FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - American Express withdraws from Baltic States
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 11:05 am
  #6  
YClass
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Originally Posted by cbn42
Thanks for sharing. I haven't been to these states, so I am wondering, what are the common methods of payment there? Did Visa and Mastercard force American Express out, or is there a local network that is dominant? Are cards common or is it mostly cash?
Typically all cards work and frankly often in more locations than e.g. in the UK. Visa/MC absolutely no issue, but also I've always used Amex. Often the reason for Amex to "withdraw" actually is because they are withdrawing the rights for a local operating partner to issue cards. This can in fact be so Amex can issue cards themselves when they see it as a deeper long-term location, or indeed to grant someone else the rights. Something similar has happened in South East Europe too recently. Indeed as I understand it, even in Benelux it wasn't till recently that Amex started issuing cards directly themselves.
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