Paying by American Express in Aruba?

Amex went through at the Marriott bar once - but declined at cafes and kiosks. The ATM didn’t process it at all. On the flipside, my Revolut Visa and Santander Mastercard were accepted everywhere. American Express acceptance in Aruba remains niche. Visa/Mastercard are accepted universally, including beach bars, reef shops, and ATMs. Carry one of those as your primary card, with Amex just in case for high-end spots.

I carried both Amex Platinum and a Bank of America debit card. Amex worked only at two resort restaurants and one downtown boutique. Venues in Aruba generally prefer Visa/Mastercard, especially outside tourist resorts. All bank ATMs rejected Amex outright for withdrawals. If you’re hoping to use Amex widely, think again - plan around Visa or Mastercard for better coverage.

Tried Amex at three restaurants and two souvenir stands in Oranjestad - it failed everywhere. Credit card terminals displayed no Amex logo. But my Wells Fargo Mastercard worked flawlessly. Amex isn’t widely accepted in Aruba. You can use it at a couple of high-end venues, but your day-to-day purchases will rely on Visa or Mastercard. Also include one of those for ATM withdrawals - you’ll need it more than Amex.

I used Amex in only one upscale beachfront restaurant and a luxury spa in Palm Beach. At most casual cafes, gift shops, and ATMs it was declined. American Express acceptance in Aruba is limited. Instead, I relied on my Citibank Visa and Chase Mastercard - both worked everywhere from malls to local supermarkets. For smooth payments and withdrawals, bring Visa or Mastercard first; keep Amex as backup for select merchants.