CREDIT CARDS

Amex Abroad: Foreign Transaction Fee, Exchange Rate and the DCC Trap

Every German-issued Amex charges a 2% foreign currency fee — from the free Blue Card to the Centurion. On top of that sits an exchange rate markup almost nobody checks. And at the terminal, a second layer of fees is waiting.

Christian·2026-10-06·5 min read

CENTURION

Centurion Design on Any Card in Apple Pay: How the Hack Works

Any card in Apple Wallet can look like a Centurion and still pay as usual. How to swap the card image via Mac, Windows or directly on the iPhone with iOS 27, and how to get the original back.

Christian·2026-09-30·5 min read

TRAVEL

Centurion Lounge Locations 2026: Every Lounge Worldwide

Every Centurion Lounge open at the end of September 2026: 16 in the US plus the Sidecar, eleven airports in the rest of the world, what has closed, what is coming, and the access rules that changed in July.

Christian·2026-09-29·5 min read

STATUS

Qatar Gold with the Centurion: Via ALL Accor to oneworld Sapphire

The Centurion brings ALL Accor Diamond, and Accor Diamond brings Qatar Privilege Club Gold. How the chain works and how to get the most out of it.

Christian·2026-09-26·5 min read

CREDIT CARDS

Amex Platinum Supplementary Card in Germany: What Your Partner Actually Gets and What Stays With the Main Account

Lounge access, insurance, and hotel status travel with the Platinum supplementary card itself. The credits do not: they belong to the card account and are paid out once. What the second card can do, what it cannot, and when the free Gold supplementary card is enough.

Christian·2026-09-22·5 min read

STRATEGY

Do Membership Rewards Points Expire? The Rules on Cancellation, Product Changes, and Late Payments

Membership Rewards points have no expiry date, but they come with three conditions: an open card contract, a bill paid on time, and no trouble with Amex. What the German program terms actually say, what happens on downgrade and cancellation, and why the twelve-month grace period is worth less than it sounds.

Christian·2026-09-18·5 min read

CREDIT CARDS

Canceling the Amex Platinum in Germany: Notice Period, Pro-Rata Refund, and Saving Your Points

The cancellation itself is one phone call. The expensive part comes before and after: points that are only good for vouchers, a bonus that is revoked retroactively, and an 18-month lockout from the next one. Here is the order that avoids all three.

Christian·2026-09-15·5 min read

CENTURION

Centurion New York: The Amex Club on the 55th Floor of One Vanderbilt

No airport, no boarding pass: Centurion New York is a restaurant with a club feel above Midtown. What it costs, who gets in and what ends up on the plate.

Christian·2026-09-14·5 min read

TRAVEL

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2

Two Centurion Lounges at one airport, both à la carte instead of a buffet. What separates Terminal 1 from Terminal 2, where the entrance is, and what Platinum cardholders should read on the menu.

Christian·2026-09-14·5 min read

TRAVEL

Centurion Lounge JFK: The Lounge, the Bar and the Door Marked 1850

The Centurion Lounge in Terminal 4 at JFK is crowded and loud. Behind a copper door on the lower level is the reason to go anyway.

Christian·2026-09-14·5 min read

TRAVEL

Frankfurt Airport Fast Lane 2026: Who Gets Access?

The Frankfurt Airport fast lane explained: who qualifies, why Priority Pass is not the answer, and how FRA SmartWay opens the access for free.

Christian·2026-08-20·5 min read

CREDIT CARDS

Amex Insurance: How to File a Claim and Get Paid

How to file an Amex insurance claim properly: which insurer is responsible, the deadlines, the documents required, and the process for each claim type.

Christian·2026-08-20·5 min read