AmericanExpress Best Credit Card for Portugal?
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AMEX in Portugal?
In general, American Express is less widely accepted throughout Portugal and Europe. This is due to high fees from Amex and little to no financial presence on the continent. Larger stores and hotels are more likely to accept an Amex card, but if you're spending in smaller shops, restaurants, and towns, you'll likely run into problems trying to use your American Express card.
Travel Card or Debit Card?
Debit cards are useful if you have a strict budget, but they aren't all created equal. If your debit card doesn't have a chip, you may have trouble using it while abroad. Many card machines require a chip and may not have swipe functionality. A newer option is the Wise travel card, which allows you to spend like a local in the local currency without foreign transaction fees.
Apple Pay is another alternative that works quite well in larger towns.
Most stores use a chip machine that offers a contactless pay option as well. I actually lost my credit card last year and have been able to use Apple Pay on my phone almost exclusively whenever I need to use a credit card. So, it's worth loading all your cards in Apple Pay on your phone for more flexibility.
ATMs in Portugal
Cash machines are fairly easy to find throughout Portugal but beware of certain ATMs in Portugal. It's always best to find a bank ATM so that you know you're getting a fair exchange rate and reasonable fees. One type of ATM to avoid if at all possible is the Euronet ATM. These are not connected to banks, and they are tourist traps. The exchange rates are absurd and they charge very high fees. Beware!
Which Credit Card is Accepted in Portugal?
While there are plenty of places that accept credit cards throughout Portugal, it's always a safe bet to carry cash money. That said, Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted cards throughout Portugal and Europe. American Express is accepted occasionally, but it's not as common to be able to use here in Portugal.
Compare Travel Credit Cards
When traveling to another country, it's important to consider how your credit card will work for you. While tons of banks and card issuers have travel plans, it is in your best interest to invest in a premium travel rewards card. These credit cards reward you for certain types of purchases and can significantly reduce how much you spend on travel!
There are many options for premium travel rewards cards, all with exclusive benefits. However, four cards rise above the competition: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, The Platinum Card from American Express, and the Capital One Venture Card stack up best for amazing general travel benefits, and the NEW TAP Miles&Go American Express® Credit Card. There’s a reason these cards compete at a higher level than the rest. Let’s dive into how they stack up against each other in the market.
Apply & Start Earning Your Travel Rewards Today!
Spend $8K within the first 6 months of card membership to
Earn 80,000
Rewards® Points
Spend $4K within the first 3 months of account opening to
Earn 60,000 Bonus Points
Spend $4K within the first 3 months of account opening to
Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles
Spend $2,500 within the first 3 months of account opening to
Earn 50,000 miles + 5,000 Status Miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs AMEX Platinum vs capital One Venture vs TAP American Express
KEY FEATURES
All of these travel cards have annual fees, but several significant differences. All offer rewards programs when using the card, however, the AMEX Membership Rewards program has 17 airline partners and three hotel partners, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program has 11 airline partners and three hotel partners, Capital One miles can be transferred and redeemed with 15 airline partners and three hotel partners, and the TAP Air American Express can be redeemed through TAP Air Portugal on Star Alliance and TAP flights.
While the TAP Amex may seem limited, if you are living in Portugal or plan to do so in the future, it can be a great way to earn rewards that will directly impact your ability to earn free travel to and from Portugal.
When I lived in New York and loved to travel with JetBlue out of their NYC base, having the JetBlue credit card guaranteed I could book free travel several times a year! Now that I live in Portugal, the TAP Air Amex just makes sense for our family to earn free travel on our everyday purchases.
BONUSES
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months, equating to about $1,440 in travel. The AMEX Platinum Card matches this with the same points but requires spending $8,000 in the first six months. The Capital One Venture Card comes with a bonus of 75,000 miles after a $4,000 spend in the first three months. Meanwhile, the TAP Miles&Go American Express Card currently offers 50,000 bonus miles + 5,000 status miles after spending only $2,500 in the first 90 days.
The TAP Miles&Go American Express Card offers the most accessible entry point for earning a significant welcome bonus, requiring a spend of just $2,500 within the first 90 days to earn 40,000 bonus miles. This lower spending threshold makes it an attractive option for those seeking to accumulate a healthy amount of bonus miles more easily.
TRAVEL BENEFITS
Both cards come with plentiful travel and shopping credits that can be beneficial to offset the annual fee.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE
✓ $300 annual travel credit
✓ 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
✓ 5x total points on air travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
✓ 3x points on travel and dining
✓ 1 point per dollar on everything else
✓ Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
✓ Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
✓ Complimentary elite status with Avis, National, or Silvercar car rental agencies
✓ Trip interruption or cancellation insurance
✓ Trip delay insurance
✓ Baggage delay insurance
✓ Lost luggage reimbursement
✓ No foreign transaction fees
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE
✓ Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
✓ 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
✓ Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
✓ Travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance
✓ Auto rental collision damage waiver
✓ Ability to transfer miles to various travel loyalty programs
✓ Lounge Access – 2 visits/year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges
✓ No foreign transaction fees
✓ Emergency Card Replacement
AMEX PLATINUM
✓ $200 in annual credit toward prepaid hotels booked through the American Express travel collection
✓ 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or AMEX Travel
✓ 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on AMEX Travel
✓ 1 point per dollar on everything else
✓ Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit
✓ $200 in airline fee credit each year
✓ Gold/Elite status with Hilton and Marriott
✓ Airport lounge access
✓ Secondary car rental insurance
✓ Trip interruption, cancellation, or delay insurance
✓ No foreign transaction fees
✓ $200 Uber Cash annually
✓ $189 annually in credits for CLEAR membership
✓ Access to Platinum Travel Service/custom itineraries
TAP MILES&GO AMEX
✓ 3X miles per dollar on TAP Air Portugal purchases
✓ 2X miles per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and rideshares
✓ 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
✓ TAP Premier Lounge in Lisbon – 2 access passes/year
✓ Complimentary baggage allowance – 2 times/year
✓ Unlimited Preferred boarding for you and your travel companions
✓ Earn up to 10k Status Miles/year
✓ No foreign transaction fees
✓ Immediate use of the card upon approval via the Cardless platform
ANNUAL FEES
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550, and the AMEX Platinum Card's annual fee is $695. In contrast, the Capital One Venture Card has a more modest annual fee of $95. The TAP Miles&Go American Express Card charges a low annual fee of $79, making it an attractive choice.
These fees can be offset by utilizing each card's rewards, with each offering distinct value depending on the your preferences and spending habits.
| BENEFITS | CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE | AMEX PLATINUM | CAPITAL ONE VENTURE | TAP AIR AMEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee |
$550 | $695 |
$95 |
$79 |
| Welcome Bonus |
80,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months | 80,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months |
75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
40,000 miles after $2,500 spend in 90 days |
| Annual Travel Credit | $300 |
$200 (hotels) |
- | - |
| Points on Travel | 10x (hotels/car rentals) |
5x (flights/hotels) |
5x (hotels/rental cars) |
3x TAP Air Portugal and 2x on hotels/car rentals/rideshare |
| Additional Travel Points |
5x (air travel) |
1x on all other purchases |
2x on every purchase |
1x on all other purchases |
| Points on Dining |
3x |
- |
- |
- |
| Global Entry, TSA, NEXUS or CLEAR Fee Credit |
Global Entry, TSA, NEXUS fee credit |
$189 CLEAR credit |
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit |
- |
| Additional Credits |
- |
$200 airline fee credit |
- |
complimentary baggage allowance (2 times/year) |
| Lounge Access |
Priority Pass Lounges |
Amex Global Collection Lounges |
2x per year Capital One & Plaza Premium Lounges | 2x per year TAP Air Lisbon Lounge |
| Foreign Transaction Fees |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| Trip Insurance |
yes |
yes |
yes |
- |
| Additional Insurance |
baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement |
secondary car rental insurance |
travel accident insurance, auto rental collision waiver |
- |
| Other Benefits |
elite status with car rental agencies, trip insurance |
Gold/Elite status with Hilton and Marriott, trip insurance, $200 Uber Cash, Platinum Travel Service |
travel accident insurance, 24-hour assistance, auto rental collision waiver, emergency card replacement | unlimited preferred boarding, earn up to 10k Status Miles/year, immediate card use |
American Express Portugal
In regards to what to use when traveling to Portugal, American Express is less accepted than VISA and Mastercard, but not impossible to use. I usually use my Amex for online purchases so that I can continue to earn points.
American Express offers various luxury hotels and resorts in Portugal, so using the AMEX Platinum for these bookings is very useful for collecting bonus points and accessing luxury accommodations. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, and TAP Portugal Amex cards are excellent alternative travel rewards cards to use in Portugal.
All four cards make travel cheaper when used correctly. The AMEX Platinum Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture cards are great for frequent travelers looking to earn free flights and hotel stays. But if your main goal is to fly in and out of Portugal for free, your best bet is the TAP Air American Express Card.
Using this card for all your daily purchases will optimize your spending in a way that will result in multiple free flights in and out of Portugal every year. Particularly if you plan to jet set around Europe, TAP offers some of the cheapest flights out of Lisbon’s hub and you’ll absolutely get your points worth out of this card.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which travel rewards card is best for your needs! Happy traveling!
Renovating Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links like this allow us to continue providing top-quality content at no cost to you.
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