italybound

You would think after eight months of religiously reading this forum and planning our trip, I would have resolved this much earlier. We are leaving on Friday for Italy and in my pre-trip worries, am wondering if an American Express card is widely accepted in Italy since this is the only other credit card we have besides a Mastercard. What if our magnetic strip on our Mastercard gets demagnitized or the card gets destroyed, will we be able to use Amex? We also have an ATM card, but would rather use our credit card for major expenditures. Also, thanks to everyone on this forum who contributes so much time and invaluable information. I hope I can do the same when I return.

xxx

Not sure about Italy, but when we were in Paris and Belgium most places only took Visa and Mastercard. Some of course did take Amex, but it's less popular. I wouldn't worry as far as to have the Mastercard strip demagnatized! Have fun!

Dave

I would not anticipate you'd have any difficulty using AMEX in Europe. I recently returned from France/UK/Belgium and found no trouble whatever. I used it primarily in hotels, shops, and "better" restaurants. If that's what you mean when you refer to "larger" purchases, I should think you'd be fine.<BR>I have also used mine in Rome and Florence, and found no difficulty with what I was attempting to do.<BR>Hope that's helpful to you! Best wishes for a GREAT trip!

msa

We have used our AMEX card in many places in Europe with no problems. We also heard that it was not as widely accepted as Visa or MC, but we did not find that to be the case. We took both AMEX and MC and when the bills arrived almost all of it was on AMEX. You are smart to take several, including the ATM because you never know what will happen.<BR>

elle

Am Ex is not an especially helpful card to have in Europe--it's very expensive for the merchants to use, and so you will find that it is accepted only at large hotels, restaurants, and stores in major cities. In those "off the beaten path" places, you will probably have a hard time finding a place that takes Am Ex.<BR><BR>That said, it's still worth having and taking, if only as a back-up. Make sure you have a code so that you can get cash advances from ATMs. I forgot to do this when I first got my card and was unable to tap into it.<BR><BR>Beware of hotels that will accept Am Ex for a deposit, but not for the actual payment of your bill. That happened to me in Paris last year. <BR><BR>Visa (Carte Bleu) still seems to be the most widely accepted card in Europe.<BR>

Rachel

My husband and I just spent 10 days in Italy (Rome, Sorrento, Capri) and used our American Express card for most of our expenses (I am really into the point rewards and try to use Amex for everything possible!!). We did have a Visa, though, as backup and used it at only 2 restaurants. You should be fine, but just be careful to check that places take Amex before you sit down to eat. You will obviously need cash for taxis, bus fares, and gelato (a real necessity in the August heat!!) - so do not leave your ATM card at home. There are also some places which only take cash - for example, we took an excursion from our hotel in Sorrento to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. It was incredible and we would definitely have regretted not going, especially if it was because we couldn't put it on a credit card.<BR><BR>I understand your concerns - we were very (pleasantly) surprised that Amex was so widely accepted. Enjoy your trip!!

ccard

Recently returned from a trip that included London, Paris & Rome. We found that AmX was not accepted at most places we tried to use a card. I also had a problem with my VISA at the ATM as it was rejected-fortunately my wife's card worked, same bank different number. Yes, I called the bank prior to leaving and they could not explain the problem when I returned. It is best to have a couple of cards for back up or unexpected problems.

italybound

Thank you everyone for your replies. We plan on using our Mastercard for most everything and have the Amex only for backup. We know we could use cash (from the ATM) but since there's a limit for daily withdrawals, we wouldn't want to forego a gelato because we had to pay cash for our hotel. Thanks again for putting my mind at ease.

Andy

TO Italybound- We have used AMEX extensively in Europe-and in particular , ITALY--- The merchants don't LIKE to take it, but if it is posted on their FRONT DOOR, they have to take it....Do not let them intimidate you--They have to pay a few percentage points more to process AMEX,but I am like you-=- I use it stricty for the mileage points to be accrued...WE USED AMEX almost exclusively and used MC as a BACK =UP--<BR><BR>Go ahead and Have a great time-- and also bring your ATM card- Let your US BANK know you will be using the ATM out of the country- they may need to give you a longer digit code to put in....

Howard

If you are visiting the usual tourist areas (i.e., Rome, Florence, Venice et.), you should have little if any problem in Italy using your Amex card. If you'll be spending time in small towns and villages, then it might be a problem.

Ken Slanker

Hotel I stayed in Rome would not take AMEX. I didn't worry too much about it until I had trouble with my Mastercard at the Hotel. Ended up having to call Mastercard in U.S. Apparently, an Italian Bank system was screwing up sending the transactions just when I needed it the most.<BR><BR>My point is, check ahead.

Bob

I had an AmExp card for 20 years. Then started to go to Europe a lot and was asked too many times "do you have something else?". I did not renew my card and now carry Visa and Mastercard with no problems. The only card I was ever questioned about or flatly turned down was AmExpress. Take it if you have one, use where you can, but have a backup or cash.

Debbie

We used Amex last summer in Italy, no problem; The only suggestion I have is to let your credit card companies know ahead of time that you will be using them in Europe, otherwise it alerts them to a possible stolen card; and in some instances, you may not be able to use it if you do not alert them ahead of time.

Stephanie

I am the AMEX queen! I use Amex all over Europe and rarely have a problem. Plus, then I use my Amex points on Virgin - 40,000 miles gets me a free coach fare from LAX to Heathrow - for more trips to Europe. Good luck!