Paddy Sullivan, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
@PaddySully
American Express is accepted in more than 160 countries and territories internationally. Amex cards are more widely accepted in some international destinations than others, though. It should be pretty easy to find merchants that take American Express cards in Australia, Canada, Mexico and India, for example. However, it will be much tougher in smaller countries that aren’t known for doing business with the U.S. or attracting American tourists.
Here’s where American Express is accepted internationally:
- Where American Express Is Accepted internationally: 160+ countries and territories
- Countries Where American Express Is Accepted the Most: Canada, Australia, UK, India, Singapore
- Places Where American Express Is Not Accepted: Cuba, Sudan, South Sudan, Iran, Syria
Overall, American Express credit cards and prepaid cards aren’t nearly as widely accepted internationally as cards that belong to the two other major U.S. card networks. Visa is accepted in 200+ countries and territories. And Mastercard works in 210+. So, you should probably bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fee when you travel abroad, at least as a backup to your Amex.
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read full answer by Maria Adams, Credit Cards ModeratorWhat's the best Amex travel credit card?
The best Amex travel card is the American Express Platinum Card®. It offers 5 points per $1 spent on flights booked with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 spent per year), 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. You may also be eligible to earn as high as 175,000 points for spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card with your offer, spend $8,000 in 6 months, and receive the points).
In addition, the Platinum Card® offers travel perks such as lounge access, travel credits and more. These benefits and rewards help offset the card’s $895 annual fee.
Best Amex Travel Cards
- Rates & Fees Terms Apply
Initial Bonus: as high as 175,000 points for spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card with your offer, spend $8,000 in 6 months, and receive the points)
- Rates & Fees Terms Apply
Initial Bonus: as high as 100,000 points for spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and, if approved, find out your offer amount and accept the card with your offer, spend $6,000 in 6 months, and receive the points)
Initial Bonus: 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months
- Rates & Fees Terms Apply
Initial Bonus: 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points for spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months (offer ends 1/14/2026)
Initial Bonus: 200,000 points for spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months
It’s worth noting that Amex cards don’t have the high global acceptance rates of Visa and Mastercard credit cards, so...
read full answer by Sarah Bilkins, WalletHub Credit Card AnalystDid we answer your question?
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