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Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Air France–KLM One Step Closer to an Expanded Joint Venture

March 04, 2019
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4 min read
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Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Air France–KLM One Step Closer to an Expanded Joint Venture
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Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Air France–KLM are one step closer to an expanded joint venture. Considering the parties involved, applying the term déjà vu here feels especially apt. Some 10 months ago, the four airlines pushed out details that affirmed their continued intentions to strengthen bonds. This week, they're doing it all over again while giving us a date stamp to hold onto.

Additionally, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM have today announced their first codeshare agreement, which creates new transatlantic travel options to and from North America, and provides more opportunities to earn frequent flyer miles.

While talks of an expanded joint venture have been ongoing for years, we're now learning that it is set for completion by the end of 2019, subject to final clearance from regulators. Once those hurdles are cleared, the airlines will be founding members of a $13 billion trans-Atlantic partnership for customers between the UK, Europe and North America, offering more than 300 daily trans-Atlantic flights, 108 non-stop routes, and over 340 destinations.

Even Delta's frequent fliers can enjoy Air France's new A330 biz class seats while earning SkyMiles (Photo by Emily McNutt / The Points Guy)

What's this mean for you? It makes it easier for passengers to book a single string of flights across any of these carriers to get from their origin to their destination, with the confidence that the airlines will work together to solve any misconnects and that frequent flier miles will be seamlessly earned and deposited to their program of choice.

One the expanded joint venture transaction closes, we're also told that flyers will also "benefit from the co-location of facilities at key hub airports to improve connectivity and access to each carrier’s airport lounges for premium passengers."

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at New York-JFK
Once the deal closes, it'll be easier for Delta flyers to get a haircut at the Virgin Clubhouse (Photo by Zach Honig / The Points Guy)

Delta is giving customers from these codeshare partners more options than ever. Virgin customers traveling between the United Kingdom and the US now have the choice to connect onto all of Delta’s flights over Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris (CDG). Meanwhile Air France and KLM customers have additional options to fly either nonstop or via the UK on all Delta services to the US.

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Virgin Atlantic customers can now book additional flights at virginatlantic.com, opening up 58 new routes from 18 UK airports across the Atlantic with Air France and KLM. Examples of new route options from the UK include Edinburgh (EDI) – Toronto (YYZ) via Amsterdam (AMS), and London Heathrow (LHR) - Chicago (ORD) via Paris (CDG).

air-france-klm-virgin-atlantic-delta-blue-skies-crew-partnership
The Blue Skies crew (Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

Air France and KLM customers can now access 24 new routes to North America on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and Delta departing the UK including connections via London Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN). This includes added frequencies to destinations such as Miami (MIA) from Amsterdam (AMS) via London Heathrow (LHR) alongside increased options to fly between Paris (CDG) and New York (JFK) via Manchester (MAN).

If you're a frequent flier with any of these airlines, this is all very good news. It means that you'll see more connection options, saner layovers and increased lounge availability when flying on any of them, all while earning miles and elite status qualifiers on your airline of choice.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.