Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Algeriaor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Amex was a non-starter for me in Algeria. Tried it at multiple hotels and cafes in Algiers and Bejaia - all declined. The staff didn’t even recognize the card. American Express isn’t widely accepted in Algeria at POS machines, and you definitely won’t find it supported at ATMs. My Revolut Visa worked without issue, especially at BEA ATMs. Even some ride-hailing apps wouldn’t let me link Amex. Recommend carrying two backup cards and enough dinars for emergencies. Don’t depend on digital convenience here - infrastructure is very basic.
I used my Visa for most of the trip, but brought an Amex just in case - it was useless. No success at any ATMs in Annaba or Tlemcen, and restaurants just looked confused when I tried to pay with it. If you're traveling to Algeria with Amex only, you’re asking for trouble. Even the airports weren’t Amex-friendly. Stick with Visa or Mastercard, preferably ones that work with Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates and low ATM fees. Always keep enough local currency on hand.
Just finished a month working remotely from Oran and Algiers, and I can confirm: Amex cards in Algeria are rarely accepted. Even larger chains like Ibis refused it at check-in. I used my Mastercard for hotel bookings and my Wise card for ATMs. The best success I had was with Banque Exterieure d’Algerie ATMs, but even then, Amex didn’t work. Definitely bring a Visa or Mastercard with no international transaction fees. Algeria’s banking infrastructure isn’t geared for global payment diversity - it’s still cash-first.
I brought my Amex hoping it would work like it does in Morocco - big mistake. Not a single ATM in Constantine accepted it, and shops either had no machine or didn’t know what Amex was. I ended up using cash and my backup Visa for everything. American Express card acceptance in Algeria is basically nonexistent, even in hotels. If you're relying on it, you'll be stranded. Visa or Mastercard is the way to go - especially for ATM withdrawals at banks like BEA or BNA.