Quick Answer
The honest Spanish verdict first
Many comparisons still describe a Spanish lineup that no longer exists: a “Gold” at 130 €/year with free months, free co-branded cards, automatic hotel status. Checked on 18 August 2026 against American Express Spain’s own pages: the active lineup is just three cards, Platinum, Gold and the Tarjeta American Express Renfe, and none of them match those old figures. Here’s the real lineup, honestly ranked.
The Spanish Amex lineup compared
| Card | Annual fee (ES) | Welcome bonus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarjeta Platinum | 780 € (65 €/mo) | None published | Frequent flyers (unlimited lounges, credits) |
| Tarjeta Gold | 192 € (16 €/mo), no waiver | Up to 20,000 MR | Dining and everyday spend, with a real bonus |
| Tarjeta American Express Renfe | 96 € (8 €/mo) | Up to 1,200 Renfe Points (120 €) | Regular Renfe travelers |
Figures verified 18 August 2026. Confirm current terms on the application page.
Tarjeta Platinum: for frequent flyers, no welcome bonus
Unlimited-in-practice Priority Pass access (20 visits/year for the primary cardholder), 250 €/year travel credit through Amex Viajes, 40 €/month toward sports and private clubs through December 2027, Dining for Two, and Fast Track at Aena airports. It does not include automatic hotel status (no Hilton, no Marriott, unlike some other Amex markets) and has no welcome bonus at all: at 780 €/year, it only pays off if you’ll genuinely use those credits. See the Amex Platinum review.
Tarjeta Gold: the only card with a real welcome bonus
192 €/year (16 €/month), with no waiver in the first year. In exchange, a welcome bonus of up to 20,000 Membership Rewards points (2,000/month for 10 months while spending at least 1,000 €/month), a 100 € hotel credit, and 2 free lounge visits a year via Priority Pass. The smartest buy for anyone who won’t fly enough to drain the Platinum. See the Amex Gold review.
Tarjeta American Express Renfe: the cheapest of the three
96 €/year (8 €/month), the lowest fee in the active Spanish lineup. Earns 15% of spend in Renfe Points (not Membership Rewards) and carries a welcome bonus of up to 1,200 Renfe Points (120 €) after spending 2,000 € in the first 6 months. Makes the most sense if you ride Renfe trains regularly.
The one-question test
Count last year’s airport visits. Double digits, and you’ll genuinely use unlimited Priority Pass and the travel credits → Platinum, even with no bonus. A handful, and you want a real welcome bonus → Gold. You travel mostly by train and want the lowest fee → Renfe. Torn between the top two? Amex Platinum vs Gold.
Don’t forget the 2.90% foreign transaction fee
All three cards charge 2.90% on foreign-currency spending (higher than the roughly 2% typical of other Amex markets) and 4% on ATM withdrawals (minimum 2.50 €). Pair any Amex with a free Revolut card for fee-free spending outside the eurozone; see Amex vs Revolut. For the full lineup across every market, browse our credit cards guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amex card is best in Spain?
The Tarjeta Platinum (780 €/year) for frequent flyers who’ll use unlimited Priority Pass lounge access and its travel credits, though it carries no welcome bonus. The Tarjeta Gold (192 €/year) is the value pick: it has a real welcome bonus of up to 20,000 Membership Rewards points and 2 free lounge visits a year. If you ride Renfe trains regularly, the Tarjeta American Express Renfe (96 €/year) is the cheapest of the three.
Is there a free American Express card in Spain?
No, none you can apply for today. The 0-€-fee cards (Blue Card, Gold Credit) still exist, but only for legacy holders: they have no application page. The cheapest card you can actually apply for is the Tarjeta American Express Renfe, at 96 €/year (8 €/month).
How much does the Tarjeta Platinum cost in Spain?
780 € a year (65 €/month), with no first-year waiver and no welcome bonus published. The Tarjeta Gold costs 192 €/year (16 €/month), also with no waiver, but it does carry a welcome bonus of up to 20,000 Membership Rewards points. Confirm current figures on the application page, as Amex España adjusts fees and offers regularly.
Verdict
In Spain: frequent flyer who’ll use unlimited lounges and credits → Platinum; everyday spender who wants a real welcome bonus → Gold; regular Renfe traveler → the Tarjeta American Express Renfe. Compare the current offers below, or browse our credit cards guide for the full lineup across every market.