American Express
 

Hi Everyone!

Is American Express widely accepted in Vienna, Budapest and Prague?

Thanks!

AmEx Credit Card? Gift Checks? Traveler's Checks?

Sorry! I should've specified. AMEX credit card.

At better places i believe like in all of europe but not nearly as widely as MC or Visa, where even McDonalds, supermarkets and most shops take them.

AMEX is widespread but not nearly as much as the ubiquitous acceptance of the others IME

Have not been in those specific cities in a few years, but don't see why they would differ from other places in Europe - and the best response to your question would be
accepted? - yes
widely? - no

Id actually say it's about the same as at home - AMEX widely accepted but also widely excepted and MC and Visa always accepted if place takes credit.

I had no problem with my AMEX in Budapest this June.

If the choice is between using an American Express card (mine charges 2%) and a Visa card (most charge 3%)--- and if the business accepts both --- I would use the Am Ex card. However, the CapitalOne card I just received still charges nothing extra, so I'll be using that for my October trip, except for when I pay cash to get a discount. :)

I've used Amex without any problems in Italy, UK and elsewhere throughout Europe.

When I was in Tuscany in 2006 I noticed many shops had signs stating that they did not accept AmEx.

AmEx card is widely accepted at hotels, moderate and up restaurants, museums, tours etc. It is not as widely accepted as Visa or MC in more modest places. I wouldn;t carry it as your only CC - but I've never had it turned down in many trips (but not super budget).

One advantage of Amex is they do not allow merchants to rip you off with the asinine dynamic currency conversion scam....amex transactions must be conducted in local currencies although as noted they charge 2% above interbank rates for foreign currency transactions while Capital One visa charges the proper fee namely 0%!

xyz123, are you saying that Amex gives you a good exchange rate then charges a 2% fee while CapOne rips you off on the exchange rate, like the airport exchanges, then charges you no fee. Sorry if I did not read your post correctly, it's probably too late for me to be looking through the threads

Dynamic Currency Conversion is where the merchant gets to set the exchange rate - generally to your disadvantage.

However it isn't an advantage of AmEx because with ALL Credit & Debit cards you have the right to pay in the local currency

Good point, Alan - the problem is that so many folks have no clue what DCC really is, how it works against them financially, and that they have the right to decline it. I can't tell you how many times merchants have tried to tell me it was "easier and more convenient" for me. It's one of those topics that pops up periodically on this board as new members join in - and that's a good thing.

I hate to change the subject, but is DCC as common as it was a few years ago -- or has it come to more of a stop? I must say that in six weeks in Europe last summer, we never encountered a single attempt for anyone to use it -- and we charge everything!