Have you ever walked past the curtain on a flight from Brussels Airport, seeing travelers sipping champagne in lie-flat seats, and wondered, “How much did that cost?”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The answer is usually €2,500 or more. But for a small group of travel hackers in Belgium, the answer is often €60 in taxes and a handful of points.
If you live in Belgium, the American Express Gold and Platinum cards are your ticket to the front of the plane. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to turn your daily grocery runs at Delhaize into a Business Class bed over the Atlantic.
1. The Secret: It’s Not About the Spending, It’s About the Bonus
Most people think you need to spend millions to earn a free flight. That is a myth. The fastest way to fly Business Class is by leveraging the Welcome Bonus.
By signing up through a referral link, you receive a significantly higher bonus than the public offer.
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The Goal: Secure 100,000 to 250,000 Membership Rewards points.
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The Strategy: A single referral bonus can often cover an entire one-way Business Class ticket.
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The Action: Send us a message to get up to 250,000 AMEX points
Pro Tip: Amex points in Belgium are the most flexible “currency” you can own. Unlike a standard airline card, you can transfer these points to KLM, Air France, British Airways, Delta, and more.
2. Best Business Class “Sweet Spots” from Brussels (BRU)
Where should you send your points for the best value? For Belgian residents, these are the three highest-value moves in 2026:
A. The “Flying Blue” Monthly Promo (KLM & Air France)
As of 2026, Amex Belgium points transfer to Flying Blue. The “Promo Rewards” are released on the 1st of every month.
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Cost: Often only 37,500–50,000 points for a one-way Business Class ticket to North America or the Caribbean.
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Departure: Brussels (via a quick train to Schiphol or CDG).
B. The Qatar Airways “Qsuite” (via British Airways)
Widely considered the best Business Class in the world. You can transfer Amex points to British Airways Avios and use them to book Qatar Airways.
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Route: Brussels (BRU) to Doha (DOH).
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Cost: Approx 45,000 Avios.
C. Brussels Airlines to New York (via Aeroplan)
Did you know you can use Amex points to book Brussels Airlines directly? By transferring to Air Canada Aeroplan, you can book the direct flight from Zaventem to JFK for roughly 60,000 points.
3. How to Start Your Journey Today
If you want to fly Business Class this year, follow this 3-step checklist:
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Apply via Referral: Use a referral link to ensure you get the maximum possible starting points.
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Move Your Daily Spend: Use your Amex for everything—Groceries at Delhaize/Carrefour, fuel, and online shopping via PayPal.
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Wait for the Transfer Bonus: Once or twice a year, Amex offers a “Transfer Bonus” (e.g., +20% extra miles). This is the best time to move points to your airline of choice.
4. Is the Annual Fee Worth It?
The AMEX Platinum Card costs €65/month in Belgium. Sounds high? Let’s do the math:
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Three dinners per year for two people: worth of 100€ per dinner
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Airport Lounge Access: Unlimited for you and a guest via Priority Pass (Value: ~€40 per visit). If you travel 4 times a year with a partner, that’s €320 in value.
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Fast Lane at BRU: Skip the security lines at Brussels Airport—a massive time saver during peak Belgian holiday seasons.
- Business Class Value: If you use your points for a €2,500 Business Class flight, the card effectively pays for itself for over 3 years.
Ready to Upgrade Your Travel?
Don’t settle for the middle seat. Start earning your Business Class ticket today with a boosted welcome bonus.