Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Malaysia easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
I was able to use Amex at the Hilton in KL and some stores at KLIA airport but that was about it. Most mid-range restaurants and stores didn’t take it. I used my Emirates NBD Visa card almost everywhere with no issue. Even Grab app and some public transport systems wouldn’t accept Amex. It's definitely better to rely on Visa or Mastercard while in Malaysia.
I tried using my American Express in Penang at a few restaurants and none of them took it. Even some hotels said they preferred Visa or Mastercard. At ATMs, I had to use my N26 Mastercard because the Amex card was not accepted at any machine I tried, including Maybank and CIMB. If you rely on Amex alone, you’ll be stuck. Always bring a backup Visa or Mastercard.
Used my Amex Platinum at Pavilion Mall in KL and it worked at places like Sephora and Din Tai Fung. But when I tried using it at a small kopitiam and even at Watsons, it was declined. Switched to my Sparkasse Mastercard and had no problems. Amex isn’t very widely accepted, especially outside malls or upscale places. Visa or Mastercard is a must-have for Malaysia.
I had my Amex Gold with me on a trip to Malaysia and it worked at big hotels in Kuala Lumpur and one high-end restaurant in Bangsar. But most cafes, shops and even some airport vendors didn’t accept it. Visa was way more reliable. I ended up using my Chase Visa for almost everything. Definitely carry a Visa or Mastercard for everyday spending.