Most articles about the Amex Platinum give you one bonus number and stay silent about the rest. We put all three tiers side by side, because the difference between the lowest and the highest bonus is a full business class flight to Asia. All figures checked on 18 August 2026.
| Application route | Welcome bonus | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Directly on americanexpress.com/be | 75,000 points | Public offer, tied to spending conditions over two six-month periods |
| Via friend link (standard) | 150,000 points | The regular referral offer, same card and same fee |
| Via friend link (promo until 31 Aug 2026) | up to 250,000 points | Temporary increase; afterwards the offer returns to the standard level |
Important to understand: the card itself is identical in all three cases. Same metal card, same 65 euro per month, same benefits. American Express pays the higher bonus because a recommendation from an existing cardholder is worth more to them than an advertisement. That mechanism is why every Belgian Amex site works with a friend link, this site included.
Mind the spending conditions: the bonus is not paid out at once but tied to minimum spending, spread over two six-month periods. The exact thresholds are on the application page and in your card terms. Plan larger expenses (insurance, travel) inside those windows and the conditions take care of themselves.
250,000 Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Flying Blue and Miles & More, among others. For reference: a Brussels-Bangkok return in business class via Miles & More costs around 178,000 miles plus taxes. The maximum welcome bonus covers a full long-haul business flight, with margin to spare.
The Platinum is not the right card for everyone. Flying at most twice a year? First read our Gold vs Platinum comparison: the Gold earns the same points at a third of the price. And for the full cost-benefit picture of the Platinum, see the maths analysis.
How much welcome bonus do I get with the Amex Platinum in Belgium?
It depends on how you apply. The public offer on americanexpress.com/be is 75,000 points, tied to spending conditions. Through a friend link, the standard referral offer is 150,000 points. Until 31 August 2026 a temporary promotion runs up to 250,000 points via the friend link.
Who can apply for the Amex Platinum in Belgium?
You must be at least 18, have a Belgian legal and fiscal residence, a gross annual income of 30,000 euro or more, no payment arrears and a SEPA direct debit. The application is fully online.
Does the card cost more when applying through a friend link?
No. The fee is identical, 65 euro per month, whether you apply directly with American Express or through a friend link. The only difference is the higher welcome bonus.
What happens after my application?
You complete the online form and pass the identity check. American Express confirms by e-mail; after approval the metal card arrives by post. The welcome points are awarded once you meet the spending conditions.
Through the TravelLux.be friend link you receive the maximum welcome bonus of 250,000 Membership Rewards points (temporary, until 31 August 2026).
Apply via friend linkI also receive points when you apply through this link. That is why I stick to one rule: every figure above comes from the official Amex pages and was checked on 18 August 2026.