The American Express Gold Card, also known as the Amex Gold card is a mid-range card offering from American Express in the Netherlands and costs €240 annually. Apply for the American Express Gold Card here
Is the Amex Gold card worth paying this fee? In this guide we will take a detailed look at the travel and insurance benefits the Gold card has to offer.
The American Express Gold Card is a charge card – not a credit card – and the balance has to be paid in full each month. It is issued directly by the American Express Company.
The card fee is €20 per month which is €240 on an annual basis.
Benefits of the Amex Gold card in the Netherlands
Amex Gold in the Netherlands comes with a reasonable range of benefits.
Lounge Access with Amex Gold
The cardholder receives 4 free lounge visits per year made through a Priority Pass membership.
Any further visits after the 4 included would be charged at the standard €30 guest Priority Pass fee. This fee is usually a bit cheaper than paying the standard entry rates to lounges which are often €35-50.
You get 4 further free visits each year you renew the card.
Priority Pass has around 1,400 lounges worldwide in its network. Here are the Priority Pass lounges in the Netherlands and at nearby airports:
- Aspire Lounge 26 (Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol
- Aspire Lounge 41 (non-Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol
- Hugo Junkers Lounge, Dussledorf
- Open Sky Lounge, Dusseldorf
- The Lounge T1/T2, Brussels Charleroi
TIP: The Vienna Lounge at Vienna T1 is rated the best Priority Pass lounge in Europe.
One should note that some lounges on the Priority Pass network can be very busy and it may not always be possible to access.
The American Express Platinum card is the premium card offering from Amex with a raft of lounge and travel benefits. It offers unlimited lounge access via Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and more.
See our Amex Platinum Card guide here
Loungebox
At Schiphol Airport Amsterdam, Netherlands-issued Gold cardholders get a light freshly-prepared meal (‘Loungebox on the go’ in a blue Amex branded bag) at one of the 6 GRAB&FLY outlets on presentation of your Amex card and boarding pass.
This benefit is valid twice a month for the cardholder – and only applies if you choose not to enter one of the Aspire lounges on that day.
You can create your own menu by combining from the following three choices:
- Yogurt, a salad, a sandwich or a wrap
- a croissant or a piece of fruit
- one hot or cold drink.
Dining for 2 Credit
For 2025, Gold cardholders get a 2-course lunch or dinner for 2 (valued at €50 per person) at over 100 selected restaurants in the Benelux. This is available in October with reservations (mandatory) open 10 days before the start of the respective month.
If used in full the total value of the dining credit is €100. Dining for 2 can only be accessed through the Amex Experiences App.
Restaurants in Amsterdam include Loetje, Brut de Mer and Hotel de Goudfazant.
Travel Insurance
Travel accident insurance is available although the policy is not as comprehensive as that of the Platinum card.
When paying for your trip using the Gold card you get the following coverage:
- up to €1,500,000 for medical expenses
- up to € 700 per trip for lost, damaged or stolen personal property
- up to € 4,500 for trip cancellation or postponement
The insurance is underwritten by Europ Assistance, part of Generali Group. Please contact Amex regarding any pre-existing medical conditions.
Amazon Prime Membership
You will receive a credit on your account to cover the cost of an Amazon Prime membership in the Netherlands. This offers free delivery on Amazon and its streaming service.
You simply need to pay for your Prime account with the Gold card to get the benefit.
Membership Rewards – Points Earning
Membership Rewards is the in-house American Express points program which allows the flexibility to transfer points to other airline and hotel programs.
The Gold Card earns the standard 1 Membership Rewards (MR) point for every €1 spent on the card.
Generally the Dutch-issued Gold card offers no bonus points for applying.
It is currently possible for Dutch-based Membership Rewards cardholders to transfer their MR points into points/miles of 7 frequent flyer programs and 3 hotel programs.
Note, the partners and transfer rates are slightly different for Netherlands American Express cards compared to UK and US cards.
| Partner | Transfer Rate | Transfer Time | Minimum Transfer |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 5 : 4 Miles | 3-10 days | 625 MR points |
| British Airways Executive Club | 5 : 4 Avios | 4-10 days | 1,000 MR points |
| Asia Miles | 5 : 4 Miles | 7-10 days | 1,000 MR points |
| Delta SkyMiles | 3 : 1 SkyMile | 4-10 days | 3 MR points |
| Iberia Plus | 3 : 2 Avios | 1 day | 800 MR points |
| SAS EuroBonus | 3 : 2 points | 4-10 days | 1,200 MR points |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFLyer | 5 : 4 miles | up to 15 days | 1,600 MR points |
| Hilton Honors | 1 : 1 point | 4-10 days | 100 MR points |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1 : 1 point | 4-10 days | 300 MR points |
| Radisson Rewards | 1 : 2 points | 4-10 days | 2 MR points |
As an example, if you were to transfer 5,000 MR points to British Airways or Iberia you would receive 4,000 Avios into your account. The rate to Iberia is lower – it requires 6,000 MR points to get the 4,000 Avios – but transfer is quicker.
Amex Gold Card FAQ
What is a Membership Reward point worth?
Amex quotes a standard value at €0.003 per MR point (just under a third of a euro cent). However the points are more valuable on the basis that they are transferable. By carefully redeeming for business class flights you can get a lot higher value.
What is the fee on non-Euro payments for the American Express Gold card?
American Express charges 2.5% for payments made in other (non-euro) currencies. The card can be used forex fee-free anywhere in the 19 member states of the eurozone.
What is the income requirement for an Amex Gold Card?
You require a minimum gross income of €20,000 per year.
What are the supplementary card options with the Gold Card?
You can also get a Business Gold Card free for the first year – after that it is charged at the standard €270 per year. But note the income reuirement is higher at €36,000.
In addition, 4 free supplementary Amex Green Cards can be taken out.
How long does it take to apply for an American Express Gold card in the Netherlands?
Applications are normally processed within 10 working days.
What are the general requirements for an American Express card in the Netherlands?
You need to be aged 18 or over and have a Dutch address.
You should have no negative records on the ‘BKR’ Dutch credit register.
You should have a Dutch bank account. You need to verify your identity using the iDIN online identification system using your bank account login credentials.
You also have to upload a copy of your identity – valid passport or ID card (driving license not accepted) – which is verified via Onfido.
How can I manage my American Express account?
The account can be managed online through the American Express NL website or via the American Express app.
American Express can also be contacted by phone and Dutch/English is spoken.
Can I use Apple Pay with an American Express Gold card?
Yes, Apple Pay is available for all Amex Membership Rewards cards.
Can I cancel or change my American Express Gold card?
Yes, American Express is generally very flexible with cancellations. Since the card fee is paid monthly you effectively get a pro-rata refund if cancelling the card. Many other card providers will charge you for the full year.
You can also easily upgrade or downgrade to other American Express cards should you wish.
Which retailers in the Netherlands accept American Express cards?
ALDI, Dirk van den Broek and Jumbo supermarkets, De Bijenkorf department store, HEMA, IKEA stores and major petrol stations all accept AMEX payments.
Transport companies accepting AMEX include NS (Dutch Railways), KLM and Transavia. You can book experiences and activities with the likes of GetYourGuide and Tiqets.
American Express quotes the total value of the average annual benefits at €815 – compared with the €240 card fee.
With its 4 lounge visits, basic travel insurance and other perks the Gold card is an excellent introductory ‘mid-range’ card.
You could give the Gold card a try for a year to see it it works for you.
You can apply for the American Express Gold Card here
- 4 Lounge passes
- basic travel insurance coverage
- €100 Dining credit
- Amazon Prime subscription
Note: Card name is a registered trademark. You should pay your credit card or charge card balance in full every month. We are not offering any financial advice, we are merely describing the main card benefits and features. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before taking out any financial product.
First published on 15 May 2025.
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