Is American Express widely accepted in France?

For both historical and financial reasons, American Express acceptance in France is quite low. ... American Express cards will be accepted in most upscale hotels, restaurants and shops (mostly those that cater to high-end tourists), but other than that, it's pretty much a lottery.

1. What is the best credit card to use in France?
2. Is American Express widely accepted in Europe?
3. Do American credit cards work in France?
4. Why is American Express not accepted anywhere?
5. Is it rude to tip in France?
6. What credit card is most accepted in Europe?
7. Why is AmEx not accepted in Europe?
8. Is Visa better than American Express?
9. Is AmEx accepted abroad?
10. Do I need cash in France?
11. Are credit cards common in France?
12. Can I use my debit card in France?

What is the best credit card to use in France?

Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere in France and it is, therefore, the most used credit card by expats. Have a look on their website to inform yourself about their benefits.

Is American Express widely accepted in Europe?

Yes. American Express cards can be used in Europe to a limited extent. ... Although American Express cards will sometimes work, Visa and Mastercard are much more widely accepted internationally. Merchants that accept credit cards will almost always accept these two networks.

Do American credit cards work in France?

By far the easiest way to pay for things in France is simply to use an international credit card or debit card. Visa and Mastercard can be used all over France, and American Express cards and other international cards in a number of places.

Why is American Express not accepted anywhere?

Why can't every store accept American Express cards? The answer is simple: stores want more money in their pockets. American Express charges stores, or merchants, higher fees than other credit card networks like Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Is it rude to tip in France?

Think of it as a gesture, not an obligation. Once again, it's not necessary but is appreciated for good service. There are no rules about tipping in France. In nicer restaurants, such as 3-start tables, where the service is exemplary, a tip of €20 is fine to leave.

What credit card is most accepted in Europe?

The most widely accepted credit card in Europe is a Visa credit card or a Mastercard credit card. Visa and Mastercard are the two most widely accepted credit card networks, not just in Europe but worldwide. So any card on either network will work everywhere you want to use it.

Why is AmEx not accepted in Europe?

AmEx cards are accepted in a few places, but much less than Visa or MasterCard. The reason behind this is purely economic - AmEx charges merchants higher fees per transaction, so smaller businesses choose not to accept them. The cards themselves are issued by a few banks in Europe, but they're just not popular.

Is Visa better than American Express?

Visa is the clear winner here. You're very unlikely to find merchants that accept an American Express card, but not a Visa credit card. The odds are higher of finding merchants that accept Visa credit cards, but not American Express cards, especially outside of the United States.

Is AmEx accepted abroad?

American Express is accepted in more than 160 countries and territories internationally. ... So you should probably bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fee when you travel abroad, at least as a backup to your Amex.

Do I need cash in France?

In a majority of cases, you'll have to cash them in first. Tip: Avoid redeeming traveler's checks at currency exchange bureaus at the airport or in tourist-heavy areas of Paris, or you'll incur hefty service charges.

Are credit cards common in France?

Credit cards in France

Pretty much everyone has a carte bancaire, but those are debit cards. In fact, last year Euromonitor International, a market research company, estimated that there were just 34 million French credit cards in circulation.

Can I use my debit card in France?

Yes, you can use your debit card in millions of shops and cash machines worldwide – anywhere you see the Visa sign. See more about using your cards abroad.