Amex in France
Apr 24, 2014, 11:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Guilford, CT
Programs: Delta and Hilton Diamond
Posts: 81
Amex in France
Hey all...I've heard some conflicting things about merchants accepting AMEX in France. Can anyone share their thoughts based on recent experience? My AMEX card has no fees and a good rate so I'd like to use it as exclusively as possible on my recent trip.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 24, 2014, 11:55 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
A lot of places will accept AMEX - especially hotels and many restaurants. But some smaller shops very well may not. Just make sure you have backups especially if you intend to do a bit of shopping.
Apr 24, 2014, 7:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
I agree with the prior post, but I would phrase it the other way. Hotels and major stores like BHV take Amex. But many day to day stores and local restaurants do not. Amex' usability in France, and many other countries, is not nearly as broad as within the US, where a merchant not taking Amex is an exception.
Apr 29, 2014, 9:19 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,288
Be especially cautious with foreign transaction fees with AMEX; my experience is $3.50 per each purchase. I'd recommend shopping around for a card with either zero or very low transaction fees. It may even be worth setting up a special-purpose bank account with Schwab Bank, which has the added advantage of no-fee ATM withdrawals worldwide. You can then use their ATM access card as a debit card (Visa, as I recall) for fee-free purchasing.
May 3, 2014, 10:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: SK EB Gold *G, LH M&M FT *S, LeClubAccor Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 25
Hi, I used my Amex for most of transaction in Paris in the middle of May. Generally, all the big shops, hotels, and restaurants accept Amex. But small shop (usually souvenir shops) dont accept Amex.
May 12, 2014, 12:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 151
I guess my experience is a little bit different. I just returned from a week in Paris and Bordeaux, and tried to use my Amex probably 10-15 times and not once was it accepted. I did not use it for hotels, but many times at restaurants and shops, both big and small. I just used my visa or mastercard instead.
May 13, 2014, 7:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
I guess my experience is a little bit different. I just returned from a week in Paris and Bordeaux, and tried to use my Amex probably 10-15 times and not once was it accepted. I did not use it for hotels, but many times at restaurants and shops, both big and small. I just used my visa or mastercard instead.
May 15, 2014, 12:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
Be especially cautious with foreign transaction fees with AMEX; my experience is $3.50 per each purchase. I'd recommend shopping around for a card with either zero or very low transaction fees. It may even be worth setting up a special-purpose bank account with Schwab Bank, which has the added advantage of no-fee ATM withdrawals worldwide. You can then use their ATM access card as a debit card (Visa, as I recall) for fee-free purchasing.
And to the OP, if you bring Amex you will without question need an alternative form of payment, whether it be VISA/MC or cash.
It seemed like only larger "corporate" merchants (chain stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.) accept Amex over there... mom and pop outfits quite often don't.
May 17, 2014, 4:15 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, UA Mileage Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 47
I guess my experience is a little bit different. I just returned from a week in Paris and Bordeaux, and tried to use my Amex probably 10-15 times and not once was it accepted. I did not use it for hotels, but many times at restaurants and shops, both big and small. I just used my visa or mastercard instead.
May 24, 2014, 8:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
May 25, 2014, 9:13 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 502
Had problems with the exit toll machines on the autoroutes not taking American CC's. Don't remember if it was Amex or Visa. This is was a bad situation since other cars back up behind you and they all have to pull out.
Any more info on this?
Any more info on this?
Jul 15, 2014, 1:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta and the Big Island, Hawaii
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG Gold. I share these affiliations so that you can ask me questions about the programs
Posts: 812
You can use your amex to buy tickets for the metro or the trains at the CDG station, but few if any other metro stations.
I always ask at smaller stores and restaurants but know that rarely will it be accepted.
Paris is one of the few places I visit where I still keep cash on me at all times, just in case I make my way to Berthillon...
I always ask at smaller stores and restaurants but know that rarely will it be accepted.
Paris is one of the few places I visit where I still keep cash on me at all times, just in case I make my way to Berthillon...
Jul 16, 2014, 8:04 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Lots of other posts on this over the years. Try searching "Chip and pin" and "Chip and Sign".
Jul 19, 2014, 1:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
As the above poster mentioned, the problem is not your US credit card, it's your lack of a true chip and pin card, which is needed at most automated payment places (gas pumps, tolls, ticket machines, etc).
Jul 20, 2014, 5:18 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
I've had problems getting autoroute toll machines to take my UK Chip&Pin card, so it may not be the American bit at fault, just simply not being French!