Where Is American Express Accepted?
7 Min Read | Published: Febrary 26, 2026
American Express is accepted worldwide at millions of merchants. Discover where to use your Amex® Card and why its perks make it worth carrying everywhere.
At-A-Glance
- Your Amex® Card can be used almost everywhere, from major U.S. retailers to luxury hotels and travel providers in more than 200 countries.
- Some smaller shops, cash-only businesses, or remote destinations may not take Amex, so it’s smart to have a backup payment option.
- Wherever Amex is accepted, American Express Membership can place premium rewards, exclusive perks, elite experiences, and trusted service in your pocket.
Most businesses that take cards accept American Express, so you can use your Card with millions of merchants across the U.S. and in more than 200 countries.1 From your neighborhood grocery store to luxury hotels and travel providers, you can earn rewards and experience life-defining moments with Amex. Let’s explore where you can use your Card, where and why you can’t, how to prepare, and what it means to be an American Express Member.
Is American Express Accepted Everywhere?
No, but you can use your Card at almost all retailers, restaurants, airlines, hotels, streaming sites, online stores, and other businesses that take credit cards.2 Your Card can also accompany you abroad, where you can use it in over 200+ territories and countries. Plus, both Apple Pay and Google Pay support Amex, so you can easily link your Card to your virtual wallet.
Take a look at a non-exhaustive list of Amex-friendly establishments below. Not sure if a business takes Amex? Search stores near you with the Amex map tool.
| Gas Stations | Grocery Stores | Drug Stores | Department Stores |
|---|---|---|---|
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Where Is American Express Not Accepted?
Card issuers generally always charge merchants a small fee to accept credit cards, so some businesses may occasionally avoid certain card issuers to sidestep those associated swipe fees. Other businesses may be cash only. In some cases, select businesses may have a special partnership with another card provider.3
And although Amex is popular in countries like Australia and Japan, there are international exceptions. Rural or remote travel destinations may not be Amex-compatible, especially if they don’t have card readers.
Here are a few ideas to keep your transactions smooth wherever you go:
- Bring a debit card. Just be sure to alert your bank of your trip, so they don’t think your card is stolen and block the transaction.
- Have another credit or debit payment method, preferably one that doesn’t charge for foreign transactions.
- Bring cash, but make sure it’s in the host country’s currency if you’re abroad.
- Download and set up a third-party payment option, like Venmo, Zelle®, or PayPal.
Did you know?
You can open a Rewards Checking account with American Express if you are an existing Card Member. This could allow you to earn Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases with your Debit Card. Terms and eligibility apply. To learn more, visit: American Express Rewards Checking. Deposit accounts offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC.
The Benefits of American Express Membership
Being a Card Member means more than just making purchases with your Card. Your Membership opens the door to premium rewards, memorable experiences, valuable travel benefits, and protections that help you shop and explore confidently. You can also compare Cards to find the right fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Here are some of the elite perks Amex Membership has to offer:
- Travel
With the Platinum Card®4, you could bask in the luxury of American Express Travel®, helping you enjoy elite hotel and airport lounge status worldwide. You can also book at over 1,800 properties with Fine Hotels + Resorts® and earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and hotels (on up to $500,000 for flight purchases) when booked with AmexTravel.com, which can help your budget stretch further for your next booking. - Dining
If you’re an eligible Card Member, you get automatic Global Dining Access by Resy. That means you can unlock the most sought-after tables and event seats through the Resy App when you book with your Card. - Entertainment
Eligible Cards are a gateway to Amex Special Ticket AccessTM. You can receive exclusive offers on event merchandise and get your hands on Amex Presale Tickets®, available while supplies last, to secure access to select events before the general public. You can also enjoy Amex Reserved Tickets®, available while supplies last and with not all seats offered, giving you exclusive access to some of the best seats in the house, and enjoy every minute of premium experiences like the Formula 1® racing series up close and personal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on your Card, you could unlock thousands in value each year while enjoying world-class service at home and abroad. Plus, American Express membership goes beyond everyday savings and smarter budgeting. It connects you with invaluable experiences, like snagging an impossible table at your city’s hottest restaurant or front row seats to the show you thought sold out.
Outside of the previously listed Amex-friendly companies, some businesses may reject Amex because of merchant fees. Cash-only businesses also aren’t compatible. Rural or remote destinations may not be either, so having a backup payment method is a smart idea.
You can use your Amex Card in over 200 countries and territories, and at 99% of retailers, restaurants, airlines, hotels, and online stores that take credit cards.5 You can also link it to Apple Pay or Google Pay, making it even easier to use your Card almost anywhere.
The Takeaway
Thanks to its global acceptance and a laser focus on elite travel rewards, protections, and lifestyle perks, your American Express Card is a powerful addition to your wallet. While it’s always a good idea to have a backup payment method, most places that accept credit cards accept Amex. Enjoy the Amex Membership experience as you book travel, shop at major retailers, and enjoy premium experiences abroad or at home.
1, 2, 3, 5 “Is American Express Accepted Everywhere?,” Forbes
4 Read Platinum Card terms and conditions to learn more.
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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