Amex platinum vs Flying blue platinum

Thinking about which travel card is best? It’s easy to get confused between the Amex Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum. One is a credit card with tons of perks, and the other is a loyalty status with an airline. We’re going to break down what each one is and how they stack up against each other. Let’s figure out if the Amex Platinum vs Flying Blue Platinum comparison makes sense for you.

Key Takeaways

• The Amex Platinum card offers a lot of travel benefits and earns points that can be transferred to Flying Blue. Flying Blue Platinum is a status level within the Air France-KLM loyalty program.
• A major perk of certain Flying Blue co-branded Amex cards (like those in France) is the ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit, allowing a primary cardholder with Platinum status to extend it to a companion.
• Earning Flying Blue Platinum status can be done through flying or by spending on specific Flying Blue credit cards, which can also earn Experience Points (XP).
• The ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit has had some confusion around its availability and processing, with reports of it not always being clearly advertised or taking time to activate.
• Flying Blue also has a higher tier, ‘Ultimate,’ which offers even more benefits than Platinum, including lounge access for more guests and cabin upgrade vouchers.

Understanding Flying Blue Platinum Status

Flying Blue, the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, has a tiered system to reward its frequent travelers. The Platinum tier is a pretty sweet spot, offering a solid set of perks that make flying with these airlines, and their SkyTeam partners, a lot more comfortable. It’s not the absolute top tier, but it’s a significant step up from Silver and Gold, bringing some really nice benefits to the table.

Earning Experience Points for Elite Tiers

So, how do you actually get to Platinum? It’s all about earning Experience Points (XP). You get these points primarily by flying with Air France, KLM, and their partners. The number of XP you earn depends on how far you fly and what class you’re in. For example, longer flights and premium cabins will rack up XP faster. There’s also a way to earn XP by contributing to carbon dioxide reduction, like buying sustainable aviation fuel, though this is a less common route for most travelers.

Here’s a general idea of how XP accumulates:

• Flying: The main way to earn XP. Distance and cabin class are key factors.
• Credit Cards: Some co-branded credit cards can help you earn XP, making it easier to reach elite status.
• Environmental Contributions: A smaller but available option for earning XP.

Benefits of Flying Blue Platinum

Once you hit Platinum, you get access to a bunch of goodies. You’ll earn more miles per euro spent on flights, which is always a plus. Seat selection becomes easier, with options for extra legroom available right when you book. You also get priority treatment at the airport – think priority check-in, baggage drop, and boarding. Plus, you get two extra checked bags on Air France and KLM flights, which is super handy if you tend to overpack (guilty!).

Key benefits include:

• Increased Miles Earning: Earn 8 Flying Blue miles per euro spent.
• Priority Services: Priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding.
• Baggage Allowance: Two additional checked bags on Air France and KLM flights.
• Seat Selection: Extra legroom available at the time of booking.
• Dedicated Support: Access to a Platinum Service Line for assistance.
• Award Booking Flexibility: Waived fees for changing or refunding award bookings.

The ‘Platinum for 2’ Benefit Explained

This is a pretty cool perk that sometimes gets associated with certain credit cards linked to Flying Blue. The ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit, when available, allows a primary cardholder who has achieved Flying Blue Platinum status to extend that same Platinum status to a second person. This usually happens when you have a supplementary cardholder or a partner. It’s a way to share the elite travel experience, making it easier for two people to enjoy the perks of Platinum status without both needing to independently earn the required XP. It’s important to note that this benefit isn’t always standard and can depend on the specific credit card product and its current offers.

This benefit can be a game-changer for couples or travel partners, effectively doubling the impact of one person’s elite status achievement. However, it’s crucial to verify the exact terms and conditions, as these offers can change.

Comparing Amex Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum

So, you’re looking at the American Express Platinum card and Flying Blue Platinum status and wondering how they stack up against each other. It’s a good question, because they both sound pretty fancy, right? But they’re actually quite different things, even though they share that ‘Platinum’ name. Think of it this way: the Amex Platinum is a credit card, a tool you use for spending and earning rewards. Flying Blue Platinum, on the other hand, is a loyalty status with Air France and KLM, earned by flying with them or their partners. They can work together, but they aren’t the same.

The American Express Platinum card is a premium travel rewards card. It’s known for its hefty annual fee, but also for a bunch of perks aimed at frequent travelers. You earn Membership Rewards points on your spending, which you can then use for travel, statement credits, or transfer to various airline and hotel partners. It also comes with a bunch of travel insurance, airport lounge access, and various credits for things like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Flying Blue Platinum is the third-highest tier in the Flying Blue loyalty program. To reach it, you need to earn a certain number of Experience Points (XP) within a calendar year, either by flying or through specific credit card spending. Once you have Platinum status, you get benefits like:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Complimentary seat selection
• Extra baggage allowance
• Lounge access (sometimes with a guest)
• Priority baggage handling

It’s all about making your travel experience smoother and more comfortable when flying with Air France, KLM, or their SkyTeam partners.

The biggest difference is their purpose. The Amex Platinum card is a financial product that helps you earn rewards and travel perks. Flying Blue Platinum is a result of your loyalty to a specific airline alliance, granting you status-based benefits on flights.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Feature	Amex Platinum Card	Flying Blue Platinum Status
Type	Premium Travel Credit Card	Airline Loyalty Program Tier
Primary Goal	Earn rewards, travel perks, statement credits	Flight benefits, comfort, priority services
How to Earn	Spending on the card	Flying with AF/KLM/partners, credit card spending (specific)
Main Benefits	Points, lounge access, credits, insurance	Priority services, baggage, seat selection, lounge access
‘Platinum for 2’	Not directly offered; can facilitate FB status	Can be gifted by a Platinum cardholder (specific cards)

The ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit is a unique feature often associated with co-branded Flying Blue American Express cards, particularly in certain regions like France or the Netherlands. It allows a primary cardholder who has achieved Flying Blue Platinum status to extend that same status to a designated companion, often through a supplementary card. This is a distinct perk not found on the standard Amex Platinum card itself, but rather a feature of a specific co-branded product.

Maximizing Benefits with the Amex Platinum Card

So, you’ve got the American Express Platinum card and you’re wondering how to really get the most out of it, especially when it comes to travel perks and earning points. It’s a pretty solid card, but like anything, you gotta know how to use it right to see the real value. Let’s break down how to make those Membership Rewards points work for you and how they can even connect with your Flying Blue status.

Earning Membership Rewards Points

The Amex Platinum card is known for its rewards structure, and understanding it is key. You earn points on every dollar you spend, but certain categories give you a bigger boost. It’s not just about putting every purchase on the card; it’s about putting the right purchases on it.

Here’s a quick look at where you rack up points:

• Flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com: You get 5X points per dollar. This is a big one if you fly a lot.
• Hotels booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com: You also get 5X points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
• All other eligible purchases: You earn 1X point per dollar on everything else. It’s steady, but not as exciting as the bonus categories.

The real trick is to align your spending with these bonus categories whenever possible. If you know you have a big flight coming up, booking it through the right channels can really add up the points quickly.

Transferring Points to Flying Blue

This is where things get really interesting for Flying Blue members. Your Membership Rewards points aren’t just stuck in the Amex ecosystem. You can transfer them to various airline partners, and Flying Blue (Air France-KLM’s loyalty program) is one of them. This is a fantastic way to top up your Flying Blue account for award flights or to reach elite status faster.

Here’s the general idea:

1. Link your accounts: Make sure your Amex Membership Rewards account is linked to your Flying Blue account. You’ll need your Flying Blue number handy.
2. Initiate the transfer: Go to the Membership Rewards section on the Amex website and select Flying Blue as your transfer partner.
3. Choose the amount: Decide how many Membership Rewards points you want to transfer. Keep in mind that transfers are usually one-way, so be sure before you hit confirm.
4. Wait for the points: The transfer usually takes a few days, sometimes longer, to show up in your Flying Blue account. It’s not instant, so plan ahead.

It’s important to check the current transfer ratios and any potential bonuses before you make a move. Sometimes Amex runs limited-time offers that can give you more Flying Blue miles for your Membership Rewards points, which is a great deal if you can catch it.

Travel Perks and Credits

Beyond earning and transferring points, the Amex Platinum card comes loaded with travel-related perks that can save you a good chunk of money and make your trips smoother. These aren’t directly tied to Flying Blue status, but they complement the travel experience nicely.

Think about these:

• Airport Lounge Access: Access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: A statement credit to cover the application fee for these trusted traveler programs.
• Hotel Elite Status: Automatic Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
• Annual Travel Credit: A statement credit for incidental airline fees or for purchases made through Amex Travel.

These benefits, when used consistently, can easily offset the card’s annual fee. It just takes a bit of planning to make sure you’re taking advantage of everything the card has to offer.

Achieving Flying Blue Platinum Through Credit Cards

So, you’re eyeing that Flying Blue Platinum status, huh? It sounds fancy, and honestly, it is. But getting there doesn’t always mean you have to spend hours in the air. Credit cards can be a pretty sweet shortcut, especially if you’re already a big spender or looking to consolidate your travel rewards.

Flying Blue Co-branded Credit Cards

Air France and KLM have partnered with Bank of America to offer the Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard. This card is designed to help you earn Flying Blue miles and, importantly, Experience Points (XP) that count towards elite status. It’s a direct way to get closer to Platinum without necessarily flying as much.

Earning Experience Points with Credit Cards

This is where the co-branded card really shines. It’s not just about earning miles; it’s about earning those XP. Here’s a breakdown of how you can rack them up:

• Welcome Bonus: When you first get the card, you’ll typically receive a chunk of XP, often around 60 XP, just for opening the account. That’s a nice head start!
• Annual Bonus: On your account anniversary, you usually get another set of XP, typically 20 XP. Keep that card open and in good standing, and you get this bonus every year.
• Spending Bonus: If you’re a big spender, you can earn even more XP. Spend $15,000 or more within your anniversary year, and you can get an additional 40 XP. That’s a significant boost towards Platinum.

The key takeaway here is that these credit cards offer a structured way to earn XP, making the path to Flying Blue Platinum more accessible.

The ‘Platinum for 2’ Benefit Availability

Now, about that ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit – it’s a pretty neat perk where you can gift Platinum status to someone else. However, it’s not automatically tied to every single Flying Blue co-branded credit card. Often, this benefit is associated with specific promotions or higher-tier card versions that might not be available everywhere or all the time. It’s worth checking the specific terms and conditions of the card you’re considering, or any limited-time offers, to see if this particular perk is included. Sometimes, you might need to achieve a certain spending threshold or hold the card for a specific period before this benefit becomes active.

It’s important to remember that while credit cards can accelerate your journey to elite status, they often come with annual fees and spending requirements. Always weigh the benefits against the costs to make sure it makes sense for your personal travel habits and goals.

Navigating the ‘Platinum for 2’ Benefit

So, you’ve heard about this ‘Platinum for 2’ thing with the Flying Blue American Express card and are wondering how it actually works. It’s a pretty neat perk, allowing the primary cardholder to extend Platinum status to someone else. But like most things, there are a few details to iron out.

Eligibility for the ‘Platinum for 2’ Offer

First off, who can get this benefit? Generally, you need to be a Flying Blue Platinum member yourself. Then, you can nominate another person to receive the same status. It’s important to note that this benefit is typically tied to specific co-branded Flying Blue American Express cards, often those issued in France or the Netherlands. It’s not a universal benefit across all Amex cards or even all Flying Blue cards. You might need to check the specific terms and conditions of your card to be sure.

Processing Times and Customer Service

Once you’ve decided who gets the status boost, how long does it take? The processing time can vary. Some people report it happening fairly quickly, while others have had to wait a bit. If you’re not seeing the status update after a reasonable period, reaching out to customer service is your next step. Be prepared to provide details about your account and the person you’re nominating. It can sometimes be a bit of a back-and-forth, so patience is key.

Geographical Restrictions of the Benefit

This is a big one: where does this benefit apply? The ‘Platinum for 2’ offer is primarily associated with the Flying Blue co-branded cards issued in specific countries, most notably France and the Netherlands. If you have an American Express Platinum Card from another region, like the US, this particular benefit might not be available to you. It’s always best to confirm the geographical scope of the offer with the card issuer to avoid any confusion. For instance, the American Express Platinum Card has its own set of travel perks, but they differ from this specific Flying Blue benefit.

It’s a good idea to double-check the fine print. Sometimes benefits change, or they might be country-specific. Don’t assume it works the same everywhere.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to consider:

• Card Type: Ensure you have the correct Flying Blue co-branded Amex card.
• Your Status: You generally need to hold Flying Blue Platinum status yourself.
• Nominee: You’ll need to provide the Flying Blue number of the person you wish to grant status to.
• Contact: If unsure, contact Amex or Flying Blue customer service for clarification.

Flying Blue Ultimate Tier

So, you’ve reached Flying Blue Platinum, and you’re thinking, ‘What’s next?’ Well, Flying Blue has a tier above that, called Ultimate. It’s pretty exclusive, and you need to rack up a serious amount of Experience Points (XP) to get there – we’re talking 900 XP in a single year. If you manage that, you get all the Platinum perks, plus some pretty sweet extras.

Requirements for Ultimate Status

Getting to Ultimate isn’t a walk in the park. You need to earn 900 Experience Points within a calendar year. This is a big jump from Platinum, which requires 300 XP on top of Gold. So, you’ll be flying a lot or spending quite a bit on eligible credit cards to hit this target.

Enhanced Benefits Over Platinum

What do you get for all that effort? Well, for starters, you earn more miles on your spending – 9 Flying Blue miles for every euro you spend. That’s a nice bump from Platinum’s 8 miles per euro. You also get to bring up to eight travel companions into Air France and KLM lounges with you, which is pretty generous. And if you ever need help, there’s a dedicated ‘Ultimate Assistant’ available 24/7 to sort things out.

Plus, you get four cabin upgrade vouchers each year. These can be really handy for making a long flight a bit more comfortable. You also get complimentary Wi-Fi on board, which is always a plus these days. And for car rental fans, you’ll snag Hertz Platinum status.

Gifting Platinum Status

One of the really cool things about Flying Blue Ultimate is the ability to gift Platinum status to someone else. This is a fantastic perk if you want to share the love with a family member or a frequent travel buddy. You can nominate one person to receive Platinum status, which is a pretty significant gift. Just remember, this benefit is for gifting Platinum, not Ultimate status.

Here’s a quick look at how the earning rates stack up:

Tier	Miles per Euro Spent
Explorer	4
Silver	6
Gold	7
Platinum	8
Ultimate	9

Keep in mind that earning XP is the main way to qualify for these tiers. While miles are great for booking flights, XP is what gets you the status. You can earn XP by flying and through certain credit card spending, but it takes a significant amount of activity to reach the top levels like Ultimate.

So, Which Card Wins?

Alright, so we’ve looked at what the Amex Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum cards bring to the table. It’s not really a simple ‘this one is better’ situation, you know? It really boils down to where you fly and what you value most. If you’re all about those Air France and KLM flights, especially if you can snag that ‘Platinum for 2’ perk, the Flying Blue card might be your jam. But if you’re a traveler who hops around a lot, uses different airlines, and wants those broader travel perks like lounge access and hotel credits, the Amex Platinum is probably the way to go. Think about your travel habits, and that should point you in the right direction. Both are solid cards, just for different kinds of travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flying Blue Platinum status and how do I get it?

Flying Blue Platinum is a high-level status in the Air France-KLM loyalty program. You earn it by collecting ‘experience points’ (XP). You get these points by flying with Air France, KLM, and their partners, or by using a Flying Blue credit card. The more you fly or spend, the more XP you get, and reaching certain XP amounts unlocks Platinum status.

What are the main perks of Flying Blue Platinum?

As a Flying Blue Platinum member, you get some pretty cool travel benefits. This includes things like earning more miles per dollar spent, getting dedicated customer service, being able to change or cancel award tickets without extra fees, and even getting access to book Air France’s super fancy first-class seats (La Premiere) with miles. You also get extra checked bags on Air France and KLM flights.

What’s this ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit I hear about?

The ‘Platinum for 2’ benefit is a special perk, often linked to certain American Express Platinum cards that partner with Flying Blue. It basically means if you have Flying Blue Platinum status, you can give Platinum status to one other person, like a spouse or partner, even if they don’t earn it themselves. It’s a great way to share the travel perks.

How does the Amex Platinum card help me get Flying Blue status?

The American Express Platinum card is a big deal because its rewards points, called Membership Rewards, can be transferred directly to your Flying Blue account. This means you can turn your everyday spending on the Amex card into Flying Blue miles and experience points, helping you reach or maintain Platinum status faster. The card also offers other travel perks like lounge access and credits.

Are there any special Flying Blue credit cards I should know about?

Yes, there are credit cards specifically made for Flying Blue members. In the US, there’s the Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard. Using these cards can help you earn both Flying Blue miles and the experience points needed for elite status. Some cards even give you a boost of experience points just for having the card.

What happens if my ‘Platinum for 2’ status takes a while to show up?

Sometimes, getting the ‘Platinum for 2’ status applied can take a few weeks. If it’s not showing up, it’s a good idea to contact both American Express and Flying Blue customer service. Some people have found that Amex customer service is better at sorting out issues if the status seems ‘stuck’ somewhere in the system. Be patient, and don’t be afraid to follow up!