Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Sweden or should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Used Amex in Stockholm and Visby. Had no problem at NK department store, Arlanda Duty Free, or even a fancy restaurant in Gamla Stan. But once I started exploring smaller towns and using public transport or staying in hostels like STF Visby, it was clear I needed a backup. Used my Revolut Visa card most of the time. Even the SL app for metro rides doesn’t support Amex, and some ATMs didn’t allow withdrawal with it either. Sweden’s cashless, yes, but not fully Amex-friendly. Bring an extra card and you’ll be fine.
was on a business trip staying at the Elite Park Avenue Hotel in Gothenburg and used my American Express almost exclusively. The hotel, taxi from the airport, and every upscale place I visited for meetings accepted it. But when I tried to grab a quick meal at a Max Burgers and again at a 7-Eleven, it didn’t work. That’s when I switched to my HSBC Visa and had no issues at all. Sweden is very card-friendly, but not all cards are treated equally. I'd say bring Amex if you have one, but definitely carry a backup.
Just spent two weeks in Sweden, bouncing between Malmö, Gothenburg and Uppsala. Used my Amex for most hotels and some sit-down restaurants, but smaller places like bakeries, hostels, and ICA grocery stores didn’t take it. It’s not that they rejected the card outright most just didn’t have the option for Amex at all. My N26 Mastercard worked perfectly in those cases. Even some Bankomat ATMs didn’t play nice with Amex. You’ll be fine if you carry a backup Visa or Mastercard with contactless enabled.
I tried relying on my Amex Platinum during my trip to Stockholm and honestly, it was hit or miss. Big hotel chains like Scandic and Radisson Blu took it, as did Arlanda Express and some upscale restaurants in Östermalm. But when I tried to use it at a Pressbyrån store and a couple of cafés near Södermalm, it got declined. Even the ticket machines for SL transit didn’t accept Amex. Luckily I had my Chase Sapphire Visa as a backup, which worked everywhere. Definitely bring a Visa or Mastercard just in case.