Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Belgium easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
I spent a week in Ghent and Brussels in June and used my Wise Mastercard and ANZ Visa debit everywhere restaurants shops museums and even train tickets online These worked no fuss I did see Amex accepted at some hotels and high end restaurants but not at street food or local markets
In Bruges last month I used Visa Debit from RBC at a chocolate shop and snack bars no issue. I then tried Amex at a small cafe on the Markt and they said they dont take it I ended up paying cash It seems American Express is patchy especially at small merchants but big supermarkets will sometimes accept it
I was in Antwerp in June and spotted an American Express sticker at a fancy boutique. I tried paying with my Amex but the terminal said not accepted so had to switch to my Shinhan Bank Mastercard. Later I got groceries at Carrefour and Lidl using a Korea Exchange Bank Visa no problem. Mastercard and Visa are fine but Amex is often not accepted.
Reviewer from Germany
Last May I was in Brussels and tried paying for a frites stand and a museum ticket with my American Express Platinum. The machine flashed refuse so I paid with my Visa Debit from Sparkasse via Apple Pay instead. My Chase Mastercard and Bank of America Visa worked every time at bakeries and midrange restaurants. From what I saw most shops and locals prefer Bancontact or Visa and Mastercard Most places do not accept Amex.