American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum, or the Platinum Amex for short, is one of the best charge cards available in Finland. The card includes valuable perks but, in return, is also expensive. Although it is marketed for its wide-ranging benefits, for some it is also a status symbol. American Express offers an even more exclusive card, the Centurion, but only very wealthy people receive it—and only by invitation. In practice, Amex Platinum is the best Amex card a regular consumer can get.
The Platinum Amex has no exact like-for-like competitor in Finland, but Revolut Ultra is comparable in some respects. OP’s Platinum Card also comes close to American Express Platinum in both price and features. Launched in late 2025, Nordea Platinum may offer the best value for money. With the Platinum Amex, we may switch to it if American Express Platinum does not add more benefits to the card.
American Express Platinum is a premium charge card, which is clear from the price: 780 euros / year, billed as 65-euro monthly payments. At the same time, there are many free or low-cost quality cards on the market, so customers have the right to expect strong value for the fee. We had used the Platinum card before but ended up cancelling it as too expensive. We ordered the card again and gave it another chance to convince us of its value. We have now used the card continuously for over a year.
Applying for the Amex Platinum Card
American Express cards can be applied for via Amex’s website. The income threshold for the most common Amex cards is about 20,000 euros per year. This is not mentioned on the site, but Amex customer service gave us this figure. Many other factors influence approval, so decisions are always made case by case. It is clear your finances must be in order to get the card.
Our Experience With the Application Process
We applied for the Platinum card through Amex’s website. This was the second time we applied, and we noticed the process had become smoother since the previous time.
The steps were very typical. We had to provide basic information, verify our identity, and authorize American Express to check our credit record and bank account transactions. The decision did not arrive instantly but came a few days later by text message. After approval, the card and its PIN arrived by post in under two weeks. To use the card, it had to be activated with the Amex FI app installed on the phone. Activation was easy and took less than a minute. We were also advised to install the Amex Experiences app, which clearly presents the card’s benefits. The app is practically essential for using the benefits, as it contains so‑called access cards for redemption.
We also ordered the free supplementary card, and applying for it was even smoother.
Referral Link
Anyone can apply for the Amex Platinum card, but applying through a referral link is clearly the most rewarding. Every Amex Platinum member can refer the card to at least three people per year. Applicants approved via a referral typically receive 100,000 Membership Rewards points, but during promotions the bonus can be higher. For example, until 3.3.2026, applicants using a referral link can receive 150,000 points.
For many applicants, the challenge is finding a working referral link, as Amex Platinum is not a very common card. Links also cannot be shared openly on forums; the card may only be referred to people you know. If you wish, you can contact us to discuss whether the card suits your needs.
We cover the Membership Rewards program in more detail in the Benefits section of this article.
American Express Platinum Benefits
Because the Amex Platinum annual fee approaches 1,000 euros, cardholders have the right to expect high-quality benefits. Below are the card’s key perks and our opinions of them.
Airport Lounges
The card’s best perk is unquestionably complimentary access to airport lounges. Both the primary and supplementary cardholders can join the Priority Pass program free of charge, which entitles the cardholder and one guest to unlimited visits at over 1,600 lounges worldwide. For example, at Helsinki Airport, the Aspire Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge accept Priority Pass membership.
Revolut Ultra also offers unlimited lounge access.
You can also purchase Priority Pass separately for 459 euros per year. However, the Priority Pass included with Platinum is clearly better than the paid version because it admits both the cardholder and a guest free of charge. The paid Priority Pass Prestige admits only the cardholder; a guest costs 30 euros per visit. It is also worth noting that the supplementary cardholder gets their own Priority Pass.
American Express also has its own lounges and direct agreements with lounge operators, so an American Express Platinum member’s lounge network is broader than a standard Priority Pass member’s. Amex lounges are typically located at major global airports such as London. London Heathrow Airport has an American Express Centurion Lounge, which is very stylish. The lounge serves hot food, and you can order drinks at the bar—of course, at no charge. It is definitely worth a visit when traveling via London.
In addition to traditional lounge visits, Platinum cardholders can enjoy breakfast or a hot meal with drinks at Pier Zero at Helsinki Airport. The benefit applies to both the primary and supplementary cardholders and their companions. When the family travels together, up to 4 people can use the benefit at the same time.
Read our review of the Pier Zero restaurant.
Lounge-On-The-Go
American Express offers a lounge-on-the-go service for busy travelers at several Nordic airports. The cardholder and a companion can pick up a complimentary snack pack for the flight. At Helsinki Airport, the snack pack is provided downstairs by the Pier Zero restaurant. The pack typically includes a cold and a hot drink plus a time-appropriate snack such as yogurt, a croissant, or a salad.
The lounge-on-the-go benefit previously applied to the Espresso House café at the airport, but that perk has been removed. A similar benefit at the railway stations in Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere also ended on 1.9.2024. Since Pier Zero’s airport restaurant benefits exceed Espresso House’s level, the practical impact is small.
The lounge-on-the-go service is available in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Malmö, Luleå, Gothenburg, and Visby. In Stockholm, the service is provided by the stylish La Girafe restaurant, whose upstairs houses an impressive American Express lounge. Amex Platinum members should also consider traveling via Arlanda, as the airport offers many benefits.
Because a free supplementary card can be ordered with the American Express Platinum, the supplementary cardholder also receives the same lounge benefits. Thus, with a single monthly fee, both adults in the family can enjoy lounge services with one guest each.
Fast Track Through Security
American Express Platinum cardholders can use the Priority lane for security at Helsinki Airport. The benefit also applies to a companion. For example, on a busy February morning we saved 15 minutes thanks to this perk. That gave us time to enjoy an Amex-provided breakfast at Espresso House. Unfortunately, the Espresso House benefit at Helsinki Airport has ended, but Amex now offers a complimentary breakfast at the Pier Zero restaurant.
The benefit is also valid at Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg, and Malmö.
Hotel Benefits
American Express Platinum members are elevated directly to higher tiers in several hotel loyalty programs. In practice, this can mean better rooms subject to availability, small extras such as welcome drinks, and usually a higher points earn rate.
The partner hotel chains are typically expensive, and budget travelers seldom stay with them. However, if you already stay at respected chains on business or leisure trips, this perk is valuable.
Currently, Amex partners with Hilton and Radisson.
Travel Insurance
The American Express Platinum card includes travel insurance. The policy covers medical expenses, baggage, and damage from car rentals. Delays and trip interruption are also covered. The insurance is therefore quite comprehensive.
The insurance also includes English-language telemedicine.
The policy covers the cardholder, their spouse, children, and other cardholders. A trip may last up to 120 days. For the insurance to be valid, 75 percent of trip costs must be paid with the American Express Platinum card. This is stated in the terms but not highlighted prominently in the marketing materials.
Dining by Amex
American Express offers the primary cardholder and a companion a two-course meal at a quality restaurant six times per year. The diner may choose either a starter and main or a main and dessert. The partner restaurants are mainly in the Helsinki region, Turku, or Tampere, so the benefit suits those who live in or frequently visit these cities. Drinks are not included.
The benefit is available during six periods designated by American Express each year. You must make a reservation following the instructions. Diners must pay for extras such as drinks themselves.
We have used the Dining by Amex benefit multiple times. We visited, among others, Villa Lilla in Espoo, located in a charming wooden manor in Leppävaara. The food was tasty and the service excellent. The main course and dessert were complimentary, but we paid 7 euros for dessert drinks plus the American Express administration fee. Today, the administration fee is no longer charged; it has been replaced by the Amex Access card, which does not add costs. Because we don’t often dine at upscale restaurants, Dining by Amex was a pleasant perk that brought variety to our routine.
We recommend trying the scenic restaurant in Espoo, Lucy in the Sky, which is also an Amex partner.
In addition to Dining by Amex, American Express previously offered 400 euros in annual statement credits for restaurant bills—200 euros for Amex-selected restaurants in Finland and 200 euros abroad. This benefit has ended.
The Dining by Amex benefit was previously known as Dinner for Two.
Membership Rewards
American Express has its own rewards program called Membership Rewards.
The terms change on 2.2.2025. After that, every euro spent earns 2 bonus points with the Platinum card. Points can be transferred to hotel or airline loyalty programs or used directly through Amex toward purchases with partner services.
According to Amex’s own calculation, 1,000 points are worth about 3.5 euros, so the rebate level is close to one percent of purchases. The value can rise significantly if you transfer points to airline programs and redeem them wisely. You can transfer points to, for example, SAS EuroBonus or Finnair Plus, but the transfer ratio is not especially favorable and, without planning, some value may be lost. If your goal is to earn Finnair Avios, an alternative is the Finnair Visa card.
Other Benefits
The card also includes smaller perks. Cardholders are elevated to higher tiers with SIXT, Avis, and Hertz. Platinum cardholders get help planning and booking hotel stays and extra benefits at certain hotels. You can skip the line at Sweden’s Avicii Arena. You can explore these perks in more detail through the Amex Experiences app.
Comparable Benefits in the United States
Except for lounge access, the American Express Platinum benefits in Finland feel modest compared to the U.S. version. It is eye-opening to compare the card’s perks with those of an American-issued American Express Platinum card.
In the U.S., the American Express Platinum annual fee at the time of comparison is only 695 dollars (640 euros), so the card is cheaper than in Finland. The welcome bonus is 125,000 points. In addition, the card has a range of benefits not available in Finland.
For example, in the U.S. cardholders receive 200 dollars for hotel services, 240 dollars for entertainment services, 155 dollars for Walmart, 200 dollars for Uber, and 200 dollars for airline services. There are numerous other perks as well.
Customer Service
American Express offers English-language chat support through the Amex FI app. The chat is available directly in the app, and in our experience wait times were short. We have not encountered Finnish-language chat support.
You can also contact phone support via the Amex FI app, which connects a regular call to Amex customer service. Before you reach a human, you have to deal with an English-language bot, which can be a bit frustrating. After that, the call connects quickly to an agent.
Customer Service Experience: Access Card Issue
In June 2025, the Access Cards in the Amex Experiences app stopped working. Instead of Access Cards, the app displayed a message asking us to wait a few days for registration to be confirmed, even though we had registered over a year earlier. Because of the app issue, we missed out on two airport benefits.
We contacted chat support via the Amex FI app, where we were told it was a problem caused by a technical change. We were advised to log out and back in, and that fix worked.
We asked why the necessary steps due to the change weren’t communicated in advance. The agent claimed an email had been sent. When we challenged this, they repeated the claim and even gave an exact date. We could not find any such message in our email.
We suggested a formal goodwill credit, as we could not use the airport benefits due to the Access Cards not working. According to the agent, a credit could not be granted because we could have resolved the issue already at the airport. Troubleshooting such a problem in a security line would hardly have been easy.
We finally called Amex’s Finnish-language customer service, where they were clearly more understanding about the inconvenience. They told us directly that no such message had ever been sent. Although they could not offer a credit either, they promised to escalate the matter for review.
The review took a few weeks, and Amex offered a 35-euro credit.
In summary, American Express customer service is easy to reach, but the experience is not always smooth. The response from Finnish-language support and a formal complaint led to concrete results. The credit amount itself was appropriate.
Who Should Get the Finnish American Express Platinum?
The American Express Platinum card is intended for those who travel frequently for work or leisure. With a supplementary card, it especially suits families who travel often and stay at quality hotels. Food lovers will appreciate the Dining by Amex benefit.
The card is a poorer fit for solo users who travel only a few times a year. In that case, the annual fee is significantly higher than the value of the benefits.
An Alternative for Lounge Lovers
It is not worth applying for American Express solely for lounge perks if you plan to visit lounges alone only a few times a year. There are numerous affordable ways to access lounges, which you can explore in Finnoy Travel’s lounge article. For monthly travelers, the lounge benefit is at least worth the annual fee.
Read our review of the Nordea Platinum credit card
Surcharges for Using American Express
Although American Express Platinum is a premium card, it is not accepted everywhere. It is essential to have a traditional Visa or Mastercard alongside it. For example, Lidl in Finland does not accept American Express cards.
Online, American Express is accepted by many services. However, you quite regularly have to pay a surcharge to use it. The surcharge is almost always higher than the value of the Membership Rewards points earned from the transaction. Therefore, it usually does not make sense to pay with American Express, as the total cost becomes higher.
Is Amex Worth the Price?
In the United States, thanks to Amex’s extensive benefits, the Platinum card would clearly be worth the price. In Finland, the card mainly benefits active travelers, as its value for others remains limited. Before applying, it is wise to estimate the annual value of the benefits and compare it to the annual fee. If the perks do not exceed the costs, do not apply. For those who find the card too expensive, we recommend looking at the Nordea Platinum card.
Our Experience With the Amex Platinum Card
We tried the American Express Platinum card a few years ago. We found it expensive relative to its benefits. Now that we have taken the card again, it is nice to see the benefits have increased.
The lounge perks are excellent, and we have used them actively. Everything worked perfectly. We also tried the Dining by Amex concept, and it lived up to its promise. Likewise, the food at the Pier Zero airport restaurant was tasty.
The Amex Experiences app is handy because it summarizes all the benefits. Unfortunately, the fine print is often buried in the terms, and we would prefer those details to be communicated clearly as well. The app also features seasonal offers, which so far have consistently been ski waxing in Sweden. It is a bit odd that a premium card’s offers are targeted so narrowly.
There are still shortcomings in the technical implementation of the American Express concept in Finland. Information is not easy to find on Amex’s website, and the quality of translations is at times weak and even inaccurate. One would expect a premium-card provider’s quality to be top-notch, but that is not the case with Amex’s details. Customer service works, but it is a bit clunky. These small things create the impression that Finland is not a priority market for Amex.
Our Rating of the American Express Platinum Card
We rate the American Express Platinum card 4 stars. American Express Platinum is an excellent premium charge card for a small target group, offering multiple standout features. The perks are valuable especially for travelers. But because we consider the card a little too expensive, we cannot give it 5 stars.
Questions and Answers
- How Much Does American Express Platinum Cost?
- The card costs 65 euros per month.
- What Are the Benefits of the American Express Platinum Card?
- The card includes numerous lounge perks for both the primary and supplementary cardholders. With the Dining by Amex benefit, you get complimentary dinners. The card elevates you to higher tiers in many hotel programs without points requirements. It also includes travel insurance, a rewards program, and other smaller benefits.
- What Is Priority Pass?
- The Priority Pass included with the American Express Platinum card admits the cardholder and one guest to more than 1,500 airport lounges free of charge. At Helsinki Airport, for example, there are three such lounges. With the Platinum card, you can also access other lounges.
- What Are Membership Rewards Points Worth?
- According to Amex’s own calculation, 1,000 points are worth 3.5 euros.
- Does the Supplementary Card Cost Extra?
- The supplementary card does not cost extra.
- What Is the Income Requirement for the American Express Platinum Card?
- The threshold hasn’t been published, but to our knowledge it is about 20,000 euros per year.
Check out our review of the OP Platinum Card.
Bottom Line
Do not get American Express Platinum just for the name. The card is a fine status symbol, but unfortunately it is not accepted everywhere in Finland and Europe due to high merchant fees. You should definitely carry a regular Visa or Mastercard alongside it.
In our view, a good reason to get American Express Platinum is its lounge and hotel benefits for the whole family. If you do not use these enough, a better choice for a traveler may be the free Morrow Bank Mastercard, which, for a free card, includes many good perks and, in our opinion, even a better rewards program than American Express Membership Rewards.
Only get a credit card if your finances are already in good order and you are responsible with money. Always pay statements in full, because once interest accrues, any credit card becomes expensive for its user.