OREANDA-NEWS. July 19, 2013. Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group and Ken Chenault, CEO of the American Express Group, have strengthened their agreement in an aim to pursue their strategic partnership until 2019.

As innovators of co-branding in France and the Netherlands, Air France-KLM, a major air transport player, and American Express, the leading corporation specializing in the issuance of credit cards, have been pooling their know-how and expertise over the past 15 years to develop even more new services for customers.

Launch of AIR FRANCE KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS Pro cards

Since 1998, the co-branded AIR FRANCE KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS Corporate cards have been offering major corporations and SME (revenue of above one million euros) optimized management of their professional expenses while earning a Blue Credit bonus with the Bluebiz programme. 

Today, the two partners are extending their business offer to managers of French VSB* and are launching the new AIR FRANCE KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS Pro (Silver, Gold or Platinum) cards. Pro cardholders can now earn Miles in the same way as with their personal AIR FRANCE-KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS card, when making business travel purchases. 

Even more Flying Blue miles for increased travel opportunities

The co-branded AIR FRANCE KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS cards are currently the only credit cards offering the possibility to earn Award miles on daily purchases and to exchange them for award tickets with the Flying Blue programme.

Starting on 1st September 2013, the co-branded cards for professionals (Gold and Platinum) and for small enterprises (PRO Gold and PRO Platinum) will also earn cardholders Status Miles when purchasing their Air France or KLM tickets (up to 20 Status Miles for 10 EUR spent).

This exclusivity will thus enable cardholders to access the Elite status of the Flying Blue programme more easily. Thanks to the partnership with American Express, Flying Blue, the European leading frequent flyer programme, adapts to its customers’ expectations by bringing them even more benefits.

*Very small businesses or professionals generating revenue of less than 1 million euros.

Air France-KLM and American Express: a solid and sustainable partnership

Since 1998, the partnership between Air France-KLM and American Express has become renowned by way of its co-branding operations initiated by these partners in France. In 2003, one year before the merger of the two airlines, KLM and American Express also launched the first co-branded cards in the Netherlands. Today, the range of credit cards designed both for professionals (AIR FRANCE-KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS SILVER, GOLD or PLATINUM cards) and major corporations and SMEs for optimized management of their professional expenses (AIR FRANCE-KLM-AMERICAN EXPRESS Corporate card) is being extended with new products and services.

“Over the past 15 years, we have created different ranges of products, loyalty programmes and services in France and the Netherlands. This new stage in our partnership with the Air France-KLM Group is the result of a profitable cooperation with this global air transport player” stated Kenneth Chenault, CEO of the American Express Group. “It undeniably intensifies American Express’ presence on the co-branded card market on which we have long been at the forefront and underlines the reputation of our brand and its marketing assets, which constitute genuine added value for our customers and partners”, added Kenneth Chenault.

“Today, Air France-KLM reaffirms the success of its alliance with American Express: we offer our customers the possibility to earn even more Miles, thereby increasing the attractiveness of our Flying Blue programme. The new products and services developed with American Express demonstrate our ambition to offer co-branded cardholders, professionals and companies alike, a comprehensive service throughout the trip”, stated Alexandre de Juniac,  Chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group.