Prepaid Amex cards in the Carribean

[2jeffs]

We are sailing on the Summit next week and we are getting our finances in order. We are planning on using our credit cards for all of our shipboard purchases but would prefer not to use them much in ports. We have a couple of $500 prepaid Amex gift cards that we were thinking about using. Has anybody had experience using these in Carribean shops and restaurants and did you have any issues with them?

[Charles4515]

We are sailing on the Summit next week and we are getting our finances in order. We are planning on using our credit cards for all of our shipboard purchases but would prefer not to use them much in ports. We have a couple of $500 prepaid Amex gift cards that we were thinking about using. Has anybody had experience using these in Carribean shops and restaurants and did you have any issues with them?

 

Never did the prepaid cards but I would not count on any AMEX card being accepted in the Caribbean. I never take mine onshore as many small shops and restaurants don't take AMEX.

[awhfy]

More likely to get Visa or MasterCard accepted in Caribbean

[az_tchr]

Better shops - yes. Since you already have then cannot hurt to try and use them.

[JRYMCMB]

I was able to use a prepaid amex gift card at Diamonds International in Cozumel and also at Palmeras

[donaldsc]

Many businesses and especially smaller businesses do not accept Amex cards - both in the US and especially overseas. We almost never use our Amex card when we travel.

 

DON

[Keith1010]

Amex is not widely accepted in the Caribbean.

 

Keith

[cb at sea]

Cash them out...bring the cash. ALL places take US dollars.

[sail7seas]

Amex is not widely accepted in the Caribbean.

 

Keith

 

We've never found that to be the case most of the time.

 

We always use AmEx first when traveling and though we, indeed, have been in shops that would not accept it, I would say in recent years, maybe 10% of restaurants/shops we patronized asked for Visa or M/C instead.

 

OP.... I would not depend solely upon being able to use your pre-paid AmEx cards but expect you should be able to use them especially in larger businesses/restaurants. Be sure to have a back up card with you just in case.

 

[Essiesmom]

I always know I've got the lowest price when bargaining, when the merchant says he can do that price if I use a card other then Amex. But they do accept them many places. EM

[Charles4515]

I always know I've got the lowest price when bargaining, when the merchant says he can do that price if I use a card other then Amex. But they do accept them many places. EM

 

 

But a lot of places don't. Even in the US. I was in Colorado in the mountains last year and pretty much only the hotels would take my AMEX. AMEX charges the merchants a higher fee so a lot won't sign up.

 

 

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Edited January 25, 2016 by Charles4515