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Visa and Mastercard are most likely to be accepted, although more high-end establishments might also accept American Express cards.
A credit card without foreign transaction fees can save you money on every transaction made abroad.
Qatar Airways offers affordable flights between the US and Pakistan. You can earn and redeem airline miles on Qatar flights with an American Airlines credit card as both airlines are members of the Oneworld Alliance.
Alternatively, you can board a Turkish Airlines flight between the US and Pakistan and earn or redeem miles on these flights with a United Airlines cobranded credit card.
You could potentially pay two kinds of fees using a credit card in Pakistan:
Yes. To avoid this, get a credit card without foreign transaction fees or pay with local currency when you can.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in the large cities in Pakistan; American Express cards are accepted, but only in high-end hotels and restaurants. Merchants don’t accept Discover cards yet. But if you’re looking to make a cash withdrawal, Discover uses Citibank ATMs while Amex has no ATMs in the country as of February 2019.
| Visa |  High | High |
| Mastercard | High | High |
| American Express |  Low | Not accepted |
| Discover | Not accepted | Low |
Pakistan remains a cash-based society, so it’s recommended to have enough rupees to cover your back at all times. This is especially necessary for smaller establishments, or in lesser-known towns across the country.
You’ll get the best exchange rate making cash withdrawals at ATMs. But using a credit card instead of a debit card means you’re taking a cash advance and pay an APR on that money.
No. Even Uber, which operates in a few cities, accepts only cash.
Most merchants and ATMs use chip and PIN cards. All ATMs in the country require a four-digit PIN to make a cash withdrawal. If you don’t have one, call your bank before you leave and ask them to provide you with a PIN for your card.
There have been reports of credit card fraud in Pakistan, mainly for card cloning. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use your card safely. Be cautious and follow a few simple safety tips:
In Pakistan, cash is king. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use your credit card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the large cities, but not by every merchant.
Make a cash withdrawal using a debit card if you need cash. For all other purchases, use a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees. You could also try a prepaid SIM card in Pakistan.
See more guides on using a credit card in other countries.
