Why I Downgraded from Amex Platinum to Amex Gold (Netherlands)

After reevaluating my lifestyle and finances, I decided to downgrade my Amex Platinum to the Gold card. Not because I didnโ€™t like the Platinum โ€” itโ€™s packed with high-end travel perks โ€” but because it no longer fit my current lifestyle.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost and Simplicity

The Platinum card in the Netherlands comes with a โ‚ฌ700+ annual fee. And while the value is there for frequent flyers, Iโ€™ve transitioned into a simpler, more local lifestyle, with fewer international trips. Downgrading to the Gold card saves me around โ‚ฌ500/year while keeping the perks that still matter to me.

โœˆ๏ธ Less Travel, More Local Experiences

These days Iโ€™m exploring Japan by road, enjoying mountain views and hidden gems with my wife โ€” not rushing through airports or lounges. The Gold card still offers travel insurance, purchase protection, and reward points, all for a more accessible annual fee.


โœจ Thinking About Amex Gold?

If youโ€™re considering getting the Amex Gold Card (Netherlands), use my referral link to unlock extra benefits:

โœ… What You Get:

โ€ข โ‚ฌ100 dining credit (NL, BE, LUX)

โ€ข 4x airport lounge access/year via Priority Passโ„ข

โ€ข Amazon Prime reimbursement

โ€ข Loungebox meal at Schiphol (โ‚ฌ30 value)

โ€ข Travel & purchase protection worth up to โ‚ฌ500/year

โ€ข 1 point per โ‚ฌ1 spent (points never expire)

โ€ข Free additional cards (up to 4 Green Cards)

โ€ข Hotel privileges worldwide

โ€ข Free Business Companion Card (1st year)

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Offer valid only if you havenโ€™t held an Amex card in the last 12 months.

โžก๏ธ Hereโ€™s the link again: Amex Gold Card The Netherlands



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This blog is for thoughtful adults who are starting again โ€” in learning, creativity, or life โ€” and want to grow steadily without noise or pressure.

Here youโ€™ll find daily reflections and practical guides shaped by lived experience. The focus is on learning through doing: building consistency, adapting to change, and finding clarity in everyday practice.

The stories and guides here come from real processes โ€” creative experiments, hands-on projects, life in rural Japan, working with nature, and learning new skills step by step. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is polished for performance. The aim is steady progress, honest reflection, and practical insight you can actually use.

If youโ€™re curious about life in Japan, learning new skills at your own pace, or finding a calmer, more intentional way forward, youโ€™re in the right place.

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