Make the most of your American Express card

The American Express Card, often called the Amex Card, offers special benefits that make it stand out in the credit card market. While some cards have high annual fees, the perks can be worth it depending on the card you choose. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your card!

Membership Rewards Points

Membership Rewards Points are a unique benefit with Amex. You can earn points through two main channels, a sign-up bonuses or referrals (click here) and with daily spending, with 1 point earned per euro spent.

American Express points never expire, and you can use them for flights, hotel stays, gift cards, or even to reduce your Amex fees.

According to American Express, 150,000 points are worth about €300, or 0.2 euro cents per point. However, you’ll get much better value if you use them for travel-related expenses. We will show you how.

Frequent Flyer Miles

Amex Belgium/Luxembourg has partnered with 7 frequent flyer programs, offering point conversions to miles at different rates. Four of these programs provide a 2:1 transfer rate, while three offers 3:2.

Emirates (2:1)
Etihad (2:1)
FlyingBlue (Skyteam) (2:1)
Miles-and-More (Star Alliance) (2:1)
British Airways (OneWorld) (3:2)
Delta (Skyteam) (3:2)
Scandinavian Airlines (Skyteam) (3:2)

Transfer your Amex points to one of those programs, and look for deals in your favourite program.

Miles & More offers monthly Mileage Bargains, allowing you to book Business Class round-trip flights for as low as 55,000 miles. By transferring 110,000 American Express Membership Rewards points to Miles & More, you will receive 55,000 miles. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to pay taxes, which can be quite high for Lufthansa Group flights.

Let’s have a look at British Airways. A round-trip Business Class flight from London Heathrow to New York with British Airways typically costs around 3000€. If booking with miles, you’ll need 160,000 Avios plus 375€ in taxes for off-peak season, or 180,000 Avios plus 375€ for peak season. For 180,000 Avios, you’d need 270,000 American Express points, for 160,00 Avios 240,000 Amex points. This means Amex points are worth between 0.97 and 1.09 euro cents for Business Class round-trips with BA. For one way flights, Amex points are worth much more with BA, as one way flights in Business Class often cost around 5000€-8000€.

Hotel Stays with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy

You can convert Amex points to Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, making it easy to book hotel stays. These points are usually worth about 0.5 euro cents each.

We recently booked a night at Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo, Florida, a stay typically priced around $500. However, during the Easter holiday, the cost was closer to $1000. Redeeming Hilton points for a night will cost 90,000 points, which equals 90,000 American Express points. For this hotel (and other hotels in a similar price range), American Express points are worth between 0.55 and 1.11 euro cents each.

As an American Express Platinum cardholder, you’ll receive Gold status with both programs. This comes with added benefits such as free breakfast, room upgrades, and a complimentary 5th night when you book a 4-night reward stay, further enhancing the value of your points.

Airport Lounge Access

American Express Platinum cardholders enjoy complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges. These lounges provide gourmet food, craft cocktails, and comfortable seating to help you relax.

That said, the American Express Card gives you access to many airport lounges.

With the Platinum Card, you get a free Priority Pass (worth €459), which gives you unlimited access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide.
If you have the Gold Card, you get 4 free lounge visits per year at those lounges.

With both cards, you can also bring a guest for free. Priority Pass lounges typically offer Wi-Fi, snacks – restaurants, drinks, comfortable seating and some even showers.

Dining Credit

Amex Platinum Cardholders, three times a year, enjoy a lunch or dinner (two courses) for two at specially selected restaurants in the Benelux region, with a total annual benefit value of up to €300.

Amex Gold Cardholders enjoy the restaurant benefit of up to €100 to spend at selected restaurants in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. You’ll receive €50 every six months, totalling €100 per year: €50 from January to June and €50 from July to December.

Bottom Line

The Amex Platinum Card is a premium choice in the credit card market of Belgium and Luxembourg. It provides exceptional benefits for frequent travellers, including access to airport lounges and the ability to book hotel stays or reward flights using your Amex points. Additionally, it comes with a comprehensive insurance package, making it the top credit card for travellers.

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