Ok to rely on my AMEX in Europe?

[USRoadTripper]

I'm trying to work out the finances for my upcoming trip to Spain and Morocco in May, and was wondering if I could pretty easily do most of the trip by charging onto my AMEX. It's a rewards card, so I want to use it as much as I can, but am getting worried by those "but they don't take...American Express!" commericals. Will most places there take it? I am just hoping that I don't have to use my Mastercard since the APR is higher and I don't get rewards for using it. Also, what percentages of businesses don't take cards at all?? Any tips about Tangiers, Morocco? Should I just expect to use only cash there?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

-Julie

[SharkTums]

To me I would be safe and have both.

 

Use your Amex whenever you can but definitely have a Visa/Mastercard available. Also in Europe, always be ready to pay cash. We had a few instances where machines were down or other reasons (ie untrustworthy operations) where it's better to pay cash.

[shesaidboom]

While I was on vacation in Europe my mom's wallet got stolen. Amex sent a new card 'within 5 to 7 business days' to our home, which did us no good for the next three weeks we were on vacation. Mastercard were awesome, made a bunch of calls, and had a new card ready for her in a couple hours. If I were you, I'd bring both. If you like Amex better, use it more..but if you run into a situation like we did you'll have much better luck getting your Mastercard replaced.

[pvcoasterguy]

From my experience, Visa was the card that was most widely accepted. There were absolutely no problems with the Visa cards at all. They always worked in the ATM's that we tried them in (you do need to request a PIN,) and they were accepted at all the stores we went to. Very practical and simple to use.

[kvan]

From my experience, Visa was the card that was most widely accepted. There were absolutely no problems with the Visa cards at all. They always worked in the ATM's that we tried them in (you do need to request a PIN,) and they were accepted at all the stores we went to. Very practical and simple to use.

 

I agree with you.

I live in Spain and Visa is the most accepted, DO NOT forget to ask for your PIN , more and more places ask for it (Restaurants, stores..) if not ,have your ID.

I have a restaurant and with the American we always have problems if we ask them for their ID.

We don't accept AMEX because they charge us a 5% , VISA is less than 1%.

[astroworldfan]

Ok I can help here a bit...

 

Go with the CARD that is cheapest for YOU.

 

This typically depends on issuing company...Not whether its VISA or AMEX or MC. Find out what fees they charge for doing foreign currency conversion.

 

I believe MBNA (who issues MC/Visa and AMEX now) does not charge a conversion fee at all. DOUBLE check this. You can do some Google searches on this topic. Some companies are less than others.

 

The moral of that... Call the credit card company of each of the cards (take at least 2) that you are planning on using, and find out what the fees are going to be for YOU. You may need to be country specific too. Also find out how long it would take you to get a replacement if it were lost while in foreign land.

 

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Getting cash.

 

HANDS DOWN BEST WAY TO DO THIS. Use your ATM Card. Be sure your bank card can be used internationally.. all the big banks like BOA and Wells are not an issue. This will be the cheapest fee you pay anywhere. The local bank will charge a fee and your bank will charge a non network fee. This should probably be less than $5. When you starting looking at cash currency exchanges.. the $5 is a bargain.

 

The more $$ you get at once the lower % in fees you actually pay. The ATM fees are usually set by transaction. Currency is usually a % of the total transaction. That gets way costly.

 

When you leave... Currency exchanges rarely, if ever, take coins.

 

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When I was in the Netherlands, and more so in UK. I got Id so I could use my credit card. And the waiter would give it back to me until after I had signed the slip.

 

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Suggestion, leave 1 credit card, some cash, Drivers license[if not driving], and Passport locked in safe at hotel. Take photo copy of passport for ID.

 

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I should note that when it comes to credit cards... that I think [hands down] than Amex is the best for service. However the above was looking at cost to you

 

 

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Hope that was helpful. Sorry if that was a review.

 

Jerry

 

EDIT: One more thing.. If you want to know what to do and not to do.. especially for morocco, buy a travel guide. I highly recommend Frommers if it is available.. Can be found at any bookstore.

 

ok the second one other thing that i found to be helpful. Buy a map that of the place you are going that is in English (or your preferred language). In the netherlands, most speak english... so communicating is fine. However ALMOST EVERYTHING is writtien in Dutch. Worthless if you dont speak dutch. (The freebies in the hotel rooms are good, but small, and some times translations dont make since. )

[Pelydr]

Although everything has been covered its not a bad idea to let your credit card company know ahead of time that you will be using your card over seas. First time I went to the UK visa started declining my ATM use cause they thought my card had been stolen as it was atypical from my normal use.

[Chrissie]

Im with everyone else, Id definatly take both. Most places in the UK accept AMEX, but Ive not really been to mainland spain.

 

Do u guys have Chip and Pin in the states?!

[exmouse]

Amex isn't the most widely accepted card in Europe. Large places should take it but due to the high costs for the retailler a lot of smaller places don't accept it. You're better off with either a Visa or Mastercard. On occasions I've not been able to use my Amex but never had an issue with Mastercard.

As has already been said in the UK we are hot on using Pin numbers instead of signatures. So make sure you know what your Pin number is.