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The best airline loyalty programmes in Europe

01 Jul 2024 · 7 MIN READ

Last updated: April 2026
One way to make the business travel experience a little more enjoyable is to collect loyalty points and redeem miles from airlines.
In recent years, airline loyalty programmes have evolved significantly. Many now use dynamic pricing for rewards and calculate points based on how much you spend rather than how far you fly, which means the value of points can vary significantly depending on how and when they are used.
If you’re already a frequent flyer, it takes minimal effort to sign up for a loyalty programme, earning you access to nicer lounges, better seats at no cost and sometimes even a free flight that you can put towards an upcoming vacation. What’s not to love? 
Every company’s travel policy has different guidelines around collecting and using loyalty points, so make sure to check with your travel manager or office manager first. 
A common rule of thumb is that it’s okay to choose your preferred carrier, so long as the cost is not significantly higher than an alternative (often around 10%). However, this varies widely depending on company travel policies, and some organisations require travellers to always choose the lowest logical fare
Perk allows travellers to save their loyalty programme numbers so that they get used whenever possible. The more loyalty programmes, the merrier!
Below, you’ll find information on all of the best frequent flyer programmes in Europe, including partner airlines, destinations and rewards.
But how do you choose the right one? The only way to get great benefits is to fly often, so choose the programme whose airlines you’ll frequently fly with.
Most airlines are part of alliances, and their loyalty programme partners overlap. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you by selecting the best of the best programmes.

Flying Blue

Flying Blue allows you to collect miles not only with Air France and KLM, but also across the entire SkyTeam alliance and a wide range of additional airline partners. The programme uses a revenue-based system, meaning you earn miles based on how much you spend rather than how far you fly.
Certain tiers of Flying Blue also give you access to airport lounges and offer steep discounts on seat options. If Paris and Amsterdam are business travel hotspots for you, then there’s no reason not to sign up. 
Another bonus—you can link your American Express credit card to Flying Blue, helping you rack up additional miles with normal household expenses. 
Partner Airlines (SkyTeam alliance):
  • Aerolíneas Argentinas
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Europa
  • Air France
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern
  • Czech Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • ITA Airways
  • Kenya Airways
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Saudia
  • TAROM
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • XiamenAir
Flying Blue also partners with additional non-alliance airlines and regional carriers. For the most up-to-date and complete list, visit the official Flying Blue website .
Tiers & Benefits
Check out the different levels of this programme and how to move up the ladder of benefits.
Experience Points (XP) are earned based on the type of flight, distance, and travel class. View all the ways to collect XP here:
Tier Name
Explorer
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Qualification
Free
100 XP (Experience Points)
180 XP
300 XP
Earn and spend miles with all partners
Use miles to upgrade in advance or on board
Earn miles per £ spent on flights and options
Earn 4 Miles per £ spent
Earn 6 Miles per £ spent
Earn 7 Miles per £ spent
Earn 8 Miles per £ spent
Extra baggage allowance
Up to £10 discount on 1st paid check-in baggage on AirFrance, KLM and HOP!
1 extra baggage allowance on AirFrance, KLM and HOP!
1 extra baggage allowance on AirFrance, KLM and HOP!
1 extra baggage allowance on AirFrance, KLM and HOP!
Lounge access
With air miles
With air miles
Lounge access for Gold and Platinum members (SkyTeam Elite Plus), typically when travelling on SkyTeam-operated flights, in line with alliance benefits.
Lounge access for Gold and Platinum members (SkyTeam Elite Plus), typically when travelling on SkyTeam-operated flights, in line with alliance benefits.
Priority check-in
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Flying Club

Brought to you by Virgin Atlantic, Flying Club also allows you to rack up flights for Delta Airlines, Air France or Hawaiian Airlines. Unfortunately, tea with Sir Richard Branson is not part of the perks, but there are plenty of other cool rewards, such as exit row seats and premium check-in. 
Always wanted to chillax in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse instead of your usual madhouse terminal at Heathrow? Now’s your chance. Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse lounges are also available to Gold Tier members when flying with Virgin Atlantic or eligible partner airlines. 
So if British and Asian destinations are part of your regular routes with Virgin Atlantic, consider signing up. Depending on your tier and fare type, you may also benefit from free or earlier seat selection!
As part of SkyTeam, Flying Club members can also earn and redeem points across partner airlines, expanding the programme’s value beyond Virgin Atlantic’s own network.
Partner Airlines:
  • Aerolíneas Argentinas
  • AeroMexico
  • AirEuropa
  • AirFrance
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern
  • Czech Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Garuda Indonesia Airlines
  • ITA Airways
  • Kenya Airways
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Saudia
  • TAROM
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • XiamenAir
Tiers & Benefits
Learn about the benefits of each tier and how to qualify.
Tier Name
Red Tier
Silver Tier
Gold Tier
Qualification
No qualifications
400 Tier Points per year
1000 Tier Points
Earn miles on every flight
Additional bonus miles on every flight
30%
60%
Spend miles on Reward Flights
Pay for flights with Miles Plus Money
Free seat selection ahead of your flight in Economy Light
Available earlier for member (subject to fare conditions)
Available earlier for member and travel party (subject to fare conditions)
Complimentary Exit row seats in Economy Classic
Extra hand and hold baggage
Upper-Class check-in flying in any cabin
Premium check-in flying in any cabin
Clubhouse lounge access
Available when flying with Virgin Atlantic or eligible partners
One complimentary Clubhouse spa treatment plus 10% off thereafter
Access to London Heathrow Revivals Lounge
Little extras like bonus birthday miles and cabin upgrades (when you earn 2,000 Tier Points within a membership year) make this loyalty programme particularly enticing. Another special feature is the Flying Club’s Points Booster, enabling you to score extra points for cheap using bonus promotions.
Virgin Atlantic is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, allowing you to earn and redeem points across a wide network of global airlines.Learn more and get started by signing up for the Red Tier of the Flying Club .

Miles & More (operated by Lufthansa)

One of the largest frequent flyer programmes in Europe, Lufthansa’s Miles and More is particularly attractive for travellers based in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region).
In addition to airlines such as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and SWISS, you can reap your rewards with Air China, Air New Zealand, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and South African Airways. 
With so many Star Alliance partners, it’d be almost silly not to sign up and start racking up points. The standout benefits of this programme are the cabin upgrades and priority check-in. Better yet, you can redeem miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel rewards
In any airline rewards programme comparison, this one will rank towards the top, simply because there are so many big airlines in this partnership—and hotels including the international Marriott chain.
Partner Airlines (Star Alliance)
  • Aegean Airlines
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air India
  • Air New Zealand
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA)
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Austrian Airlines
  • Avianca
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Croatia Airlines
  • EGYPTAIR
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • EVA Air
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
  • Shenzhen Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • SWISS
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • Thai Airways
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United Airlines
Miles & More also includes additional Lufthansa Group airlines and partners outside Star Alliance. For the most up-to-date list, visit the official Miles & More website .
Tiers & Benefits
Tier Name
Member
Frequent Traveller
Senator
HON Circle Member
Qualification
1 award mile
35,000 status miles or 30 scheduled
100,000 status miles in a calendar year
600,000 HON Circle miles in 2 consecutive calendar years
Miles don’t expire
Fly one class higher
2 vouchers for class upgrade upon status attainment and when status is extended
6 vouchers for class upgrade upon status attainment and when status is extended
Guaranteed booking
Up to 48 hours before departure in the highest booking class in Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy
Up to 24 hours before departure in the highest booking class in Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy
Waitlist priority
Third highest waitlist priority
Second highest waitlist priority
Highest waitlist priority
Preferential check-in
Business class check-in
First Class check-in or Premium check-in
First Class check-in or Premium check-in
Free baggage allowance
1 additional bag in Economy, 2 in Premium Economy, 3 in First Class
2 bags in Economy, 3 in Premium Economy, 4 in First Class
2 bags in Economy, 3 in Premium Economy, 4 in First Class
Lounge access
Business Lounge
Senator and Star Gold Lounges
Lufthansa First Class, SWISS First and Austrian HON Circle Lounge, First Class Terminal in Frankfurt
Access to First Class
Only with First Class Ticket (Lufthansa, SWISS)
Only with First Class Ticket (Lufthansa, SWISS)
Only with First Class Ticket (Lufthansa, SWISS)
Regardless of service class (Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS)
Exclusive service hotline
Senator Tier card for spouse / partner
One last standout feature? Miles & More offers a range of premium redemption options, including multi-destination trips and upgrades. For the latest redemption options and examples, it’s best to check the official Miles & More website .
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Executive Club by British Airways

British Airways has introduced changes to its Executive Club loyalty programme to simplify how members earn and maintain status. The programme now follows a more standardised membership structure, aligning status qualification periods across members.
Executive Club is part of the oneworld alliance, allowing members to earn and redeem Avios across a global network of partner airlines:
Partner Airlines:
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Finnair
  • Iberia
  • Japan Airlines
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Royal Jordanian
  • SriLankan Airlines
Tiers & Benefits
Tier Name
Blue
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Qualification
Free
300 Tier Points
600 Tier Points
1500 Tier Points
Priority check-in
Priority boarding
First Class check-in and boarding
Access to business lounges
Yes (when flying with British Airways or oneworld airlines)
Yes (when flying with British Airways or oneworld airlines)
Access to First Class lounges
Bonus Avios on every flight
25% bonus Avios
50% bonus Avios
100% bonus Avios
Free seat selection
24 hours before departure
7 days before departure (subject to availability)
At time of booking (subject to availability)
At time of booking
Additional baggage allowance
Gold Upgrade vouchers
Given at 2500 and 3500 Tier Points in a year
Pool Avios with a household account (including up to 6 people)
Avios can be spent on holidays, hotels, car hire and more. The fact that you can pool Avios together with a household of six makes this programme a no-brainer for anyone who regularly travels with kids, in addition to the usual business travel grind.

SAS EuroBonus

Frequently within Europe, especially across the Nordic region.
Since SAS joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2024, members can now earn and redeem points across a much wider network of partner airlines, making the programme even more useful for international business travel.
If you often travel to or through cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm, or Oslo, EuroBonus is definitely worth considering.
Partner Airlines (SkyTeam alliance):
  • Aerolineas Argentinas
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Europa
  • Air France
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern
  • Czech Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • ITA Airways
  • Kenya Airways
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Saudia
  • TAROM
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • XiamenAir
SAS EuroBonus also partners with additional airlines and travel providers. For the most up-to-date list, visit the official SAS EuroBonus website .
Tiers & Benefits
Tier Name
Member
Silver
Gold
Diamond
Qualification
Free
20,000 Basic points or 10 flights
45,000 Basic points or 45 flights
90,000 Basic points or 90 flights
Earn and redeem points
Priority check-in
Priority boarding
Lounge access
Yes (when flying with SAS or SkyTeam airlines)
Yes (when flying with SAS or SkyTeam airlines)
Extra baggage allowance
Fast track security
Bonus points on flights
EuroBonus is a solid choice if you want a good mix of strong European coverage and access to a global network through SkyTeam.

AAdvantage by American Airlines

AAdvantage is American Airlines’ loyalty programme. While it’s primarily focused on the US market, it’s still highly relevant for European travellers thanks to American Airlines’ membership in the oneworld alliance.
Members can earn miles when flying with American Airlines and its oneworld partners, as well as through credit card spending and other partner activities.
It’s one of the largest airline loyalty programmes in the world, and miles can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and car hire.
Partner Airlines (oneworld alliance):
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Finnair
  • Iberia
  • Japan Airlines
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Royal Jordanian
  • SriLankan Airlines
AAdvantage also partners with additional airlines outside oneworld. For the most up-to-date list, visit the official AAdvantage partner page .
Tiers & Benefits:
Tier Name
Gold
Platinum
Platinum Pro
Executive Platinum
Qualification
40,000 points
75,000 points
125,000 points
200,000 points
Lounge access
First class lounge access with other airlines
Priority check-in
Expedited security line
Priority boarding
Priority service at ticket/transfer desks
Extra baggage allowance
One free checked bag
Two free checked bags
Three free checked bags
Three free checked bags
Priority baggage drop off
In advance seat reservation
Free
Free
Economy class seats with more space
Service class upgrades
Complimentary upgrades on North American American Airlines flights (lowest priority)
Higher priority than Gold
Higher priority than Platinum
Highest priority
Guaranteed paid booking on fully booked flights
Priority waitlist for paid bookings
Extra bonus miles for all flights
40% status mileage bonus
60% status mileage bonus
80% status mileage bonus
120% status mileage bonus

Make the most out of flights with these airline loyalty programmes in Europe!

Do you fly frequently for business travel to European cities? Do you wish you could book your own flights instead of dialling a travel agent or sending an email to your office manager? Perk makes it easy for business travellers—flying in Europe, America, Asia or anywhere in the world—to book their own flights within policy. And even better, we allow you to save your loyalty programme information , so you can easily add it on to every booking and keep earning points along the way
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