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For travelers who fly Aeromexico often, choosing the right co-branded credit card can mean the difference between breezing through airports with VIP perks and simply paying an expensive annual fee. In 2026, the landscape has shifted: Santander is phasing out its Aeromexico-branded cards and migrating customers to other products, while American Express continues to position its Aeromexico portfolio at the top end of the market. If you are trying to decide between American Express Aeromexico and Santander Aeromexico Platinum, it is crucial to understand what still exists, what is changing, and which option actually works better for your style of travel and spending.
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The Big Picture: What Has Changed With Aeromexico Cards
Until recently, Mexican travelers loyal to Aeromexico usually chose between Santander Aeromexico credit cards and the American Express Aeromexico lineup. Both earned Aeromexico Rewards points and included travel perks such as lounge access and priority services. As of mid 2026, however, Santander has begun discontinuing its Aeromexico-branded credit cards and converting them into other Santander products, such as Unique Rewards Platinum or Unique Rewards Black, which no longer earn directly in Aeromexico Rewards. At the same time, American Express continues to issue its Aeromexico family of cards, including the top-tier The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico, which focuses heavily on premium travel experiences and elite status pathways.
For many cardholders, this shift means the original “Santander Aeromexico Platinum vs American Express Aeromexico Platinum” question is no longer a straight, long-term comparison between two stable products. Santander Aeromexico Platinum still exists for some customers in 2026, with benefits and an official product page active, but the bank’s stated strategy is migration to non-Aeromexico products over time. In contrast, American Express positions its Aeromexico partnership as a core premium offering, tying card spending closely to Aeromexico Rewards and elite status benefits.
In practical terms, if you want a card to build a long-term Aeromexico strategy around, American Express currently offers more clarity and stability. Santander’s card can still provide good short-term value for existing cardholders, especially while grandfathered benefits continue, but it is no longer the clear, future-proof counterpart it was a few years ago.
Core Earning Power: How Fast You Accumulate Aeromexico Rewards
The first question frequent flyers ask is how fast each card earns Aeromexico Rewards points on everyday spending. Santander Aeromexico Platinum offers 1.6 Aeromexico Rewards points per 1 US dollar in general purchases, and 2 points per 1 dollar when you buy directly with Aeromexico or through Aeromexico Rewards channels. This means a 1,000 US dollar round-trip ticket from Mexico City to New York, paid directly with Aeromexico, typically generates about 2,000 points from card spending alone, not including points earned as a passenger.
American Express Aeromexico cards use their own earning scales, which differ by product tier. The classic American Express Aeromexico card generally earns fewer points per dollar than Santander Aeromexico Platinum, but the higher-tier The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico awards significantly more miles and also boosts the number of qualifying points that count toward Aeromexico Rewards elite status. For example, heavy spenders who frequently charge international Aeromexico tickets and hotel stays to The Platinum Card can accelerate their path to Aeromexico Rewards Platinum level, something the Santander Aeromexico Platinum card historically could not match in terms of status-linked earning.
To see this in a real-world scenario, consider a traveler who spends the equivalent of 20,000 US dollars a year, of which 5,000 goes to Aeromexico flights. With Santander Aeromexico Platinum, this spending might yield roughly 36,000 Aeromexico Rewards points, enough for one or two round-trip economy flights within Mexico depending on dates and demand. With The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico, the same traveler may collect more points overall plus a significant block of status-qualifying metrics, bringing them closer to elite status and the complimentary upgrades, baggage allowances and priority services that come with it.
Annual Fees and Real-World Cost Considerations
Cost is where the contrast between these cards becomes particularly sharp. Santander Aeromexico Platinum charges an annual fee of around 4,000 Mexican pesos plus tax for the principal card, according to the bank’s current cost and commission disclosures for 2026. For many existing customers, promotions have reduced this cost, including first-year free annual fee offers or lifetime no-annual-fee deals tied to payroll deposits or investment relationships with Santander. Travelers who can secure that kind of promotion effectively get lounge access, check-in priority and Aeromexico earning with little fixed cost, making the card’s value proposition much stronger.
By comparison, the American Express Aeromexico lineup sits at a meaningfully higher price level, especially at the top tier. Public information and user reports put The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico annual fee in the range of roughly 1,300 US dollars, significantly more than the more mainstream Gold and entry-level Aeromexico American Express cards, whose annual fees are usually quoted in dollars as well but at lower levels. That fee is similar to or higher than other premium global travel cards and implies that the product is aimed at heavy spenders and very frequent travelers who can extract thousands of dollars in value from travel credits, elite status, and lounge access.
If your international travel is limited to, for example, one family vacation a year and an occasional weekend in Cancun or Tijuana, it is extremely difficult to justify an annual fee at the level of The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico. Even with a complimentary companion ticket each year and multiple airport lounge visits, you might still end up paying more in annual fees than you receive in tangible benefits. On the other hand, a Santander Aeromexico Platinum card with an annual fee waived or discounted can easily pay for itself with just a few lounge visits, a 2x1 national flight certificate and the points earned on everyday supermarket and fuel purchases.
Airport Experience: Lounges, Transfers and Priority Treatment
For many Aeromexico loyalists, the biggest day-to-day difference between cards is felt in the airport. Santander Aeromexico Platinum grants its holders two complimentary lounge entries per year for the primary cardholder and two for companions at Aeromexico’s Salón Premier lounges. Additionally, Santander offers up to six complimentary entries per year to the Grand Lounge, Lounge 19 and Terraza Elite in Mexico City and the Felipe Angeles airport, either as six solo visits or three visits with a guest each time. Travelers who take two or three leisure trips per year can therefore have VIP lounge access on most of their departures without paying an extra fee, enjoying snacks, drinks and quieter seating compared with the main terminal.
The card also includes priority check-in and boarding when flying with Aeromexico, which shortens waits during peak hours in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey or Tijuana. Some cardholders also benefit from complimentary simple transfers by car between certain neighborhoods and the Mexico City or Felipe Angeles airports, with a per-trip credit limit that helps partially cover rideshare or private car costs. Taken together, these perks can easily offset the annual fee in a single year for someone regularly commuting between Mexico City and cities like Cancun, Merida or Los Angeles.
American Express Aeromexico’s value proposition at the airport is different and more global. The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico typically includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges in Mexico City and Monterrey, as well as a global lounge network such as Priority Pass or similar programs, plus access to Aeromexico and partner airline lounges on certain itineraries. For a traveler who spends time in hubs like New York, Miami, Madrid or Paris, this global lounge reach and the higher limit of yearly visits can make travel days significantly more comfortable. Paired with elite-status-linked perks such as complimentary upgrades, preferred seats and extra baggage, the overall experience is more comprehensive but targeted at travelers who are in airports month after month, not just during holidays.
Welcome Bonuses, Companion Tickets and Everyday Use Examples
Welcome bonuses are another key part of the comparison. Santander Aeromexico Platinum offers a sign-up bonus of 16,000 Aeromexico Rewards points when you reach 500 US dollars in purchases during the first three months after activation. It also includes another 16,000-point annual spending bonus once you reach 150,000 Mexican pesos in yearly card charges. For a family that routinely charges groceries, school fees, gasoline and streaming services on a single card, hitting that threshold is realistic and effectively adds a free domestic round-trip flight in Mexico every year, depending on redemption prices and travel dates.
On top of the points bonuses, Santander Aeromexico Platinum offers a 2x1 anniversary certificate for a domestic Aeromexico flight. Imagine a couple in Guadalajara planning a long weekend in Los Cabos. If a standard round-trip ticket costs 4,000 pesos per person on their chosen dates, the 2x1 certificate allows them to bring a second traveler for just the taxes and fees, saving roughly 3,000 to 3,500 pesos once taxes are considered. Used cleverly over two or three years, this single perk can cover much of the card’s ongoing annual fee.
American Express Aeromexico cards also provide welcome bonuses, companion certificates and promotional accelerated-earning periods, but these are paired with much higher annual fees and spending expectations. The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico, for example, may promise tens of thousands of Aeromexico Rewards points as a welcome gift and a recurring annual travel credit or discount voucher for purchases with Aeromexico. However, such benefits tend to demand substantial minimum spending, often in the tens of thousands of dollars, and are clearly aimed at business owners, consultants and senior executives whose monthly card volumes are far higher than those of the average family.
Acceptance, Practical Usability and Who Each Card Suits Best
Beyond headline rewards and airport perks, practical day-to-day usability often decides which card truly “wins” for a traveler. Santander Aeromexico Platinum runs on the Visa network, which is extremely widely accepted throughout Mexico, the United States and most international destinations. From buying street food in Oaxaca to paying a hotel in Lima or a rental car in Houston, Visa acceptance is generally high, and additional foreign ATM access without extra Santander fees can be attractive if you frequently travel abroad and need cash.
American Express, by contrast, historically has narrower acceptance in some parts of Latin America and among smaller merchants. In major Mexican cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, Cancun and Guadalajara, most hotels, chain restaurants and retailers accept American Express, but small family businesses or independent tour operators may not. Travelers relying solely on American Express Aeromexico cards often need a backup Visa or Mastercard to avoid awkward situations, such as being unable to pay a local taxi company or a neighborhood café. For frequent flyers who mainly spend in airports, international hotel chains and large e-commerce websites, this is less of a problem. However, for families or students who mix big purchases with everyday local spending, a Visa-based product like Santander Aeromexico Platinum is generally more convenient.
From a profile perspective, Santander Aeromexico Platinum is best suited to upper-middle-income travelers who fly Aeromexico several times a year, want lounge access and a 2x1 domestic ticket, but do not wish to commit to a very high annual fee. It works especially well if they can take advantage of first-year-free promotions or negotiate reduced annual fees through a broader relationship with Santander. American Express Aeromexico Platinum, on the other hand, is squarely targeted at heavy travelers who cross borders frequently, value global lounge access, and have sufficient card spending to chase Aeromexico Rewards Platinum status and other elite privileges without worrying too much about a four-figure annual fee in US dollars.
The Takeaway
When you put all the pieces together, the “winner” between American Express Aeromexico and Santander Aeromexico Platinum depends almost entirely on your travel habits and your budget tolerance for annual fees. Santander Aeromexico Platinum, while gradually being phased out for some customers, remains a highly practical card where it is still available: it offers solid earning rates, clearly valuable perks like lounge access and 2x1 domestic certificates, and a relatively approachable annual fee that can sometimes be partially or completely waived through promotions or bank relationships.
The American Express Aeromexico portfolio, particularly The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico, delivers a much more powerful travel ecosystem that includes expansive global lounge networks, fast-tracked Aeromexico Rewards status and a broader suite of concierge-style services. However, its annual fee is in a different league altogether and only makes sense if you fly frequently enough and spend heavily enough on the card to unlock elite status, multiple international flights and significant travel discounts each year.
For most Mexico-based travelers flying Aeromexico on holiday, visiting family or making the occasional business trip, Santander Aeromexico Platinum is generally the better-balanced option while it remains available. It keeps costs contained while still delivering meaningful perks on real trips, such as a couple using their 2x1 certificate for a long weekend in Puerto Vallarta or a family turning grocery spending into a free domestic flight every year. American Express Aeromexico becomes the clear winner only for a narrower segment of road warriors and high spenders who can confidently turn a very high annual fee into a steady stream of premium experiences and elite status value every single year.
FAQ
Q1. Is Santander Aeromexico Platinum being discontinued completely?
As of mid 2026, Santander is actively migrating many Aeromexico-branded cards, including some Santander Aeromexico Platinum accounts, to other Santander products. However, the official product information and benefits for Santander Aeromexico Platinum remain available and some existing cardholders still retain the card and its perks. New applications and long-term availability may be limited compared with previous years.
Q2. Which card earns Aeromexico Rewards points faster?
Santander Aeromexico Platinum offers 1.6 points per 1 US dollar in general spending and 2 points per dollar with Aeromexico, which is attractive for day-to-day use. The higher-tier American Express Aeromexico products can match or exceed this on certain categories and also provide status-qualifying benefits, but the actual advantage depends on your spending mix and the specific American Express Aeromexico card you choose.
Q3. How high are the annual fees on these cards?
Santander Aeromexico Platinum has an annual fee in the range of a few thousand Mexican pesos plus tax, with frequent promotions for first-year-free or reduced fees tied to bank relationships. The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico has a much higher annual fee, often reported in the low four figures in US dollars, making it viable mainly for heavy travelers and big spenders who leverage its full benefit set.
Q4. Which card is better for airport lounge access?
Santander Aeromexico Platinum is very strong for Mexico-based travelers who primarily use Aeromexico lounges and select independent lounges in Mexico City and Felipe Angeles, with several complimentary entries each year. The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico shines for international flyers thanks to access to American Express Centurion Lounges and a global lounge network, plus additional partner lounges on select itineraries.
Q5. Do both cards offer a companion ticket benefit?
Santander Aeromexico Platinum provides a clear 2x1 anniversary certificate on a domestic Aeromexico flight, which is easy to understand and use for trips such as Mexico City to Cancun or Guadalajara to Los Cabos. American Express Aeromexico products may offer companion or discount benefits as part of their premium travel packages, but these are often tied to more complex terms and higher spending expectations.
Q6. Which card is more widely accepted in Mexico and abroad?
Santander Aeromexico Platinum runs on the Visa network and is broadly accepted across Mexico, the United States and most international destinations, from small local merchants to large chains. American Express Aeromexico cards are widely accepted at major hotels, airlines and retailers, but still face more resistance at small businesses and independent merchants, so most travelers will want to carry a backup Visa or Mastercard when relying on American Express.
Q7. If I only fly Aeromexico a few times a year, which card makes more sense?
For travelers who take three or fewer Aeromexico trips a year, Santander Aeromexico Platinum is usually easier to justify, provided that you can access a reasonable annual fee. The combination of lounge visits, priority services, a 2x1 domestic ticket and points from everyday spending often covers the cost. The high annual fee of The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico is difficult to justify if your flying is limited to occasional holidays or family visits.
Q8. Can these cards help me reach Aeromexico Rewards elite status?
The Platinum Card American Express Aeromexico is explicitly designed to support progression toward Aeromexico Rewards Platinum status, often by counting a portion of card spending toward qualifying metrics. Santander Aeromexico Platinum focuses more on point accumulation and travel perks and does not typically offer the same depth of status-qualifying benefits, making it less powerful for elite status chasers.
Q9. Are there first-year-free promotions for these cards?
Santander has historically offered first-year-free annual fee promotions for Aeromexico Platinum, and in some cases, long-term fee waivers linked to payroll deposits or investment relationships. These promotions can heavily tilt the value balance in Santander’s favor for moderate travelers. American Express occasionally markets welcome bonuses and statement credits, but the large base annual fee on The Platinum Card Aeromexico usually still applies after any first-year incentives.
Q10. Overall, which card is the better choice in 2026?
For most Aeromexico customers based in Mexico who travel regularly but not constantly, Santander Aeromexico Platinum remains the more practical and cost-effective choice while it is still available. It provides meaningful travel perks without an extreme annual fee. American Express Aeromexico, especially the Platinum version, is the better choice only for frequent international travelers and high spenders committed to extracting full value from global lounge access, elite status acceleration and a comprehensive suite of premium travel services.