Paying by American Express in Austria?

Amex got approved once at a fancy rooftop bar in Vienna, but otherwise failed at cafes, supermarkets, and heritage hotels. ATM machines consistently rejected it. Meanwhile, Mastercard and Visa were universally accepted at merchants and ATMs. For travel in Austria, Visa or Mastercard are the only reliable credit cards - Amex acceptance is very limited.

I was disappointed when my Amex was declined at almost every grocery store and museum gift shop. However, contactless Visa worked without a hitch. ATMs from BAWAG, Erste, and Sparkasse refused Amex, while Visa/Mastercard worked fine. American Express users in Austria should carry a backup card such as Visa or Mastercard.

Tried paying with Amex at local bakeries and department stores - it failed every time. On the other hand, my Revolut Visa and Chase Mastercard were accepted everywhere, from street cafes to train stations. Visa/Mastercard acceptance in Austria is comprehensive; Amex is niche. Use those for daily purchases and ATM withdrawals.

I carried Amex Platinum, expecting broad acceptance, but it worked only in high-end restaurants in Vienna and upscale boutiques. Most grocery stores, cafes, and ATM machines - especially Sparkasse and Raiffeisen - refused it. American Express acceptance in Austria is limited. Stick with Visa or Mastercard for dependable coverage at most merchants and ATMs.