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UBS Ends Credit Suisse Amex Cards – Is Alpian a Worthy Alternative?

Philippe

May 22, 2025

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• End of American Express (Amex) Cards at Credit Suisse: What We Know
• Context: the UBS–Credit Suisse Merger
• 🗓️ Brief Recap of the Merger Steps
• 🧾 Consequences for Banking Products
• Toward the Elimination of Credit Suisse American Express Cards
• 🧭 UBS’s Stance on Amex Cards
• 🗓️ Estimated Date of Discontinuation
• 👥 Which Clients Are Affected?
• Where to Obtain an Amex Card in Switzerland Today?
• 💳 Amex Cards Available via Swisscard (Direct Application)
• ✈️ Co-branded Cards with American Express
• 🟩 American Express Cards via Alpian
• 📊 Comparison Elements: Fees, Bonuses, and Services
• Alpian: A Premium Alternative with Amex Access
• 🏦 Introduction to Alpian
• 💱 Multi-Currency Accounts and Metal Visa Card
• 💳 Access to American Express Cards via Alpian
• Conclusion: What Are the Options After the Disappearance of Amex Cards?
• ⏳ Anticipating the Changes
• 🏦 Changing Banks or Adding Alpian as a Supplement
• 👤 Adapting Your Choice to Your Profile
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the End of Amex Cards at Credit Suisse

End of American Express (Amex) Cards at Credit Suisse: What We Know

The merger between UBS and Credit Suisse continues to have tangible effects on clients of both institutions. Among the upcoming changes, the gradual elimination of American Express (Amex) cards issued by Credit Suisse represents a significant development for many retail and corporate clients.

UBS, which has not issued Amex cards for several years, chose not to renew its collaboration with Swisscard, Credit Suisse’s historical partner for these cards. As a result, holders of a Credit Suisse Amex card—whether Classic, Gold, or Platinum—can expect their agreements to be terminated in the coming months. An official letter is awaited to confirm the exact dates.

This decision is part of an effort to unify offerings and simplify banking products across the new UBS group. However, it raises questions among customers loyal to the benefits associated with these cards, particularly regarding loyalty programs, travel insurance, and premium services.

For these clients, the announced end of Amex cards means they will need to consider alternative solutions—whether offered by UBS, other Swiss banks, or Swiss neobanks like Alpian, which target the premium segment with metal Visa cards and multi-currency accounts.

Context: the UBS–Credit Suisse Merger

🗓️ Brief Recap of the Merger Steps

The merger between UBS and Credit Suisse was announced urgently in March 2023, under pressure from federal authorities and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) 🏦. Facing a loss of confidence in Credit Suisse and the risk of destabilizing the financial system, UBS agreed to acquire the bank for CHF 3 billion, a symbolic amount given its size.

The integration was launched quickly to safeguard client deposits and restore stability to the Swiss banking system. Since then, internal teams have begun merging, product lines have been reviewed, and redundancies eliminated. The complete process is scheduled to run through 2026, but several changes are already visible.

🧾 Consequences for Banking Products

The unification of offerings involves numerous product eliminations or adaptations. UBS is progressively imposing its own standards, favoring its lineup of cards and digital services. Products deemed incompatible with the new group’s strategy are being phased out.

It is within this logic of rationalization that American Express cards, formerly offered by Credit Suisse via Swisscard, are being discontinued. This decision directly affects clients who used these cards for:

• 🧳 Their travel insurance
• ✈️ Lounge access
• 🎁 Specific loyalty programs

The disappearance of Amex cards is thus part of a broader restructuring of the banking offering following the merger.

Toward the Elimination of Credit Suisse American Express Cards

🧭 UBS’s Stance on Amex Cards

UBS has not offered American Express cards for several years and does not plan to change this stance, even after integrating Credit Suisse. The group favors the Visa and Mastercard networks, considered more universal and better accepted internationally 🌍.

This strategic orientation led to the non-renewal of agreements with Swisscard, the issuer of Amex cards for Credit Suisse. UBS’s aim here is a streamlining of its offerings and reduction of redundancies in its external partnerships.

🗓️ Estimated Date of Discontinuation

No official date has yet been announced, but several sources mention a gradual phase-out during 2025. Some clients have already received a notification by mail informing them that their card will not be renewed at expiry.

It is likely that the discontinuation will occur in waves, according to the validity dates of the cards in circulation, to minimize abrupt interruptions and allow clients time to reorganize.

👥 Which Clients Are Affected?

All former Credit Suisse clients holding an Amex card—whether Classic, Gold, or Platinum—are potentially concerned. This includes both individuals and the self-employed, as well as certain corporate profiles.

For these users, the announced end of their card raises the question of finding an equivalent replacement, especially for those who relied on Amex for travel insurance, lounge access, or cashback programs.

Where to Obtain an Amex Card in Switzerland Today?

In Switzerland, American Express cards are no longer offered by traditional banks such as UBS, Raiffeisen, PostFinance, or Migros Bank. They are now issued exclusively by Swisscard AECS GmbH.

Applications are made directly online, without going through a third-party bank—except in the case of Alpian, which offers privileged access to certain Amex cards without being a co-branded partner bank.

💳 Amex Cards Available via Swisscard (Direct Application)

• American Express Platinum Card®: access to over 1,400 airport lounges, travel insurance, concierge service, premium status
• American Express Gold Card: annual dining credit, shopping and travel insurance
• American Express Card: standard card with Membership Rewards program
• American Express Blue Card: entry-level card with installment payment option

📌 Available at: swisscard.ch

✈️ Co-branded Cards with American Express

• SWISS Miles & More Cards: earn miles on every purchase, with welcome bonus, travel insurance, and SWISS benefits
• Cashback Cards: Amex + Visa or Mastercard duo, with up to 1% cashback on purchases

📌 Available at: miles-and-more-cards.ch and cashback-cards.ch

🟩 American Express Cards via Alpian

Alpian enables its clients to obtain an Amex Gold or Platinum under preferential conditions. Alpian facilitates the subscription process while offering exclusive credits to the bank account.

This access is part of a comprehensive offering that includes a metal Visa card, a multi-currency account, competitive interest rates, and premium banking support.

📊 Comparison Elements: Fees, Bonuses, and Services

Before choosing a new card after the announced discontinuation of Credit Suisse Amex cards, it is essential to compare offerings based on concrete criteria:

• 💸 Annual fees: some cards are free, others charge up to CHF 900 per year.
• 🎁 Welcome bonuses: points, cashback, or miles can vary significantly by issuer.
• 💵 Credits offered: some offers include credits to use within the bank’s ecosystem or with partners like SWISS or SIXT.

In this context, we have compared the main Amex cards currently available in Switzerland, whether offered directly by Swisscard or accessible via Alpian:

Alpian: A Premium Alternative with Amex Access

🏦 Introduction to Alpian

Alpian is a Swiss neobank based in Geneva and regulated by the FINMA. As mentioned above, Alpian stands out by allowing its clients to subscribe directly to an Amex Gold or Platinum under advantageous conditions. But beyond this access, its overall banking offering positions the Geneva-based neobank as a true premium alternative in Switzerland.

💱 Multi-Currency Accounts and Metal Visa Card

• 💳 Metal Visa card: globally accepted, with refined design
• 💶 Accounts in CHF, EUR, USD, GBP directly accessible from the app
• 💱 Low exchange margin (0.2% on weekdays and 0.5% on weekends)
• 👤 Access to a private advisor via the app
• 📲 Mobile app on iOS and Android

This structure allows Alpian to meet the expectations of international clients while providing human support within a fully digital interface.

💳 Access to American Express Cards via Alpian

Since 2024, Alpian clients can apply for an American Express Gold or Platinum card. The application is made via the Alpian app, but approval remains at Swisscard’s discretion.

The conditions are advantageous, especially for the first year:

Amex Gold:

• 🟨 CHF 175 the first year (instead of CHF 350)
• 🎁 Welcome bonus: 45,000 Membership Rewards points
• 💵 Alpian credit: CHF 50 deposited into the account

Amex Platinum:

• 🟥 CHF 450 the first year (instead of CHF 900)
• 🎁 Welcome bonus: 75,000 Membership Rewards points
• 💵 Alpian credit: CHF 200 deposited into the account

These cards also offer:

• ✈️ Airport lounge access – over 1,300 (Gold) or 1,400 (Platinum) lounges worldwide
• 🛡️ Travel and purchase insurance included
• 📞 Concierge service (Platinum only)
• 🏨 Hotel benefits (Platinum): upgrades, breakfast, late checkout
• ✈️ Annual credits (Platinum): CHF 100 with SWISS, CHF 200 for SIXT ride

📌 Applications are submitted via alpian.com, but the card is issued by Swisscard under its own eligibility criteria.

This integration allows Alpian to offer its clients a comprehensive banking solution, combining a multi-currency account, metal Visa card, and simplified access to premium American Express cards.

Conclusion: What Are the Options After the Disappearance of Amex Cards?

⏳ Anticipating the Changes

The planned end of American Express cards for former Credit Suisse clients has not yet been officially dated, but all indications point to a gradual withdrawal starting in 2025. It is therefore recommended that affected users do not wait for their card’s expiry to explore alternatives. Some offers, such as those from Swisscard or Alpian, require a certain activation period.

🏦 Changing Banks or Adding Alpian as a Supplement

Two approaches are possible:

• ❌ Completely change banks: for those who want to centralize everything, they must ensure the new bank offers the expected services (multi-currency, premium card, support…).
• ➕ Add Alpian as a supplement: this option allows clients to keep their main bank while enjoying Alpian’s benefits (metal Visa card, multi-currency account, Amex access via Swisscard), without overhauling their entire financial setup.

👤 Adapting Your Choice to Your Profile

The best choice will depend on the user’s profile:

• ✈️ Frequent travelers: prioritize solutions with low or no currency exchange fees, like Alpian
• 🏦 Traditional banking clients: apply for a new Amex directly through Swisscard
• 💡 Digital-savvy users: consider Alpian as a complete or supplementary alternative to their current bank

In any case, it is useful to compare offerings based on fees, card acceptance, and associated banking services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the End of Amex Cards at Credit Suisse