Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Myanmaror should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t expect Amex to work in Myanmar. It didn’t function at ATMs, shops, or restaurants. Visa was accepted everywhere I went, including bus tickets and hotels. Meals averaged 6,000 MMK, and I budgeted 45,000 MMK daily. Mastercard also worked fine. Amex is simply not part of the system here. Bring Visa to travel comfortably.
Myanmar is cheap but tricky with cards. Amex wasn’t accepted anywhere I went. ATMs didn’t process it, and even hotels wanted Visa removed link Meals were 5,000-7,000 MMK, taxis 10,000 MMK, so my daily spend was 40,000-50,000 MMK. Visa worked smoothly. Amex isn’t worth carrying here at all.
I carried Amex in Myanmar but couldn’t use it once. ATMs refused it, and restaurants in Bagan and Inle Lake all declined. My Visa debit worked perfectly for cash withdrawals. Meals cost 6,000 MMK, and day tours 20,000-25,000 MMK. I spent about 45,000 MMK daily. Amex was dead weight. Visa or Mastercard is essential in Myanmar.
Myanmar is not Amex-friendly at all. ATMs in Yangon and Mandalay didn’t recognize it, and hotels and restaurants asked for Visa. Meals were cheap - 5,000-8,000 MMK - and I budgeted 40,000-50,000 MMK daily with taxis and pagoda entry fees. Visa worked everywhere, including tour operators. Amex was totally useless in Myanmar.