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SkyTeam Special: Air France Welcoming First Airbus A350 as KLM Adds Boeing 787-10
Darren Murph
Senior Strategist/Writer
Darren holds the Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger, a feat he achieved in 2010. He's a seasoned storyteller, instructor and communicator, working across marketing, editorial and public relations for some of the world's most progressive brands. He's an explorer at heart, having traversed nearly 50 countries and all 50 US states. He's flown over one million miles on Delta alone, and takes pride in facilitating unforgettable excursions using points and miles.
March 20, 2019
•
4 min read
SkyTeam Special: Air France Welcoming First Airbus A350 as KLM Adds Boeing 787-10
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Air France announced today that it will welcome its very first 324-seat Airbus A350 in September, with another six aircraft to be added to the fleet by the close of 2020. Meanwhile in Holland, KLM will launch its first extended-length Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on July 1, with another seven arriving by the end of next year.
Both items are significant for Delta flyers, as they make traveling on one of the two most notable SkyTeam partners much more alluring. Delta's own A350 — home to Delta One Suites — has proven to be a laudable product for jumping across oceans.
While AirFrance has yet to comment on its own A350's interior, we're hopeful that it outfits it with the same Stelia Aerospace Equinox 2D seats that TPG Global News Editor Emily McNutt recently enjoyed on an A330 flight between Paris (CDG) and Houston (IAH).
The announcements continue a parade of news for Delta (and SkyTeam) loyalists, coming just weeks after Delta launched the Airbus A220 in North America and announced that the Airbus A330-900neo will enter commercial service in July.
KLM's extended length 787-10 will join the carrier's 13 787-9s. (You can read more on the differences right here.) Closer to home, United began 787-10 service earlier this year, which TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig reviewed between Los Angeles (LAX) and Newark (EWR).
Speaking of Dreamliners, Air France will receive two 787-9s for the summer season, bringing its total for that variant to nine. (In fact, I'll be flying that very plane to the Maldives later this year once Air France restarts seasonal service between Paris (CDG) and Male (MLE).)
In other aircraft news, the Air France-KLM group is harmonizing the distribution of its cabins on its long-haul network, mainly by assigning its Airbus A380s to the United States. It's a curious move given that smaller planes are likely a better fit from a capacity standpoint. Air France asserts that the shifts will bring its La Première cabin to at least one flight per day to San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), Washington, DC (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Mexico City (MEX), Sao Paulo (GRU), Abidjan (ABJ), Dubai (DXB), Beirut (BEY), Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), Hong Kong (HKG), Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and Singapore (SIN).
KLM will offer its new World Business Class on all its long-haul destinations, while its new economy cabin will also be available on all Boeing 777, 787 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.