Stop trying to pick a winner
Most “Amex vs Revolut” articles try to crown one. That’s the wrong question, and chasing it costs you money. These two cards solve different problems — and the travelers who save the most carry both. I do. Let me show you why, then you can decide whether you even need the paid side at all.
What each one is for
American Express is a rewards-and-perks machine. The Platinum brings lounge access, Hilton and Marriott Gold status and annual credits; the Gold earns rich Membership Rewards on dining and everyday spend for a smaller fee. The trade-off: an annual fee (except the free Payback card, which earns Payback points), and acceptance gaps — small shops and stalls abroad often take only Visa or Mastercard.
Revolut is a friction-remover. You spend in 150+ currencies at the real interbank rate with no foreign transaction fee, hold multiple currency balances, withdraw cash abroad at the real rate, and lock down fraud with disposable virtual cards. The free Standard plan costs nothing. The trade-off: it earns few or no rewards, and as a debit/prepaid product it can’t always stand in for a credit card.
Side by side
| American Express | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | Points, lounges, hotel status | Real-rate foreign spending |
| Foreign transaction fee | Varies; not its strength | None (free plan, up to allowance) |
| Rewards | Strong (Membership Rewards) | Minimal |
| Annual cost | Fee (free Payback exists) | Free plan available |
| Acceptance abroad | Gaps in small merchants | Visa/Mastercard — near-universal |
| Lounge / hotel perks | ✅ (Platinum) | Limited (Metal/Ultra) |
| Credit card? | ✅ Yes | ❌ Debit/prepaid |
Where the Amex wins
On big, planned spending — flights, hotels, eligible Amex Travel bookings — the points and perks add up fast. A welcome bonus can cover a flight; hotel status and points turned four of my nights into five; lounges paid the fee across 13 airport visits. Plus you get real credit-card protections and the ability to build credit history. Revolut simply doesn’t play this game.
Where Revolut wins
On everyday foreign spending, Revolut is untouchable: the real rate, no foreign transaction fee, no mental overhead. On a €2,000 trip that’s €30–60 saved versus a typical card’s 1.5–3% markup. Add cash-heavy destinations (real-rate ATM withdrawals can save 10–20%) and fraud control via disposable cards, and the free plan does the expensive part for nothing. The Amex can’t match this — and in plenty of small shops abroad it won’t even be accepted.
Why I carry both
Here’s the setup, plainly: Amex for the big, perk-earning bookings; Revolut for everyday spend, foreign currency and ATMs. The Amex earns points and protection where it’s accepted and worth it; Revolut covers the real rate everywhere else and steps in the moment a merchant waves only Visa or Mastercard. Two cards, zero overlap, maximum value.
If you only want one to start: take the free Revolut Standard plan today — it costs nothing and immediately kills foreign fees — then add the Amex tier that matches your travel (Platinum vs Gold helps you choose).
Frequently Asked Questions
Amex vs Revolut — which is better for travel?
Both. Amex earns points and perks but charges a fee and isn’t accepted everywhere; Revolut spends abroad at the real rate with no foreign fee and a free plan, but earns few rewards. Use Amex for big perk-earning bookings and Revolut for everyday foreign spend and ATMs.
Is Revolut cheaper than an Amex abroad?
For raw foreign spending, yes — the real rate with no foreign transaction fee beats a typical 1.5–3% card markup. But Amex points and perks can outweigh fees on big bookings. Use each for what it’s best at.
Can Revolut replace a credit card?
Not entirely — it’s debit/prepaid, so some hotels and car-rental desks still want a real credit card for deposits, and it builds no credit history. Keep a credit card for those and use Revolut for everyday spend and ATMs.
Do I have to pay for either?
No. Revolut’s Standard plan is free, and the Amex Payback card is free (Payback points). You can run a free Revolut plus a free or paid Amex depending on whether you want travel points and perks.
Verdict
Don’t pick a winner — pick a team. Start with the free Revolut plan to kill foreign fees, then layer on the Amex that fits how you actually travel. Sign up through my links below and you support the next trips I write about here.