Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in New Caledoniaor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Yeah, I'd say you need a backup. Amex is more of a niche card there. I was just there last month, and while my Amex was accepted at a few places in Nouméa, I ended up using my Chase Sapphire Visa almost everywhere else. Don’t even try to get cash out of an ATM with your Amex; it won’t work. For a smooth experience, bring a Visa or Mastercard for both payments and cash withdrawals.
I’d bring a backup card. While cards are widely accepted in cities, cash remains king in rural spots. I was in Lifou and the only thing I could use was my Mastercard at a small grocery store. Everything else was cash only. The best strategy is to have a no-fee Visa or Mastercard for your primary card and carry a good amount of Pacific francs, which you can withdraw from ATMs with your Visa or Mastercard.
You'll be fine with your Amex in a pinch, but a backup is essential. I was there last year and noticed that while some places had the Amex logo, they preferred to run my Visa card instead. The banking infrastructure is French, and they tend to favor Visa and Mastercard. For any ATM withdrawals, you'll need a Visa or Mastercard because the local ATMs, even the ones at the airport, do not accept Amex.
That's an interesting question, and the answer is yes and no. Yes, Amex is accepted at major hotels like the Le Méridien Nouméa Resort & Spa, some high-end restaurants, and larger shops in Nouméa. However, once you leave the capital and head to the smaller towns or the Loyalty Islands, it's a completely different story. Most local businesses and small shops only accept Visa and Mastercard, and often just cash. So you should definitely carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.