Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Ukraineor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Amex doesn’t really exist in everyday life here. Most stores and restaurants use local card terminals that don’t support it. Even in bigger cities, you’ll find only a few upscale hotels or chain retailers that accept it. ATMs also don’t support Amex. If Ukraine’s your main destination, bring a Visa or Mastercard - Amex just won’t get you far.
Been in Ukraine since March. I carry both an Amex and a Visa debit. Amex only worked at international chains (one hotel in Kyiv, maybe one coffee shop), but 90% of places declined it. Even some online platforms (like train tickets or Bolt) wouldn’t take it. Visa and Mastercard are accepted basically everywhere. For Ukraine, Amex is more of a backup, not something to count on.
I had my Amex as a backup, and I barely used it. Tried swiping it at a hotel in Odessa and they said “only Visa or Mastercard.” Same at a few restaurants. ATMs also didn’t recognize it. It’s better to carry a Visa or Mastercard for daily stuff, especially if you’ll be moving around smaller cities.
Honestly, don’t rely on Amex here. I tried it at a few places in Lviv and Kyiv - most shops and restaurants just said no. Even the fancier ones only took Visa or Mastercard. Amex didn’t work at any of the ATMs I tried either. Definitely bring a backup - I used a Mastercard debit for everything.