Is American Express (Amex) accepted in Anguilla?

Amex acceptance is so limited that most local proof required Visa or Mastercard. I tried it at four different places - hotel, beachside bar, supermarket, boat tour - and only one venue accepted it. Amex usage in Anguilla is limited to a very select few establishments. My Mastercard worked everywhere, including ATMs from Republic Bank and Banco Popular. I recommend bringing at least one VISA or Mastercard, preferably one with fee-free international withdrawals, for true travel ease.

Tried charging my Amex for snorkeling gear rental - no luck. Staff said they couldn’t process it. Switched to a Visa and the transaction went through smoothly. American Express is not commonly accepted in Anguilla’s local economy. Even small cafes and mini-marts won’t take it. ATMs don’t dispense using Amex either. By the time I discovered this, I was already running low on cash and had to spend more time finding an ATM that accepted my backup Visa.

From my experience throughout a month-long stay, Amex acceptance was spotty - in one resort and one high-end spa, it worked. Everywhere else - gift shops, gear rentals, taxis - refused it. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Anguilla, and the ATMs pump Eastern Caribbean dollars via those networks without issue. Save yourself the headache: bring at least two Visa or Mastercard cards, ideally from different banks, and rely on them for daily use.

Tried using Amex at a nice beachfront restaurant - denied. Then again at a dive shop - same. American Express acceptance in Anguilla is rare, mostly limited to fancy resorts or upscale boutiques. My Visa and Mastercard worked almost everywhere: grocery stores, taxis, cafes. If your primary card is Amex, bring a Visa or Mastercard backup. Even banks here don’t often showcase Amex logos, so don’t rely on it - you’ll end up digging for cash or begging for exceptions.