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American Express is one of the four major payment networks in the U.S., along with Mastercard, Visa and Discover. Within the U.S., most retailers and merchants accept American Express credit cards.
If you're planning to travel to a different country, however, you may want to bring a backup payment method. Here's what you need to know.
Is American Express Accepted Everywhere?
American Express offers several credit cards for consumers and small business owners and, in many places, you'll likely have no problem using your Amex credit card to make purchases.
However, the payment network isn't as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard, especially if you're traveling abroad. Knowing where you can and can't use American Express can help you determine whether you need a backup payment method.
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Where Can I Use My American Express Card?
Within the U.S., American Express touts a 99% acceptance rate among merchants that accept credit cards. That generally includes most major retailers and restaurant chains, as well as several small businesses.
American Express is also accepted by merchants in several other countries, though acceptance rates can vary depending on where you travel. If you're traveling to a large city in one of the following countries, for instance, you may have an easier time finding places to use your card:
- Australia
- Canada
- India
- Mexico
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
Where Is American Express Not Accepted?
While Amex is generally accepted by all major retailers in the U.S., there's one notable exception. While American Express used to have an exclusive partnership with Costco, the wholesale club currently only accepts Visa credit cards at its warehouses and gas stations. For online Costco purchases, you can use a Visa or Mastercard credit card.
There are also many small businesses, such as local restaurants and boutique shops, that may not accept Amex credit cards.
If you're unsure about a merchant, look for the American Express symbol on the door of the business or near the cashier. Alternatively, you can use the card issuer's map to search for a specific merchant or even find all merchants within a specific area.
For international travel, American Express acceptance can be spotty. Even in countries where you can find merchants in larger cities, you may have a harder time outside of those metropolitan areas.
In other countries outlined above, you may have a hard time finding merchants who will accept your Amex credit card, so it's best to bring a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
Why Isn't American Express Accepted Everywhere?
American Express charges higher merchant fees compared to other payment networks, which can be a deal breaker for many small businesses. While merchant fees can vary depending on the card type, American Express merchant fees tend to be higher than those that other payment networks charge.
That said, American Express boasts that transaction sizes for its cardholders are 65% higher than non-Amex cardholders, and the company has made a significant push in recent years to improve its acceptance rate with smaller businesses.
The Bottom Line
If you have an American Express credit card, you likely won't run into many businesses in the U.S. that won't accept your card as a payment method. That said, it's still a good idea to have a Visa or Mastercard credit card or debit card, just in case.
If you're planning a trip to another country, you'll likely want to bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card or debit card with you, even if the country has a higher acceptance rate for Amex than others. Also, be sure to have a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, which can be as much as 3% of each international purchase.