Where is American Express Accepted in Canada?
Have you ever taken out a credit card at the cash register only to be told, “We don’t accept that card here?” While you may find another way to pay, missing out on valuable rewards points for your purchases can put a damper on your trip to the store.
Fortunately, American Express is accepted throughout Canada at a variety of stores, restaurants, and service providers: over 110,000 places in Canada started accepting American Express® Cards in 2023 alone. But if you are heading out to buy something special with your American Express Card, it can help to check American Express Maps so you can see when a store is open and whether the business offers contactless payments.
Below you can view the key benefits that make using your American Express Card essential for every shopping trip.
July 24, 2020 in Benefits
Find merchants near you using American Express Maps
Perhaps you’re wondering where your American Express Card will be accepted across Canada. Leveraging American Express Maps is the simplest way to see if the merchant you’ll soon be visiting accepts your American Express Card. With American Express Maps, you can look up your preferred stores and see whether they are open for business and whether they offer contactless payment.
Which online companies accept American Express
To view a full list of businesses that accept American Express for online purchases, our online merchant directory can point you to many of the Canadian places that you love, including filters for eating, shopping, entertainment, service providers and small businesses.
Benefits of using American Express Cards everywhere
There are some amazing benefits that go along with being a Cardmember of American Express, and there is a card for every lifestyle. From the American Express CobaltTM Card to the American Express SimplyCashTM Cards, American Express has a Card to fit your lifestyle. Benefits like welcome bonuses are one of the reasons people will choose a card issuer like American Express.
Membership Rewards®
One of the most lucrative ways to earn and redeem Membership Rewards points is to spend in the categories that your American Express Card offers an accelerated earn rate.
For example, the American Express Cobalt Card offers 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks purchases in Canada1 using the Card. Membership Rewards points can be redeemed in a variety of ways.
Shopping Coverage and Insurance
Many American Express Cards come with insurance coverage that can protect your eligible purchases. Review your coverage to see what insurance benefits are included on your Card.
Outstanding Service
American Express’ reputation is built on superior service to help make every purchase simple.
How is American Express expanding its acceptance
American Express continues to be widely accepted across Canada and is committed to expanding its reach across the country. American Express offers numerous programs that help businesses and Cardmembers earn the maximum benefits of joining our growing network:
Amex Offers
With the Amex Offers program, Cardmembers can enjoy exclusive offers such as statement credits, or Membership Reward points for making qualified purchases To see the Amex Offers that may be available to you, log in to your account or download the Amex App.
Shop Small
Our Shop Small program encourages Cardmembers to connect with small and local businesses in their local neighborhood. Support these businesses by checking the Shop Small page to see which offers are available today.
Benefits to Merchants
From complimentary merchant signage to customer insights, American Express provides Canadian businesses with benefits.
Not yet an American Express Merchant? Sign up to accept our Cards and you could be part of complimentary marketing programs dedicated to promoting local businesses2 to our Cardmembers.
What to do if a merchant doesn’t accept American Express
Come across a business not yet accepting American Express? Let us know at takeamex.ca.
In addition to this, you can always leverage the American Express Maps to find out where your card is accepted.
1. You can earn Membership Rewards points for eligible consumer purchases at American Express retail merchants as follows: Earn 5 points for every $1 at (i) restaurant, quick service restaurant, coffee shop and drinking establishments in Canada, (ii) stand-alone grocery stores in Canada, (iii) delivery of food and groceries in Canada as a primary business, up to a combined maximum of $2,500 in net purchases posted to your account monthly on these categories. Once the maximum is reached, you will no longer earn at 5 points for every $1 regardless of credits, returns and adjustments. Earn 1 point for every $1 thereafter. Calculation resets to zero on the 1st of each month. Earn 3 points for every $1 on eligible streaming subscriptions at select providers in Canada. The current list of providers is available at americanexpress.ca/streaming. Purchases with merchants that are not on the list or that are on the list but bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party such as a digital platform or a cable, telecommunications or internet provider, or a car manufacturer, are not eligible. Earn 2 points for every $1 at or for (i) stand-alone automobile gasoline stations in Canada and (ii) local commuter transportation in Canada including subway, streetcar, taxi, limousine and ride sharing services. Purchases at merchants where these categories are not their primary business such as general merchandise retailers do not qualify. Merchants are typically assigned codes and categorized based on what they sell. Earn rate of 1 point for every $1 applies when the merchant code is not in an eligible category, using a payment account or service of a third party, a card reader attached to a mobile phone, or online retailer that sells goods of other merchants, or the merchant category is otherwise not identified. Interest charges, annual fees, other fees and cash equivalent transactions are not purchases and do not qualify for Membership Rewards points.
Explore Our Cards
American Express offers a range of Cards with different rewards and benefits tailored to your lifestyle and interests.