Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Moldovaor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t bother with Amex in Moldova. Restaurants, ATMs, and even supermarkets didn’t take it. Visa worked everywhere without issues. Meals were 180-250 MDL, and I spent 750-900 MDL daily overall. Mastercard was okay too. Amex just isn’t part of the system here. Visa is absolutely necessary for Moldova travel.
Moldova was affordable but not with Amex. Even hotels in Chişinău didn’t accept it. ATMs all rejected it. Visa was flawless, even for small purchases. Meals cost 150-250 MDL, and I budgeted about 800 MDL daily. Mastercard worked as well, but Amex was completely useless here. Don’t depend on it.
I travelled through Chişinău and Orhei, and Amex didn’t work anywhere. ATMs refused it, and restaurants all asked for Visa. My Mastercard debit worked fine too. Meals were cheap - about 200 MDL - and excursions added 300-400 MDL. I averaged 850 MDL daily. Amex has no use in Moldova. Bring Visa if you want smooth payments.
In Moldova, my Amex card was useless. ATMs in Chişinău didn’t recognize it, and restaurants and shops only wanted Visa or Mastercard. Meals cost 150-250 MDL, and daily budgets were around 700-900 MDL including taxis and wine tastings. Visa worked perfectly for both cash and payments. Amex simply isn’t accepted widely in Moldova, so definitely carry a Visa card here.