The question of whether the Amex Platinum is worth it in Belgium is one we hear from our readers every week. With an Amex Platinum annual fee of €780 per year, it's a serious investment. But what exactly do you get in return? In this article, we calculate the exact value, and spoiler: the numbers are surprisingly positive.
Let's start with full transparency about the Amex Platinum costs. The Amex Platinum annual fee is €65 per month, which comes to €780 per year. This is identical whether you apply directly or via a referral link.
The difference lies in the welcome bonus: via our TravelLux.be referral link you'll receive up to 150,000 Membership Rewards points, the maximum bonus available. With a direct application, you'll get considerably less.
Now for the interesting part. When you add up the benefits, it quickly becomes clear why the Amex Platinum is so popular among frequent travellers flying from Brussels Airport.
Add to that the welcome bonus of 150,000 points (value: €750-€1,500 depending on redemption) and the card has more than paid for itself in the first year alone.
Whether Amex Platinum is worth €780/year depends on which benefits you actually use. Below is the cash value per benefit if you use it. Add up your realistic usage.
| Benefit | Cash value/year | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Skip ID Plus (BRU Fast Lane) | €169 | If you fly >4× per year |
| Priority Pass (1,550+ lounges) | €350+ | If you fly >2× per year |
| Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) | €200–400 per stay | Min. 1 luxury stay/year |
| Hotel benefits (Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold) | €150–300 | Hilton/Marriott visitor |
| Worldwide travel insurance | €100–250 | Replaces separate insurance |
| 150,000–250,000 welcome points (1×) | €500–1,000 | All new cardholders |
| 24/7 concierge | €100+ time savings | For specific requests |
| Purchase protection + 90 days | €50–200 | For big purchases |
In Belgium: ~0.7-1 cent for cashback, 1-2 cents for hotel bookings, 1.5-3 cents for Flying Blue/Etihad/Qatar transfers in business class. The 250,000-point welcome bonus = €1,750-€7,500 in value depending on how you redeem.
The minimum spend is around €4,000-6,000 in the first 3 months (varies by promotion). Missing it = bonus lost (and the card almost certainly won't be profitable in year 1).
No. The welcome bonus is one-time per new cardholder. You can later upgrade to Platinum Centurion or another Amex product with its own bonus.
For self-employed and company directors: partially deductible if the card is used demonstrably for business purposes. Ask your accountant.
The annual fee continues, but you can cancel anytime with no fee. Many users take the welcome bonus in year 1 and cancel in year 2.
Via our referral link you'll receive 150,000 points, more than applying directly with American Express.
✦ Apply via referral link. 150,000 pointsThe Amex Platinum is ideal if you fly at least 3-4 times a year from Belgium. The combination of unlimited lounge access (including 1 guest), Brussels Airport Fast Lane and comprehensive travel insurance makes every trip more comfortable and worry-free.
Are you a fan of luxury hotels? With Fine Hotels + Resorts you'll get free upgrades, breakfast for two and a welcome gift of ~€100 at 14,000+ hotels worldwide. Just one stay per year covers almost the entire annual fee.
The conclusion is clear: for the active Belgian traveller, the Amex Platinum is worth it in Belgium, the maths doesn't lie.
The Amex Platinum annual fee is €65 per month, so €780 per year. Additional Platinum cards cost €10/month. You can add up to 4 free Green cards for family members.
Via the TravelLux.be referral link you'll receive up to 150,000 Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus. This is the maximum bonus, more than with a direct application.
You must be at least 18 years old, have a gross annual income of €30,000+, no payment arrears, a Belgian fiscal residence and SEPA direct debit.
Apply for your Amex Platinum via our referral link and receive the maximum welcome bonus of 150,000 points.
✦ Apply via referral link. 150,000 pointsMore info at americanexpress.com/be
✦ Exclusive offer
Receive the maximum welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points, significantly more than applying directly.
✦ Apply via referral link — 150,000 pointsTravelLux.be is an independent referral site. American Express® and Membership Rewards® are registered trademarks of American Express. Terms apply.