Where Is Amex Accepted in Canada? Acceptance Gaps and How to Work Around Them
American Express is widely accepted in Canada, but not everywhere. Here is why gaps exist, how to check before you pay, and the simple backup-card setup that solves it.
By Andrew Updated How we review cards
American Express is accepted at a large and growing number of Canadian merchants, but not at all of them. Visa and Mastercard are still more widely taken, so anyone who carries an Amex should carry a Visa or Mastercard as well. That one habit removes almost all of the frustration people associate with Amex in Canada.
This guide explains why acceptance gaps exist, where you are most likely to run into them, how to check before you pay, and how to set up a wallet so you earn Amex rewards where you can without ever getting stuck at a till.
Why some merchants don’t take Amex
Every time you pay by card, the merchant pays a fee to accept it. With Visa and Mastercard, much of that fee is set by the networks and paid to your bank. American Express usually runs its own network end to end and charges merchants directly through its own pricing (Amex publishes merchant pricing information on its card acceptance pricing page).
Merchants weigh that cost against the business Amex customers bring in. Large retailers sometimes negotiate exclusive arrangements with one network. Small businesses with thin margins sometimes decide one more card type isn’t worth it. The result is a patchwork: most restaurants, many grocers, airlines and big online stores take Amex, while some warehouse clubs, independent shops and service providers don’t.
It is worth knowing that cards issued by Scotiabank on the American Express network, such as the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, have exactly the same acceptance as cards issued by Amex itself. Acceptance follows the network logo, not the bank.
Where gaps are most common
Costco. This is the best-known example. Costco Canada’s payment methods page lists Mastercard, debit, cash, Costco Shop Cards, personal cheques and Apple Pay at warehouses, and Mastercard, Visa, most PIN-based debit cards and Shop Cards at Costco.ca. American Express is not on either list. Our Costco credit card guide covers the options.
Some independent and small businesses. Corner stores, trades, small clinics and market vendors may accept debit and Visa or Mastercard only. Signs at the door or near the terminal usually tell you.
Bills and government payments. Many utilities, property tax offices and the Canada Revenue Agency do not take credit cards directly at all, Amex or otherwise. Some third-party services bridge the gap for a fee; see our guide to paying rent and taxes by credit card.
Travel abroad. Acceptance outside Canada and the U.S. varies a lot by country and by type of merchant. Plan on using Visa or Mastercard for most foreign spending, ideally a card without foreign transaction fees (see our foreign transaction fees guide).
Acceptance is improving. Amex says more than 110,000 places in Canada started accepting its cards in 2023 alone, on its Where is American Express accepted in Canada page. Still, “growing” is not the same as “everywhere.”
How to check before you pay
- Amex Maps and the online merchant directory. Amex points Cardmembers to American Express Maps for in-person merchants and to its online merchant directory for websites. Neither is a complete list, but both are a good first check before a big purchase.
- Look for the logo. Terminals, doors and checkout pages usually show the accepted networks.
- Ask before you order at restaurants and service businesses where you pay after the fact.
- Check online checkouts carefully. Some sites accept Amex for some products or sellers but not others.
If a business you use regularly doesn’t take Amex, Amex invites you to tell them at takeamex.ca, according to the same acceptance page.
The backup-card setup
The simplest fix is a two-card wallet: an Amex for the categories where it earns the most, and a no-fee Visa or Mastercard for everywhere else.
| Role | What to look for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Amex primary | Strong earn in your biggest categories (often groceries and dining) | American Express Cobalt, SimplyCash Card |
| Visa or Mastercard backup | No annual fee, solid flat earn or a category the Amex lacks | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, other no-fee cards |
| Costco card (if you shop there) | Mastercard, since Costco warehouses take only Mastercard credit | CIBC Costco Mastercard |
Choose the backup so that it complements the Amex rather than duplicating it. If your Amex is strong at restaurants and grocery stores, a backup that earns well on gas or recurring bills fills the gaps. Our stacks pages show complete wallet setups built this way.
Surcharges
Merchants in Canada are allowed to add a surcharge for paying by credit card, except in Quebec. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s credit card basics page says a surcharge can add up to 2.4% to your purchase and must be disclosed before you pay, at the store entrance and on your receipt.
A surcharge can wipe out your rewards. If you see one, compare it with what your card earns. On a card earning 1% back, a 2.4% surcharge means you are paying more than you get back, and debit is the better choice.
Using Amex through third-party payment services
Some people try to use Amex at places that don’t accept it by routing payment through a wallet or bill-payment service. That can work for paying, but read the earn rules first. The Cobalt Card’s terms, for example, say the base earn rate of 1 point per dollar applies when you pay “using a payment account or service of a third party,” and elevated categories depend on how the merchant is coded. A purchase you expected to earn 5x may earn 1x. Service fees can also cancel out the rewards.
Should acceptance stop you from getting an Amex?
Usually not. Ask yourself two questions:
- Do the places where you spend the most accept Amex? Look at your last few statements. If your big categories are restaurants, grocery stores that take Amex, and online shopping, an Amex can do very well.
- Will you carry a second card? If you want a single-card wallet, a Visa or Mastercard makes more sense, because you will never be turned away.
If both answers point the right way, the earn rates on Amex cards often outweigh the inconvenience. Our Cobalt vs Gold Rewards guide compares the two most popular Membership Rewards cards in detail.
FAQ
Does Costco take American Express in Canada? No. Costco Canada warehouses accept Mastercard credit cards (plus debit, cash and other methods), and Costco.ca accepts Mastercard and Visa. Amex is not accepted.
Is a Scotiabank Amex accepted in the same places as an Amex-issued card? Yes. Acceptance depends on the American Express network, not the bank that issued the card.
Why do some stores accept Amex online but not in person? Online and in-store payments can be processed under different agreements. A retailer may accept Amex on its website and not at its physical locations, or the reverse.
Can a store charge me extra for using Amex? Outside Quebec, merchants can add a disclosed credit card surcharge of up to 2.4%. They must tell you before you pay so you can choose another method.
What’s the best backup card for an Amex? A no-annual-fee Visa or Mastercard whose strengths fill the gaps in your Amex, such as gas, recurring bills or a flat rate on everything. Browse the no annual fee hub to compare.
What to do next
Check your last two months of spending against Amex acceptance, then decide whether a two-card wallet suits you. Compare Amex cards on the American Express issuer page and pick a backup from the no annual fee hub.
