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Our Take on Poinz Card Amex
1% cashback (free card!) plus 3% for the first 3 months. The catch: limited Amex acceptance.
The Poinz Card Amex offers significantly better cashback than their Visa: 1% ongoing plus 3% for the first three months. For a free card, these are competitive rates. The tradeoff is American Express's limited Swiss acceptance. If you can work around that, this is genuine value.
Is It Worth Getting?
If you can use Amex regularly, yes. 1% ongoing cashback matches the best free cards in Switzerland. The 3% welcome rate for 3 months is excellent. CHF 5,000 first-quarter spending = CHF 150 cashback. CHF 20,000 ongoing annual spending = CHF 200 cashback. For a free card, that's real money.
The math only works if you can actually use the card. Amex acceptance in Switzerland is around 70-80%. You'll hit gaps at smaller merchants, some restaurants, and certain service providers.
What Actually Stands Out
The 1% cashback on a free card is the headline. Most free cards offer 0.25-0.5%. This matches Certo One (also 1% free) but adds the 3% welcome bonus that Certo doesn't offer. For the first three months, Poinz Amex is among the best earning cards in Switzerland.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay all work. Unlimited free additional cards for family members who want to earn on shared accounts.
What Most Reviews Miss
The 2.5% FX fee is high. For international purchases, the 1% cashback doesn't offset the FX cost compared to cards like Cornèrcard (1.2% FX). Use this domestically; use other cards abroad.
You need a backup card. Amex acceptance gaps mean you'll carry a Visa or Mastercard anyway. Some people find this manageable; others prefer one card for everything. Be realistic about whether multi-card strategy fits your lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
Excellent free cashback if you can work around Amex acceptance limitations. The 1% ongoing rate and 3% welcome bonus are genuinely competitive. Pair with a Visa/Mastercard for gaps. Compare alternatives in our best cashback credit cards in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Worth having for the 1% rate where accepted. The welcome bonus makes the first three months especially valuable.
PROS
- No annual fee
- 3 welcome bonus points
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- 1% cashback
- Cashback points paid out on account from CHF 100 or exchanged for vouchers with extra cashback
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
CONS
- High foreign exchange fee (2.5%)
- No travel insurance
- No medical coverage
- No airport lounge access
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
Free
Rewards rate
1% cashback
FX Fee
2.5%
Welcome bonus
3 % cash
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
No annual fee
Annual fee (after first year)
No annual fee
Foreign exchange fee
2.5%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
4% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
6.5% (min CHF 10)
Late Payment Fee
CHF 30
Additional Cards
-
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
cashback
Base rewards rate
1 %
Welcome bonus
3 % cash
Earn 3% cashback on all purchases
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
No travel insurance
Medical insurance coverage
No medical coverage
Purchase protection
No purchase protection
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
American Express
Card Type
Standard
Currency
CHF
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
CHF 10,000
Airport lounge access
Concierge service
Key Features
- 1% cashback
- Cashback points paid out on account from CHF 100 or exchanged for vouchers with extra cashback
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
- Access to various additional insurances available for a fee, enhancing travel and medical protection
- No annual fee
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30’000/year
You Pay
CHF 0
per year
You Get Back
CHF 303
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 303
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30’000/yr × 1%
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct.
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual fee for the Poinz Card Amex?
- The Poinz Card Amex has no annual fee, making it accessible to all cardholders.
- What are the foreign transaction fees for the Poinz Card Amex?
- The Poinz Card Amex charges a 2.5% foreign exchange fee on international transactions.
- What rewards does the Poinz Card Amex offer?
- The Poinz Card Amex offers cashback rewards at a base rate of 0 per CHF spent.
- Is the Poinz Card Amex compatible with Apple Pay?
- Yes, the Poinz Card Amex is fully compatible with Apple Pay for contactless mobile payments.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why Poinz Card Amex got its score? We rate Cashback cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the Poinz Card Amex today and start enjoying its benefits.