Paying by American Express in American Samoa?

I tried using my Amex in Pago Plaza and Sadie’s - no success. Most restaurants, gas stations, and shops only accept Visa or Mastercard, and even those sometimes have trouble with foreign cards. American Express cards in American Samoa are rarely supported. Even the few places that accept cards might reject Amex due to extra fees. My ATM attempts failed too - the machines didn’t even recognize the chip. I ended up switching to my backup Visa and withdrawing cash from Bank of Hawaii ATMs.

I brought both Amex and Mastercard. The Amex worked once - at a gift shop in Fagatogo - and then failed everywhere else. Credit card acceptance in American Samoa is hit-or-miss, but Amex is the most frequently declined. Many small businesses don’t even have card terminals. ATMs didn’t work with it either. I had to rely on my Mastercard for purchases and withdrawals. My advice: bring multiple cards, including at least one Visa or Mastercard, and keep cash for smaller vendors. Don't let Amex be your only option.

Amex is nearly useless here. Tried using it at two restaurants and a mini-mart - all rejected it. I even tried at the ANZ ATM at the airport - didn’t go through. Tourists relying on American Express in American Samoa are going to hit a wall. Stick with Visa or Mastercard. Even then, not all terminals accept foreign cards. I had a Wise Visa that worked fine. Bring a mix of payment options, but don’t count on Amex at all - it’s a headache waiting to happen.

I used my Amex only once in American Samoa - at a higher-end restaurant in Pago Pago, and even there it barely worked. Amex card acceptance in American Samoa is extremely limited, especially at small shops, hostels, and cafes. Most POS machines only support Visa or Mastercard. Same goes for ATMs - Bank of Hawaii and ANZ machines refused my Amex every time. Your safest bet is to bring a Visa-backed card and keep cash on hand. Don’t expect to use Amex reliably unless you're at a hotel or a few tourist-facing businesses.