American Express

Using an AMEX card to get cash at a bank is probably the most expensive way to get cash I can think of! I'm an AMEX cardholder also, and I'm pretty sure they charge you 21% interest the minute you use it for a cash advance, plus there will be a conversion fee! You can use your AMEX at most hotels, but other than that, you will find few restaurants, shops, etc that take it. Bring your debit card (use that to get cash) and if you've got a master or visa card, those will be much more widely accepted.
Make sure you call your bank associated with your debit card to let them know you will be using it in Italy, and also your credit card company(ies) and also let them know you will be using them in Italy as well. If you don't, they can put a stop on your credit card.

well it is a prepaid card But I will take your advice on that and make other arrangements Thank you for your help SO many people here are so wonderful to me Michelle Valrico FL

Michelle, just use a Master Card and Visa instead to charge purchases (BUT NOT TO GET A CASH ADVANCE)...Amex and Diner's Club are nowhere as widely accepted. If you are able to, get a Capital One credit card which doesn't charge foreign transaction fees (most cards will "tack on" a percentage - around 2-3% to each transaction, which can be avoided if you just get the right card with 0% fees on foreign transactions). For cash, just use a regular ATM machine like you would in the states and withdraw money in the local currency using a debit card linked to your checking account. Try not to take out large bills, they are hard to break in small shops. Read Rick's tips on ATM and CC usage.

in that case I will just bring my one debit card. It is a VISA.. will that be ok?? I sort of thought I should have a second method of payment.. what do you think? as a rule I do not keep high limit credit cards.. I do not like interest.. I have saved the money up to pay for this trip cash Michelle

AMEX is accepted at most hotels, but not usually at B&Bs. Some restaurants accept as well as some larger stores. If you buy a high-price item (like Murano glass >$200, ceramics at Deruta) and have them shipped home, AMEX provides some safety as they offer purchase protection. If you do not have a Visa/MC, bring the AMEX as a back up. If you only have the debit card and something happens to it, you have not back-up. If you have time (2 weeks is enough) get a Capital One card. As mentioned above, there are no international transaction fees.

That is a good idea Laura Thank you SO I will bring my Amex just for large purchases.. I am sort of trying to avoid expensive purchases, but I am sure will be tempted sooner or later with something lovely that I can only get in Italy.. LOL It is good to know it can be insured this way Thank you

I would definitely bring it... since Delta mileage card is now Amex it appears more places are taking it (don't know if that influenced the change) Last trip in Dec. I was able to use Amex many more places...even some toll roads in France. But, I try to have a few cards because you never know. Also, if it is prepaid it should work just like a debit card for withdrawing money and there will be no interest. I would call Amex to find out the exact details, but bring it.

Michelle: You say you do not "like high limit credit cards" because you "do not like interest". Be assured that as with any credit card, high limit or not, if you pay your monthly balance in its entirety on time, you will not be charged interest. Ever. That's the beauty of using a credit card responsibly.

Michelle, you mention a prepaid card. Is your American Express card the prepaid card? I am not expert on these matters, but I was afraid that statement had gotten overlooked. I had not had huge success using the VISA prepaid cards in the US so wondered if that would be an issue for you in Italy.

Michelle, unless you've done budgets for trips before and have a really good handle on how much money you'll need each day, it would be worthwhile that you have a 0% foreign transaction fee credit card with you that's widely accepted to use as a backup (i.e. not Amex and not Diners Club). Otherwise, I think you may either underdraw or overdraw from the ATM - probably the latter -and then you'll be stuck with a bunch of Euros at the end of your trip which will cost you to exchange for $s. Also credit cards offer you protections that a huge wad of cash does not should anything happen. I would take out cash "as you go" and use a credit card when you can (with a credit card you'll have a good paper trail on what you spent your money on), but do get one that's not going to charge you a transaction fee. Have faith that everything will turn out fine - it will. Remember that you can always reach your bank from overseas if you need to and that (very likely) your card offers you protections against fraud. So taking simple precautions should alleviate any stress.

American Express charges a 2.75% foreign exchange fee, compared to our visa which is no charge. So the only time we used our AX was for two purchases where we felt the purchase protection was needed. 1) a purchase of a ceramic pitcher (if it broke during our travels, American express would credit us back, no questions) 2) a case of Brunello wine purchased and shipped from an Enoteca, (just in case the shipment never arrived, arrived with a broken bottle, or popped corks, etc.)
FYI, I lost a pair of new, expensive sunglasses on a plane, called American Express, filled out a form, and received a credit to my account within a month, no questions asked. The Visa credit cards we have cover theft, but not lost or broken purchases.

Very confused!!!! will be leaving for italy next week and have anxiety... reading all this info on American Express not being widely accepted in Italy however, when talking to friends that have gone they didn't have any problem !!!! has anyone been to Rome and Venice recently and was not able to use their card in restaurants???? Planning on taking 2 ATM/debit cards (1 debit card is Visa and the other is Mastercard and my AMEX !!!! Can you not use your debit/visa card as a credit card like we can here in the US ????

Michelle, As usual, a curve shows up with further information. We need to resolve this comment about a prepaid card. IF it is some type of a prepaid, preloaded, etc., card that is a whole different ball game. Is this some type of card in which you have load US dollars to the card or perhaps purchased Euros to a card. If so how much have your loaded? Please answer that as directly and clearly as you can. PS Just on the AE web site. How are you loading the card? In your earlier question you said you were bring an Am Express CREDIT card. Later you said the card was prepaid. It cannot be both and there is a big difference between the prepaid and a credit card. Which is it?

For Carrie - it really depends on your level of travel. High end restaurants, four and especially five stars hotels that cater to American tourists will accept Am Express. But it is not accepted by many of the small hotels, small restaurants, etc. I always leave my AE card home. Visa and Mastercard are the widely accepted and preferred credit card in most of Italy and Europe. Also it is generally recommended that you do NOT use a debit card for routine purchases. For most of Italy we find cash works best. It is very rare for us to use a credit card, even for hotels, in Italy.

Have you already purchased this prepaid card? I don't know the exact percentages, but you will probably pay lots of "interest" in the form of transaction fees in getting a prepaid card. It is in dollars or euros? If you haven't already purchased it, consider applying for a Capital One card. It has no transaction fees, and if you have the cash saved up as you stated, then you can pay it off right away, and thus, pay absolutely no interest. As stated, do not get cash through your credit card, but rather the debit card you will be bringing.

You will be able to use American express in larger cities and for large purchases. But a Visa is more widely accepted. I am a great fan of travelers cheques. never had a problem with exchange for euro. I also agree smaller denominations are better. I discovered I left all my travelers checks in my Florence hotel while on the train to Rome. I was able to recover them on a sunday without any problem. the American Express office was very accommodating and prompt. Within an hour of arriving in Rome I had all my checks replaced. I might add there was little conversation with my husband and myself until they were replaced, it was a very quiet train ride. have a great trip.
Lorie

Here's what Rick says about Amex: When I first started traveling in Europe, I'd convert my traveler's checks into cash at American Express the convivial, welcoming home to American travelers abroad. When changing dollars into francs in Paris, it felt so good to lose money to that smiling, English-speaking person at the desk. Now with ATMs, the euro, and the general shrinking of the economic world, AmExCo is a dinosaur.
Leave the traveler's checks at home. I cashed my last traveler's check long ago. They're a waste of time (long lines at slow banks) and money (fees to get them, fees to cash them). ATMs are the way to go. More here: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/cash-currency-tips.htm

I have found that American Express card is accepted at about 80% of the locations that I present it. Also use a Capital one Visa for some purchases. But the large majority of purchases in the US are with Amex, so I generally follow the same pattern in Italy