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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Where is American Express Accepted?

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American Express is currently accepted by 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards, according to a 2022 issue of Nilson Report. However, if you’re traveling abroad or shopping at a small business, your American Express card is less likely to be accepted than a Visa or Mastercard. That’s because it typically costs businesses more to accept American Express payments.

We’ve rounded up which retailers, restaurants, countries and more accept American Express — and which ones don’t — so you can be prepared wherever you go.

Where is American Express accepted?

American Express is accepted at most large retailers, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations in the U.S., including the following:

RetailersGrocery storesRestaurantsGas stations
  • Walmart
  • Amazon
  • Dollar General
  • Sam's Club
  • Target
  • Macy's
  • Kohl's
  • Dillard's
  • Bloomingdale's
  • Whole Foods
  • Trader Joe's
  • Safeway
  • Winn-Dixie
  • ALDI
  • Publix
  • Meijer
  • Chili's
  • McDonald's
  • Taco Bell
  • Wendy's
  • Chipotle
  • Starbucks
  • Panera
  • Papa John's
  • Mobil
  • Exxon
  • Shell
  • Hess
  • Gulf
  • Murphy USA
  • BP

Small businesses in the U.S. may be a hit or a miss. To make sure a small business accepts American Express prior to shopping there, check out this interactive map of small businesses where American Express cards are accepted.

Where is American Express not accepted?

One major retailer that doesn’t accept American Express is Costco. Additionally, some small businesses may not accept American Express, since it tends to charge merchants higher fees than other major payment networks, like Visa and Mastercard.

American Express (and Discover) also tend to be less available outside of the U.S. than Visa and Mastercard. That said, American Express also typically limits earning grocery, streaming service and gas rewards to U.S. merchants. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, for example, lets cardholders earn Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.

Where is American Express accepted?

Using American Express credit cards outside of the U.S. can be difficult compared to other cards.

Here are some countries that don’t accept American Express at all:

  • Sudan
  • Cuba
  • North Korea
  • Russia and Belarus (temporarily)

Aside from exceptions like those, it’s dependent on individual merchants to decide if they want to accept American Express — not countries as a whole.

To be on the safe side, travelers should bring a backup credit card. In the case a merchant doesn’t accept American Express, you’ll be glad to have a Visa or Mastercard on hand.

Why isn’t American Express accepted everywhere?

American Express isn’t accepted everywhere because it costs merchants more in fees than Visa and Mastercard.

What are merchant fees?

Merchant fees are what businesses are required to pay to accept different payment processors. Some fees go toward the payment processing companies (American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover) — and some go toward the banks that issue credit cards (Chase, Capital One, Wells Fargo and more).

Here are some of the fees merchants are responsible for:

  • Interchange fees: This fee goes directly to the credit card issuer. It’s usually the largest fee a merchant has to pay is presented as a percentage plus a small cost per transaction. Interchange fees vary depending on factors like the type of business and the transaction size.
  • Discount rate: This is the fee paid by the merchant to the credit card processor to simply accept the card.
  • Assessment fees: This fee is usually smaller than interchange fees and is paid to the credit card network.
  • Voice authorization fees: A merchant is charged a voice authorization fee when they’re required to call a payment processor representative to accept a card payment. This may happen if a merchant’s point of sale (POS) system is unavailable.

    What are American Express’s merchant fees?

    American Express generally has higher merchant fees than its competitors. However, the payment network has a program called OptBlue, which can help small businesses qualify for lower merchant fees.

    Still, American Express interchange fees are a bit higher than its competitors.

    Payment networkStarting interchange fees for consumer credit
    American Express (OptBlue)1.60% + $0.10
    Mastercard0% + $0.10
    Visa1.15% + $0.10
    Discover1.56% + $0.10

    While these may look like small fees, they can quickly add up for business owners — which is why some may want to opt not to accept American Express payments.

    American Express vs. Visa, Mastercard and Discover

    How does American Express match up against other major payment networks? The chart below shows approximately how many U.S. and international merchants each network has available.

    Payment networkInternational merchantsU.S. merchants
    American Express (OptBlue)44 million10.6 million
    Discover48 million10.6 million
    Visa46 million10.7 million
    Mastercard37 million10.7 million

    Source: Nilson Report

    Even though American Express falls behind internationally, it’s still available at over 10 million merchants. So depending on where you’re visiting, your card is probably still worth packing — but bring a backup card just in case.

    Types of American Express credit cards

    American Express offers several types of cards that cater to people with different spending habits and rewards preferences, including the following:

    Luxury travel rewards

    American Express has several travel cards to choose from — but The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the most luxurious benefits for frequent travelers. The downside is its $695 annual fee.

    | Disclosures
    The Platinum Card® from American Express
    The Platinum Card® from American Express
    apply-now-icon Apply Now
    on American Express's secure site
    Rates & Fees
    | Terms Apply
    N/A
    See Pay Over Time APR
    $695
    5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with
    • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
    • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
    • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
    • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
    • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
    • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
    • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
    • $695 annual fee.¤
    • Terms Apply.
    660 720 850
    Good / Excellent

    How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

    LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

    *To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

    Dining rewards

    The American Express® Gold Card lets you earn up to $120 per calendar year in dining credits (enrollment required).

    | Disclosures
    American Express® Gold Card
    American Express® Gold Card
    apply-now-icon Apply Now
    on American Express's secure site
    Rates & Fees
    | Terms Apply
    N/A
    See Pay Over Time APR
    $325
    Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per
    • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
    • Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
    • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
    • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
    • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
    • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
    • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
    • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
    • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Annual Fee is $325.
    • Terms Apply.
    660 720 850
    Good / Excellent

    How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

    LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

    Cash back on everyday purchases

    The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous cash back rate in popular spending categories, like U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations and transit.

    | Disclosures
    Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
    Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
    apply-now-icon Apply Now
    on American Express's secure site
    Rates & Fees
    | Terms Apply
    0% on purchases for 12 months
    18.74%-29.74% Variable
    $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
    Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per
    • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
    • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
    • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.74% - 29.74%.
    • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
    • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
    • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
    • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
    • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
    • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
    • $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
    • Terms Apply.
    660 720 850
    Good / Excellent

    How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

    LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

    Business credit card

    The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is one of the best cards for small business owners for a few reasons. It has no annual fee, a year-long intro APR offer and rewards on everyday business purchases.

    | Disclosures
    The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
    The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
    apply-now-icon Apply Now
    on American Express's secure site
    Rates & Fees
    | Terms Apply
    0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
    17.99% - 25.99% Variable
    No annual fee
    Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or
    • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
    • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
    • Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
    • You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
    • No Annual Fee
    • Terms Apply.
    660 720 850
    Good / Excellent

    How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

    LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

    *To see rates & fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please click here.

    Pros and cons of American Express credit cards

    ProsCons

      Plenty of options to choose from, like balance transfers, cash back, travel and business cards

      Renowned for premium travel benefits

      Offers generous rewards and welcome offers on many cards

      Limited acceptance abroad

      Some cards have a high annual fee

      Limited options for people with bad credit

    *To see rates & fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
    *To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
    *To see rates & fees for American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
    *To see rates & fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please click here.

No, but it is accepted at most places in the U.S. However, it’s less likely to be accepted by merchants outside of the country than Visa and Mastercard.

No. However, Costco accepts all Visa cards. Costco provides a list of acceptable payment methods in their U.S. warehouses, gas stations and website.

Yes. Square provides a list of all the payment methods it accepts, including American Express.

You don’t have to choose one or the other — you can have both Visa and American Express credit cards. The best credit card for you depends on factors like your credit score, travel frequency, purchases coming up, rewards preferences and more. If you’re a frequent traveler, it may be worth it to have a Visa card on top of your American Express card, since the former is more likely to be accepted abroad.

That depends on what you’re looking for in a credit card. American Express offers a variety of cards, including cash back, rewards and balance transfer cards, that may align with your financial goals and standing.

To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.