WOW's Trying to Compete in the Transatlantic Business Market With New Premium Fare
Ultra-low-cost carrier WOW Air announced on Friday that it's launching a full-service ticket bundle, which it claims rivals similar business services with legacy carriers.
[Update, 3/28/2019: WOW Air has ceased operations. Find our ongoing coverage of WOW Air's collapse, and what affected passengers can do about it, here.]
WOW Premium, the new ticket bundle, offers travelers "a more inclusive travel experience," with fares remaining closer to what passengers have come to expect from the ultra-low-cost carrier. In all, the WOW Premium ticket bundle includes: the WOW Air BigSeat (a wider seat with a foot rest and at least 37 inches of legroom), priority boarding and fast track security, an in-flight meal and drinks, two checked bags, one carry-on item, one personal item and no change fee for reschedule and cancellation protection.
If this package sounds somewhat familiar, that's because it is. The WOW Premium bundle is "an enhanced version" of the WOW Biz product that was announced in 2017. Check out TPG Managing Editor Alberto Riva's review of the WOW Biz product here. With the Biz seat, you would get a personal item, carry-on bag, checked bag, cancellation protection, in-flight meal, XXL legroom and priority boarding. So, the Premium option differs in that it offers an additional checked bag, a BigSeat (37-45 inches of pitch and a foot rest) and fast track at security.
WOW believes that with this new Premium bundle, it can offer a premium product that's on par with legacy carriers' transatlantic business products but at a lower cost.
The carrier's A320s will feature four business class seats, and A321s will have eight. Meanwhile the A330s will feature 42 BigSeats. The carrier is in the process of retrofitting its existing fleet of Airbus A320, A321 and A330s with the new configuration, featuring the BigSeat seat. By the end of 2018, WOW's CEO expects to have all of its aircraft retrofitted with the new seat.
With the addition of WOW Premium to its fare offering, the carrier now offers four different types of tickets.
For the launch of its new Premium product WOW is offering discounts on tickets for travel in the cabin. WOW is advertising select one-way WOW Premium fares to Reykjavik (KEF) from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and New York (EWR and JFK) for as low as $399. Alternatively, you can fly from LAX, SFO, EWR or JFK to Amsterdam (AMS), Paris (CDG) and London (STN and LGW) via KEF for as low as $599. However, the lowest fares we found were from New York (JFK and EWR) to KEF from $599 one-way:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees