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South Africa is one of the most popular countries for tourism throughout the whole of Africa. Millions of people from overseas arrive every year to enjoy the national parks, beaches and picturesque rural landscapes, as well as major cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
The booming tourism industry means that credit cards are widely accepted across the nation.
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted credit cards in South Africa. American Express cardholders may find less businesses accept their cards.
If you’re taking along a variety of cards, debit cards and cash, read our full guide on spending money while traveling in South Africa.
While some merchants accept American Express or Discover cards, Visa and Mastercard are accepted more commonly.
For cash withdrawals, look for Standard Bank ATMs for Discover cards. Amex cardholders can choose from ATMs of Nedbank and from smaller banks’ ATMs.
| Merchant acceptance | ATM acceptance | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa |  High | High |
| Mastercard | High | High |
| American Express |  Medium | High |
| Discover | Medium |  Low |
There are two main types of fees you could incur using a credit card abroad:
Yes. Avoid this by paying in local currency and get a credit card without foreign transaction fees.
All credit cards in the table below have no foreign transaction fees. Using them will help you avoid paying extra fees on purchases made abroad.
United Airlines and South African Airways are both members of the Star Alliance. This lets you earn and redeem United miles on a South African Airways flights between the US and South Africa.
South Africa is known for credit card fraud. One of the popular frauds is someone offering you assistance to use an ATM while they steal your card and information. Follow these tips to improve your safety:
Most hotels, restaurants and shops in Cape Town, Johannesburg or any other major city in South Africa, accept credit cards. That said, it’s always a good idea to also carry cash for smaller establishments.
If you use a credit card to make a cash withdrawal, there will be additional cash advance fees or an APR. Use a debit card to avoid these fees.
Travel money guide: South Africa
Some taxis do, but not all. If you prefer paying with a credit card, consider a ridesharing app such as Uber or Taxify and pay with your card through the app.
South Africa has adopted the chip and PIN technology in the past few years. This means you’ll need a PIN for an ATM cash withdrawal. Ask your bank to assign one to your card before leaving the US.
South Africa is known for credit card fraud, but you can still use your card safely if you exercise caution. Consider making a cash withdrawal for places that don’t accept credit cards.
Consider using a debit card for cash withdrawals to avoid cash advance fees and an APR. For all other purchases, make sure you use a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees.
See more guides on using a credit card in other countries.
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