Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Macauor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t rely on Amex in Macau. It worked for my casino bill but failed everywhere else. Restaurants, ATMs, and shops all preferred Visa or Mastercard. Meals cost 80-130 MOP, and I spent 700-800 MOP daily. Amex has very limited use in Macau. Visa is the must-have card.
In Macau, Amex is very limited outside luxury areas. Local shops and street food vendors all said no. ATMs also didn’t process it. Visa worked everywhere without issues. Meals averaged 100 MOP, and my daily budget was 650-750 MOP. Amex is only for casinos and hotels.
My Amex worked at my hotel in Cotai but failed at small restaurants and ATMs. Visa debit worked perfectly for cash withdrawals. Meals were 70-120 MOP, and I spent about 700 MOP daily. Amex is useful in casinos but not beyond that. Visa is far more practical in Macau.
Macau accepts Amex mainly in casinos, luxury hotels, and upscale shops, but not in local restaurants or ATMs. Visa worked smoothly everywhere, from bakeries to bus ticket counters. Meals cost 80-150 MOP, and I budgeted 600-800 MOP daily with attractions like the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Amex is fine for resorts but useless for everyday life in Macau.