 Nov 2018

Not working:

Name Address Suburb Description Last confirmed
Central Park Newsagency 393 Wattletree Rd Malvern East No longer on official list 1 Nov 2016
Amcal Chemist Lygon Court Carlton Nov 2016
Newsagent 500 500 Bourke St Melbourne Sept 2016
Ezymart 123 Queen St Melbourne Sept 2016
My Office 500 Collins st Melbourne Sept 2016
Melbourne Convenience Store 327 Elizabeth St Melbourne Sept 2016
Vermont South Amcal Pharmacy 495 Burwood Highway Vermont South Refused to re-charge MyKi on Amex Nov 2016
Newsline 1 Main St Box Hill 1 Nov 2017
Carlisle Street Milk Bar Carlisle Street St Kilda No Cashback, 1 Nov 2017
Normanby Pharmacy 705 High Street Thornbury No Top Up with Amex, via PM Nov 2018

Opal top up

📍 Google Map of Confirmed OPAL Locations

Working:

Name Address Suburb Description Comment Last confirmed
Allied Mart 379 Pitt Street Sydney No surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Nov 2018
City Essential 171 Clarence Street Sydney $2 surcharge 1 Nov 2017
Nextra Chatswood Westfield Chatswood, 229/1 Anderson St Chatswood $1 surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Oxford St Newsagency 1/18-32 Oxford St Darlinghurst 50c surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2018
Convenience At The Cove 114 Longueville Road Lane Cove 80c surcharge 1 Nov 2017
Village Convenience Store 150-158 Epping Road Lane Cove $2 surcharge 1 Nov 2016
Neutral Bay Wycombe 167 Wycombe Rd Neutral Bay $1 surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
Neutral Bay Newsagency 6 Young Street Neutral Bay $1 surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
Nsw Convenience Store 119a Macquarie Street Parramatta $1 surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
Connaught Newsagency 187 Liverpool St Sydney 50c surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Nov 2016
Darling Park Newsagency 201 Sussex St Sydney 70c surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2018
Society 169 Phillip St Sydney $1 surcharge 1 Nov 2018
The Lucky Charm Pavilion Centre, 580 George Street Sydney 2% surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Nov 2018
The Lucky Charm Pitt Street, Westfield Centrepoint Sydney $.40 surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Nov 2018
Millennium Convenience Store 289-295 Sussex St Sydney $1 surcharge or reject 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2017
Darling Harbour View Convenience Suite 24, 5A Erskine St Sydney $0-$2 surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2017
World Newsagency Shop 402, Level 2, 1 Darling Drive Sydney $.20-$.40 surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
King of the Pack (888 Wholly Tobacconist) Shop 26/ 61 Oxford St Darlinghurst 20c/1% surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4 Nov 2017
Fastway Convenience 4/27 Park St Sydney 40c/2% surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
News King Shop 1013, Westfield Bondi Junction 81c surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
King of The Pack 13 Faraday Rd Padstow 2% surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
Walsh's Village Pharmacy 3 Meagher Avenue Maroubra No surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Brighton Le Sands Newsagency 273 Bay Street Brighton-Le-Sands 3% surcharge Nov 2016
Double Bay Newsagency 390 New South Head Rd Double Bay 40c surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2016
News New Newsagency Shop 3067 Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford Street Bondi Junction 50c surcharge 1 Nov 2016
St Martin's City Newsagency 31 Market Street Sydney $.50-$.80 surcharge 1, 2, 3 Nov 2018
Convenience Store (Grocery Zone) 368 Sussex St Sydney $1 surcharge or purchase 1, 2 Nov 2016
Safeway Souvenirs & Convenience 25-27 South Steyne Manly No surcharge 1 Nov 2016
Mirna Convenience Store 69 Liverpool St Sydney $1-$1.50 surcharge-No Amex 1, 2, 3 Nov 2016
Riverside Convenience Store 1-3 Julius Ave North Ryde 60c surcharge 1 Nov 2016
Meadowbank Newsagency 64 Constitution Rd Meadowbank No surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2018
Nextra Newsagency (Gifts n' News) TOP RYDE CITY SHOPPING CENTRE, LG2 Ryde No surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2018
MLC Newsagency (foodcourt) 19 Martin Pl Sydney 3%/60c 1, 2 Nov 2018
The Lucky Charm Shop 22/500 George St Galleries Sydney $.40 surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
Spar Redfern Level 2, 7-9 Gibbons St Redfern No Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Fastway 44 Park st Sydney 30c-40c surcharge 1, 2 Nov 2017
CTC Pendle Hill 135 Pendle Way Pendle Hill 3% surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Kings Langley Newsagency 4/125 James Cook Dr Kings Langley 3% surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Waitara Friendly Grocer Shop 4, 71-77 Edgeworth David Ave Waitara 3% surcharge 1 Nov 2017
To's Newsagency Shop 1083, Westfield Hornsby Hornsby 1.8% surcharge 1 Nov 2017
Hornsby Mall Newsagency Shop 1, 33 Florence Street Hornsby 1.8% surcharge 1 Nov 2017
City Convenience 327-329 George St Sydney $1 surcharge 1 Nov 2018
City Mart 525 525 George Street, Shop 1 Sydney No surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
Wus pharmacy 629 George street Haymarket 3% Surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4 Nov 2018
The Lucky Charm (QVB) 84/455 George St Sydney 2% Surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Nov 2018
Quay Newsagency Shop W8A Alfred St Circular Quay 1.6% Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Redfern Convenience Store 152a Redfern St Redfern $1 Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Devonshire St Newsagency 70 Devonshire St Surry Hills No Surcharge or Not Accepting Amex 1, 2 Nov 2018
Bay Mini Mart 4 Bay Road, Shop 2 North Sydney $0-$5 Surcharge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Nov 2018
Fastway 40 Miller Street, Shop 1 North Sydney $1 Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Humphreys Newsagency 60-62 The Corso Manly No Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Dee Why Newsagency 20 Howard Ave Dee Why 2% Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Darling Convenience Store 20 King St Sydney $0-$1 Surcharge 1, 2, 3 Nov 2018
Oakhill Village Newsagency 9/83 David Rd Castle Hill No Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Rhodes News 1 Rider Blvd Rhodes No Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
ZMZ Eastwood Newsagency 19 Railway Parade Eastwood 2.5% Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
Roseville Newsagency 41 Hill St Roseville No Surcharge 1 Nov 2018
City Mart 614 George St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Stanhope Gardens Newsagency Shop 77, 2 Sentry drive Stanhope Gardens 1 Nov 2018

Not working:

Name Address Suburb Description Last confirmed
Urban News Shop 1-25 Harbour St Sydney 1 Nov 2017
CITY CONVENIENCE 173-179 BROADWAY ULTIMO 1 Nov 2017
Friendly Grocer 261 Harris St Pyrmont cash only for Opal Nov 2018
B&J newsagency 187 Thomas St Haymarket 1 Nov 2017
Central Grocery (near tunnel) 10 Lee St Chippendale Sept 2016
River cat Convenience shop 8-9 30-32 charlies st Parramatta Sept 2016
300 george street 300 george street Sydney Sept 2016
City Supermarket 1 Alfred St Sydney Sept 2016
Menzies/Ezymart 14 Carrington St Sydney 1 Sept 2016
CCS 209 Castlereagh St Sydney 1 Nov 2016
The Lucky Charm 22/201 Elizabeth St Sydney Closed 1 Nov 2016
Berry St Minimart North Sydney Doesn't accept Amex. 1 Nov 2016
Grocery Zone 1/44 Park St Sydney Shop Closed 1 Nov 2017
World Newsagency Shop G11-13 Metcentre (Wynyard Station), 273 George Street Sydney 50c surcharge/Not Accepted 1 Nov 2016
Ezymart 127 Liverpool Street Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Ezymart 117/304-308 Pitt St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Forum Newsagency 3/201 Pacific Hwy St Leonards Rejected 1, 2 Nov 2018
City Convenience 19-21 Hunter St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
City Convenience 1 Castlereagh St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
City Convenience 136 Castlereagh St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
City Convenience (T&Sons) 1/419 Pitt St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
City Convenience 22 Market Street Sydney 1 Nov 2018
City Convenience 1/525 George Street Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Loftus City Convenience Store 20 Loftus St Sydney 1, 2 Nov 2017
EzyMart 11/23 Rawson Place Haymarket 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 18 Smith Street Parramatta 1 Nov 2018
Ezymart 166 Belmore Rd, Randwick 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 300 George St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 770 George St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 58 Pitt St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 52 Martin Place Sydney 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 134 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 26 Bronte Rd Bondi Junction 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 1/31A Fitzroy Street Kirribilli 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 237 Oxford St Bondi Beach 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 15-23 bligh st Sydney 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart Wharf 2 Circular Quay 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart Wharf 5 Circular Quay 1 Nov 2018
EzyMart 1/30 Pacific Hwy St Leonards 1 Nov 2018
World Square Newsagency and Bookshop 387 Pitt St Sydney 1 Nov 2018
F J Convenience Store 1 Eddy Avenue, Shop 16 Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Pymble Newsagency 75 Grandview Street Pymble 1 Nov 2017
Berry Street Minimart 124 Walker Street, Shop 1 North Sydney 1 Nov 2018
Nextra Chase Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre, Shop B-011/345 Victoria Ave Chatswood 1 Nov 2018

Metro Card top up

Trading Name/Amex-registered name Address Suburb Description Comment Last confirmed
It's Convenient 63 Waymouth St Adelaide Surcharge 1 Nov 16
News Agency Central Plaza Rundle Mall Adelaide No surcharge Shutdown as of Nov 18? Nov 16
Rundle Street Convenience Adelaide No surcharge Nov 18

SmartRider top up

Note: This list is based on a direct comparison of the Shop Small data, and the Smartrider Retail Outlets list to find matching names. Please update this list if you've been able to absolutely confirm any of these locations.

Trading Name/Amex-registered name Address Suburb Description Comment Last confirmed
Phoenix Newsagency 254 Rockingham Road Phoenix
Subiaco Square Newsagency & Lottery Centre 29 Station St Subiaco Asked on 26/11/2016 and said no Amex for Smartrider recharge
Lucky Charm 39 Railway Rd Kalamunda
The Kwinana Hub Lottery Ctr Kwinana Hub Market Place Kwinana
The Mall Newsagency 717 Hay St Perth As of 22/11/2016, no longer accepting AMEX for Smartrider recharge 3/11/2016

Charities

Trading Name/Amex-registered name Address Suburb State Charity Type Comment Last confirmed

AmEx Shop Small Donations

Other Notable Shops

Trading Name/Amex-registered name Address Suburb State Shop Type Comment Last confirmed
Keepcup Store Online Australia-wide Speciality Reusable coffee cups 2016
Spar Express/Thrifty Convenience 155 Oxford St Bulimba QLD Supermarket 16/9/2016
The Nile Online Australia-wide Books 2016 (Not listed in 2017 map)
Sushi Hub Stack with Spend $20, Get $10 Offer Australia-wide Food Ends November 4 2017
Deliveroo Online and stacks with Free Delivery Codes Australia-wide Food November 2018
Hey You! Top Up with no surcharge Australia-wide Food November 2018
Emporium Melbourne Gift Card Can be used at many shops in centre including food court Victoria Food November 2018