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Updated: 7 October 2026

Every Airport Lounge That Gives You Free Access with Amex Platinum in Europe

More than 300 lounges. That's the number of airport lounges in Europe where you as a Belgian Amex Platinum cardholder can walk in for free. Plus you can bring someone along each time. Sounds pretty impressive on paper, but the question that really matters: which of those lounges are worth it, and how much do you actually save in concrete terms?

That's exactly what I break down in this article. No vague promises about "premium lounge experiences", but concrete information per airport network, what you can expect, and honest advice about when it is and when it isn't worth the €780 annual fee. Because that difference exists, to put it mildly.

According to TravelLux.be, lounge access is one of the three pillars through which the Amex Platinum card earns back its annual cost. The other two: Fine Hotels + Resorts and the welcome bonus. But the latter is a one-time thing, so in the long run it's mainly about the lounges and hotel benefits. Let's start at the beginning.

How does lounge access with Amex Platinum in Europe actually work?

The American Express Platinum card in Belgium gives you access to airport lounges through three different channels. That sounds straightforward, but in practice they overlap, and not every lounge falls under the same programme. So let me explain clearly.

The first and by far the largest channel is Priority Pass Prestige. With your Amex Platinum you automatically receive a Priority Pass Prestige membership, which would normally cost around €500 per year if you bought it separately. This gives you unlimited access to the Priority Pass network: more than 1,550 lounges worldwide, of which over 300 in Europe. You can also bring 1 guest for free. Additional guests typically pay around €35 per person.

The second channel is the American Express Global Lounge Collection network. This includes the Centurion Lounges (currently limited in Europe, more on that shortly), certain Plaza Premium Lounges, and lounges that specifically partner with Amex. In some cases this overlaps with Priority Pass, in other cases these are extra lounges on top of what Priority Pass offers.

The third channel is specific to Brussels Airport. As a Belgian cardholder you get Fast Lane security (normally €169/year), the Dining Experience at Black Pearls (2x per month), and Lounge On the Go (2x per month premium takeaway). These aren't classic lounges in the traditional sense, but they do complement the picture nicely. If you regularly depart from Brussels, that's a benefit not to be underestimated.

Priority Pass lounges at the largest European airports: what can you expect?

Let me be honest: the quality of Priority Pass lounges varies enormously. Some are excellent. Others are, how shall I put it politely, a room with some crackers and a coffee machine that has seen better days. That difference matters when you're deciding whether the card is worthwhile for you.

At the larger European airports you're usually in good hands. London Heathrow has multiple Priority Pass options spread across the terminals, including the No1 Lounges and Plaza Premium. Honestly, those in London are quite decent: hot meals, showers, good wifi. I've been there a few times over the past years and the quality was consistent. Not spectacular, but comfortable. Exactly what you want for a long layover.

Other major hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Madrid Barajas and Istanbul also have multiple Priority Pass lounges. Frankfurt has about five of them, spread across the terminals. Amsterdam has the Aspire Lounge in Schengen and non-Schengen. The experience differs: Aspire at Schiphol is more functional than remarkable, but you have hot meals, drinks and a quiet spot away from the gate chaos.

Paris Charles de Gaulle is a different story. The Priority Pass options there change regularly, and some restaurants in the network now offer a "lounge experience" where you get a voucher for food and drinks instead of a traditional lounge. That works fine if you're hungry, but it's not the same as a secluded space with seats and silence. Something to keep in mind.

A selection of the countries where you as a Belgian traveller will find the most Priority Pass lounges:

• United Kingdom: 40+ lounges (Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham)
• Spain: 25+ lounges (Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza)
• Germany: 20+ lounges (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg)
• Turkey: 15+ lounges (Istanbul IST is well served with multiple options)
• Italy: 15+ lounges (Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice, Naples)
• France: 10+ lounges (Paris CDG, Orly, Nice, Lyon)
• Netherlands: 5+ lounges (Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven)
• Belgium: lounges at Brussels Airport (BRU)

Less obvious but pleasant surprises: Helsinki has a solid Priority Pass lounge, Athens too, and the Primeclass lounges in Istanbul honestly rank among the best in all of Europe. Free barber, hot buffet, spacious seating areas. I know people who deliberately book a longer layover there.

Which European lounges fall outside Priority Pass but are still free with Amex Platinum?

This is a point that many Belgian travellers overlook. The Amex Platinum card doesn't only give you Priority Pass. Through the American Express Global Lounge Collection you also have access to a number of lounges that are not in the Priority Pass network.

The Centurion Lounges are Amex's flagship, but let me immediately temper expectations: in Europe there are currently no Centurion Lounges. You'll find those primarily in the US (Miami, New York JFK, Dallas, San Francisco and a handful of others). If you fly from Brussels to the US, the Centurion Lounge at your destination is indeed a serious bonus. In Miami I've visited it myself a few times, and yes, the level is clearly higher than an average Priority Pass lounge: freshly prepared food, good cocktails, more space. But in Europe you'll have to do without for now.

What is available in Europe via the Amex network: certain Plaza Premium Lounges where you can also enter without Priority Pass with your Amex Platinum. Heathrow Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 have one, Rome Fiumicino too. These sometimes overlap with Priority Pass, but not always. So check both apps (Priority Pass and Amex) before you depart.

Additionally, Amex offers dining credits or lounge partnerships at some airports that don't fall under Priority Pass. These change regularly, so it's worth checking the Amex app before every trip under "Airport Experiences". I've found options there a few times that weren't listed in Priority Pass.

The maths: how much do you concretely save on lounges with Amex Platinum as a Belgian traveller?

Time for numbers, because that's what it ultimately comes down to. A single access to a Priority Pass lounge costs, if you were to pay separately, between €30 and €70, depending on the lounge and the airport. Let's take €40 as a workable average, since some are cheaper (Bucharest, €28) and others more expensive (London Heathrow, €55+).

This is an important honesty point on TravelLux.be: the Amex Platinum is not for everyone. If you rarely fly, don't book hotels via Fine Hotels + Resorts, and don't strategically use the points, then you're paying €780 per year for a few lounge visits and a nice-looking card. That's expensive. The card works best for those who fly at least 4-5 times per year, occasionally book a hotel, and are willing to smartly transfer points to airline partners.

At the top end of the spectrum, for frequent travellers who fly 8+ times per year and use Fine Hotels + Resorts, the total value can amount to €2,000+ per year. But that's the upper-end scenario, not the norm.

Practical tips: how do you get the most out of your Amex Platinum lounge access in Europe?

After a few years of travelling with this card I've learned a number of things that aren't in the brochure. Nothing shocking, but it sometimes makes the difference between a pleasant lounge experience and a disappointment.

Download both the Priority Pass app and the Amex app. Sounds obvious, but I didn't do it myself for too long. The Priority Pass app shows which lounges are at your airport, with opening hours, reviews and photos. The Amex app sometimes shows extra options that aren't in Priority Pass. Use both.

Check capacity restrictions. More and more Priority Pass lounges enforce a maximum capacity, especially at busy times. London Heathrow and Barcelona are notorious for this. During peak hours (early morning, Sunday evening) you may be turned away if the lounge is full. That's frustrating, but it's the reality of a network that's becoming increasingly popular. Tip: go early, or choose a less popular lounge at the same airport if there are multiple options.

Don't forget the restaurant options. At a number of airports Priority Pass doesn't offer a traditional lounge but a dining credit at a restaurant in the terminal. Paris CDG, some terminals at Heathrow, and various Spanish airports work this way. You then receive a credit of €25-35 for food and drinks. For me personally, that's sometimes even tastier than the lounge buffets, but you don't have a quiet spot with seats. Something to weigh up.

Combine with the Brussels Airport benefits. If you depart from Brussels, use the Fast Lane for security (it really makes a difference at busy times) and grab your takeaway via Lounge On the Go if you don't have time for a full lounge session. Those two free pickups per month at Black Pearls aren't bad either if you frequently pass through Zaventem, even without flying.

Pay attention with budget airlines. If you fly with Ryanair or easyJet from an airport with a Priority Pass lounge, access works exactly the same way. You don't need to fly business class. You don't even need to use Amex for the flight booking. You simply show your Priority Pass (digital or physical) at the lounge entrance. I regularly fly low-cost to Ibiza or London and still use the lounge at departure.

When is the Amex Platinum lounge access NOT worth it for Belgian travellers?

I promise to be honest in every article about the limitations of this card, so here it goes. There are a few profiles for which lounge access doesn't justify the investment.

If you exclusively fly to destinations with small regional airports that don't have a Priority Pass lounge, then you won't get much out of it. Think of a number of Greek islands (direct flights to Kos or Zakynthos rarely have a lounge), some Croatian coastal airports, and smaller Scandinavian airports. The lounge is then available at your departure from Brussels, but at your destination and on return you have nothing.

If you always travel with a family of 4+ people, it also becomes trickier. You can bring 1 guest for free. Person 3 and 4 each pay around €35. With a family with two children you're therefore paying ~€70 extra per lounge visit for the children. That adds up. Admittedly, there are families who are fine with that, but it's something to factor in.

And finally: if you would take the card purely for lounges and use nothing else (no points, no Fine Hotels + Resorts, no travel insurance, no Dining for 2), then you really need to fly very often to justify €780 per year. The strength of the Amex Platinum lies in the total package, not in any single benefit.

The welcome bonus: 150,000 points as starting capital

Aside from the lounges there's also the welcome bonus, and it deserves a mention because it fundamentally changes the maths of the first year. Via the TravelLux.be referral link you receive up to 150,000 Membership Rewards points. That's the maximum bonus, more than when you apply directly via americanexpress.com/be.

Those 150,000 points can be transferred to airline partners such as Brussels Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Air France-KLM or about fifteen others. Depending on how you use them, they're worth between €750 and €2,500. That's already a net positive in the first year alone compared to the annual cost, even if you wouldn't use the lounges at all.

Two caveats I always mention. First: the welcome bonus is a one-time thing. You don't receive it again every year. Second: you need to reach a minimum spend of approximately €4,000 to €6,000 in the first 3 months to receive the full bonus. If that amount isn't realistic for you, you may receive fewer points. More about that in our article on maximising Membership Rewards points.

Transparency: I also receive points if you apply via this link. That's why I stick to one rule: only recommend it if the numbers work out for you.

Frequently asked questions about Amex Platinum lounge access in Europe

Also read: Amex Platinum Belgium: full review and Fine Hotels + Resorts: how does it work?