American Express Expands Global Card Acceptance to Over 190 Million Merchant Locations

American Express said on Monday that its cards can now be used at more than 190 million merchant locations worldwide, with acceptance outside the United States more than doubling over the past four years. The expansion is aimed at narrowing the longstanding gap with Visa and Mastercard, which have traditionally enjoyed broader acceptance and greater scale in international markets.

The company said it has focused on locations where card members are spending more, particularly major travel destinations such as Barcelona, Hong Kong, Paris and Sicily. American Express has also targeted cities expected to attract major sporting and other events, including Mexico City and Melbourne, while expanding acceptance in categories such as restaurants. Anna Marrs, group president of global merchant and network services at American Express, said the company continues to see opportunities to increase coverage worldwide.

The wider acceptance comes as American Express seeks to capture a larger share of international spending, particularly among younger customers. Billed business on American Express-issued cards rose 9% to $455.8 billion in the most recent quarter, while quarterly revenue increased 10% to $19.6 billion in July. The company said it is continuing to work with global payment platforms, payment facilitators, licensed partners and local acquirers to further expand its merchant network.

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