Can I use American Express in Krakow? Amex in Poland

When traveling abroad, one of the most important questions for visitors is whether their preferred payment method will be accepted. For American Express (Amex) cardholders, this can be a concern, as Amex is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard in many parts of the world. If you’re visiting Krakow or other parts of Poland, you might be wondering: Can I use my American Express card? Can you use American Express card in Krakow, Poland?

Is American Express accepted in Krakow?

Polish banks primarily use cards issued by Mastercard and Visa. Payments with Maestro cards are also possible. American Express (AmEx) cards, however, are rarely issued in Poland and are mainly held by business and corporate clients. What does this mean for travelers to Kraków who have Amex cards?

The acceptance of American Express (Amex) in Krakow is limited compared to Visa and Mastercard. Manny smaller businesses, local shops, gas stations and public transport systems in Poland may not support Amex payments. However, the number of locations accepting Amex in Kraków continues to grow significantly year by year. The same applies, by the way, to JCB cards.

It’s advisable to carry an alternative card (such as Visa or Mastercard, the best way is to have Revolut card) or have some cash as USD is not accepted to pay in Poland.

Where can I pay with Amex in Poland?

There are places in Krakow where you can still use your Amex card. High-end hotels catering to international travelers are more likely to accept Amex. Global brands and large retail chains like Zara, H&M, or certain stores in shopping malls (e.g., Galeria Krakowska) are also more likely to accept Amex.

You can pay using Amex in car rental companies and many places in the Old Town in Krakow but not everywhere.

Recently, the number of places where you can pay with an Amex card in Poland has been steadily increasing. On the official American Express website, here there is a map highlighting locations in Kraków that accept Amex. In the city center alone, there are already hundreds of such places.

Where can you not pay with Amex?

Small, family-run stores and local markets are unlikely to accept Amex due to its higher processing fees. Always look for the American Express logo displayed at the entrance or near the payment terminal or ask staff directly before making a purchase or booking.

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