Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Solomon Islands easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
Honestly, American Express is a no-go in the Solomon Islands. Most places only take Visa or Mastercard, and ATMs refuse Amex cards. I had to rely on my Visa and cash most of the time. If you’re traveling there, skip Amex for your main card and make sure you have enough local currency since rural payment options are limited.
When I visited the Solomons, I found that Visa and Mastercard worked great for both cash withdrawals at ANZ ATMs and payments in restaurants and shops. American Express was barely accepted, so I didn’t bother using it. For convenience, carry a Visa card and some cash in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD).
If you’re heading to Solomon Islands, plan to use Visa or Mastercard instead of American Express. While some international hotels might take Amex, it’s uncommon outside major towns. ATMs from banks like ANZ and BSP in Honiara mostly work with Visa and Mastercard. Carry some local Solomon Islands dollars cash too, as card use is limited in rural areas.
In Solomon Islands, Visa and Mastercard are the preferred cards for most businesses and ATMs. Restaurants, shops, and service providers in Honiara and larger towns usually accept these two cards with few issues. American Express is rarely accepted, so it’s wise to prioritize Visa or Mastercard for hassle-free payments and ATM access.