5 Incredible Perks of Air France Credit Card UK in 2025

Unlock premium travel experiences with Air France miles. Discover the best credit card options for UK residents to maximize rewards and enjoy luxury travel.

Key Takeaways

• Air France Credit Card: Available in France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, offering up to 10,000 miles sign-up bonus.
• UK Alternatives: American Express Gold and Platinum cards provide flexible points transferable to Flying Blue.
• Virgin Atlantic Partnership: UK residents can redeem Virgin Atlantic miles on Air France and KLM flights.
• Top Picks for UK Travelers: Amex Gold (free first year, 10,000+ points) and Platinum (30,000+ points, luxury perks).
• Earning Miles Made Easy: Flexible UK credit card options simplify earning and redeeming Air France miles.

---

Credit cards that allow you to earn air miles have become an essential tool for frequent travellers. In this article, we will go through the benefits of the Air France Credit Card, compare it to options available in the UK, and highlight how UK residents can still earn Air France miles effectively.

Why UK Residents Should Consider Air France Miles

You might wonder why earning Air France miles is relevant to a UK audience. Here are three main reasons:-

Exceptional First-Class Experience
Air France is renowned for its First-Class products, offering superior service, dining, and overall luxury compared to British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. If premium travel experiences matter to you, redeeming Air France miles can provide unparalleled value.

Work-Related Travel with Air France or KLM
Many UK residents fly with Air France or KLM for work due to competitive pricing and a superior in-flight experience. These airlines often offer better value for money, making them a preferred choice for business travellers.

Flying Blue Partnership with KLM
Air France and KLM operate under the Flying Blue program, giving you access to a broader network of routes. With KLM serving 17 UK regional airports, Flying Blue miles are particularly valuable for UK residents.

Avoid the hassle of connecting through London or Manchester.

Enjoy significant tax savings when redeeming long-haul flights via Amsterdam.

Overview of Air France American Express Credit Card

If you are a resident of France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, Air France offers co-branded American Express credit cards with impressive perks.

Here are the details of its benefits:-

Silver Card Features

• Sign-Up Bonus: 2,500 miles.
• Earnings Rate: 8 miles per €1 spent.
• Elite Status: 2 free flights logged toward elite status.
• Additional Perks: €30 Hertz voucher.
• Annual Fee: €75 (waived for the first year).

Gold Card Features

• Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 miles.
• Earnings Rate: 1 mile per €1 spent.
• Elite Status: 4 free flights logged toward elite status.
• Additional Perks: €30 Hertz voucher.
• Annual Fee: €170.

Unfortunately, these cards are not available to UK residents. However, there are alternative options to earn Air France miles using UK-based credit cards.

Virgin Atlantic and Air France Partnership

The UK frequent traveller market is witnessing exciting developments. Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, and Delta have entered into a transatlantic joint venture, which is expected to allow Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members to redeem points on Air France and KLM flights.

Once this partnership is fully operational, UK residents will gain even more flexibility in using Virgin Atlantic miles for flights across all four airlines. This opens up new opportunities for earning and redeeming points on UK credit cards.

Alternatives to the Air France American Express for UK Residents

Here are the two best alternatives for Air France credit card:-

American Express Gold Card

• Annual Fee: Free for the first year (£140 thereafter).
• Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 points (or 12,000 with referral).
• Earnings Rate: 1 point per £1 spent.
• Transfer Rate: 1:1 to Air France and Flying Blue.
• Additional Perks: Two complimentary airport lounge passes.

The flexibility of transferring points to 12 airline reward programs, including Air France, makes this card a no-brainer for frequent travelers. To avoid annual fees, cancel the card just before completing the first year.

American Express Platinum Card

• Annual Fee: £575.
• Sign-Up Bonus: 30,000 points (or 35,000 with referral).
• Additional Perks:
  • Unlimited lounge access via Priority Pass.
  • Comprehensive family travel insurance.
  • Elite status with hotel loyalty programs.
  • Free hire-car insurance.

The Platinum Card comes with a high annual fee but the extensive list of benefits can outweigh the cost for frequent travelers who value luxury and convenience. Tandem Credit Card

Why UK Residents Are Better Off with Alternatives

When comparing the Air France American Express cards to the options available for UK residents it is clear that UK residents can achieve better value with alternatives:-

• The American Express Gold Card offers a comparable or even higher sign-up bonus (10,000–12,000 points vs. 2,500–10,000 miles).
• Membership Rewards points are flexible, allowing transfers to Air France and 11 other airlines.
• Free perks, like airport lounge access, add significant value.

With these advantages, UK residents don’t need to feel left out by the unavailability of the Air France credit card.

Conclusion

The Air France Credit Card is an excellent option for residents of France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, UK residents have better alternatives to earn Air France miles. The American Express Gold Card and Platinum Card provide higher sign-up bonuses, flexible rewards, and additional perks, making them ideal choices for frequent travelLers.

So, if you are aiming to fly First Class with Air France or maximize the value of your air miles, these UK-based credit cards can help you achieve your travel goals.

If you have any questions or want to share your experience with earning air miles, please write in the comment section. We will reply as easily as possible.