Using Amex in the UK: What you need to know

Just got yourself an American Express credit card, or thinking of applying for one? You’ll need to know where you can and can’t use it in the UK.

While Amex is accepted at thousands of places across the country, it isn’t quite as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.

In this helpful guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using Amex in the UK. This includes a run-through of retailers, brands and shops which accept American Express, and a few key exceptions where you can’t use your Amex.

We’ll also look at fees for purchases and cash withdrawals, along with some tips for getting the most from your credit card.

If you’re travelling abroad soon, we’ll also show you an international debit card option, the Wise card. It’s not a credit card but a debit card linked to your Wise account, which you can use for spending in the UK, Europe and 150+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise card

Where can I use Amex in the UK?

According to American Express, you can use its credit cards at thousands of places in the UK. This includes all major supermarkets, as well as high street brands such as M&S, Boots, Argos, Oliver Bonas and B&Q. You can also pay with Amex at BP petrol stations, and use your card at the UK Post Office.¹

Online brands such as ASOS, Expedia, Just Eat, easyJet Holidays, Trainline and Amazon all accept Amex, as do restaurants like Dominos, Cafe Rouge and YO! Sushi.¹

However, there are lots of places where you can’t use your Amex card. This includes bus companies like Arriva, National Express and Stagecoach, along with Virgin Media, Sky, eBay and shops like Decathlon and bakery chain Greggs.²

This is likely because processing fees for Amex payments tend to be higher than for Visa or Mastercard, so many retailers don’t accept it.

To check whether it's accepted, simply look for the American Express symbol at the till or checkout page if shopping online.

Amex offers and rewards for UK customers

One of the main attractions of Amex over other credit cards is its rewards and offers.

Depending which card you get, you can earn rewards points when you spend. Once you’ve collected enough, these points can be put towards future shopping purchases, gift cards or travel rewards. Some Amex cards let you earn Avios, which you can use to book flights or upgrades.

There’s also the Amex Offers rewards scheme. This offers rewards when shopping with certain American Express partners. This is available with all American Express cards, and you can see and select offers in the Amex mobile app.

Amex fees for spending and cash withdrawals in the UK

Now we come to the important question - how much does it cost to use your American Express credit card in the UK?

Read on for info on fees and charges for making purchases and cash withdrawals with your UK Amex credit card.

Purchases

The good news is that there are no fees for using your Amex card to shop and spend in the UK, as long as you’re spending in British pounds (GBP).

Of course, this is only as long as you make your credit card repayments on time and you don’t exceed your credit limit. Otherwise, you may have to pay interest and/or fees.

If you use your Amex for spending outside the UK, a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.99% will apply to all purchases and payments. Read our guide to using Amex abroad.

So if you have a holiday coming up, it could be worth researching travel-friendly alternatives such as the Wise card instead.

Cash withdrawals

As a general rule, it’s not a good idea to use credit cards to withdraw cash from an ATM. They nearly all have charges known as cash advance fees, and American Express cards are no different.

You’ll pay a 3% fee (minimum of £3) for each withdrawal made in the UK.⁴ If you withdraw cash abroad with your Amex, you’ll pay the currency conversion fee of 2.99% on top of that.³

You also need to be aware that interest is likely to start accruing right away, unlike with purchases where there’s normally an interest-free period. The interest rate for cash withdrawals may also be different to that of purchases.

Are there any limits for using Amex in the UK?

You can spend on your American Express card up to your credit limit, without any other daily, weekly or monthly limits. The usual limits for contactless payments will apply, which in the UK is a maximum of £100 per payment.

But for cash withdrawals, there are some limits you need to know about. You’ll only be able to withdraw around 20% of your credit limit in cash, up to a maximum of £1,000 per calendar month.⁴

Tips for using Amex in the UK

To help you get the most from using your American Express card in the UK, here are some handy tips to remember:

• Always check for the Amex symbol or ask whether Amex is accepted, as it isn’t accepted everywhere
• Consider carrying an alternative card or some cash with you, for places which don’t take Amex
• Avoid cash withdrawals with a credit card unless absolutely necessary. The fees with Amex are quite high, whether in the UK or overseas. Plus, the interest is likely to start accruing right away.
• Use fee-free ATMs if you can - otherwise, you’ll find an ATM operator fee added on top of the American Express fees. These are widely available in the UK, but some privately operated ATMs charge a usage fee.

Going abroad? Pack the Wise card for low-cost currency conversion and spending

After reading this, you’ll have a better idea of where you can use your Amex card in the UK, including how cash withdrawals work.

We’ve also looked at how to make the most of your credit card, with info on Amex perks, rewards and offers.

But if you’re heading outside the UK, you may want to consider using a travel-friendly alternative such as the Wise card.

This contactless international card lets you spend worldwide in 40+ currencies for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates. You can use it anywhere that Visa/Mastercard are accepted, including shops, restaurants, hotels and public transport.

You can also withdraw up to £200 a month from overseas ATMs fee-free (max. 2 withdrawals) - you’ll just need to watch out for ATM operator fees.

And for added security, why not create a Wise virtual card? It lives on your phone, has different details to your physical card and works seamlessly with mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

You can manage all your Wise cards on the go using the handy Wise app. Convert between currencies when you need to, tap to freeze your card if you lose it, and even send money to friends to cover your share of the bill.

Open a Wise account online and get your own Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7, with no monthly or subscription fees to worry about.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 18-Feb-2025