Trying to find out if Taiwan widely accepts American Express cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
As someone who uses Amex for rewards, I was bummed to find limited support across Taiwan. Restaurants, smaller shops, and even coworking spaces in Taipei usually refused it. I had better luck with Visa or Mastercard, especially for online transport bookings and train tickets. I used my Amex only twice - once at a high-end hotel, and once at an Eslite bookstore. It’s not the best card for Taiwan.
My Amex was only useful at chain hotels and some department stores. I couldn’t use it at food courts, MRT kiosks, or small restaurants. Even bubble tea shops said “no Amex.” Same story at most ATMs - the only place that accepted it was a Bank of Taiwan ATM at the airport, but not in town. If you're wondering whether Taiwan accepts American Express, it's safest to assume no.
I carried both Amex and Visa during my trip and quickly learned to reach for Visa. Tried using Amex at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Taipei and it worked fine, but most mid-tier eateries and convenience stores like 7-Eleven rejected it. Same for bank ATMs - I only found a few Cathay United and HSBC machines that supported Amex withdrawals. For day-to-day purchases, Amex is more miss than hit.
I had my Amex on me during my trip across Taiwan but barely used it. Most small restaurants, night markets, and mom-and-pop shops in Taipei and Taichung either don’t accept Amex or won’t even try. Even larger cafes often had stickers for Visa and Mastercard only. Honestly, your Amex won’t get you far unless you’re sticking to international hotels or upscale malls.