Trying to use a Amex gift card but it keeps saying method declined?

I note that you posted this in the iTunes Store forum so I did not think you were asking about using this for Apple Pay.

I believe Amex cards have an unusual status in how they work. If none of the reasons I provided help you in adding it, it may be simply it is not an accepted card (Apple doesn't list individual brands). In that case, you can use it to buy an iTunes gift card and use that to add balance to your account. You may, however, find you still need a card that Apple will accept that has to be present on your account even if you do end up paying using your redeemed Amex-paid Apple gift card.

See -> Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

See the App Store & iTunes gift card, that you can use to purchase in App Store & iTunes Store: Apple Gift Card - Apple (UK)

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For your American Express gift card, see -> https://www.amexgiftcard.com/frequently-asked-questions

• Your American Express eGift Card can also be used in-store to pay when added to digital wallets: Apple Pay®, . . .

See the following Apple articles:

Set up Apple Pay

Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support

Countries and regions that support Apple Pay

Countries and regions that support Apple Pay - Apple Support (EG)

Set up Apple Pay in Wallet on iPhone

Set up Apple Pay in Wallet on iPhone – Apple Support (UK)

Make purchases using Apple Pay

Make purchases using Apple Pay - Apple Support

Make contactless payments using Apple Pay on iPhone

Use Apple Pay for contactless payments on iPhone – Apple Support (UK)

Use Apple Pay in apps, App Clips, and Safari on iPhone

Use Apple Pay in apps, App Clips, and Safari on iPhone – Apple Support (UK)

Check this resource about what to do if your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store. Click here --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

- Apple is checking with your financial institution if the payment method is valid and receiving a negative response. Make sure the name and address are entered exactly as it appears on your financial institution bills and that the 3 digit CVV is correct. Check with your financial institution about the status of your card.

- Make sure your payment method is up to date or to try a different one ( If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support ).

- Make sure this is one of the payment methods that you can use with your account, as listed in this support article: Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support ) A solution may be to use a method from the same country as the store you are using, but Apple no longer states either way if this is a requirement (it used to say, "Make sure that the billing address for your payment method matches the billing address for your Apple ID" but has now downsized this to "You might need to ask your financial institution to allow international purchases on your debit or credit card." in: If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support .

・Unfortunately the list is somewhat general and does not list individual brands of cards (I guess there are too many and are constantly changing).

・Also read any footnotes in the document.

・Finally, note that the document only says which methods _are_ acceptable. Apparently certain types (usually a credit or debit card) _must_ also be present under certain situations such as when a subscription is involved.

If you still have problems, contact official Apple Support. Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world, in this article --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

If you're in India, click on this link to read an April 2022 notice 'About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India' --> About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India - Apple Support

Additional verification that may be required when making purchases in Europe --> About billing and purchases in Europe - Apple Support