American Express Opens Its First Continental Europe Centurion Lounge In Amsterdam

American Express is officially expanding its footprint in Europe with a major milestone: the opening of its very first Centurion Lounge in continental Europe. Located at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the highly anticipated 6,000-square-foot space officially opens its doors to eligible Card Members on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

A Dutch-Inspired Retreat Between Concourses E and F

Situated in the non-Schengen zone between Concourses E and F, the new lounge operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Designed to reflect the local environment, the space draws inspiration from Dutch art, landscapes, and Amsterdam's iconic canals, featuring a soothing palette of blues and greens alongside floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light.

• Locally Inspired Dining: The lounge features a rotating hot buffet highlighting regional European and traditional Dutch cuisine. Expect to see local favorites on the menu, such as bitterballen (a savory fried meat snack), Amsterdam sliders, and an impressive dessert selection.
• Blue Roast Coffee Bar: Need a preflight pick-me-up? Amsterdam is only the fourth location in the Centurion network to feature a dedicated Blue Roast by American Express café, serving locally sourced, espresso-based coffees in a cozy, living-room-style setting.
• Full-Service Bar: The full-service bar offers wine, Champagne, and signature cocktails. Don't miss the Canal House, a locally influenced cocktail crafted with genever, dry vermouth, olive brine, and an orange peel.

What to Know Before You Go

Since the lounge is located in the non-Schengen departure area, accessing it will be seamless if you are flying to destinations like the U.S. or the U.K. However, if you are traveling to a Schengen member state (like France or Germany), you will need to clear passport control twice to access the space—so be sure to factor that extra time into your layover.

Access to the Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol follows standard Amex entry policies. It is strictly reserved for passengers holding a same-day departing boarding pass who carry an eligible card, such as The Platinum Card® or the Centurion® Card from American Express.

With this permanent addition to Schiphol, SkyTeam flyers and Amex loyalists now have an exceptional new venue for a latte, a stroopwafel, and a little preflight relaxation before crossing the Atlantic.

Amex and Apple Pay Roll Out New Feature To Let You Pay With Points At Checkout

In a major win for seamless digital shopping, American Express and Apple have officially joined forces to blur the line between credit card rewards and cold, hard cash. Announced on June 30, 2026, a brand-new feature allows eligible U.S. cardholders to redeem their Membership Rewards (MR) points directly inside the Apple Pay checkout flow.

The "Use Pay with Points with Apple Pay" integration removes the hassle of jumping between banking apps or waiting days for statement credits. If you use a premium Amex card like the Gold, Platinum, or Green, your online shopping routine is about to look very different.

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How the Feature Works

Previously, using Membership Rewards required navigating Amex's dedicated portal or checking out through a very limited selection of specific partner websites. Now, Amex points are integrated directly into the iPhone and iPad native payment interface.

Redeeming your points takes just a few quick steps during checkout:

• Step 1: Shop online or within any app on your iPhone or iPad that accepts Apple Pay.
• Step 2: Select Apple Pay as your payment method at checkout.
• Step 3: Choose your eligible American Express Membership Rewards card from your digital wallet.
• Step 4: Tap the new “Use Rewards” option that appears.
• Step 5: Enter the exact amount of points you want to apply (you can cover the full total or just a partial amount) and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.

Privacy Check: In keeping with Apple's strict data security standards, Apple has confirmed that it does not retain any identifiable transaction information linked back to the user when you use Amex points through the platform.

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The Catch Hiding in Plain Sight: The Redemption Rate

While this update provides unmatched convenience, points-and-miles enthusiasts should pause before tapping that checkout button. The new feature launches with a standard redemption rate of 0.7 cents per point.

This means that 10,000 Amex points will offset roughly $70 of spending.

For casual shoppers looking for an easy discount on an everyday purchase, this instant liquidity is fantastic. However, if your primary goal is maximizing point value, you will still get far more out of your Membership Rewards by transferring them to Amex’s airline and hotel travel partners—where points can frequently yield 2 cents or more apiece toward premium bookings.

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A Shift in the Digital Wallet War

According to Lisa Kalhans, Executive Vice President of U.S. Consumer Cards at American Express, the move is all about making rewards fit naturally into everyday habits. From a broader business perspective, it is a brilliant strategy for both tech and finance giants.

By bringing points straight to the impulse-heavy confirmation screen, Amex successfully reduces its dormant points liability while reinforcing cardholder loyalty. Meanwhile, Apple Pay continues its transition from a simple "digital clone" of your plastic card into a fully-realized financial operating system that manages your entire balance sheet at a glance.

The feature is rolling out to eligible U.S. cardholders starting today. Are you planning to spend your Amex points on your next Apple Pay checkout, or are you saving them up for a luxury vacation? Let us know in the comments below!