To the point
Would you like 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?
The American Express credit cards network is one of the three major networks in the world:
In Canada, two institutions issue American Express credit cards:
American Express cards have consistently among the best credit card offers in Canada. However, they have a reputation for not being accepted by many merchants.
This may have been true a few years ago, but since then, American Express has been gradually catching up with its rivals Mastercard and Visa.
In Canada and Quebec, many Canadian retailers accept American Express, including small merchants through the Shop Small initiative. And since 2023, almost all IGA grocery stores have accepted American Express!
Businesses accepting American Express
Here is a list of many businesses accepting American Express credit cards in Canada and Quebec.
Grocery stores accepting American Express Cards
The major grocery and convenience stores accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:
- 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
Since 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 these grocery and convenience stores, for example, you could use the American Express CobaltMD Card to earn 5 points per dollar.
What’s more, in our experience, only Thibeault Family Metro Plus stores in the Laurentians accept American Express cards (Thibeault Family Metro Plus St-Jérôme, St-Antoine, Blainville and Prévost).
Drugstores accepting American Express Cards
The main drugstores accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:
- Jean Coutu
- Uniprix
- Uniprix Health
- Uniprix Clinic
- Familiprix
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- London Drugs
- Rexall
At these pharmacies, for example, you could use the American ExpressMD Gold Rewards Card to earn 2 points per dollar.
Gas stations accepting American Express Cards
The main gas stations accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:
- Petro-Canada
- Shell
- Esso
- Ultramar
- Irving Oil
- Fast Gas Plus
- Bluewave Energy
- 7-Eleven
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 accepting American Express Cards
The major electronics and office supply stores accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:
- Staples
- Apple
- Dell
- Canada Computers
- Best Buy
- The Source
- Indigo Chapters
- Newegg.ca
At these electronics and office supply stores, for example, you could use the American Express Business EdgeMD Card to earn 3 points per dollar.
Hotels accepting 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 BonvoyMD American ExpressMD* 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:
- Via Rail
- Air Canada, Air Transat, Alaska Airlines, WestJet, Flair Airlines
- Agoda
- Expedia
Restaurants and food delivery services accepting 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 and Dairy Queen
- McDonald’s, Burger King, Five Guys and A&W
- La Voie Maltée
- 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 and Eggspectation
- Yuzu Sushi, Thai Express, Thai Zone
- Mikes, La Belle Province and Pizza Salvatoré
- Chez Ashton, Beaver tails / Queues de castor
- 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 CobaltMD Card to earn 5 points per dollar.
Major retailers accepting American Express Cards
The main retailers accepting American Express Cards in Canada and/or Quebec are:
- Marshall’s, Winners and Homesense
- Aldo
- Globo
- Gamestop
- Ardenne
- H&M
- Sunglass Hut
- SAQ, LCBO and Beer Store
- UniQlo
- Canadian Tire
- Circuit Électrique (charging station) and Canada Post
- 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 gift cards
Buy gift cards at rakuten.ca, well known to milesopedia readers, for stores like Maxi, Provigo, IGA that don’t yet accept American Express!
You can use your American Express card indirectly in these shops with gift cards. However, please note that your purchase on rakuten.ca will count at your card’s base rate (and not at the accelerated rate as for a grocery purchase, for example).
This trick comes in handy when you need to unlock a welcome bonus (such as the American Express CobaltMD Card ‘s 2,500-point monthly welcome bonus after $500 in purchases).
Another tip: buy gift cards with your American Express card at stores offering a higher multiplier.
For example, if you buy an SAQ gift card at your Métro grocery store with your American Express CobaltMD Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar. If you paid directly to the SAQ with your American Express Card, you would only get 1 point per dollar!
Bottom Line
As you can see, American Express credit cards are accepted in more places than you think!
Certainly there are still retailers who do not yet accept American Express credit cards. And that it will also depend on your location (countryside or in a large city) and your consumption habits.
However, American Express Credit cards are the most rewarding: changing a few habits could save you a lot of money and even bring you closer to the travel of your dreams!
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-service 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?
Unfortunately, Canac does not accept 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 banners 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.
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