AMEX Platinum Review 2026: Is the €720 Card Worth It?

Quick answer: The AMEX Platinum (€720/year) is worth it from 3+ trips per year. You get: an 85,000 MR welcome bonus, Priority Pass Prestige + Lufthansa Lounge, hotel status (Marriott/Hilton/Radisson Gold), €200 travel credit + €200 SIXT ride. Value of the benefits: ~€1,300/year. The Business version (€850) offers a 200,000 MR bonus.

€720 annual fee for a credit card. Sounds crazy? That’s what I thought too — until I did the math.

The AMEX Platinum is the most expensive credit card on the German market. At the same time, thousands of frequent flyers and travelers use it, claiming it “pays for itself.” In this review, I’ll show you what you get for €720, where the card shines, where it falls short — and who it’s really worth it for.

AMEX Platinum at a glance

Before we get into the details, here are the most important facts:

Property	Value
Annual fee	€720
Welcome bonus	85,000 MR points
Spend requirement	€10,000 in 6 months
Earn rate	1 MR per euro (1.5 MR with Turbo for €15/year)
Priority Pass	Prestige tier (value: €459)
Lufthansa Lounges	Included worldwide
Centurion Lounges	Yes
Hotel status	Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold
Travel credit	€200 per year
SIXT ride credit	€200 per year
Travel insurance	Up to €10 million
Fine Hotels & Resorts	Yes
Supplementary card	Free (own Priority Pass)

Important: The AMEX Platinum comes as a personal and a business version. This article covers the personal card (€720). The Business version* costs €850, but offers a 200,000 MR welcome bonus.

AMEX Platinum costs: Is the €720 annual fee worth it?

The central question. €720 is a lot of money — but the AMEX Platinum isn’t a normal credit card. It’s a bundle of travel benefits that would cost considerably more individually.

The math

Benefit	Value per year
Priority Pass Prestige	€459
Travel credit	€200
SIXT ride credit	€200
Marriott Gold status	~€200 (upgrades, breakfast)
Hilton Gold status	~€150 (upgrades, breakfast)
Travel insurance	~€100–200
Total	~€1,300–1,400
Minus annual fee	~€600–700 profit

Does the math sound too good? Then here’s the decisive point: you also have to use the benefits. Anyone who only flies 1–2 times a year and never books hotels won’t recoup the €720.

When the card pays off

The AMEX Platinum is worth it if at least two of these points apply to you:

• You fly 3+ times per year (use lounge access)
• You book hotels via Fine Hotels & Resorts or use the Gold status
• You use SIXT ride regularly (€200 credit)
• You want the welcome bonus (85,000 MR = approx. €850–1,700 value)

In the first year, the math is especially simple: the welcome bonus alone clearly exceeds the annual fee.

The welcome bonus: 85,000 MR points

85,000 Membership Rewards points sounds abstract. Concretely, it means:

Redemption option	Value
Transfer to British Airways (Avios)	68,000 Avios = Business Class Europe
Transfer to Singapore Airlines	68,000 KrisFlyer = Business Class Asia (one-way)
Transfer to Flying Blue	68,000 miles = Business Class North America (promo)
Hotels (Hilton)	85,000 Hilton points = 1–2 nights

The best value lies in airline transfers: 85,000 MR is enough for a Business Class flight to New York or a one-way in Business Class to Asia. These are tickets that cost €2,000–4,000 in cash.

How to reach the €10,000 spend requirement

To get the bonus, you have to spend €10,000 in the first 6 months. That sounds like a lot, but at ~€1,667 per month it’s doable:

• Redirect recurring expenses: Rent, insurance, electricity, phone — yes, even rent can be paid with a credit card
• Bundle purchases: Schedule planned acquisitions in the first 6 months
• Travel costs: Book flights, hotels, rental cars on the card
• Everyday spending: Supermarket, gas station, online shopping

Tip: Check beforehand whether your most important merchants accept AMEX. In Germany, acceptance is better than its reputation — but not everywhere.

Pro tip: Did you know you can also pay rent, insurance, and practically all recurring expenses with a credit card — and collect points for it? We’ll show you exactly how it works, step by step, in the Premium handbook.

More on redemption options: Redeeming AMEX points: The complete guide

Lounge access: The biggest benefit

For many, lounge access is the main reason for the AMEX Platinum. And indeed, no other German credit card offers such comprehensive access.

Priority Pass Prestige

With the AMEX Platinum you get the highest Priority Pass tier:

Detail	Value
Tier	Prestige (value: €459/year)
Lounges worldwide	1,800+ in 146 countries
Free visits	50 per year
Guests	1 guest free (counts as a visit)
Supplementary card	Own Priority Pass included

50 visits sounds like a lot — but they apply to the main card, supplementary card, and guests combined. Anyone traveling with company uses 2 visits per lounge visit.

Lufthansa Lounge access (exclusive)

This is the game-changer. In addition to the Priority Pass, the AMEX Platinum grants direct access to all Lufthansa Lounges worldwide — regardless of ticket class.

Ticket class	Lounge access
Economy	Lufthansa Business Lounge
Business	Lufthansa Senator Lounge
First	Lufthansa First Class Lounge

This solves the biggest problem with the Priority Pass in Germany: at Frankfurt Terminal 1 and Munich Terminal 2 there are no Priority Pass lounges. With the AMEX Platinum, you still get into the Lufthansa Lounges there.

Restriction: Lufthansa Lounge access applies only to the cardholder themselves — no companions. For your partner, you need the free supplementary card.

What the Lufthansa First Class Lounge looks like, you can find out here: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich: The most exclusive spot at the airport

Everything about Priority Pass, lounges in Germany, and the AMEX double benefit: The complete Lounge Guide 2026

Centurion Lounges

The AMEX Centurion Lounges are the most exclusive airport lounges of all — with restaurant-level food, a cocktail bar, and spa areas. In Europe they exist in London Heathrow and other locations; in the US, at over 15 airports.

Access is reserved for AMEX Platinum holders. No other credit card offers this.

Hotel status: Upgrades at no extra cost

The AMEX Platinum automatically brings Gold status at three major hotel chains:

Marriott Bonvoy Gold

Benefit	Details
Room upgrade	To a better category (subject to availability)
Bonus points	25% extra on hotel stays
Late check-out	Until 2:00 PM
Welcome gift	250–500 bonus points

Hilton Honors Gold

Benefit	Details
Room upgrade	To a better category (subject to availability)
Breakfast	Free at all Hilton brands
Bonus points	80% extra on hotel stays
Late check-out	Guaranteed

The Hilton Gold breakfast is especially valuable. At many Hilton hotels, breakfast costs €25–35 per person per day. For 3 nights for two people, you save €150–210 — through the status alone.

Radisson Rewards Gold

Benefit	Details
Room upgrade	Subject to availability
Bonus points	20% extra
Late check-out	Until 2:00 PM

My experience: The hotel upgrades aren’t guaranteed, but I’ve received an upgrade on more than half of my stays. With Hilton in particular it works reliably — the free breakfast is always there.

Travel credit & SIXT ride: Recoup €400

€200 travel credit per year

The AMEX Platinum reimburses you €200 per year for airline purchases. The credit is automatically applied when you buy from an airline:

• Flight tickets
• Seat upgrades
• Baggage fees
• In-flight purchases

Tip: The credit applies per calendar year and is not carried over. Use it in time.

€200 SIXT ride credit per year

Additionally, you get €200 credit for SIXT ride — the chauffeur service from SIXT. Works like a taxi, but with a fixed price and SIXT vehicles.

• Available in many German cities
• Especially handy for airport transfers
• Credit is automatically applied

Together: €400 credit per year reduces the effective annual fee to €320.

Insurance: Comprehensive travel protection

The AMEX Platinum includes an insurance package that would cost €100–200 per year individually:

Insurance	Coverage
Trip cancellation insurance	Up to €10,000 per trip
International health insurance	Up to €10 million
Baggage insurance	For loss or damage
Flight delay insurance	From 4 hours of delay
Rental car insurance	Comprehensive with no deductible
Smartphone insurance	For theft or damage

Important: The international health insurance with coverage up to €10 million is valuable for frequent travelers on its own. A comparable policy costs €50–100 per year individually.

Condition: The trip must have been paid for in whole or in part with the AMEX Platinum for the insurance coverage to apply.

Fine Hotels & Resorts: VIP treatment in luxury hotels

The Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program is an underrated benefit. At over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide, you automatically receive:

• Room upgrade (at the time of check-in)
• Breakfast for 2 people (daily)
• Hotel credit (usually 100 USD per stay)
• Guaranteed late check-out (4:00 PM)
• Early check-in (from 12:00 PM, subject to availability)

The special part: the FHR rates are often comparable to the regular hotel prices — so you get the extras practically for free.

Example: A Hilton in Rome costs €250 per night. Via FHR you pay the same price, but get breakfast (2x €30 = €60), 100 USD credit, and a room upgrade on top. Over 3 nights, you save €280+.

Earning points with the AMEX Platinum

The AMEX Platinum earns 1 MR per euro on all spending. With the optional Punkteturbo (€15/year), you increase that to 1.5 MR per euro — on all purchases up to €40,000 in annual spend.

Variant	MR per euro
Without Turbo	1 MR
With Turbo (€15/year)	1.5 MR

For comparison: the AMEX Gold* also earns 1 MR per euro at a €240 annual fee. Purely for earning, the Gold is the better choice.

The Platinum is worth it for earning above all thanks to the welcome bonus of 85,000 MR. The Turbo pays off from about €1,000 in monthly spend.

AMEX acceptance in Germany

The most common concern: “Is AMEX even accepted?” Acceptance is significantly better than a few years ago, but not at Visa/Mastercard level:

Well accepted:

• Online shopping (Amazon, Zalando, Otto)
• Supermarkets (EDEKA, REWE, Aldi Süd, Lidl)
• Gas stations (Aral, Shell)
• Hotels and airlines
• Restaurants (larger chains)

Limited:

• Small shops and restaurants
• Some tradespeople and service providers
• Parts of public transit

Tip: The AMEX Platinum shouldn’t be your only card. A free Visa or Mastercard as a backup is a good idea.

Drawbacks of the AMEX Platinum

No review would be honest without the drawbacks:

1. High annual fee

€720 is a lot of money. Anyone who doesn’t use the benefits ends up paying more. The card isn’t for everyone.

2. Charge card instead of credit card

The AMEX Platinum is a charge card — that means: the entire balance is debited at the end of the month. There’s no classic credit line with installment payment.

3. Limited acceptance

AMEX isn’t accepted everywhere in Germany. A second card (Visa/Mastercard) is a must.

4. Lufthansa Lounge: No companion

Lufthansa Lounge access applies only to the cardholder. Your travel partner stays outside — unless they have the free supplementary card.

5. Credits expire at year-end

The travel credit (€200) and SIXT ride credit (€200) are not carried over to the next year. Anyone who doesn’t use them loses them.

AMEX Platinum Personal vs. Business

There are two versions — and the difference is considerable:

Feature	Platinum Personal	Platinum Business
Annual fee	€720	€850
Welcome bonus	85,000 MR	200,000 MR
Spend requirement	€10,000 in 3 mo.	€15,000 in 3 mo.
MR earn rate	1x (1.5x with Turbo)	1x (1.5x with Turbo)
Punkteturbo	€15/year (optional)	€15/year (optional)
Requirement	Private individual	Self-employment/company
Lounges	Identical	Identical
Hotel status	Identical	Identical
Insurance	Identical	Identical

When Business instead of Personal?

The Business version is worth it if you:

1. Are self-employed or have a company
2. Can spend €15,000 in 6 months (through the company)
3. Want the 200,000 MR welcome bonus (more than twice as much!)

200,000 MR is enough for a Business Class flight to Asia and back — or even First Class one-way. The value is €2,000–4,000.

Apply for AMEX Platinum Business*

Who is the AMEX Platinum worth it for?

Yes, the card is worth it for you if:

• You fly 3+ times per year and want lounge access
• You book hotels and benefit from upgrades and free breakfast
• You use SIXT ride (€200 credit)
• You activate the Punkteturbo (1.5x on all spending for €15/year)
• You apply for the card in the first year for the welcome bonus

No, the card is NOT worth it if:

• You travel rarely (under 2 flights per year)
• You don’t book hotels or only budget accommodations
• You don’t actively use the benefits (credits, status, lounges)
• You primarily want to collect points (the AMEX Gold is better for that)
• You need a card with installment payment (AMEX Platinum is a charge card)

The alternative: AMEX Gold

For a €240 annual fee, you get the AMEX Gold* with:

• 50,000 MR welcome bonus
• 1 MR per euro
• €290 mobility credit (SIXT+, SIXT rent, FREENOW)
• Travel insurance (basic)

The Gold is the better entry point if you’re unsure. You can always upgrade to Platinum later.

More on the comparison: AMEX Membership Rewards vs Miles & More: What’s the difference?

My experience: How I use the AMEX Platinum

What benefits me personally the most:

1. Lounge access: I use the Lufthansa Lounges regularly in Munich and Frankfurt. Especially in Munich Terminal 2, where there’s no Priority Pass lounge, the AMEX Platinum is the only option without frequent flyer status.

2. Hilton Gold breakfast: On Hilton stays, I regularly save €30–40 per night through the free breakfast. With 10+ hotel nights per year, that adds up to €300–400.

3. Fine Hotels & Resorts: For special occasions, I book via FHR and get upgrades and hotel credit on top. It feels like VIP treatment every time.

4. SIXT ride: I use the €200 credit for airport transfers. That alone reduces the effective annual fee to €520.

My verdict after 12 months: The card paid off immediately in the first year through the welcome bonus. From the second year on, you have to actively use the benefits — but then the math still works out.

How to apply for the AMEX Platinum

The application process is simple:

1. Apply online — takes about 10 minutes
2. Confirm identity — via Video-Ident or PostIdent
3. Receive card — arrives by courier in 5–7 business days
4. Activate Priority Pass — in the AMEX app or online
5. Link hotel status — in the AMEX app under “Benefits”

Tip: Apply for the card via a referral link to secure the full welcome bonus.

Apply for AMEX Platinum Personal*

[TIP] Is the Platinum worth it for your spending profile? Our earnings calculator calculates, based on your monthly spending, how many miles and points you collect per year — personalized for 8 credit cards.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is the AMEX Platinum worth it?

Yes, if you actively use the benefits. With lounge access, hotel status, €400 in credits, and the insurance, the value clearly exceeds the €720 annual fee — provided you travel regularly.

What does the AMEX Platinum cost?

The AMEX Platinum Personal costs €720 per year. Minus the €200 travel credit and €200 SIXT ride credit, the effective fee is €320 per year — if you use both.

How many AMEX Platinum points do I get per euro?

You get 1 MR point per euro on all spending. With the optional Punkteturbo (€15/year), it’s 1.5 MR per euro on all purchases. On top of that comes the welcome bonus of 85,000 MR.

Which lounges can I visit with the AMEX Platinum?

You have access to over 1,800 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, all Lufthansa Business Lounges (with an Economy ticket), and exclusive Centurion Lounges. That’s the most extensive lounge access of any German credit card.

Can I cancel the AMEX Platinum and keep the bonus?

The MR points expire immediately upon cancellation. Transfer your points before cancellation to an airline partner (British Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc.). After the transfer, the rules of the partner program apply.

AMEX Platinum Personal or Business?

The personal card (€720, 85,000 MR bonus) is for employees and private individuals. The business card (€850, 200,000 MR bonus) is worth it for the self-employed — the bonus is more than twice as high.

How is AMEX acceptance in Germany?

Better than its reputation: EDEKA, REWE, Aldi Süd, Lidl, Amazon, Aral, Shell, and most online shops accept AMEX. Small shops and restaurants sometimes don’t — a Visa/Mastercard as a backup is recommended.

What happens after the first year?

After the first year, the annual fee of €720 is debited again. Check beforehand whether you use the benefits sufficiently. If not, a downgrade to the AMEX Gold* (€240) is a good alternative.

Conclusion: AMEX Platinum — for travelers, the best credit card in Germany

The AMEX Platinum isn’t a card for everyone. But for regular travelers, it’s the best credit card on the German market. The lounge access (Priority Pass + Lufthansa), the hotel status benefits, and the €400 in credits more than make up for the €720 annual fee.

My tip: Apply for the card for the welcome bonus and test for a year whether you use the benefits. In the first year, the math is guaranteed positive thanks to the 85,000 MR points.

Anyone who is self-employed should consider the AMEX Platinum Business* with a 200,000 MR welcome bonus — the bonus is more than twice as high.

Apply for AMEX Platinum Personal*

Further reading:

• Redeeming AMEX points: Transfer partners & value - How to get the maximum out of your MR points
• Credit cards with a welcome bonus 2026 - All current bonuses at a glance
• The complete Lounge Guide 2026 - Priority Pass & Lufthansa Lounges in detail

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This review shows the most important benefits of the AMEX Platinum. In the Premium handbook, you’ll find the complete strategy: how to optimally combine the Platinum with a Miles & More card and the PAYBACK AMEX to collect up to 400,000 bonus points in the first year.