AMEX Platinum US vs DE: The Honest Comparison (2026)

Quick answer: The AMEX Platinum US ($895) and DE (€720) have more in common than is often claimed: Both have Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold. The real US advantages are: (1) welcome bonus 2× higher (175,000 MR targeted vs 85,000 in DE), (2) transfer ratios 1:1 instead of 5:4-3:2-2:1 (DE), (3) 8 additional airline partners (Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic, Hawaiian, AeroMexico, Choice — all NOT available in DE), (4) Delta Sky Club with a Delta ticket, (5) US-specific credits (CLEAR $199, Walmart+ $155, Saks $100, Equinox $300). For those who have to choose between cards: DE is cheaper ($720 vs $895) and has similar lounge/hotel benefits — but the welcome bonus leverage makes US significantly more attractive for premium bookings.

There are many claims circulating online about the US Platinum: “Centurion Lounges only in the US,” “Better hotel status,” “More lounges.” Some are true, some aren’t. This article clears up directly, with sources, what the US card really does better — and what both cards offer the same.

Disclaimer: As of May 2026, sources: americanexpress.com US (us.americanexpress.com/credit-cards/the-platinum-card) and DE (americanexpress.com/de-de/kreditkarten/platinum-card-privat). Conditions change — check directly before applying.

The short version — table

Feature	DE Platinum (€720)	US Platinum ($895)
Annual fee	€720 (~$770)	$895 (~€825)
Welcome bonus	85,000 MR	up to 175,000 MR (targeted)
Welcome bonus spend	€10,000 in 6 months	$12,000 in 6 months
Earn rate	1 MR per euro (1.5x with Punkteturbo +€15/year)	5x flights & hotels (via AMEX Travel), 1x otherwise
Centurion Lounge	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Priority Pass Select	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Marriott Bonvoy Gold	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Hilton Honors Gold	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Radisson Gold	✅ Yes	❌ No (US system is different)
Delta Sky Club	❌ No	✅ Yes (with a Delta ticket)
Travel credit	€200/year (via AMEX Travel)	$200/year airline + $200 hotel
Mobility	€200/year SIXT ride	$200/year Uber Cash
Saks credit	❌ No	$100/year
CLEAR Plus	❌ No	$199/year
Walmart+ membership	❌ No	$155/year value
Equinox credit	❌ No	$300/year
Travel insurance	up to €10 million	comprehensive (US standard)
FX fee	partly (occasional)	0% standard
Transfer ratios to airlines	5:4 / 3:2 / 2:1	mostly 1:1
Available transfer partners	10 airlines + 3 hotels	19 airlines + 3 hotels

Welcome bonus: Where the difference really kicks in

The welcome bonus difference is the main driver of the US-vs-DE comparison. Concretely:

Card	Welcome bonus	Points to BA Avios	Equivalent value (cents/point @ 1.5 cents)
AMEX Platinum DE	85,000 MR	85,000 × 0.8 = 68,000 Avios	~€1,020
AMEX Platinum US	175,000 MR	175,000 × 1.0 = 175,000 Avios	$2,625 (€2,420)

The difference: The US bonus delivers 107,000 more usable Avios than the DE bonus — from two effects combined:

• 2× higher bonus (175k vs 85k)
• 25% better transfer ratio (1:1 vs 5:4)

Both effects multiply. So a single card turns into 2.5x more points at the destination.

Concrete example: A Lufthansa Business Class Frankfurt → New York one-way costs 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles (as of May 2026). Whoever transfers as a DE Plat holder loses 20% (5:4 to Avianca, by the way — Avianca isn’t even a DE partner). Whoever transfers as a US Plat holder transfers 1:1.

What both do equally well

Clearing up false myths — these claims aren’t true:

❌ “Centurion Lounges are only accessible with the US Platinum”

False. The DE Platinum has also had Centurion Lounge access for years for the cardholder + 2 guests. The Centurion Lounges in the US, Hong Kong, London, Sydney, Doha are open to both card types.

What’s really different: The exact guest rules and spend requirements can differ slightly between US and DE — but the basic access is identical.

❌ “US has more lounges via Priority Pass”

False. Priority Pass Select is the same for both — access to the same 1,800+ lounges in 146 countries.

What’s really different: Priority Pass in the US sometimes offers restaurant discounts (PP Select Dining), which were already removed in DE in 2024. Marginal.

❌ “US has higher hotel status”

False. Both cards give:

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold (same tier)
• Hilton Honors Gold (same tier)

What’s really different: The DE card additionally gives Radisson Gold — the US card doesn’t (Radisson is less relevant in the US). Plus: US Plat cardholders get similar perks to DE cardholders via the Fine Hotels & Resorts program, often with additional breakfast, spa and upgrade perks.

❌ “The DE card’s travel insurance is better”

Partly true. The DE Plat has a clearly defined insurance scope up to €10 million on all trips paid for with the card. The US Plat has fragmented insurance packages depending on the booking type (Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Lost Luggage, Medical Emergency).

In practice: Both are enough for most travel scenarios. Whoever needs hospital care in Asia or South America is well insured with both.

What only the US card really has

✅ Welcome bonus 2× higher (up to 175k vs 85k)

Already described above — the primary advantage.

✅ 8 additional airline transfer partners

Partner	DE	US
British Airways	✅ 5:4	✅ 1:1
Iberia	✅ 5:4	✅ 1:1
Flying Blue	✅ 5:4	✅ 1:1
SAS EuroBonus	✅ 5:4	✅ 1:1
Singapore KrisFlyer	✅ 3:2	✅ 1:1
Cathay Pacific	✅ 3:2	✅ 5:4
Delta SkyMiles	✅ 3:2	✅ 1:1
Etihad Guest	✅ 3:2	✅ 1:1 (ends 30 June 2026)
Qatar Avios	✅ 3:2	✅ 1:1
Emirates Skywards	✅ 2:1	✅ 5:4
Air Canada Aeroplan	❌	✅ 1:1
ANA Mileage Club	❌	✅ 1:1
Avianca LifeMiles	❌	✅ 1:1
Aer Lingus AerClub	❌	✅ 1:1
Virgin Atlantic	❌	✅ 1:1
Hawaiian Airlines	❌	✅ 1:1
AeroMexico Club Premier	❌	✅ 1:1
JetBlue TrueBlue	❌	✅ 5:4
Choice Privileges Hotels	❌	✅ 1:1

What this means: Avianca LifeMiles for LH First Class ($87k MR), ANA RT Business to Tokyo (80-90k MR), Aer Lingus Business Boston-Dublin (75.5k MR) — all not reachable via DE cards.

More on this: AMEX MR US vs DE: Transfer Partner Comparison

✅ Delta Sky Club (with a Delta ticket)

What it is: Access to all 50+ Delta Sky Clubs in the US (e.g. JFK, ATL, SEA, LAX) when you fly with Delta that day.

Who uses this: Whoever takes domestic routes or transatlantic Delta flights in the US. Irrelevant for DE travelers who mainly take LH flights.

✅ US-specific credits

Credit	$/year	Value for DE resident
Uber Cash	$200	Only usable in US cities (Berlin/Munich Uber works too, but limited)
Saks Fifth Avenue	$100	Only in US Saks stores or online
CLEAR Plus	$199	US domestic flights — not relevant for pure DE travelers
Walmart+	$155	Only at US Walmart
Equinox	$300	Only at Equinox US studios
Hotel Credit	$200	At Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection (from 2 nights)

Real talk: Whoever holds the US Plat purely as a German traveler can’t fully use many of these credits. The effective net fee for DE resident buyers is more like $500-600 (instead of $895 with full credit utilization).

The math: Which card is worth it for whom?

Profile 1: Pure DE traveler (rarely in the US)

Metric	DE Platinum (€720)	US Platinum ($895)
Welcome bonus	85,000 MR	175,000 MR (if targeted)
Effective annual fee after credits	~€520 (€200 travel + €200 SIXT used)	~$700+ (US credits often not usable in DE)
Lounge access	identical	identical
Best paths	DE MR to BA/Singapore via 5:4-3:2	US MR to Avianca/ANA/Aeroplan via 1:1

Recommendation: If you don’t fly to Asia or the US in a premium cabin and only book LH awards occasionally, DE is enough. A welcome bonus of 85k MR is more than sufficient for 1-2 European Business Class bookings.

Profile 2: Premium cabin collector (wants LH First / ANA / Cathay First)

Metric	DE Platinum (€720)	US Platinum ($895)
LH First Class via Avianca	❌ not possible	✅ 87k MR one-way
ANA RT Business Tokyo	❌ not possible	✅ 80-90k MR
Cathay First HKG-JFK	limited (3:2)	✅ 5:4, ~137k MR
Welcome bonus	85k	175k targeted

Recommendation: Here US is clearly superior. The additional $175 surcharge per year pays off 5-10× already on the first premium cabin award.

Profile 3: Self-employed + maximizer

Both cards in parallel. Tax-efficient:

• DE Plat Business (€850) → deductible in DE as a business expense
• US Plat (via LLC) → deductible in the US as a business expense (varies by setup)

More on this: US LLC for German Points Collectors: Taxes & Risks

How to even get a US Platinum as a German

Prerequisite: A US address, US phone number, US bank account, and ideally an ITIN or LLC with EIN.

Three legal paths exist:

1. Global Transfer (GT) — lowest hurdle: Active German AMEX, then an internal transfer to a US AMEX (typically Green/Gold first, Platinum later). No SSN/ITIN needed. Welcome bonus often YMMV.

2. ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) — medium hurdle: A US tax number for non-US citizens, applied for via IRS Form W-7. With it, access to all AMEX cards with the full welcome bonus.

3. LLC (Limited Liability Company) — highest hurdle: A US company with an EIN, which also makes business cards accessible (AMEX Business Platinum US, Chase Ink etc.).

Important: Exactly how you cleanly pull off each path — address setup, phone setup, application timing — is premium content. Here in the blog we explain the concepts, and the MEILENKÖNIG US Cards Handbooks explain the complete path.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Centurion Lounges really apply to both cards?

Yes. Both cards — DE Platinum (€720) and US Platinum ($895) — give Centurion Lounge access worldwide. Guest rules can vary slightly, but the basic access is identical.

Which card has the highest welcome bonus?

US Platinum with up to 175,000 MR (varies) vs DE Platinum with 85,000 MR. AMEX itself only states “as high as 175,000” — there is no fixed standard level. Higher offers are presented via email or via an incognito search in the AMEX portal.

Are the US MR and DE MR accounts connected?

No. These are two completely separate accounts with different points, transfer partners and ratios. Whoever has both cards earns in parallel in two accounts.

Can I get welcome bonuses from both cards in one year?

Yes. AMEX treats DE and US as separate markets. You can reach the DE welcome bonus (85k MR) and the US welcome bonus (175k MR) separately within the same period — if you apply for both cards.

What are the spend requirements?

Card	Spend	Period
DE Platinum	€10,000	6 months
US Platinum (targeted 175k)	$12,000	6 months

For both: 6 months is the typical deadline. Spend can be achieved through regular spending + card credits.

Is the US Platinum worth it if I don’t use the US credits?

Conditionally. If you don’t need Uber, Saks, CLEAR, Walmart or Equinox, $700-900 of effective value per year falls away. The card is then only worth it via the welcome bonus and the 1:1 transfer ratios — which is already a lot (see Profile 2 above).

Which hotel chains are better with DE vs US?

The DE Plat additionally has Radisson Gold, the US Plat has Hilton Honors Gold + Marriott Bonvoy Gold like both. US Plat cardholders also get concrete per-booking benefits via the Fine Hotels & Resorts program (breakfast, spa credit, upgrade) at 1,500+ premium hotels.

Can I cancel the DE card once I have the US card?

Possible, but not always advisable. Arguments for keeping the DE card:

• DE MR earn separately (e.g. via the earn rate on DE spending)
• Travel insurance under EU law
• If you later have a DE-only phase again

Arguments for canceling the DE card:

• $895 + €720 = ~$1,700 total annual fee is a lot
• If the US card is completely sufficient
• Caution: DE MR expire when the DE card is canceled — transfer them beforehand

How does the FX fee compare?

US Platinum: 0% Foreign Transaction Fee standard. DE Platinum: 0% at AMEX-accepting merchants in the EU; some surcharges with exotic currencies. Both practically the same for standard travel.

Conclusion: Who benefits from which card and when?

Keep the DE card if:

• You primarily live and travel in Europe
• You collect LH/Star Alliance status
• You don’t frequently need premium cabin
• You prefer Radisson hotels

Switch to/supplement with the US card if:

• You regularly fly premium cabin long-haul
• You use Hyatt hotels (via Chase UR; Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3 from Oct 2026) or Avianca-LH-First (via AMEX MR US)
• You want to use the 175k welcome bonus for big-trip bookings
• You’re frequently in the US (CLEAR, Saks, Walmart+, Equinox usage)

The honest truth: The Centurion Lounge is not a US differentiator. The real advantage is the 2× higher welcome bonuses and 8 additional 1:1 airline partners (Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic). Whoever wants premium cabin has more options in the US — not in the lounges, but in award booking.

Note: Transfer ratios are snapshots and change constantly (most recently Chase→Hyatt in June 2026). Always check the current ratio directly with the program before you transfer points. As of this article: June 2026.

Further reading:

• US Credit Cards for Germans 2026 — Which cards exist
• AMEX MR US vs DE: Transfer Partner Comparison — All 1:1 sweet spots
• 175k MR Welcome Bonus: 5 Dream Trips — What you can book
• Lufthansa First via Avianca — Sweet spot guide
• AMEX Platinum Review 2026 (DE) — DE card detail test

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You don’t just want to know that the US Platinum is better, but actually get one as a German? The MEILENKÖNIG US Cards Handbooks walk you step by step through all three paths (Global Transfer €197, ITIN €347, LLC €597) — from the first application to the full welcome bonus.