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Updated 23. June 2026
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Credit card overview
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum Card is a American Express for Germany without a traditional credit line. It can be useful for card payments, online purchases and mobile payments, while transactions are handled without revolving credit.
Card details
No loan example available. The American Express Platinum Card is generally settled in full each month rather than repaid through instalments. The card costs €60 per month (€720 per year). The current welcome offer includes up to €340 starting credit when the required card spend is reached within the first six months and the account remains in good standing.
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium charge card positioned at the top of the Amex product range in Germany. At €720 per year, it targets cardholders who travel frequently and want access to airport lounges, concierge services and a broad package of travel-related benefits. It is a charge card, not a revolving credit card, which means the full balance is due each month rather than being carried forward with interest.
Key Details
The card runs on the American Express network. Acceptance of American Express in Germany is narrower than Visa or Mastercard. Many smaller shops, restaurants and some online retailers do not accept Amex. Cardholders who rely on this card as their only payment method may encounter gaps, particularly outside major cities or when shopping at German supermarket chains and discounters.
Because it is a charge card, there is no revolving credit facility and no interest charged on purchases, provided the balance is settled in full each month. This structure differs from standard revolving credit cards in Germany, where cardholders can carry a balance and pay interest on it.
The current welcome offer includes up to €340 in starting credit when the required card spend is reached within the first six months and the account remains in good standing. Terms on welcome offers can change, so it is worth confirming the current conditions at the time of application.
Fees, Interest Rates and Limits
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €720 (€60 per month equivalent) |
| First year free | No |
| Interest rate on purchases | N/A – charge card; balance due in full each month |
| Effective annual interest rate (APR) | N/A |
| Interest-free days | Not applicable – full monthly settlement required |
| Foreign currency fee | 2.00% |
| Cash withdrawal fee | 4.00%, minimum €5 |
| Weekly ATM limit | Generally €1,500 |
| Maximum credit limit | Not stated in the provided card information |
| Repayment type | Full monthly settlement (charge card) |
| Card network | American Express |
| Late payment fee | Not stated in the provided card information |
| Reminder fee | €8 |
| Invoice fee | None |
| Overdraft fee | None stated |
| Free additional card | Yes |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Minimum annual income | Not stated in the provided card information |
| Payment defaults allowed | No |
Annual Fee and Cost Consideration
At €720 per year, the American Express Platinum Card carries one of the highest annual fees available on the German market. This is a fixed cost regardless of how much the card is used. There is no first-year waiver.
Whether the fee represents value depends entirely on how much the cardholder uses the included benefits. Frequent travellers who regularly use airport lounges, hotel status perks and travel credits may offset a significant portion of the annual cost. Occasional travellers or those who primarily want a payment card are unlikely to recover the fee through benefits alone.
Repayment Structure
The Platinum Card is a charge card. The full outstanding balance is collected each month, typically by direct debit from a linked German bank account. There is no option to carry a balance forward and pay interest on it over time. This removes the risk of accumulating revolving debt but also means the cardholder must have sufficient funds available each month to cover all spending.
Because there is no revolving credit, there is no purchase interest rate or APR to compare. The card does not function like a standard instalment or revolving credit product.
Cash Withdrawals
Cash withdrawals are available through the Express Cash Service, which may require activation and is generally available after six months of account holding. The fee is 4.00% of the withdrawal amount, with a minimum charge of €5. The weekly ATM limit is generally €1,500.
These fees make cash withdrawals expensive and best avoided unless necessary. The 4.00% fee applies on top of any ATM operator charges that may be levied independently. For regular cash needs, a separate debit card or a no annual fee credit card with better cash terms would be more cost-effective.
Foreign Currency Use
A foreign currency fee of 2.00% applies to transactions made in currencies other than euros. This fee is charged on top of the exchange rate used by American Express at the time of the transaction. For a premium travel credit card at this price point, a 2.00% foreign currency fee is worth noting, as some competing cards at lower annual fees offer zero foreign transaction fees.
Cardholders who spend heavily in foreign currencies, for example on international business trips or extended travel, should factor this cost into their assessment of the card’s overall value.
Digital Payments and Additional Cards
The card supports Google Pay and Apple Pay. Samsung Pay is not supported. One free additional card is included, which can be issued to a supplementary cardholder such as a partner or family member. The additional cardholder’s spending counts toward the primary account.
Eligibility and Approval
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and resident in Germany. Payment defaults are not permitted, meaning a clean credit history is required. American Express conducts a SCHUFA inquiry as part of the application process in Germany. A negative SCHUFA entry or a history of missed payments will typically result in a declined application.
No minimum annual income is stated in the provided card information. However, given the €720 annual fee and the requirement to settle the full balance each month, American Express will assess whether the applicant’s financial situation supports the card. In practice, this card is aimed at higher-income individuals. Those who are new to Germany, have a limited credit history or are still building their financial profile should review how to apply for a credit card in Germany before proceeding.
American Express is not a German bank and does not require applicants to hold an Amex bank account. However, a German bank account is needed for the monthly direct debit settlement.
Benefits and Features
The Platinum Card is known for its benefits package rather than its basic payment function. The specific benefits available in Germany include, but may not be limited to, the following categories. Cardholders should verify current benefit terms directly with American Express, as these can change.
Travel and Lounge Access
- Access to airport lounges through the Priority Pass programme and American Express’s own Centurion Lounges where available
- Hotel status benefits through programmes such as Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, subject to enrolment
- Travel credits or statement credits that may offset portions of the annual fee, subject to qualifying spend categories
- Concierge service for restaurant reservations, event tickets and travel bookings
Insurance and Protection
- Travel insurance coverage, which may include trip cancellation, travel accident and baggage protection – exact terms and coverage limits should be confirmed in the card’s insurance certificate
- Purchase protection and extended warranty on eligible items
Membership Rewards
- Points earned on eligible purchases through the American Express Membership Rewards programme
- Points can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programmes or redeemed for other rewards
The value of these benefits depends heavily on individual usage patterns. A cardholder who regularly books business-class flights and stays at partner hotels will extract more value than one who travels occasionally in economy.
Welcome Offer
The current welcome offer includes up to €340 in starting credit when the required card spend is met within the first six months and the account remains in good standing. The exact spend threshold required to unlock this credit is not stated in the provided card information. Welcome offers are subject to change and should be confirmed at the time of application.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive travel benefits package including lounge access | €720 annual fee with no first-year waiver |
| No revolving interest – full monthly settlement avoids debt accumulation | 2.00% foreign currency fee on non-euro transactions |
| Free additional card included | American Express acceptance is limited in Germany compared to Visa and Mastercard |
| Google Pay and Apple Pay supported | Cash withdrawal fee of 4.00% (minimum €5) and Express Cash only available after approximately six months |
| Membership Rewards points on eligible spending | Payment defaults not permitted – requires clean credit history |
| Concierge service and hotel status benefits | Samsung Pay not supported |
| Welcome offer of up to €340 starting credit | Spend threshold for welcome offer not stated in provided card information |
Who This Card May Suit
The American Express Platinum Card is designed for frequent travellers who can make consistent use of the lounge access, hotel status perks and travel credits. The annual fee is most justifiable when multiple benefits are used regularly throughout the year.
It is less suitable for cardholders who want a straightforward everyday payment card, those who travel infrequently, or those who need wide acceptance across all German retailers. It is also not appropriate for anyone seeking a cashback credit card with simple cash returns on spending, as the Platinum Card’s rewards are primarily points-based and travel-oriented.
Self-employed individuals and business travellers who can use the benefits regularly and who need a premium card for client entertainment or frequent international travel represent a core audience for this product. Those looking for a business credit card should note that American Express also offers dedicated business products that may be more appropriate depending on the use case.
Things to Check Before Applying
Several details are not stated in the provided card information, including the maximum credit limit, the minimum annual income requirement and the exact spend threshold required to unlock the welcome offer. These should be confirmed directly with American Express before applying.
The benefits package, including lounge access terms, hotel status levels and travel credits, is subject to change. American Express updates its benefit terms periodically. Cardholders should review the current benefit guide at the time of application rather than relying on historical descriptions.
The 2.00% foreign currency fee applies to all non-euro transactions. Cardholders who spend frequently abroad should calculate whether this cost is offset by the travel benefits included with the card.
The Express Cash Service for ATM withdrawals requires activation and is generally only available after six months. Applicants who need immediate cash access from the card should factor this restriction into their decision.