Is American Express (Amex) accepted in Australia?

I was in Perth for work and brought both my Amex Corporate card and a personal Revolut Visa. Most mid- to high-end places like hotels, airport lounges, and rental car counters took Amex with no issues. But I noticed that many coffee shops and fast food places, especially the independent ones, had signs saying no Amex or Amex + surcharge. A few asked for a different card altogether. If you’re planning to travel around regional Western Australia or stay in hostels, your best bet is to have a backup card that’s either Visa or Mastercard just to avoid awkward moments at checkout

I used my French Amex card while traveling in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and it worked in about 70 percent of places. Hotels, large restaurants, and the bigger supermarkets all accepted it. I even paid with Amex at the South Bank cultural center. Where I ran into issues was at small bakeries, street vendors, and bus ticket machines. Some shops told me outright they don’t accept Amex due to the surcharge. I ended up using my Mastercard debit card more often than I expected. So yes, carry your Amex, but have a Visa or Mastercard ready for local spots and transport.

Just finished a two-week trip through Melbourne and Tasmania, and I brought my Canadian Amex Platinum along thinking it would work everywhere. It did at chain hotels and major restaurants, but when I got to smaller towns like Launceston and Hobart, it was a different story. A lot of local places only took Visa or Mastercard. I even had trouble at a small petrol station on the Great Ocean Road. Luckily, I had a backup Scotiabank Visa card, which worked everywhere. So yes, bring Amex, but don’t rely on it 100 percent  Visa is much more widely accepted, especially outside major cities.

I used my Amex Gold card throughout my stay in Sydney and had a mostly smooth experience. Big-name stores like Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, and restaurants in Darling Harbour took Amex without any problems. I also paid with it at the airport train station and my hotel. But smaller cafes, food trucks, and some boutique shops in Newtown and Surry Hills didn’t accept it. I ended up switching to my UK Visa debit card for those. You’ll be fine using Amex in Australia for most things, but definitely carry a backup Mastercard or Visa for everyday spots that avoid Amex due to higher fees.