Is AMEX widely accepted in Europe?

[Harpoon]

I am going to get a second credit card for travelling because last time I travelled my number was pinched somwehere (I think a restaurant) and the bank cancelled my card. When I got home had to go through the torture of changing all ym direct debits etc.... a real pain. Don't want that again!

So this time I want to use whenever possible a second card on a separate account with 0 annual fee and a low limit for ad-hoc holiday purchases.

Is Amex accepted in Eu widely enough to go the amex route or do i really need to stick with a Visa or Mastercard? I'm talking about amex card acceptance in retaurants, cafe's, shops..... smaller places. Hotels it should be fine. I'm interested in Amex because I can get the 0 fee qantas amex card. Otherwise I'll get a visa with ) fee but wont be earning points.

ANyone with experience trying to use Amex for everything in Europe?

Thanks

 

[drewbles]

Want a $0 fee card for travelling? Don't use Amex (Where the forex fees can get up to 5%). Use a 28º Mastercard.

See here: Travel Card with No International Fees - 28 Degrees MasterCard

You'll get near mid market forex rates and no forex fees. It's pretty much the near perfect travel card

Of course, no points with this, but i'd rather a great rate when travelling on my own dime (when it's work, then it's my Amex all the way as they pay my forex fees without an issue, and yes, acceptance in continental Europe is excellent in my experience).

 

[Harpoon]

Thanks drewbles.

What about the Bankwest Zero mastercard Platinum? $0 annual fee, $0 fees on overseas transactions and buying from o/s websites.

Again no rewards.... but I agree not so fussed about the rewards if im saving on all the transaction fees.

Will look at the 28 degrees card....

 

[Harpoon]

Am I reading this right about the 28 Degrees card...

What does 'no international transaction fees' actually mean?
It means you don’t pay a fee for anything you buy overseas on your card.
With the 28 Degrees MasterCard, we do not charge international ATM fees, there are no international over the counter transaction fees and no international transaction fees for when you make purchases. There are also no currency conversion fees for international transactions. This adds up to a lot of savings if you enjoy shopping when you are away.

I can use the 28 degrees card for cash advances with no fee? I can simply withdraw local currency in say Germany and wont cop some huge fee? If this is right wow I'm almost sold! As long as my aaccount is in credit balance.

 

[drewbles]

Exactly correct, with a small caveat

If an ATM operator charges a fee, you have to pay that. 28º will not charge you an additional fee though. Keeping in mind though, if you withdraw cash from a credit account they'll instantly slug you with cash advance fee.

You can cash-up (ie, put it into credit) the card and then withdraw as well. Note you'll be subjected to a daily allowance though.

I travel with a combo of cards: I use my ING card (Orange Everyday) to withdraw a chunk of cash in an ATM in the airpot upon arrival ($2.50 ATM fee from ING, whatever ATM fee the ATM is charging, usually $2 or so, and a decent exchange rate) and then use my 28º card for everything else.

I was looking at the Citibank Debit card, and applied for it; they sent me two, and they were both my credit card (with identical numbers and CVV's; I never had the debit card arrive, they're next to hopeless!). That left me with 3 copies of the same credit card all identical!

 

[drewbles]

Oh and one other very important thing to remember if you go ahead with the 28º card.

When you purchase, a lot of merchants give you the option of paying in AUD 'to save you fees'. This rate is just about always (say 99%) of the time a very bad rate. If asked, always always pay in the local currency and let the MasterCard network do the exchange for you, you'll be better off every time.

 

[Harpoon]

Okay thanks for the advice. 28 Degrees sounds like the go. A handy alternative to the "travel cards" (which all have setup fees) that banks offer where you can only load one currency on.

I don't mind loading it up with cash having a credit balance then using it to withdraw cash at an ATM if needed. Much better than chancing your arm in other ways.

The BankWest card is tempting still ebcause it includes travel insurance on a $0 fee card. Hmmmmmmmmmm

 

[lovestotravel]

I still prefer my Amex which earns me 2 points per $1 spent overseas

The difference is about 4% to what I would get on a 28 Degrees card, but I get about 7.5% back in FF points

 

[Aussie_flyer]

and I would be using bankwest qantas platinum mastercard for purchases when travelling. for cash I just withdraw out of citibank plus

 

[Harpoon]

and I would be using bankwest qantas platinum mastercard for purchases when travelling. for cash I just withdraw out of citibank plus

I'm trying to avoid having a second card with an annual fee though. That cards about $195?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I'm trying to avoid having a second card with an annual fee though. That cards about $195?

i got it for $99 recently but its now $140. 8000 points signon bonus at the moment and 0% on balance transfers for 6 mo

 

[sergeyvzn]

the original question was if AMEX is widely accepted in Europe. The answer is no. In my personal experience, in some countries (like France for example) you can hardly find a place that would accept AMEX.

It's VISA or Eurocard (which is Mastercard in Europe) to go with

+1 about the 28Degrees Mastercard, I've been using it for 3 years now and can't be happier

 

[Harpoon]

Okay thanks Serg and everyone.

 

[amaroo]

They hate it in Spain.

If you have a master/visa and still sign rather than pin.......you're in for some trouble......first hand experience

 

[lovestotravel]

the original question was if AMEX is widely accepted in Europe. The answer is no. In my personal experience, in some countries (like France for example) you can hardly find a place that would accept AMEX.

It's VISA or Eurocard (which is Mastercard in Europe) to go with

The answer is Yes I had little issues with Amex in France or Italy or Switzerland

 

[Sprucegoose]

They hate it in Spain.

If you have a master/visa and still sign rather than pin.......you're in for some trouble......first hand experience

Always have a pin with a credit card in Spain

 

[docjames]

Found it more widely accepted than in Aus.

Non pin / non chip no issue in Berlin, Milan or Côte D'Azur.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I have encountered no issues in any country in Europe, only a handful of merchants that don't accept it (less than AU as the good doctor mentioned), but I always have a chip & pin MasterCard/Visa on hand just in case.