Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Iraqor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Expect limited Amex acceptance in Iraq. Most businesses prefer Visa or Mastercard, and many places are cash-based. ATMs in Baghdad and Erbil work best with Visa/Mastercard. Plan to carry local currency and at least two backup cards for any emergencies.
In Iraq, Amex cards sometimes get declined due to local network limitations. Visa and Mastercard are safer bets for payment and ATM withdrawals. I used ATMs at Al-Rafidain Bank and found them reliable with Visa/Mastercard but not Amex. Cash is king for most traditional markets.
Using Amex in Iraq was tough. It’s accepted in some hotels and international chains but not widely elsewhere, so I kept a Visa and Mastercard handy. ATMs for Visa and Mastercard are plentiful in cities, but smaller towns are cash-only zones, so bring plenty of local currency.
Iraq isn’t Amex-friendly in most places. Visa and Mastercard dominate, especially in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra. I had to rely on my Visa and Mastercard for most transactions and ATMs-most banks there, like Rasheed Bank and Trade Bank of Iraq, support those cards but not Amex. Carry cash in Iraqi dinars for markets and smaller shops.