Got an AmEx for Your Italian Trip? Read This First!
Yes, indeed! You can utilize your American Express card in Italy with ease.
Traveling to Italy with an American Express card might pose a few challenges, so here are some things to consider before you jet off.
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Though several European businesses accept American Express cards, it's less common outside the US, with many businesses, especially smaller ones, rejecting them.
Why the Rejection?
According to Forbes, American Express' high merchant fees are the culprit. These fees make it more cost-effective for many businesses, particularly those with narrow margins, to accept Visa or Mastercard instead [1].
As per the latest data, American Express transactions account for just 11.1% of global card spending, while Visa and Mastercard transactions dominate with 61.1% and 25.8%, respectively [3].
So, What Now?
Travel blogs generally advise AmEx users to bring a Visa or Mastercard as a backup, in case of issues with AmEx acceptance. American Express also provides an interactive map showing Italian businesses that accept the card, but the map may not be exhaustive [2]. Always ask "Accettate American Express?" in doubt, before settling for a meal or purchase.
Look for an AmEx sticker in window displays as well. Smaller businesses such as neighborhood restaurants, cafes, or independent shops are less likely to accept AmEx due to their higher merchant fees [1]. Larger companies and chains, however, are more likely to accept the card.
On the Rails and in Rome's Public Transport:
American Express cards are accepted by both Trenitalia and Italo, Italy's national rail companies, and by Rome's public transport operator, Atac, for bus, metro, and tram travel [2].
Other Considerations:
Contactless payments are growing in popularity in Italy, but they are mainly restricted to lower-value purchases. If your AmEx card lacks the chip for tap-and-pay and instead requires you to swipe and sign, you might encounter troubles with smaller Italian businesses, which often lack this payment option [2].
ATMs in Italy should accept your AmEx card, though there may be fees involved. Keep an eye on the transaction fees associated with your card. Some cards offer no foreign transaction fees, while others still charge them [1].
Even though AmEx no longer requires prior notification for travel, they still encourage keeping your contact information updated and suggest downloading the Amex mobile app [1].
Further Reading
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[1] Forbes. (n/a). Why Most European Merchants Do Not Accept American Express. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2017/08/04/why-most-european-merchants-dont-accept-american-express/?sh=1a3a31b364f9[2] The Points Guy. (2021, February 24). Can You Use Amex in Italy? And Other European Countries. Retrieved from https://thepointsguy.com/guide/american-express-in-italy/[3] Statista. (2021). Market share of credit card brands in the global card payments market in 2019, based on transaction volume (in billion US dollars). Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/271600/market-share-of-credit-card-brands-in-the-global-card-payments-market/[4] The Points Guy. (n/d). American Express vs. Visa vs. Mastercard: A Global Comparison. Retrieved from https://thepointsguy.com/guide/american-express-vs-visa-vs-mastercard/[5] Statista. (2019). Global credit card payments transaction volume in 2019, based on the type of user. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/589361/global-credit-card-payment-transaction-volume-by-type-device-and-region/
- Although European businesses, especially smaller ones, often reject American Express cards due to high merchant fees, Italian national rail companies Trenitalia and Italo, and Rome's public transport operator Atac accept American Express for travel.
- Smaller businesses such as neighborhood restaurants, cafes, or independent shops are less likely to accept American Express, whereas larger companies and chains are more inclined to do so.
- It is advised for American Express users to have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup, as the map provided by American Express may not be exhaustive in showing Italian businesses that accept the card.
- Contactless payments in Italy are popular for lower-value purchases, but businesses may not accept cards that lack the chip for tap-and-pay, such as American Express.
- ATMs in Italy should accept American Express cards, but there may be associated fees, so it's important to keep track of transaction fees.
- Even though American Express no longer requires prior notification for travel, it is still recommended to keep contact information updated and download the Amex mobile app.
- For further information and discussions, journalists and travel enthusiasts can get in touch via news@our website and log in here to leave a comment.
