American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum, often called the Platinum Amex, was one of the most versatile charge cards available in Finland. The card included high-quality benefits but was also expensive. While it was marketed with a broad range of perks, for some cardholders it also acted as a status symbol. American Express still offers a more exclusive card, the Centurion, but it is reserved for very wealthy individuals and is available only by invitation. In practice, Amex Platinum was the best American Express card an ordinary consumer could obtain.
In Finland, the Platinum Amex had no perfect direct competitors, but Revolut Ultra was comparable in some respects. OP’s Platinum Card was also similar in both price and features. The Nordea Platinum card, launched at the end of 2025, was perhaps the best alternative in terms of value for money.
American Express Platinum was a premium charge card, which was obvious from its price: €780 per year, charged as a €65 monthly fee. At the same time, there were many free or low-cost cards on the market, so customers were entitled to expect substantial value for that service fee. Because of the poor price-to-benefit ratio, we ended our Amex Platinum membership after several years.
Applying for American Express Platinum
American Express cards could be applied for via Amex’s website. The income requirement for the most common Amex cards was about €20,000 per year. This detail was not published on the website, but Amex customer service confirmed it. Many other factors also affected the decision, so approval was always made on a customer-by-customer basis. It was clear that your finances had to be in good order to receive the card.
Our Experience With the Application Process
We applied for the Platinum card through the Amex website some time ago. It was the second time we applied, and we noticed the process had become smoother than the first. It has likely improved even further since then.
The application steps were very typical. We had to provide basic information, verify our identity, and authorise American Express to check our credit history and bank account transactions. The decision was not given immediately; it arrived a few days later via text message. Once the application was approved, the card and its PIN arrived by post in under two weeks.
To start using the card, it had to be activated via the Amex FI app installed on the phone. Activation was simple and took less than a minute. We were also advised to install the Amex Experiences app, which clearly presented information about the card’s benefits. In practice, the app was essential for using the perks, because it contained so-called Access Cards needed to access the benefits.
We also ordered a complimentary supplementary card, and that application process was even smoother.
Referral Link
Anyone could apply for an Amex Platinum card, but using a referral link was clearly the most rewarding route. Every Amex Platinum member could refer the card to at least three people a year. Applicants approved through a referral usually received 100,000 Membership Rewards points, and during campaigns, the bonus could be even higher.
We noticed that referral bonuses were not always granted based on our own referrals. It was possible that the applicant had not been approved or had not completed the process, but Amex did not provide any way to track the status of referrals. The English-language chat support did not live up to expectations for a premium product, and we filed an official complaint about the lack of transparency. The response we received felt like it had been generated by artificial intelligence.
American Express’s reply to our complaint, including its spelling mistakes, did not inspire confidence and certainly did not create the impression of a premium product.
We have read similar experiences from other users on various forums. It is possible that the referral system worked correctly and fairly, but Amex’s own actions did not help build trust.
American Express Platinum Benefits
Since the annual fee of Amex Platinum approached €1,000, cardholders were entitled to expect high-quality benefits. Below, we list the main perks and our opinions of them.
Airport Lounges
The best perk of the card was, without doubt, the free access to airport lounges. Both the primary and supplementary cardholders could join the Priority Pass programme free of charge, allowing the cardholder and their guest unlimited visits to more than 1,800 lounges worldwide. For example, at Helsinki Airport, the Aspire Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge both accepted Priority Pass membership.
The Revolut Ultra card also offered unlimited lounge access.
Priority Pass membership could also be purchased outright for €459 per year. However, the Priority Pass included with the Platinum card was clearly better, as it allowed free entry for both the cardholder and a guest. A paid Priority Pass Prestige membership covered only the cardholder; guests were charged €30 per visit. It was also worth noting that the supplementary cardholder received their own Priority Pass.
American Express also had its own lounges and direct agreements with lounge operators, giving American Express Platinum members access to more lounges than a typical Priority Pass member. Amex lounges were usually located at major hubs such as London. London Heathrow Airport, for example, had the American Express Centurion Lounge, a very stylish facility. It served hot meals and drinks from the bar – all complimentary. The lounge was definitely worth a visit when travelling via London.
In addition to traditional lounge visits, Platinum cardholders could enjoy breakfast or a hot meal with drinks at Pier Zero restaurant at Helsinki Airport. The benefit applies to both primary and supplementary cardholders and their guests. When travelling as a family, up to four people can use this benefit at the same time.
Read our review of Pier Zero restaurant.
Lounge-On-The-Go
At a few Nordic airports, American Express offered a Lounge-On-The-Go service for travellers in a hurry. The cardholder and their guest could pick up a complimentary takeaway snack pack for the flight. At Helsinki Airport, the snack pack was provided by the downstairs section of the Pier Zero restaurant. A typical pack included a cold and a hot drink plus a time-of-day-appropriate snack, such as yoghurt, a croissant or a salad.
The Lounge-On-The-Go service was available in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Malmö, Luleå, Gothenburg and Visby. In Stockholm, the service was offered by the stylish La Girafe restaurant, which also housed an impressive American Express lounge upstairs. Amex Platinum members were well advised to route their journeys via Arlanda, as the airport offered numerous benefits.
Because the American Express Platinum card came with a free supplementary card, that cardholder also enjoyed the same lounge benefits. As a result, both adults in a household could use lounge services with one guest each, all covered by a single monthly fee.
Fast Track Through Security
At Helsinki Airport, American Express Platinum cardholders could use the Priority lane at security. The benefit also covered a travel companion. For example, when we departed on a February morning during rush hour, this perk saved us about 15 minutes. That left us enough time to enjoy an Amex-funded breakfast at Espresso House. Unfortunately, the Espresso House benefit at Helsinki Airport was later discontinued, but Amex then introduced a complimentary breakfast at Pier Zero restaurant instead.
The Fast Track benefit was also available at Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Hotel Benefits
American Express Platinum members were granted elevated status in several hotel loyalty programmes. In practice, this meant higher-quality rooms when available, small extras such as welcome drinks and generally faster accumulation of loyalty points.
These partner hotel chains were usually expensive, and budget travellers rarely stayed with them. For those who already stayed at reputable chains on business or leisure trips, however, this perk delivered real monetary value.
Travel Insurance
The American Express Platinum card included travel insurance. The policy covered medical expenses, luggage and damages related to car rentals. It also compensated for trip delays and interruptions. Overall, the insurance was very comprehensive.
The insurance also included access to an English-language remote doctor service.
The coverage extended to the cardholder, their spouse, children and other cardholders. A trip could last up to 120 days. For the insurance to be valid, 75 per cent of the trip’s costs had to be paid with the American Express Platinum card. This requirement was in the terms and conditions, but it was not particularly prominent in the marketing materials.
Dining By Amex
American Express offered the primary cardholder and a guest a two-course meal six times a year at selected quality restaurants. The guest could choose either a starter and main course, or a main course and dessert. Partner restaurants were mainly located in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Turku and Tampere, so the benefit suited those who lived in these cities or visited them often. Drinks were not included.
The benefit could be used during six specific periods each year, defined by American Express. The customer had to book a table according to the instructions. The diner paid for any extras, such as drinks. Over the years, the benefit had been weakened: many side dishes that once formed an essential part of the main course, such as French fries, were no longer included in the “free” price.
We had used the Dining By Amex benefit many times. For example, we visited 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 for dessert drinks. Because we did not often dine at upscale restaurants, Dining by Amex was a pleasant perk that added variety to everyday life. On the other hand, we found Amex’s restaurant selection rather dull, as many of the venues were similar in style and high-quality ethnic restaurants were notably absent.
We recommend trying the rooftop restaurant Lucy in the Sky in Espoo, which was also an Amex partner.
In addition to the Dining By Amex benefit, American Express previously offered €400 per year in statement credits for restaurant bills. €200 could be used at selected partner restaurants in Finland and €200 abroad. This benefit has ended.
The Dining By Amex benefit used to be known as Dinner For Two.
Membership Rewards
American Express had its own rewards programme called Membership Rewards.
The programme’s terms changed on March 2, 2026. For every euro spent, Platinum cardholders earned 2 Membership Rewards points. Points could be transferred to hotel and airline loyalty programmes or used directly via Amex as payment for purchases from partner services.
According to Amex’s own calculation, 1,000 points were worth about €3.50, so the effective cashback rate was close to one per cent of spending. The value could rise significantly if points were transferred to airline programmes and used strategically. For example, points could be moved to SAS EuroBonus or Finnair Plus, but the conversion rate was not especially generous, and without planning, some of the value could be lost. If your goal was to collect Finnair Avios, an alternative was the Finnair Visa card.
Other Benefits
The card also included a range of smaller perks. Cardholders received elevated status in the loyalty programmes of SIXT, Avis and Hertz. Platinum cardholders could get assistance planning and booking hotel stays and additional perks at selected properties. At Sweden’s Avicii Arena, they could skip the queue. Full details of these benefits were available in the Amex Experiences app.
Comparable Benefits in the USA
Aside from lounge access, the American Express Platinum benefits in Finland felt quite modest compared to the American version. It was eye-opening to compare the card’s perks with those of a Platinum card issued in another country.
In the United States, at the time of comparison, the annual fee for the American Express Platinum card was only $895 (about €765). The card included considerably more benefits than in Finland. For example, US cardholders received substantial annual statement credits for various services.
Amex Apps
For American Express Platinum users, two mobile apps were practically essential: Amex FI and Amex Experiences.
Amex FI
Amex FI was the official American Express mobile app for Finland. Through it, you could activate your card, track transactions in real time, check statements, manage payments and view your Membership Rewards balance. The app was also used to authenticate online purchases.
In practice, Amex FI was the most important app for cardholders. Without it, using and monitoring the card was much more cumbersome. The app functioned as a digital control centre for everyday card management.
Amex Experiences
Amex Experiences focused on Platinum card benefits and experiences. The app listed current offers, campaigns, dining benefits, events and travel-related perks in one place. It made it easier to discover benefits without having to search the website manually.
The app was particularly useful for travellers, as it contained lounge-related information, including the Access Card features required for entry, along with other airport perks. It also featured seasonal offers, although their appeal varied by market. In Finland, there were very few such promotions.
Customer Service
American Express provided English-language chat support via the Amex FI app. The chat was accessible directly in the app, and in our experience, wait times were short. We did not encounter Finnish-language support in the chat. In our experience, the chat struggled to solve complex issues and sometimes even provided incorrect information.
You could also contact phone support through the Amex FI app, which initiates a regular call to the Amex service centre. Before reaching a human agent, you had to deal with an English-speaking robot, which could be a little frustrating. After that, the call was usually connected quickly to a customer service representative.
Customer Service Experience: Access Card Issue
In June 2025, the Access Cards in the Amex Experiences app suddenly stopped working. Instead of showing the cards, the app displayed a message asking us to wait a few days for our registration to be confirmed, even though it had been completed more than a year earlier. Because of this app issue, we missed out on two airport benefits.
We contacted chat support via the Amex FI app and were told the problem was caused by a technical change. We were advised to log out of the app and sign back in, which indeed resolved the issue.
We asked why customers had not been informed beforehand about the actions required by this change. The agent claimed that an email notification had been sent. When we questioned this, they repeated the claim and even gave a specific date. We were unable to find any such message in our inbox.
We requested a small goodwill credit, since the Access Card failure had prevented us from using the airport perks. According to the agent, compensation could not be granted because we could have resolved the problem already at the airport. In reality, troubleshooting this kind of issue in a security queue would have been very difficult.
We then called Amex’s Finnish-language customer service, where the impact of the problem was treated with much more understanding. They told us directly that no notification email had ever been sent. Although they were also unable to grant compensation on the spot, they promised to escalate the case for review.
The review process took a few weeks, after which Amex offered a €35 credit.
In summary, this experience showed that while American Express customer service was easy to reach, the quality of support was uneven. Contacting Finnish-language support and filing a formal complaint eventually led to a concrete outcome, and the compensation amount itself was reasonable.
By contrast, our earlier experience with unclear referral bonuses ended poorly. We received nothing more than a generic message, awkwardly translated into Finnish.
Who Was the Finnish American Express Platinum For?
The American Express Platinum card was designed for people who travelled frequently, whether for business or leisure. With a supplementary card, it was particularly suitable for families who travelled often and stayed at quality hotels. Food lovers could appreciate the Dining By Amex benefit.
The card was less suitable for solo users who travelled only a few times a year. In those cases, the annual fee was significantly higher than the value of the benefits.
An Alternative for Lounge Enthusiasts
It did not make sense to get American Express solely for lounge access if you travelled alone and used lounges only a few times a year. There were many affordable ways to access lounges, which you could explore in Finnoy Travel’s article about lounges. For monthly travellers, however, the lounge perk alone could easily match the card’s annual fee in value.
Read our review of the Nordea Platinum credit card.
Additional Fees When Using American Express
Even though the American Express Platinum was a premium card, it was not accepted everywhere. You definitely needed a traditional Visa or Mastercard alongside it. For instance, Lidl in Finland did not accept American Express cards.
Online, American Express was accepted by most major services. However, surcharges for using the card were still fairly common. These extra fees were almost always higher than the value of the Membership Rewards points earned from the transaction. For that reason, it usually did not make financial sense to pay with American Express if a surcharge applied, as it increased the total cost.
Was Amex Worth the Price?
In the United States, the wide range of benefits made the Amex Platinum clearly worth its price. In Finland, the card mainly benefited frequent travellers; for others, its value remained limited. Before applying, it was wise to estimate the annual value of the benefits and compare that figure with the annual fee. If the perks did not exceed the cost, applying for the card made little sense. For those who found Platinum too expensive, we recommended taking a look at the Nordea Platinum card instead.
Our Rating of the American Express Platinum Card
We rated the American Express Platinum card 3.5 stars. For a small target group, it was an excellent premium charge card with several outstanding features. For frequent travellers in particular, the benefits had real monetary value. However, we considered the card slightly overpriced and the customer service lacking in quality, so we could not award it 5 stars.
Questions and Answers
Mitä American Express Platinum maksaa?
Mitkä ovat American Express Platinum -kortin edut?
Mikä on Priority Pass?
Minkä arvoisia ovat Membership Reward -pisteet?
Maksaako rinnakkaiskortti lisää?
Mikä on American Express Platinum -kortin tuloraja?
Read our review of the OP Platinum card.
Bottom Line
In Finland, American Express still had some technical shortcomings. Information was hard to find on the website, and the quality of translations was sometimes poor or inaccurate. From a premium-card provider, a more polished overall experience would have been reasonable to expect. Customer service worked adequately, but at times felt clumsy.
It did not make sense to get an American Express Platinum just for the name or status. The card was an impressive premium product, but it was not accepted by all merchants in Finland or elsewhere in Europe due to high processing fees. It was always wise to carry a standard Visa or Mastercard alongside it.
Platinum worked best for frequent travellers. Lounge access, hotel benefits and other travel-related services could provide significant value, especially for families. If you did not actively use these perks, a cheaper alternative such as the free Morrow Bank Mastercard, with its competitive benefits and strong rewards programme, could be a better option.
You should only get a credit card if your personal finances are solid and you manage your spending carefully. Statements should always be paid in full, because once interest starts to accumulate, any credit card quickly becomes expensive.