The Amex Platinum Card is a credit card that costs a lot, but also offers a variety of additional services. One of them is access to over 1,400 airport lounges around the world.
The credit card landscape is huge – there is now a suitable card for every need, from free models to cards with additional benefits such as cashback or insurance to variants that are interesting for frequent flyers. These include credit cards that promise free airport lounge access. There aren’t many of them. The Amex Platinum Card is one of them – but what does that actually mean?
What’s the deal with airport lounges?
Not every airport has lounges, but most major international or regional airports offer such facilities. Lounge availability often depends on the size of the airport and the airlines operating there. Large airports with high passenger volumes typically have a variety of lounges offered by airlines, alliances or independent operators.
Lounges often come in different versions:
- Airline lounges: These are provided by major airlines for their premium passengers (e.g. business and first class) or frequent flyers.
- Alliance Lounges: Airline alliances often offer shared lounges for passengers of all member airlines.
- Independent lounges: These lounges can be used by passengers who are willing to pay admission or have access through programs such as Priority Pass.
The lounges often have free drinks and food or snacks. To make travelers as comfortable as possible, there are also comfortable armchairs and a relaxing atmosphere. There are also opportunities to work thanks to well-equipped work areas. But be careful: airport lounges often differ significantly from one another – there is no ONE basic set of amenities.
American Express offers an included Priority Pass membership with its premium credit card. But that’s not all, with the American Express Global Lounge Collection there are over 1,400 lounges available for free entry worldwide, at over 500 airports in more than 140 countries.
What is the American Express Global Lounge Collection
The American Express Global Lounge Collection is an exclusive program that offers American Express Platinum holders access to a wide range of airport lounges worldwide. It includes several partnerships and its own lounges, and the Priority Pass is part of the offer.
What the Global Lounge Collection offers:
- Centurion Lounges: These are the exclusive lounges that are operated by American Express itself. They are located at select airports worldwide and offer premium services such as high-quality food, drinks and workspaces.
- Priority Pass: American Express Platinum Cardholders also receive a Priority Pass Select membership at no additional cost. Priority Pass is a separate, independent lounge program that offers access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
- Delta Sky Club: American Express Platinum Cardholders have access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta Airlines.
- Lufthansa lounges: At certain airports in Germany and the USA, Platinum card holders receive access to Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges when flying with Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian Airlines.
- Plaza Premium Lounges: American Express also offers access to Plaza Premium Lounges, a network of independent lounges available worldwide.
- Airspace Lounges and other independent lounges: Additionally, there are a variety of independent lounges that are part of the Global Lounge Collection.
The good: To gain access to the lounges, travelers with the Amex Platinum Card do not need a business or first class ticket. However, there has been a small restriction since January 2024: holders of a German American Express Platinum Card no longer have access to the Delta Sky Clubs if they travel with a Delta Basic Economy ticket.
Another advantage: With the Priority Pass, which is issued together with the Platinum Card, travelers can even take one guest into the lounge for free.
The costs of the Amex Platinum Card should be offset
In addition to extensive lounge access, the Amex Platinum Card offers many other benefits, especially for frequent travelers – but it also costs a hefty price of 720 euros per year. But if you travel a lot on planes and spend a lot of time at airports, you can do the math: the platinum card, including the main and additional cards, includes two Priority Pass Select memberships. If you took out this separately, it would be roughly equivalent to prestige membership with Priority Pass. This currently costs 413 euros for the first year for one person. The Amex platinum card is definitely worth it. And that’s not all: In addition, holders of the main and additional platinum cards are allowed to take one additional person into the lounge with them at no additional cost. If you buy the Priority Pass separately, you pay the equivalent of around 30 euros per additional person.
In addition to worldwide lounge access, American Express offers other additional services that can be worthwhile for frequent travelers. This includes, for example, a comprehensive package of travel insurance. If you don’t yet have an Amex Platin Card but would like to protect yourself with complete travel protection, you can also take advantage of complete travel protection insurance from American Express. This includes:
- Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
- International health insurance
- Medical assistance abroad
- Travel accident insurance
- Baggage insurance
- Travel comfort insurance
For whom is the Amex Platinum Card with free lounge access worthwhile?
For frequent flyers, the option of free lounge access with the Amex platinum card can be quite interesting. If you really use the lounges regularly, you can offset a good portion of the cost of the card – especially since the premium card comes with many other benefits. But the same applies: These should also be used, otherwise the high price is hardly worth it. If you travel a lot but fly less often, a credit card with included travel insurance, which is significantly cheaper, may be sufficient. The Mastercard Gold from TF Bank, for example, is completely free and also offers extensive travel insurance.
Conclusion
The American Express Platinum Card is worthwhile for people who travel often, value convenience and actually want to take advantage of the card’s additional benefits. Complimentary lounge access can improve the travel experience, especially for frequent flyers and luxury travelers.
Source: Stern
