After three years with my American Express Platinum card, I’ve decided to call it quits.
The Good Old Days
When I first got the card, it made perfect sense. I was frequently flying between Amsterdam and Oslo, and having access to airport lounges was a game-changer.
Instead of sitting in crowded terminals, I could actually get work done in a quiet space while waiting for my flights. Together with the points savings, and the dining credits, the annual fee was a worthwhile investment.
Where Things Went Wrong
The Lounge Drama
First, Amex ended its deal with Avinor (the Norwegian airport operator). Just like that, my lounge access in Norway was gone. The lounges became exclusively accessible to Amex cardholders connected to Norwegian banks. So there I was, with the same premium card, but suddenly locked out because it was connected to a Dutch bank.
The Dining Credit Downgrade
Then Amex dropped another bomb: they replaced their dining credits with something called “Dining for Two.” Don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t — their website just has some vague text about a €50 credit and special invitations. They actually had the audacity to announce this downgrade as an exciting new feature in their newsletter!
The European Acceptance Problem
Here’s a major ongoing issue: Amex just isn’t widely accepted in Europe. While it might work great in the US and Canada, over here you constantly need a backup card. Why pay premium fees for a card you can’t reliably use?
The Tech Mess
The technical experience is consistently frustrating:
– The website login is often malfunctioning
– The Amex app works well but has only basic functions
– The American Express app? Completely pointless
– Transferring points is a buggy nightmare, often requiring manual intervention from the helpdesk
– Managing multiple Amex accounts (general vs. Platinum) is needlessly confusing
The Cancellation Process
When I decided to cancel, I discovered that as a Dutch customer, you have to deal with the American SafeDesk. There, you will be offered points to stay. Think about whether you will be accepting points beforehand, and how many. Also, make sure to inquire about the clawback policies before accepting any amount.
What’s Next?
I’m eyeing an SAS EuroBonus MasterCard now. Saving Eurobonus points is most important to me right now. Also, I won’t have to juggle multiple cards just to make sure I can actually pay for things. You can read my review process in this blog post.
The Bottom Line
While the card had its moment — those quiet lounge times and initial perks were great — times change, and so do credit card needs. For Europeans, especially those of us in the Netherlands, there are simply better options available. The combination of limited acceptance, reduced benefits, and technical frustrations makes it hard to justify the premium fees.
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