Best Travel Credit Cards in Belgium 2026: Ranked by Real Value

The moment my BRU → SIN → DPS flight was delayed by two hours, I wasn't sitting frustrated among hundreds of other passengers. I was sipping a glass of champagne in the lounge, laptop open, overlooking the runway. That delay? It felt more like a bonus than a frustration.

That's the difference the right credit card makes. Not just a piece of plastic for payments, but a tool that transforms your entire travel experience.

If you're looking for the best credit card for travel in Belgium, you probably already know the choice is overwhelming. Banks, fintechs, and international players, everyone claims to be the best. But which card delivers real value? Not on paper, but in practice?

After years of travelling, testing, and yes, making mistakes too, I'm sharing my honest ranking here. Based on real experiences, real figures, and what actually works for Belgian travellers.

Why Comparing Premium Credit Cards in Belgium Pays Off

Let me paint a scenario. You book a return flight Brussels-Dubai-Malé for a week in the Maldives. Total flight costs: around €1,800 in economy, or €4,500+ in business. That business class seems out of reach, right?

Not if you play it smart with points.

With 150,000 Membership Rewards points, exactly what you get as a welcome bonus via a good referral, you fly business class to the Maldives for free. And those points never expire, as long as your card is active. You build them up steadily, use them strategically, and before you know it you're in a lie-flat seat with champagne in your hand.

Honestly, years ago I thought these kinds of cards were only for "rich people". Until I did the maths. The benefits you get back, lounges, insurance, upgrades, points, can far exceed the annual cost. But only if you actually use them.

It's all about fit. Do you travel four times a year or more? Then a premium card is probably the best investment you'll make. Do you fly once a year to Spain? Then a free alternative is smarter.

The Amex Platinum: Still the King for Frequent Travellers

I won't beat around the bush. For those who travel regularly, the American Express Platinum card is hard to beat. Not because it's the most expensive, which it is, but because the value you get back with active use is absurdly high.

Let me be concrete.

The lounge access alone. Priority Pass Prestige normally costs around €500 per year if you were to buy it separately. And that doesn't even include the Fast Lane at Zaventem, or those three free dinners with your partner.

Last summer I flew BRU → IST → CMB (Colombo, Sri Lanka). Three lounge visits along the way, including the Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul, which is honestly better than many a restaurant. Hot meals, showers, a sleeping area. That makes a 14-hour journey bearable, even in economy.

What many people don't know: you can add up to 4 free Green cards for family members. My wife has one, and we earn points together on the same account. Handy when you're planning a big trip together.

The Welcome Bonus. This Is Where the Difference Lies

Via the TravelLux.be referral link you receive up to 150,000 Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus. That's more than you get with a direct application via the Amex website.

150,000 points, what can you do with them? A few examples:

• A return business class flight to Dubai with Emirates
• Two economy tickets to New York with Brussels Airlines
• Five nights at a Fine Hotels + Resorts property
• Statement credits for your regular purchases

The points are flexibly redeemable with partners such as Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and 15+ others. You're not locked into one alliance.

Alternatives: When Premium Isn't the Best Choice

Look, I'm not going to tell you that everyone needs a card costing €780 per year. That would be nonsense.

Do you travel fewer than three times a year? Or do you mainly fly low-cost within Europe? Then the value proposition is different. You don't need the lounges if you're only spending 45 minutes at Charleroi before your Ryanair flight.

Curve isn't a competitor to the Amex Platinum, it's a complement. I use Curve for daily spending where Amex isn't accepted (unfortunately still a thing in Belgium), and the "Go Back in Time" feature is brilliant for retroactively optimising which card handles the purchase.

bunq is fantastic for anyone who pays a lot abroad but has no need for luxury perks. The app is superior to virtually every traditional bank, and the real-time notifications give peace of mind while travelling.

The Maths: When Is €780 Per Year Worth It?

Let's be honest with the numbers. Because ultimately it's about figures, not marketing.

That's the theory. In practice, it depends on how you travel.

Do you only fly from Charleroi with Ryanair? Then the Fast Lane at Zaventem or the lounges are of no use to you. Do you never eat at restaurants? Then Dining for 2 is worthless for you.

But if you regularly fly via Brussels Airport, have the occasional business trip, or simply enjoy travelling in comfort, the maths is quickly done. Last year I personally got more than €2,400 in value from my card. The €780 then feels like a bargain.

Fine Hotels + Resorts. The Hidden Ace

Something many people overlook: the Fine Hotels + Resorts programme. At 14,000+ luxury hotels worldwide, you get per stay:

• Free room upgrade (if available)
• Early check-in / late checkout
• Daily breakfast for 2 persons
• A welcome gift or hotel credit of ~€100

During our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Bali last year, this meant: upgrade to an ocean view suite, breakfast included (normally $80 per day for two), and $100 spa credit. Total added value: easily €650 over four nights.

You simply book via the Amex Travel portal instead of directly, and the benefits are automatic. No fuss with elite statuses or special requests.

The Insurance. Underestimated But Crucial

I'll admit: insurance isn't sexy. Nobody gets excited about policy terms. But after a missed connection in Frankfurt and a stolen suitcase in Barcelona, I know how valuable good coverage is.

The Amex Platinum offers via Chubb and Europe Assistance:

• Trip cancellation insurance
• Flight insurance (delay, cancellation, missed connections)
• Baggage insurance (loss, theft, damage)
• Medical expenses abroad

Automatically active when you pay for the trip with your Amex. No separate insurance to take out, no extra forms.

That time in Barcelona? Suitcase lost, €1,200 worth of belongings. Claim submitted, reimbursed within three weeks. No arguments, no hassle. Those kinds of moments make the difference between a premium card and an "ordinary" credit card.

Practical Tips for Maximum Value

Right, you're considering a premium credit card. How do you get the most out of it?

Tip 1: Activate the Booster option strategically. For €10/month extra you get 4 points per €1 instead of 1 point. Only activate this in months with large purchases (holidays, electronics, renovations). In quiet months: switch it off.

Tip 2: Use Dining for 2 before it expires. Three times a year at a top restaurant, completely free. Put it in your diary. It feels absurd to leave €100+ in value on the table.

Tip 3: Check the lounge every time, even during short layovers. Even 40 minutes in a lounge is better than 40 minutes in the crowds. Free wifi, food, drinks, peace and quiet. Use the Priority Pass app to find lounges.

Tip 4: Book hotels via Fine Hotels + Resorts whenever possible. The prices are often identical to direct booking, but you get €300-650 in extras. No reason not to do it.

Tip 5: Combine with Curve for maximum acceptance. Amex isn't accepted everywhere in Belgium. Link your Amex to Curve, and pay via Curve where Amex doesn't work. You still get your points (with a slight delay).

My Personal Setup for 2026

After much experimenting, this is what I settled on:

Primary: American Express Platinum for all major purchases, travel, and restaurants.
Backup: Curve Metal linked to Amex, for where Amex isn't accepted.
Daily: bunq for small local expenses and instant overview.

This combination covers everything. Lounges, points, insurance, and universal acceptance. The annual cost is more than "nothing", but the value I get back is a multiple of that.

Is it for everyone? No. But for those who take travel seriously, as a hobby, for work, or simply as a way of life, this is the setup that works.

✦ Apply via referral link. 150,000 points

More info at americanexpress.com/be