I am thinking of getting one of those traveler debit cards from AMEX, but I am worried that AMEX wont be accepted in a lot of places. Can anyone tell me if it is widely accepted?

AMEX is fairly widely accepted in Italy in more expensive hotels, restaurants and shops. It is less widely accepted in less expensive places which often take only Visa /MC.

Separately the debit cards are a really bad idea except in very specific circumstances (ie giving access to limited funds to a traveling student) and are very expensive.

Do a search above for several threads with all of the cons - the pros are very limited.

I just returned from Tuscany and although my Amex card was accepted at the majority of the larger places -- hotels, upscale restaurants, it wasn't accepted at many of the smaller places... local restaurants, stores, etc. it was kind of annoying because i prefer to use my amex card when traveling (no limit, better protection, etc.) i don't have a regular visa/mastercard... just a debit card so i had to make sure i had sufficient funds in my checking account before leaving...

Hello meganboston, there is a difference between an AMEX credit card and an AMEX debit card I believe. Doesn't the debit card charge you for getting one and then charge you for each time you withdraw your money from it? AMEX cards are not available for use as much as Visa and MasterCards are. I have an AMEX credit card but I would not want to reley on using only that credit card in Italy.

I would hands down not trust being able to use your amex. After living in Spain for 6 months and traveling extensively throughout Italy, the Netherlands, Czech, Germany, etc. the card is really not accepted in many places.

In addition to the problems of people taking it, why on earth would you want one of those -- I assume you mean "pay in advance" AMEX cards? There have been other posts about them. You pay them for the privilege of having it, then you pay them for the privilege of using your own money. One person also mentioned not withdrawing all the money and then not being able to get the balance out of it.

Have you ever heard of an ATM card linked to your checking account? A far better idea.