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Is American Express Accepted Everywhere?

Although American Express cards work at most businesses within the U.S., merchants are less likely to accept them in other countries.

An American Express sign.
Kat Tretina
By Kat Tretina
Ashley Donohoe
Edited by Ashley Donohoe
Updated Aug. 30, 2024
Fact checked

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American Express is one of the largest credit card networks and credit card issuers in the world. As of the end of 2023, there were over 80 million Amex cards in force.

These cards offer added perks and valuable rewards programs, and most U.S. businesses accept them. However, some merchants refuse to accept Amex because of the network's more expensive fees, and acceptance rates vary in other countries.

Let’s look further into why American Express isn’t accepted everywhere and why these cards can still be worth getting anyway.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • American Express is the nation’s third-largest credit card network.
  • Although it has a reputation for not being as widely accepted worldwide, 99% of U.S. businesses that accept credit card payments will let you use Amex cards.
  • It isn't as prevalent in other countries, and it's not available at all in Cuba, Russia, Sudan, or Syria.
  • You can look up whether a business accepts your card online or through the Amex mobile app.

Is American Express accepted everywhere?

In the U.S., there are four major credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Based on transaction volume, American Express is the third-largest network, but it's growing.

Historically, American Express has been viewed as having limited acceptance for payments of purchases. But American Express actually has the same level of acceptance in the U.S. as Visa or Mastercard: 99% of businesses that accept credit card payments will take the issuer’s cards.

You can use your American Express card at most businesses of all sizes, such as:

  • Amazon
  • Target
  • McDonald’s
  • Walmart
  • Kohl’s
  • Starbucks
  • Exxon
  • Papa Johns
  • Apple
  • The Home Depot
  • CVS

Your Amex card will also work in many other countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Why won’t some businesses take American Express?

It would seem like accepting American Express cards would be an easy decision for business owners, so why do some merchants refuse to accept them? It comes down to one key reason: cost.

When businesses take credit cards, the card networks will charge them processing fees for customers’ transactions. These can be variable or fixed fees that depend on multiple factors, including the transaction type, card network, and transaction amount.

In general, American Express charges merchants higher fees than other credit card networks, so this cuts into businesses’ profits. For small businesses with razor-thin profit margins, the added cost can make American Express unappealing.

Why is it so expensive?

Amex’s merchant processing fees can be significantly higher than the fees of other networks. Depending on the type of business, the average fee can be as high as 3.5% — a full percentage point higher than Visa's fee.

Average Merchant Processing Fees
Visa 1.4% to 2.5%
Mastercard 1.5% to 2.6%
American Express 2.3% to 3.5%
Discover 1.55% to 2.5%

American Express is more expensive because it has positioned itself as a premium card network, offering cards with luxurious perks and substantial rewards. To offer those benefits, it has to charge higher merchant fees, which it heavily relies on (alongside cardmember annual fees and interest) for making money.

So, who doesn’t accept Amex?

Although most major businesses in the U.S. accept American Express, there are some exceptions. Notably, Costco, a well-known warehouse store, doesn't accept the cards. Additionally, the online auction site eBay announced that it would stop accepting American Express cards as of August 17, 2024. Some smaller businesses, including retailers and restaurants, may also refuse the cards.

In other countries, Amex isn't as widely accepted. For example, you can’t use it anywhere in Cuba, Russia, Sudan, or Syria.

How has the card network worked to increase acceptance?

A large segment of American Express's business operations focuses on acquiring new business. It builds and maintains relationships with merchants and encourages them to accept Amex cards by offering discount rates — what the company charges merchants to accept the cards — and handling services.

It also launched OptBlue, a merchant-acquirement program targeted to smaller businesses with charge transaction volumes below $1 million annually. It allows merchants to accept Amex cards with the same processor they use for Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards and pay simple rates.

However, Amex’s fees still tend to be higher than those of other credit card networks, so the card issuer may continue to struggle to gain wider acceptance.

How to find out where you can use American Express

Most retailers put on their websites or in their shop windows which cards they accept. However, you can find out ahead of time if the merchant will accept your American Express card by using its Express Maps tool online or through the American Express mobile app.

It's always wise to have a backup credit card on hand, particularly when you're traveling in another country, in case a merchant won't accept your primary payment method. Carrying a Visa or Mastercard along with your American Express will ensure you're always ready at the cash register. You can check out our picks for the best credit cards to find a great backup option.

Why should you still consider an American Express card?

Although American Express credit cards aren't as widely accepted globally as other cards, they can still be useful additions to your wallet. Although rewards and benefits vary by card, the issuer is well-known for several key perks.

  • Substantial rewards: Most American Express cards are rewards cards, meaning you can earn points, airline miles, or cash back on your qualifying purchases. The provider tends to run strong programs, and you can redeem its Membership Rewards points for travel, statement credits, gift cards, and more. I use my Amex card for most everyday expenses and usually redeem my points for Amazon purchases or statement credits.
  • Valuable benefits: Besides offering rewards, American Express cards usually have added benefits, such as car rental insurance, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits, and travel insurance. For frequent travelers, perks like airport lounge access can be especially valuable. Each month, my American Express Gold card also gives me Uber Cash and credits for Dunkin’ and select restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory.
  • Consumer protections: American Express cardholders can use their cards for major purchases to take advantage of built-in perks, such as extended warranty protection, return protection, and purchase protection. The extended warranty benefit helped me out when my Apple Watch stopped working just after the standard warranty ended. Amex refunded me the original amount so I could buy a new watch.
  • Partnerships: American Express offers its own branded credit cards, but it also offers co-branded cards in partnership with major airlines and hotel chains. With these cards, you can earn added miles or points and qualify for added perks like elite member status.

Warning
If you use your card to book travel to Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region, your American Express travel protections and benefits won't apply to your trip. For example, you won't be able to take advantage of car rental insurance, trip interruption, or baggage delay coverage in any of those places.

Our top recommendations for American Express cards

If you're interested in a new American Express card, these are three of my favorite choices.

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: Frequent travelers may find this American Express card to be well worth its $695 annual fee. Not only can you earn valuable rewards — 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases — but you can also get deluxe benefits like cell phone protection, a $200 airline fee credit, and American Express Global Lounge Collection access.1

Read our American Express Platinum review

  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: If the American Express Platinum card’s annual fee seems too high, this pick could be a useful alternative. The annual fee is $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter. This card is best if you’re looking to maximize your rewards on routine expenses like groceries and gas. You can earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.

Read our American Express Blue Cash Preferred review

  • American Express Cash Magnet® Card: If you’re looking for a card without an annual fee, the Amex Cash Magnet card could be a good solution. Besides its $0 annual fee, you can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit. You can also take advantage of a promotional APR offer that lets you transfer a balance at a 0% APR for 15 months on balances transferred within 60 days from account opening from the date of account opening. Once the promotional period ends, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99% (variable) applies.

Read our American Express Cash Magnet review

FAQ

Is American Express as accepted as Visa?

In the U.S., American Express has the same acceptance rate as Visa. According to the company's website, you can use it at the 99% of American businesses that take credit cards.

Where can you not use American Express?

Some merchants don't allow customers to use American Express, including some smaller businesses, Costco, and eBay. Internationally, American Express is less common, and you can’t use it at all in some countries, such as Russia and Syria.

Why do stores not take American Express?

In general, American Express charges higher merchant processing fees than other credit card networks. With its higher fees, Amex can cut into merchants' profits and provide little incentive to take the cards.

Bottom line

This card issuer’s premium benefits and rewards can be appealing. If you rarely travel internationally — or only travel to countries where it’s widely accepted — your Amex card could give you access to useful perks and the benefit of widespread acceptance at home.

If you do decide to open a new American Express credit card, be sure to explore the several options to match your spending habits. You might also want to keep a backup card for those occasions when a merchant won’t take Amex.

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