AmEx expands global merchant acceptance to over 190 million locations

American Express announced on Monday that its credit cards are now accepted at over 190 million merchant locations globally, a significant expansion that has more than doubled its acceptance outside the U.S. over the last four years. This strategic push aims to address a historical gap in international merchant acceptance compared to rivals Visa and Mastercard.

The company has concentrated its efforts on increasing acceptance in areas frequented by its card members, including popular travel destinations like Barcelona, Hong Kong, Paris, and Sicily, as well as locations hosting major events such as sporting events in Mexico City and Melbourne. AmEx has also targeted other spending categories like restaurants.

Acceptance is a critical driver for card networks, as broader availability encourages customers to use cards for everyday purchases, travel, and other expenses, thereby increasing transaction volume and revenue. In the most recent quarter, American Express reported that billed business, a measure of spending on its issued cards, rose 9% to $455.8 billion. The company also reported a 10% growth in quarterly revenue, reaching $19.6 billion in July.

This expansion is part of AmEx's strategy to attract a larger share of international spending from younger customers, who represent an increasingly important segment of its user base. American Express continues to foster relationships with global payment platforms, payment facilitators, licensed partners, and local acquirers to achieve large-scale acceptance. Anna Marrs, group president of global merchant and network services, stated that the company sees ongoing opportunities worldwide and is committed to further coverage gains.