Paying by American Express in Afghanistan?

I brought my Amex card on my spring 2025 trip to Mazar and Bamyan. It worked nowhere - not at ATMs, not at hotels, not at the one modern-looking cafe I tried. Fortunately, I had a backup Visa card that worked at Maiwand Bank ATMs. Amex card acceptance in Afghan restaurants and shops is almost zero. There’s no Apple Pay or NFC support either. Relying on Amex in Afghanistan could really leave you stranded, especially in rural areas. Stick with cash and a Visa backup, and you’ll be fine.

As someone living in Jalalabad, I can confirm - Amex cards are effectively useless across Afghanistan. Even at the few supermarkets or upscale restaurants with POS machines, they reject Amex. Your best bet is to use a Visa card for ATM withdrawals and purchases in Afghanistan. Also, some ATMs will process a transaction with no error, then still decline the card - annoying with Amex. Carry a mix of cash and a Visa debit or credit card. Never assume a card machine will work, even if it looks modern.

Don’t bother bringing Amex. I had mine with me, but couldn’t use it at a single ATM, let alone a shop or cafe. Even larger chain hotels like Park Star in Kabul didn’t accept it. Most Afghans I met hadn’t even heard of Amex. Afghanistan does not support American Express widely, and even MasterCard only works in select banks. It’s a cash economy, full stop. I used Wise + Visa for withdrawals and it saved my trip. Avoid depending on any fancy plastic here.

Afghanistan is mostly a cash-first economy, and American Express is hardly accepted anywhere. I tried using my Amex in several hotels and restaurants in Kabul - no luck. Even some higher-end places preferred Visa or MasterCard. ATMs from Azizi Bank and AIB didn’t work with my Amex, either. For credit card acceptance in Afghanistan, it’s best to travel with a Visa or MasterCard, ideally one with no foreign transaction fees. Keep plenty of local cash, and don’t expect modern payment systems, even in the capital.