Many credit card providers offer their customers a service package consisting of bonus programs, starting credit and more. That sounds tempting, but it’s not worth it for everyone.
Paying for groceries, renting a rental car, booking the next flight – credit cards have numerous advantages compared to a classic EC card. If you travel abroad a lot, you can hardly avoid a credit card.
However, many providers offer their customers far more than just the option of paying flexibly for goods and services at home and abroad and entice them with a number of advantages. An overview.
American Express Platinum Card: 55,000 Membership Rewards points and more
Paying by credit card is particularly practical when traveling abroad, as you don’t have to worry about exchanging money first. Anyone who travels a lot for work can benefit from bonuses, loyalty programs and other extras – the top dog here is the Platinum Card from American Express.
The credit card provider gives its new customers a welcome bonus of 55,000 Membership Rewards points. In order to receive this, however, you have to spend 6,000 euros on your credit card in the first six months – a handsome sum. Therefore, the map should be of particular interest to those who fly a lot, stay in hotels and eat out.
What does the American Express Platinum Card offer?
- 55,000 Membership Rewards points
- Participation in the MR bonus program (1 point for every euro spent)
- Annual restaurant credit of 150 euros, redeemable in participating restaurants
- Annual entertainment credit of 120 euros for selected streaming services
- 200 euros Sixt Ride driving credit per year
- 200 euros travel credit (e.g. for flights or hotel accommodation)
- Up to 5 additional cards possible
- Status updates for hotel, airline or rental car partners
- Cost: 60 euros per month
With the Platinum Card, American Express customers currently receive an annual restaurant credit of 150 euros, which can be redeemed in more than 1,400 partner restaurants in 20 countries. The package also includes an entertainment credit of 120 euros for various streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. Existing customers can get the new bonuses if they are willing to pay an additional five euros a month for the credit card.
Alternative: Lufthansa Miles & More with a welcome gift
But not only Amex is adding bonuses and functionality: The Lufthansa Miles & More Gold Credit Card is now starting with 15,000 award miles as a welcome bonus for purchases made by February 28, 2023. Anyone who then spends EUR 3,000 with the card by April 30, gets an additional 15,000 miles on top. In this way, a total of 30,000 bonus miles can be earned, which can be used to make payments at selected partners. A monthly fee of EUR 9.16 is due for the Miles & More Gold Credit Card.
This is what the Miles & More Gold Credit Card offers:
- 15,000 premium miles welcome bonus + another 15,000 miles if you spend 3,000 euros by April 30, 2023
- Bonus program for unlimited premium miles (for every 2 euros you get 1 mile)
- Incl. insurance package when traveling such as travel cancellation or international health insurance
- Possibility to book additional packages
- Cost: 9.16 euros per month
Which credit cards are still worthwhile? Here it goes to .
Platinum Card or Lufthansa Miles & More: For whom is the credit card worthwhile?
For those who only want to pay for their vacation or purchases with a credit card from time to time, neither option is an option. Both the Amex Platinum and the Lufthansa Miles & More are primarily aimed at people who travel a lot and use their credit cards accordingly. Anyone who opts for Amex Platinum or Miles & More Gold should definitely calculate beforehand how much can be saved by participating in the respective bonus programs and the benefits offered.
Source: Stern
