Originally Posted by
Ragnarok
AMEX is generally accepted in high end places and chain stores in Hong Kong.
Non-high end independence stores generally don't accept AMEX.
For mainland China usage, consider getting a Discover Card, it process thru the UnionPay network ( the domestic card network banks in Mainland use ), hence much wider accepted.
I've never had a problem using my AMEX card anywhere in China or HKG, except at places that only take cash. That includes bank machines, "3-star" Chinese hotels in really small places (6 years ago!), shops (high-end or otherwise). I've encountered a few places in really small towns that ... actually took American Express but didn't take ... Visa! Couldn't believe it. I've never known anyone to use Discover.
One top tip I learned early on- at some bank machines, to withdraw cash from AMEX, you have to choose "Checking" or "savings" as the type of account from which you wish to withdraw. There was a time when if you chose "checking" and it didn't work, try again making the "savings" choice to get the cash. Withdrawing cash using an ATM card met with a similar circumstance- the translation for "Checking" and "Savings" were backwards. If you had only a checking account, the machine may fail to dispense cash, unless you tried again choosing "savings."
Enjoy HKG! Great place.