Swisscard American Express Gold Card
Swisscard
Overall Rating
Annual fee
CHF 350
1st year: CHF 175
Network
American Express
Rewards Type
Points
Welcome bonus
30,000 points
Also good for
Our Take on Swisscard American Express Gold Card
30,000 welcome points (worth CHF 300+), lounge access, and 1 point per CHF 1. Serious Amex for committed users.
The Swisscard American Express Gold Card is for committed Membership Rewards enthusiasts. At CHF 350 annually, you get 30,000 welcome points, 2 complimentary lounge visits, modest medical coverage, and double the earning rate of the standard card. If you can work around Amex acceptance limitations, the rewards potential is genuine.
Is CHF 350 Worth It?
For Membership Rewards enthusiasts, often yes. 30,000 welcome points are worth CHF 300+ when transferred to airline partners like Miles & More. 1 point per CHF 1 ongoing (double the standard card) means CHF 20,000 annual spending = 20,000 points.
The annual fee is payable with Membership Rewards points, creating flexible redemption options. If you value transfer partners, the math works. If you'd rather have cashback, Swisscard's cashback cards may suit better.
What Actually Stands Out
The Membership Rewards earning rate is the differentiator. 1 point per CHF 1 is competitive for Amex in Switzerland. Points transfer to airlines, hotels, or redeem for statement credits. The flexibility appeals to miles-and-points enthusiasts.
2 complimentary lounge visits annually through Priority Pass adds convenience. CHF 10,000 medical coverage abroad and CHF 300 flight delay coverage provide some protection, though not comprehensive. For a full breakdown of Priority Pass and LoungeKey cards, see our lounge access guide.
What Most Reviews Miss
CHF 10,000 medical coverage is modest for a gold card. Most Visa/Mastercard gold cards offer CHF 200,000-300,000. A serious medical emergency abroad would exceed this quickly. Consider additional travel insurance.
American Express acceptance limitations remain. 70-80% coverage means you need Visa/Mastercard backup. The 2.5% FX fee is high for international purchases.
The Bottom Line
A solid Amex for committed Membership Rewards users. The welcome bonus and earning rate justify the fee for points enthusiasts. The acceptance limitations and modest medical coverage are tradeoffs. Compare alternatives in our best premium credit cards in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Worth it for Membership Rewards maximizers who can handle Amex acceptance gaps. Keep Visa/Mastercard backup.
PROS
- 30000 welcome bonus points
- Travel insurance coverage up to CHF 300
- Up to CHF 10,000 coverage for medical expenses
- Airport lounge access
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- 30000 welcome bonus Membership Rewards points
- Up to 300 CHF coverage for flight delays
CONS
- High annual fee (CHF 350)
- High foreign exchange fee (2.5%)
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
CHF 350
1st Year
CHF 175
Rewards rate
1 points/CHF
FX Fee
2.5%
Welcome bonus
30,000 points
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 300
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 175
Annual fee (after first year)
CHF 350
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
CHF 150/card/year
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
Points
Base rewards rate
1 / CHF
Welcome bonus
30,000 points
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 300
Medical insurance coverage
CHF 10'000
Purchase protection
CHF 2'000
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
American Express
Card Type
Gold
Currency
CHF
Minimum income requirement
CHF 25'000
Monthly spending limit
CHF 30'000
Airport lounge access
Airport lounge access available
Concierge service
Key Features
- 30000 welcome bonus Membership Rewards points
- Up to 300 CHF coverage for flight delays
- 10,000 Swiss francs medical treatment coverage for travelers up to age 80
- 2 complimentary airport lounge visits annually with discounted additional entries
- Annual fee can be paid with Membership Rewards points
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30'000/year
You Pay
CHF 350
per year
You Get Back
CHF 700
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 350
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30'000/yr × 1 points/CHF × 1 ct
30'000 points × 1 ct
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
- How much does it cost to add a partner card to the Gold Card?
- CHF 150 a year per supplementary card, one of the highest in the Swiss premium segment where the average is CHF 55. For a couple charging CHF 30,000 jointly, the supp fee alone eats most of any rewards back.
- What's the foreign ATM cost?
- 6.50% with a CHF 10 minimum, identical to the BLUE card and well above the premium-segment average of 5.68%. The Gold gives you Membership Rewards and insurance, but no break on cash withdrawal pricing.
- What income do I need to qualify?
- CHF 25,000 gross per year minimum, with a Swiss residence permit and a clean ZEK. That's lower than most gold cards in Switzerland, so the Amex Gold is unusually accessible if you can stomach the annual fee.
- How are the 30,000 welcome points triggered?
- After hitting a qualifying spend in your first months. They post in one batch and don't expire while your Amex membership is active. If you cancel within the first year, watch for the clawback clause in the activation terms.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why Swisscard American Express Gold Card got its score? We rate Premium 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 Swisscard American Express Gold Card today and start enjoying its benefits.