In France, American Express cards stand out from other bank cards on the French market by offering a plethora of benefits, including the collection of points and Miles. Indeed, when it comes to earning Miles, few options can, in our opinion, compete with American Express cards and its Membership Rewards loyalty program. But that’s not all. American Express cards are also distinguished by their extensive insurance benefits, giving cardholders extra peace of mind and top-notch customer service.
The most popular American Express cards in France include Gold American Express, Platinum American Express and Air France KLM American Express. With such a wide range of bank cards to choose from, it’s essential to take the time to carefully examine the specific advantages offered by each one, so as to select the one that best meets your needs and expectations. Today, Milesopedia takes a look at the various cards offered by American Express and the benefits that come with them, and gives its review of their features.
Everyone knows American Express, but few people really know what sets it apart from the other major French banks. Ranked third worldwide after Visa and Mastercard, American Express, commonly known as Amex, is a world-renowned international financial company.
Founded in the United States in 1850, it has established itself as one of the leading companies specializing in financial services, particularly payment card distribution. Renowned for its prestige and reliability, American Express offers a wide range of credit cards for both individuals and businesses.
As the third largest card distribution network in the world, it has earned a solid reputation and an extensive international presence.
In our Review, one of American Express’s key strengths lies in its ability to offer exclusive benefits to its cardholders. These benefits include :
And thanks to its collaboration with partners such as Apple Pay, American Express is, in our opinion, positioning itself at the forefront of technology, facilitating contactless transactions and offering convenient, secure payment solutions.
Membership Rewards is the loyalty program offered by American Express bank cards that rewards all purchases made by earning points.
How it works is simple: every euro spent with an American Express card generates one point credited to the Membership Rewards account.
Each transaction brings us closer to the rewards that travellers appreciate, whether it’s business-class flights or hotel accommodations.
Accumulated points do not expire as long as you are an American Express cardholder, but if your membership is terminated, it is necessary to transfer or redeem your points to prevent them from expiring. You can change your bank card at any time without affecting your points balance. As long as you have a card that includes the Membership Rewards program, your points will be preserved and you can continue to enjoy its benefits.
In France, there are seven American Express cards for individuals, including three in collaboration with Air France KLM, which earn Flying Blue Miles directly rather than Membership Rewards points. Each card offers a full range of benefits and privileges for passionate travelers and lovers of quality banking services.
American Express offers eight cards for professionals and businesses. Some earn Membership Rewards points, while others earn Flying Blue Miles. There are also two Amazon Business cards, free for the first year, which earn Amazon Rewards points, theAmazon Prime loyalty program.
To find out more about American Express cards for professionals and businesses, we invite you to read our complete guide on the subject.
Thanks to the Membership Rewards program, American Express cardholders can collect points and miles for every euro spent. These points can then be redeemed for airline tickets, hotel nights, vouchers, card fee payments, charitable donations and shopping.
Depending on the card you choose, you can get a bonus of up to 20,000 free Miles. These Miles can serve as an excellent starting point for a first redemption, such as a Business class flight with Air France.
American Express cards offer a comprehensive range of insurance coverages that guarantee peace of mind in the event of an accident, and when traveling and shopping.
In France, American Express card insurance generally includes the following:
While the cards offering the widest range of insurances are undeniably the American Express Platinum and Air France KLM American Express Platinum cards, other cards – and in particular the American Express Gold card – offer significant benefits that are well worth a look.
American Express cards entitle cardholders to exclusive offers from the network’s partner retailers, as well as exclusive pre-sales and the best possible seats at selected concerts and shows via the American Express online ticketing service.
Platinum cardholders can enjoy even more special privileges, such as invitations to prestigious cultural and sporting events like the Paris Olympics, the Opéra Bastille, the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Royal de Versailles, as well as VIP hospitality and reserved seats at the Stade de France.
The Priority Pass card – worth over 400 euros per year – is included in the American Express Platinum card rate. It provides free, unlimited access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
The American Express Platinum card is the only card in the American Express network that gives access to airport lounges.
American Express Platinum cardholders also have access to Centurion lounges at London, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas, Charlotte-Douglas, Phoenix, Houston, Miami and New York airports, as well as selected American Express and Plaza Premium lounges, including the brand-new Air France lounge at Montreal-Trudeau airport. They also have free access to the Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa Business & Senator, Escape and Airspace lounges.
Platinum cardholders are entitled to an exclusive concierge service. Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet meal delivered to your door, looking for a reservation at a renowned restaurant or need advice on choosing the right establishment, the American Express concierge service is there for you. They can also arrange for flowers or champagne to be delivered for special occasions, or help you secure the best seats and give you sound advice. In our opinion, this American Express feature is too often underestimated.
Platinum cardholders are also entitled to another exclusive benefit: the annual refund of their Amazon Prime subscription. They can also receive a refund of up to 120 euros on video and audio streaming services.
Finally, they receive a free Fnac+ card, valid for 3 years. This includes free express delivery, access to Fnac Darty’s communal jackpot and exclusive discount offers.
The American Express Platinum card also offers numerous advantages at a wide selection of prestigious hotels, such as preferential rates, free breakfasts, early check-in and late check-out, and upgrades.
Among the hotel partners of the American Express network are the following:
While American Express cards offer attractive benefits for earning miles and points, and negative reviews are limited, it’s important to consider some of the drawbacks.
High exchange commissions on international transactions and at ATMs are a point to consider, which leads us to recommend that American Express cardholders also have free bank cards that offer free withdrawals and purchases abroad. Among the best free options on the market are cards from online banks Revolut, N26 and BoursoBank.
Apply online! Simply go to the American Express website, choose the card you want, and press “Apply for card”. You will then need to complete a secure form and sign a contract, either by download, by post, or by electronic signature.
Subject to final acceptance of your application by American Express, you will receive your card directly to your home address.
To be eligible for an American Express card, you must have a euro-denominated bank account originating in France and be over 18 years of age. To be eligible for an Air France KLM American Express card, you must not be registered in one of the Banque de France files. If these conditions are not met, the application may be refused.
Since 2022, there have been no income requirements.
In France, American Express offers a wide range of cards, which can sometimes make selection difficult. To choose the American Express card best suited to your needs, it’s essential to carefully examine the advantages and disadvantages of each card, although these are generally quite similar from one to the next.
The differences lie mainly in the insurance cover offered and the speed with which points and Miles can be accumulated. Some cards may also involve higher membership fees, which means you need to take into account a certain budget and the intended use of the card.
In our opinion, we advise you to make a careful assessment of your personal needs and lifestyle in order to select the American Express card that best meets your expectations. By understanding the nuances between the different offers, you can make an informed decision and maximize the benefits offered to you by your chosen American Express card.
American Express cards offer four key advantages: extensive insurance benefits, the Membership Rewards program for transferring points, excellent concierge service and enticing rewards for new customers. With these cards, you’ll benefit from good insurance cover, as well as the Membership Rewards program, where you can accumulate points and redeem them for benefits such as award tickets with partner airlines such asAir France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Lufthansa.
What’s more, American Express cards offer a high level of security, with limited liability for cardholders in the event of fraudulent activity, transaction notifications by SMS or e-mail, and enhanced security thanks to Chip & PIN and 3D-Secure procedures for online payments.
Although American Express issues fewer bankcards than Mastercard and Visa, it remains a major player in the bankcard market. The distinction lies in the fact that all American Express cards are issued directly by the company itself, without the intermediary of a partner bank.
As the popularity of American Express continues to grow, more and more merchants in France and around the world are accepting the high-end American Express cards. Although Visa and Mastercard are still more widely accepted than American Express, it is possible to pay for purchases in France with an American Express card at supermarkets, petrol stations, furniture stores, boutiques and even online. Almost all airlines, hotels, and travel agencies accept American Express cards. Even abroad, more and more merchants are accepting American Express card payments. In the USA, American Express cards are almost as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard.
Unless you’re with a small retailer, it’s rare to encounter problems when paying with an American Express card. The wide acceptance of these cards greatly facilitates transactions, offering American Express cardholders a smooth and convenient payment experience.
To obtain an American Express card, you generally have to meet certain conditions. These include a good credit rating, being a resident of the country where you are applying, having the minimum legal age and demonstrating adequate repayment capacity. It is important to note that the criteria may vary depending on the type of card chosen. We recommend that you consult the precise eligibility criteria on the website or contact American Express customer service for up-to-date information specific to your situation.
For a long time, a minimum annual income was required to apply for an American Express credit card. Today, however, things are different. This criterion was eliminated in the fall of 2022. The entity now analyzes files using the scoring method, a risk management approach based on certain criteria that are intended to be more objective than a purely revenue-based approach.
In our opinion, American Express cards are attractive because they offer a wide range of benefits, including the possibility of earning points in the Membership Rewards program or Miles in the Flying Blue program, comprehensive travel insurance as well as protection on purchases, quality concierge service and attractive welcome bonuses.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to choose the card that best suits your needs, and to take into account the associated annual fees. But if you travel frequently, you’ll soon pay off the annual card fee with all the benefits you’ll gain.
The best American Express card depends on your needs and lifestyle. In France, American Express cards offer a variety of benefits, from the ability to earn Membership Rewards points to extensive insurance coverage.
If you travel frequently and are looking for premium travel benefits, the American Express Platinum card could, in our opinion, be the one for you. If you prefer a more economical option, however, the American Express Gold card could be an excellent choice, thanks to its many advantages and lower annual fee. Plus it’s free for the first year!
If you’re already a member of the Flying Blue frequent flyer program, we suggest you take a look at the Air France KLM American Express Gold and Air France KLM American Express Platinum cards, which earn Flying Blue Miles and XP faster.
Fortuneo Banque ‘s American Express cards are the same as the American Express cards offered by the network. They all come with the same welcome bonus and benefits, including the opportunity to earn points in the Membership Rewards program and a full range of insurances. It is important to note, however, that only Blue, Green, Gold and Platinum cards are available via Fortuneo Banque; Air France KLM American Express cards are only available via the American Express website.
The choice between the American Express Gold card and the American Express Platinum card depends on your personal needs and preferences. The American Express Platinum card offers greater benefits, including higher welcome bonuses, more extensive insurance coverage, access to airport lounges and hotel privileges. However, it has a higher annual fee than the Gold American Express card.
If you travel frequently and appreciate luxury benefits, the Platinum American Express card may be the best option, but if you prefer a more economical card that still offers a range of top-of-the-range privileges, the Gold American Express card may be more suitable because of the absence of an annual fee in the first year.
