--- title: Amex OptBlue vs. Amex Direct description: Amex OptBlue is the new norm for most businesses processing American Express cards. Understand the benefits and learn about the Amex Direct alternative. image: https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/amex-optblue-amex-se.svg --- [tel:1-800-601-0230](tel:1-800-601-0230) 800-601-0230 - Features - Solutions - Developers - [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) - Resources [See a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/tour-payjunction) Features - EXPLORE PRODUCTS [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) - ACCEPT PAYMENTS [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH Electronic Checks](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - EXPLORE CAPABILITIES [Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integration Marketplace](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Remote Signature](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) Solutions - [Veterinary Streamline payment workflows and get paid faster with up-front deposits and payment schedules for high-cost procedures. 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Traditionally, a huge profit driver for Amex was its high [Flat-rate processing](https://blog.payjunction.com/tiered-pricing-flat/), making it more expensive and less appealing to businesses. True to form, Amex also operated a bit differently than Visa and MasterCard when it came to the configuration of its merchant accounts until now. Businesses that wish to accept American Express cards are in luck; there’s a new platform with lower fees and simpler management. But not all businesses can opt in. Here’s an overview of [Amex OptBlue and Amex Direct](https://support.payjunction.com/hc/en-us/articles/215359848-Am-I-on-the-Amex-OptBlue-or-Amex-ESA-Platform-). ## Payment Processing Demo Schedule 15 minutes with a payments expert Get a customized PayJunction product walk-through Understand requirements and pricing Determine your SAVINGS! GET DEMO NOW ## Amex OptBlue Previously, Amex cards were processed through a separate American Express-managed merchant account. Rates were high and non-negotiable and it doubled the number of parties involved in a business’s [credit card processing](https://blog.payjunction.com/credit-card-processing-explained/). In 2014 American Express launched Amex OptBlue. Unlike the previous approach, Amex OptBlue allowed [Merchant Account Providers](https://blog.payjunction.com/merchant-account/) to process Amex transactions just like MasterCard and Visa. Benefits of this new model include: - **Faster payment:** Now, all deposits from Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Amex are on the same deposit schedule. - **Improved reconciliation:** With one provider, deposits are streamlined for easier reconciliation. - **One billing statement:** With OptBlue, Amex deposits are listed on the same monthly billing statement as other cards. - **Shared support:** Your Merchant Account Provider can assist you with all aspects of your account and answer transaction questions, regardless of card type. - **Negotiable rates:** Providers now manage the rate structure for Amex cards, resulting in huge savings over the former Flat-rate plan. It’s a win-win for businesses looking to simplify their credit card processing and save money (not to mention accept more payment methods)! So, why would American Express opt to drop its merchant account business? It’s actually a smart move. Small businesses that previously shied away from accepting its cards can do so affordably now, which could ultimately encourage greater cardholder adoption. But Amex isn’t leaving all merchant account profits on the table. There’s one criterion by which the old paradigm still applies: Amex Direct. ## Amex Direct Amex Direct is a separate, mandated merchant account specifically for businesses processing $1 million or more annually in American Express transactions. With it, Amex still generates revenue on high-volume accounts. Businesses on Amex Direct will recognize the high flat rates from the former merchant account structure. Although businesses on Amex Direct receive their Amex deposits separately, PayJunction’s system makes it much easier for these businesses to reconcile their deposits. ![Amex deposit](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG/BLOG%20IN-LINE%20IMAGES/Amex%20deposit.jpg?width=760&name=Amex%20deposit.jpg) In the example above, a debit of $169.95 is noted because this business has a separate Amex Direct account and will receive that deposit directly from American Express. Without this denotation, the business’s accounting team would struggle to reconcile the batch amount with the deposit hitting the business’s bank account ($12,576.36 versus $12,406.51 in this example). We make it easy to identify discrepancies to help businesses on Amex Direct with reconciliation. With the right provider and new OptBlue platform, accepting Amex cards should be easier even for businesses that are mandated to have an Amex Direct account. ## Learn more about Amex transactions. [![ARE YOU BEING CHARGED FAIRLY?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/635739/9f901300-f623-47d2-990b-165c15cd47d2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/635739/9f901300-f623-47d2-990b-165c15cd47d2) Is your business on OptBlue or Amex Direct? What is your current reconciliation process like? We'd love to hear from you. [Merchant Account](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/merchant-account) [Rates](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/rates) [Credit Card Processing](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/credit-card-processing) --- ##### [![How to Fight a Chargeback (and Win)](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/fight-win-chargeback.svg) How to Fight a Chargeback (and Win)](https://blog.payjunction.com/fight-win-chargeback) ##### [![Chip and Signature vs Chip and PIN](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/chip-and-pin-vs-chip-and-signature.svg) Chip and Signature vs Chip and PIN](https://blog.payjunction.com/chip-and-pin-vs-chip-and-signature) ###### About Author ![Picture of Christina Lavingia](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Christina%20Lavingia%2c%20Content%20Marketing%20Manager.jpg?width=200&height=200&name=Christina%20Lavingia%2c%20Content%20Marketing%20Manager.jpg) ### Christina Lavingia Christina Lavingia delights in crafting content that helps business owners fight fraud, reduce risk and process payments with ease. ###### Related Posts ## [![Unethical Providers Markup Amex Fees](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/amex-fees-markup.svg) Unethical Providers Markup Amex Fees Thus far, this series has covered a range of fake fees and markups. To no one’s surprise, some providers also practice unethical billing around Amex fees. Before we dive in, here’s a quick explanation of processing options for businesses that accept Amex.](https://blog.payjunction.com/amex-fees-markup) ## [![Trump Repealing the Durbin Amendment Will Hit Payment Facilitators Hardest](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/trump-durbin-amendment-impact.svg) Trump Repealing the Durbin Amendment Will Hit Payment Facilitators Hardest Sen. Richard J. Durbin’s (D-Ill.) introduction of Regulation II as a last-minute addition to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was well-intentioned and logical from a payments perspective. Interchange — the wholesale cost to run a credit or debit card transaction — is set by the card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Amex). Interchange should be proportional to the risk of a given transaction, however, businesses were paying upwards of a 1% to 3% Interchange for swiped debit card transactions — one of the least risky transaction types — before the Durbin Amendment was passed. With a card-present debit transaction, the cardholder can be verified and sufficient funds confirmed before the transaction is processed. Credit isn’t even involved.](https://blog.payjunction.com/trump-durbin-amendment-impact) ## [![EMV Liability Shift: Explained](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/emv-liability-shift-explained.svg) EMV Liability Shift: Explained The EMV liability shift refers to the 2015 transfer of responsibility for fraudulent losses from the card brands to businesses in cases when the fraud occurred on an incorrectly processed chip card.](https://blog.payjunction.com/emv-liability-shift-explained) ## Meet a Payment System You’ll Love - ###### FEATURES [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) - [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) [Remote Signatures](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) - ###### RESOURCES [Product Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Blog](https://blog.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Support](https://support.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) - [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) - ###### RESOURCES [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) ##### 800-601-0230 SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER  Become a better advocate for your business. 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