Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Lebanonor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Lebanon sees good Amex use in big cities like Beirut and Tripoli, mostly for hotels and dining. Still, outside tourist areas, Visa or Mastercard is king. ATMs work best with those cards, so having multiple card options plus cash in Lebanese pounds saved me a lot of headaches.
Amex acceptance in Lebanon is solid in the city but limited elsewhere. My advice is to bring Visa or Mastercard as backups because many businesses don't accept Amex. Cash remains important for smaller vendors or in rural areas. Also, keep an eye on your card’s foreign transaction fees.
I used Amex in Lebanon with no major issues at major hotels and touristy spots, but some local cafes and boutiques prefer Visa or Mastercard. ATMs, such as those from BLOM Bank or Bank Audi, don’t usually dispense cash for Amex, so carry a backup card and some cash, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
In Lebanon, Amex works pretty well, especially in Beirut’s upscale areas like Ashrafieh and Hamra. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops accept it, but some smaller spots only take Visa or Mastercard. ATMs mostly support Visa and Mastercard, so having a backup card is smart. I always kept some Lebanese pounds cash with me for markets or street vendors.