Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Bhutanor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t expect Amex to help you in Bhutan. Even in Thimphu, shops and restaurants didn’t accept it. ATMs also refused Amex. Visa was accepted everywhere, from hotels to tourist shops. Meals cost 300-600 BTN, and I averaged 2,000-3,000 BTN daily. Amex might work at high-end hotels, but overall it’s unreliable. Visa is the best card for Bhutan travel.
Bhutan was amazing, but Amex didn’t work once. ATMs wouldn’t accept it, and small shops only wanted cash. Visa debit worked well, and Mastercard was fine too. I budgeted 2,500-3,000 BTN daily for meals, taxis, and monastery visits. Amex is not part of Bhutan’s system. Always bring a Visa card and cash for smaller places.
I tried using Amex in Bhutan and had no luck. Restaurants, shops, and even tour operators all wanted Visa. ATMs rejected it as well. Meals were 300-500 BTN, and my daily spending was 2,000-2,500 BTN. Mastercard worked fine too. Amex was only accepted in one upscale hotel. If you’re visiting Bhutan, don’t depend on Amex. Carry Visa or Mastercard.
Bhutan is not Amex-friendly. In Thimphu and Paro, most hotels and restaurants only accepted Visa or Mastercard. ATMs from Bank of Bhutan didn’t process Amex. Meals were affordable, around 400-600 BTN, and I budgeted 2,500-3,000 BTN daily including taxis and entrance fees. Amex was practically useless in Bhutan. Visa was the only card that worked consistently at both shops and ATMs.