Does Amex pay for clear?

Three American Express cards now offer CLEAR credits, and in particular both the personal and business version of the Amex Platinum offer a $179 annual CLEAR credit. While $179 will cover a CLEAR membership for a year, you can actually get CLEAR for two people at that price.

Does American Express really have a blacklist?

They DO Blacklist. Don't even bother applying. If they were burned, and IIB, and they were paid back, then you're eligible to apply again with them 5 yrs, and 1 mo POST YOUR BK DC. Not any sooner, per AMEX policy, you'll be declined. If you DID NOT burn them in your BK, its STILL 5 yrs and 1 mo post DC.

Is American Express generally accepted?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted by virtually every merchant that takes credit cards, both in the U.S. and internationally. Discover and American Express, however, have been working for years to catch up. As of 2020, both payment networks say they have reached a 99% acceptance rate among U.S. merchants who take credit cards.