You’re standing in a long line, arms full of bulk-sized paper towels and a rotisserie chicken, only to reach the front and realize that shiny metal card in your wallet is basically a coaster. It’s 2026, and while the "Amex isn't accepted anywhere" myth is mostly dead, those specific gaps in coverage still sting. Honestly, it's frustrating. You pay a hefty annual fee for the perks, the points, and the status, but none of that matters when the card reader gives you that dreaded beep of rejection.
American Express has spent the last decade pouring billions into merchant acquisition. They’ve closed the gap significantly with Visa and Mastercard in the United States. In fact, if you’re shopping at a major mall or a big-box store, you’ve probably got a 99% chance of success. But that 1%? It’s usually the places you visit most often.
We need to talk about where those dead zones actually are. It isn't just "small businesses" anymore. There are massive, multi-billion dollar entities and entire geographic regions where your Amex is persona non grata.
The Big Ones: Major Retailers That Don’t Take American Express
Let’s start with the elephant in the warehouse: Costco. This is the one that trips everyone up. If you’re a Costco member in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, you probably already know this, but it bears repeating because people forget every single day. Since 2016, Costco has an exclusive deal with Visa. You can walk in with a stack of cash, a debit card, or a Costco Shop Card, but if you want to use a credit card, it has to be a Visa.
Interestingly, this doesn't apply to Costco.com. If you're ordering that giant sectional sofa online, you can actually use your Amex. But at the gas pump or the checkout lane? Forget it.
Then there’s WinCo Foods. If you live in the Western U.S., you know WinCo is the king of low prices. They keep those prices low by cutting out credit card fees entirely. They don't just "not take Amex"—they don't take any credit cards. It’s a cash or debit-only operation (though they do take EBT and checks). It’s a bit of a culture shock for the points-and-miles crowd, but that’s their model.
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The Grocery Gap
While most supermarkets like Kroger, Whole Foods, and Wegmans are totally fine with Amex, there are regional quirks.
- Aldi: For years, Aldi was a "no credit" zone. They changed that back in 2017 and now accept all four major networks, including Amex.
- Woodman’s Markets: This Wisconsin and Illinois staple is famous for its massive selection and its "no credit cards" policy. Like WinCo, they are strictly debit/cash/Discover (thanks to a specific deal). Your Amex Gold won't get you those 4x points on groceries here.
- Independent Local Grocers: Smaller, family-owned ethnic markets or "mom-and-pop" corner stores often stick to Visa and Mastercard because the merchant fees for Amex—which can hover around 2.26% or higher compared to the sub-2% range for competitors—eat too deep into their margins.
Why Do Some Places Still Say No?
It’s all about the "swipe fee." Or, as the industry calls it, the merchant discount rate.
Amex has a different business model than Chase or Citi. Most banks make their money on the interest you pay when you carry a balance. Amex, historically known for its charge cards that had to be paid in full every month, makes its money from annual fees and from charging merchants a higher percentage of every sale.
Think about a small cafe. If they sell a $5 latte and Amex takes 3% plus a flat fee, while Visa takes 1.5%, that difference adds up over thousands of transactions. For a business with thin profit margins, Amex can feel like a partner they can't afford. Mark Tremblay, an economics professor at UNLV, has pointed out that these costs are often passed to consumers, which is why discount-heavy brands like Costco shy away. They’d rather lose the 1% of customers who refuse to carry a backup card than raise prices for everyone else.
The International Struggle: It's Getting Better, But...
If you’re traveling abroad in 2026, the situation is... complicated.
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In the United Kingdom, you’re mostly fine. London is an Amex stronghold. You can tap your card on the Tube, use it at most high-street retailers, and even at many pubs. But head into the countryside or smaller villages, and you'll find "Visa/Mastercard Only" signs appearing in shop windows like ghosts.
Germany is the final boss of payment hurdles. While it's improved since the pandemic, Germany is still very much a cash-heavy society. Even where cards are accepted, many "Girocard" (local debit) systems don't play nice with international credit networks. Major hotels and tourist spots in Berlin or Munich will take your Amex, but that adorable bakery in the Black Forest? Cash is king, and Amex is a myth.
The Netherlands has a weird quirk too. Many Albert Heijn supermarkets—the most common grocery chain there—don't take Amex. In fact, for a long time, they only took Maestro (a Mastercard debit product). They are slowly updating their terminals, but it’s still a gamble.
Where Amex is basically non-existent:
- Cuba, Iran, and Syria: Due to U.S. sanctions, you can't use American cards here, period.
- Small towns in Southern Europe: Think rural Sicily, Greece, or parts of Portugal.
- Local markets in Southeast Asia: In places like Vietnam or Thailand, even if a street vendor has a QR code or a card reader, it’s rarely set up for Amex.
Common Misconceptions (The "Lies" We Believe)
There’s a common belief that government offices don't take Amex. That’s actually less true than it used to be. Most DMV offices and tax authorities now use third-party payment processors. These processors will take your Amex, but they’ll charge you a "convenience fee" that is often higher than the value of the points you’d earn.
Another one? Gas stations. People think because they are "low margin," they don't take Amex. In reality, almost every major US gas station (Shell, BP, Exxon, Mobil) takes it. The only time you'll run into trouble is at "unbranded" independent stations in rural areas.
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Pro-Tips for the Amex Loyalist
Look, I get it. You want the points. I want the points. But being a "one-card" person is a recipe for disaster.
First, always carry a "sock drawer" Visa. It doesn't have to be fancy. Even a basic, no-annual-fee Visa or Mastercard from your local credit union will save your life when you're at a parking meter in a city that doesn't recognize the Centurion.
Second, use the Amex Map. Inside the American Express app, there’s a "Find Nearby" feature. It’s surprisingly accurate. If you’re in a new city and want to know where to grab dinner without the awkward "do you take this?" conversation, check the map first.
Third, digital wallets help. Sometimes, a merchant’s physical terminal is old and won't read the Amex chip, but if they accept Apple Pay or Google Pay, and you have your Amex loaded there, it magically works. It’s a weird technical loophole that has saved me more than once.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your wallet before travel: If you're heading to Europe or Asia, make sure you have at least one Mastercard or Visa with no foreign transaction fees.
- Check the door: It sounds old school, but looking for the sticker on the window is still the most reliable way to know.
- Ask before you sit: If you're at a high-end restaurant in a foreign country, ask before you order the $200 wine.
- Diversify your points: Don't put all your eggs in the Membership Rewards basket. Having some Chase Ultimate Rewards or Capital One miles ensures you aren't stranded if the merchant only likes the "blue" or "red" card networks.
The reality of 2026 is that Amex is no longer the "exclusive" card that's hard to use. It’s accepted at millions of locations. But for the savvy spender, knowing those specific blind spots—the Costcos and the German bakeries of the world—is the difference between a smooth transaction and an embarrassing "insufficient funds" moment that has nothing to do with your bank balance.