Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Bulgariaor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t rely on Amex in Bulgaria. It didn’t work at ATMs, shops, or restaurants. Visa and Mastercard worked without problems everywhere I went. Meals were 20 BGN on average, and I spent 80-100 BGN per day including tours. Amex was basically useless. For a smooth trip to Bulgaria, always carry Visa.
In Bulgaria, I quickly realized Amex wasn’t going to work. Supermarkets, shops, and even petrol stations rejected it. ATMs didn’t process it either. Visa was smooth everywhere, and Mastercard was reliable. Meals were cheap - 15-20 BGN - and daily spend was around 75-100 BGN. Amex only worked once at a big hotel in Sofia. Bring Visa to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria wasn’t easy with Amex. ATMs from UniCredit and DSK didn’t accept it. Restaurants in Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo also declined. Visa worked without issue, Mastercard too. Meals cost 20-30 BGN with drinks, so I budgeted about 80 BGN daily. Amex only worked at a luxury hotel. For daily payments, Visa is essential.
In Sofia, my Amex card was rarely accepted. Restaurants, supermarkets, and ATMs all preferred Visa or Mastercard. Amex only worked in one international hotel. Meals were 15-25 BGN, and daily spending was around 70-90 BGN with taxis and museum tickets. Visa worked everywhere, including metro ticket machines. Amex just wasn’t practical for Bulgaria travel.
ATM outside the Allianz branch in Bulgaria accepts Visa, Mastercard, V Pay, and Maestro. Works well and charges no fees. So defo no Amex
Another confirmation: DSK Bank in Bulgaria supports Steam card transactions at the ATM. But not Amex