I believe one strike against AMEX is their higher merchant fees, as compared to the other card vendors. I recall when I was young that sears started discover c

I believe one strike against AMEX is their higher merchant fees, as compared to the other card vendors. I recall when I was young that sears started discover card, and it wasn't terribly long from the first time I heard of it to the first time I saw logos on windows and people accepting it. At the time discover had no annual fees, and 'cash back' which I recall both being novel at the time (I was young though, so I don't recall too specifically). I think consumer demand helped push the vendor market, as well as Sears itself.