EuroBonus credit cards compared: Amex vs Mastercard

For most people who fly out of Scandinavia a few times a year, a EuroBonus credit card is the fastest way to build a points balance. You are already spending money on groceries, fuel and bills. A co-branded card turns that everyday spending into points without changing what you buy.

Here is how the options compare, without the marketing gloss.

How the cards work

A EuroBonus credit card earns Bonus points on the money you put through it. Some cards also throw in extras like a companion ticket once a year, travel insurance, or a higher earn rate on SAS purchases. In exchange you pay an annual or monthly fee. The maths is simple: if the points and perks you get are worth more than the fee, the card pays for itself.

The discipline that makes it work is paying the balance in full every month. Interest on a carried balance will wipe out any points value instantly. A rewards card only rewards you if you treat it like a debit card with benefits.

Amex vs Mastercard

The practical difference comes down to where you live and where you shop.

American Express EuroBonus cards are available in Norway and Sweden, but not Denmark. They often carry the strongest earn rates and perks, which is why many people in Norway and Sweden build their setup around one. The catch is acceptance: Amex is not taken everywhere, especially at smaller shops.

Mastercard EuroBonus cards are available in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and they are accepted almost everywhere. For Danish residents the Mastercard is the main route in, since Amex is not on the table. Many Norwegians and Swedes carry both: the Amex for its earn rate where it is accepted, and a Mastercard to cover everything else.

There is also a newer EuroBonus business card for the Scandinavian market with a high earn rate aimed at company spending, worth a look if you run a business and put expenses through a card anyway.

Picking one

A reasonable way to choose:

• In Denmark, a EuroBonus Mastercard is your all-rounder.
• In Norway or Sweden, an Amex paired with a Mastercard covers both earn rate and acceptance.
• If the fee makes you wince, do the math on how much you actually spend. A card only makes sense if your annual spending generates clearly more value than it costs.

Fees and terms change regularly. Amex announced fee adjustments for some Scandinavian cards taking effect in early 2026, so always check the current offer rather than an old comparison.

The point of the points

A card is a means, not an end. The reason to pile up points is to fly somewhere good on them, and that depends on finding award seats. Once your card has done its quiet work in the background, Bonussøk helps you turn the balance into an actual trip by showing where SAS award seats are open.