American Express Expands Acceptance to 160 Million Merchants Globally, Five Times Growth Since 2017.

American Express now accepted at 160 million merchants globally, a five-fold increase since 2017. The company specializes in issuing and marketing payment cards for travel, with income generated through the sale of payment products to consumers and corporates, as well as the management of partner networks.

American Express has announced a significant milestone in its global merchant acceptance, with American Express Cards now accepted at an estimated 160 million merchant locations worldwide as of June 2025. This represents a nearly five-fold increase since 2017, highlighting the company's commitment to expanding its global network .

The growth in merchant acceptance has been particularly notable in key travel destinations. For instance, in Japan, one of the most popular travel destinations for American Express Card Members, the company added over 1 million new Amex-accepting locations last year alone. Similarly, in the UK, Amex has driven a 3x increase in Amex-accepting locations since 2021, including more UK small businesses than ever before. In the Caribbean, Amex is now accepted across 22 islands, with over 25,000 new locations added in 2024 alone .

American Express's strategy to expand acceptance benefits both merchants and card members. Merchants can now welcome high-spending customers, while card members can enjoy the convenience and security of using their cards in more places around the world. The average annual spend on American Express Cards in the U.S. is 2.9 times that of other networks, and the average annual spend on American Express Cards issued outside the U.S. is 4 times that of other networks internationally .

The company's growth in merchant acceptance also extends to various sectors. American Express is accepted at the vast majority of 4- and 5-star hotels worldwide and has recently signed agreements with major European airlines, including Wizz Air in the UK and Binter in Spain. Additionally, Amex Cards are now accepted by more than 700 transit authorities globally, including major systems like those in Beijing, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area .

In the U.S., American Express has maintained virtual parity acceptance, with Amex being accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards since the end of 2019. The company's continued focus on expanding merchant acceptance is also driven by the growing preference for travel, dining, and experiences among its customer base, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who made up 75% of new U.S. Consumer Gold and Platinum Card Members in Q2 2025 .

American Express's global expansion in merchant acceptance is a testament to its commitment to providing a seamless and secure payment experience for its card members worldwide. As the company continues to invest in new technologies and partnerships, it is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the global payment market.

References:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250909541741/en/American-Express-is-Accepted-at-160-Million-Merchants-Around-the-World-Since-2017-Amex-Accepting-Locations-Have-Increased-by-Nearly-5x