Is American Express (Amex) accepted in Brunei?

Brunei’s payment systems lean more towards Visa and Mastercard. Amex users might face declined transactions at smaller places and some ATMs won’t accept it for cash withdrawals. Make sure to carry at least one Visa or Mastercard for ease and to avoid awkward situations, especially if you’re visiting less touristy areas like Seria or Kuala Belait.

From my experience, Amex is accepted in Brunei but not as widely as Mastercard or Visa. Many tourist-service locations accept it, but everyday spots might not. I used Amex at times, but always kept Visa handy for taxis, markets, and smaller eateries. ATMs mostly dispense cash for Mastercard and Visa, so a backup card is essential.

Amex in Brunei can be hit or miss. I managed to use it mostly at major hotels like The Empire and upscale restaurants, but trying to pay with Amex at small cafes or convenience stores was frustrating-no acceptance. Partner ATMs for Amex are rare, so I’d definitely bring a backup Visa or Mastercard for ATM withdrawals and payments.

I took my Amex card to Brunei, and honestly, it wasn’t accepted everywhere. The bigger hotels and luxury shops in Bandar Seri Begawan gladly take Amex, but many small shops, markets, and local restaurants only take Visa or Mastercard. I always recommend carrying a Visa or Mastercard as a backup just in case you find yourself in cash-only spots or places that don’t support Amex.