Is American Express (Amex) accepted in Turks and Caicos Islands?

Living here full-time, I can tell you Amex acceptance is hit or miss. The tourist-focused economy means bigger places take it, but locals prefer Visa and Mastercard because of lower fees. You’ll be fine with Amex at the airport or your resort, but forget about it in smaller restaurants, shops, or local taxis. Also, if your card gets eaten by an ATM, it's harder to resolve with Amex internationally. Always travel with a backup Visa or Mastercard here.

Amex was kind of useless for me. I tried using it at a mid-range guesthouse and a dive tour shop in Providenciales - both said “no Amex.” Even the ATM at a gas station declined it. I ended up borrowing cash from a fellow traveler until I found a Scotiabank ATM that took my Visa. So if you’re asking “Can I use Amex in Turks and Caicos?” - yes, but only at select upscale places. Bring something else as your main.

Amex works fine at larger resorts, rental car counters, and some upscale restaurants, but the moment you step away from tourist-heavy zones, it's a no-go. Smaller shops, local guesthouses, and even many ATMs just won’t accept it. I used my Monzo Visa and it worked everywhere Amex didn’t. Also, Scotiabank and Butterfield ATMs don’t reliably support Amex. Definitely bring a Visa or Mastercard if you want to avoid awkward moments.

You’ll definitely want to bring a backup Visa or Mastercard. I had my Amex with me and found that while some resorts and high-end restaurants in Grace Bay accepted it, most convenience stores, local cafes, and even a tour operator said no. One ATM even rejected it outright. I relied mostly on my Wise Mastercard for daily purchases. If you're planning to eat local or use smaller vendors, Amex isn’t dependable here.