Where Are American Express Cards Accepted in Canada and Quebec?

Updated Sep 10, 2024
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To the point Want to know where American Express credit cards are accepted in Canada and Quebec? Here's our answer!

Where Are American Express Cards Accepted in Canada and Quebec?

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Grocery Stores That Accept American Express Cards

The main grocery and convenience stores that accept American Express credit cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • IGA
  • Voilà by IGA
  • Metro and Metro Plus
  • Adonis Market
  • Super C
  • Première Moisson
  • Marché Richelieu
  • Couche-Tard
  • Circle K
  • 7-Eleven
  • Safeway and Farm Boy
  • Sobeys
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Food Basics
  • FreshCo
  • Save-On-Foods
  • TooGoodToGo, FoodHero, FlashFood
  • Walmart

As of 2023, all IGA grocery stores should accept American Express, as Scotiabank has implemented its Scene+ program with its American Express cards. However, some IGA owners are still reluctant.

In the grocery and convenience stores mentioned above, for example, you could use the American Express Cobalt® Card to earn 5 points per dollar.

In our experience, only the Thibeault Family Metro Plus stores in the Laurentians refuse American Express cards (Thibeault Family Metro Plus St-Jérôme, St-Antoine, Blainville and Prévost).

Drugstores That Accept American Express Cards

The main drugstores accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • Jean Coutu
  • Uniprix, Uniprix Santé and Uniprix Clinique
  • Familiprix
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • London Drugs
  • Rexall

At these pharmacies, for example, you could use the American Express® Gold Rewards Card to earn 2 points per dollar.

Gas Stations That Accept American Express Cards

The main gas stations accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • Petro-Canada
  • Shell
  • Esso
  • Ultramar
  • Couche-Tard
  • Irving Oil
  • Fast Gas Plus
  • Bluewave Energy
  • 7-Eleven
  • A few Petrole Harnois

At these service stations, for example, you could use the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to earn 3 points per dollar.

Electronic and Office Supply Stores That Accept American Express Cards

The major electronics and office supply stores accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • Staples
  • Apple
  • Dell
  • Lenovo
  • Computers Canada
  • Best Buy
  • The Source
  • Indigo Chapters
  • Newegg.ca

Hotels That Accept American Express Cards

The main hotels accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

At Marriott hotels, for example, you could use the Marriott Bonvoy American Express®* Card to earn 5 points per dollar.

Other Travel Merchants or Places That Accept American Express

The main travel-related businesses that accept American Express credit cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

Restaurants and Food Delivery Services That Accept Amex

The major restaurants, cafés or food delivery services accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • Tim Hortons
  • Starbucks, Second Cup and Café Dépôt
  • Ben Jerry’s
  • McDonald’s, Burger King, Five Guys and AW
  • La Voie Maltée, Chez Lionel, Kitchen 73
  • La Cage et Barbies Resto Bar Gril
  • Les 3 Brasseurs and Restaurant Normandin
  • Poulet Rouge, St-Hubert, Swiss Chalet, Rotisserie Fusée and Le Coq Rôti
  • Ben Florentine, Cora, Petino’s and Eggspectation
  • Yuzu Sushi, Thai Express, Thai Zone
  • Mikes, La Belle Province and Pizza Salvatoré
  • Chez Ashton, Queues de Castor / Beavertails
  • CopperBranch
  • Uber Eats
  • SkipTheDishes
  • Cook It, Hello Fresh and GoodFood

In these restaurants, cafés and home delivery services you could, for example, use the American Express Cobalt® Card to earn 5 points per dollar.

Some people have reported that St-Hubert deliveries and take-out orders don’t earn 5X points, and the same is true of McDonald’s mobile orders. To get around this problem, you can buy gift cards from these restaurants in grocery stores (see below).

Major Retailers That Accept American Express Cards

The main retailers accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:

  • Hudson’s Bay
  • Ikea
  • Canac (since September 2024)
  • Lowe’s, Patrick Morin, Home Hardware and Canadian Tire
  • Michael’s
  • Home Depot, Rona and Réno-Dépôt
  • Apple Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+
  • Amazon
  • Michael Kors
  • Dollarama
  • Sports aux Puces
  • Walmart and Wayfair
  • Yellow
  • DeSerres
  • Marshall’s, Winners and Homesense
  • Aldo
  • Globo
  • Gamestop
  • Ardène
  • HM
  • Sunglass Hut
  • SAQ, LCBO and Beer Store
  • Uniqlo
  • Canadian Tire
  • Circuit Électrique (charging station) and Canada Post
  • Laboratoire Biron, Imagix, Medvue
  • And much more!

At these retailers, for example, you could use the SimplyCash™ Preferred from American Express to earn 2% cash back.

American Express and Paypal

When you shop online, American Express is rarely not accepted. However, it can happen.

Find out if the business accepts Paypal! If so, you may be able to use your American Express card via Paypal.

American Express and Gift Cards

You can buy gift cards at Rakuten.ca, for stores like Maxi and Provigo that don’t accept American Express.

You can then use your American Express card indirectly in these shops with gift cards. Please note, however, that your purchase on Rakuten.ca will be charged at your card’s base rate (and not at the multiplied rate used for groceries).

This trick comes in handy when you need to unlock a welcome bonus (such as the American Express Cobalt® Card ‘s 2,500-point monthly welcome bonus after $500 in purchases).

Paypal Maxi gift card

Bottom Line

As you can see, American Express credit cards are accepted in more places than you might think!

Certainly there are still retailers who do not yet accept American Express credit cards. It will also depend on your location (in remote regions vs in a large city) and your consumption habits.

However, American Express credit cards offer the most rewards: changing a few habits could save you a lot of money and even bring you closer to your dream trip!

Frequently Asked Questions About American Express Cards in Canada

Which Store Accepts American Express in Canada?

American Express cards are accepted at many retailers in Canada: grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and restaurants. Find the list above on this page.

Which Grocery Stores Accept American Express Cards in Canada?

American Express cards are accepted at many grocery stores in Canada:

  • IGA
  • Voilà by IGA
  • Subway
  • Metro Plus
  • Adonis Market
  • Super C
  • Première Moisson
  • Marché Richelieu
  • Giant Tiger
  • Couche-Tard
  • Circle K
  • 7-Eleven
  • Safeway and Farm Boy
  • Sobeys
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Food Basics
  • FreshCo
  • Save-On-Foods
  • TooGoodToGo, FoodHero, FlashFood
  • Walmart

Does IGA accept the Amex Cobalt card?

The vast majority of IGA grocery stores accept Amex cards. Some may not offer it, or may only offer it in the self-serve section. Test it at your favourite IGA.

To find out if your IGA is on the list, check out the map of Amex-accepting stores on the American Express website.

Does Canac accept American Express cards?

Canac now accepts Amex cards. Take a look at the map of businesses that accept Amex in your neighborhood, on the American Express website.

Does Maxi accept American Express cards?

No. Take a look at the map of businesses that accept Amex in your neighborhood, on the American Express website.

Where to use American Express cards in Quebec

In more stores than you might think! Usually, large brand or chain stores accept it. Grocery stores like Super C, Adonis, Metro and IGA accept it, as do gas stations like Shell, Esso, Petro-Canada and Ultramar.

Take a look at the map of businesses that accept Amex in your neighborhood, on the American Express website.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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