In today’s fast-paced world, having a credit card that caters to your travel needs can be immensely beneficial. One such card to consider is the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®. This credit card, co-branded by Air France-KLM and Bank of America, is designed for travelers who frequently fly with Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partners. Offering a range of rewards and benefits, this card could potentially enhance your travel experiences and save you money in the process.
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® features a generous base earning rate, allowing cardholders to accumulate points for their travel expenses. Additionally, cardholders can enjoy an anniversary bonus each year, a perk that is relatively uncommon among airline credit cards at this price point. This bonus feature, along with the card’s competitive rewards program, makes it an attractive option for those who are loyal to the Air France-KLM family of airlines.
With a Regular APR of 19.74% – 27.74% variable and an annual fee of $89, this credit card may not be the best choice for everyone. However, for those who frequently travel with Air France, KLM, and their partner airlines, this card could offer substantial value, ultimately justifying its annual fee. In this article, we will further explore the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® to help you decide whether it is the right fit for your travel needs.
Air France Credit Card Overview
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® is a credit card designed for frequent travelers who fly with Air France, KLM, and their partners. Issued by Bank of America, this credit card offers various rewards and benefits for its cardholders.
Cardholders earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam partner airlines, as well as 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all other purchases. This solid rewards rate makes it an attractive option for those who fly frequently with the SkyTeam alliance.
The credit card comes with an attractive sign-up bonus, offering up to 70,000 bonus miles and 100 XP (experience points) for new cardholders (exact offer may vary). This bonus can provide a significant boost to your Flying Blue frequent flyer account and help you achieve a higher elite status within the loyalty program.
Some key benefits of the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® include:
- The annual fee is $89, which is relatively reasonable compared to other airline credit cards with similar benefits.
- Cardholders receive 20 XP every year on their account anniversary, helping them maintain or reach a higher elite status.
- There is no foreign transaction fee, making it more cost-effective for international travelers.
- The card offers Lost Luggage Reimbursement and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, providing additional protection during your trips.
While the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® does not offer certain perks like free checked bags or priority boarding that some other airline credit cards do, its strong rewards rate and valuable benefits for frequent Air France and KLM travelers make it a solid choice.
Earning Rewards and Status
Miles and Purchases
With the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®, cardholders can earn Flying Blue miles on their spending. The card offers a generous base earning rate for miles on your purchases. You can redeem these miles for travel on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partner airlines. The mileage earning rate varies depending on your Flying Blue status:
- Silver: 6 Flying Blue miles per euro
- Gold: 7 Flying Blue miles per euro
- Platinum: 8 Flying Blue miles per euro
Remember, these miles are separate from elite qualifying miles (XP), which are earned strictly for status purposes.
Experience Points and Elite Status
In addition to earning miles on your purchases, you can also earn Experience Points (XP) towards elite status qualification. The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® offers a bonus of 40 XP upon card approval and an additional 60 XP after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months of card ownership.
Elite status with Flying Blue offers various benefits, including priority boarding, lounge access, and additional mileage earning potential. Here’s a quick breakdown of the XP needed for each elite status level:
- Silver: 100 XP
- Gold: 180 XP
- Platinum: 300 XP
As a Flying Blue member, you can also use your elite status benefits on partner airlines and earn miles, XP for status qualification, and more on partner carriers, such as Transavia and TAROM.
So, by strategically using the Air France KLM credit card for purchases and flying on partner airlines, you can maximize your rewards and elite status benefits with the Flying Blue program.
Welcome and Anniversary Bonus
Welcome Bonus
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® offers an attractive welcome bonus for new cardholders. Upon opening the account and meeting the spending requirements, cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles. To qualify for this bonus, you’ll need to spend $2,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
In addition to the bonus miles, you can also earn 40 XP (Experience Points) after making $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days. Furthermore, cardholders will receive an extra 60 XP upon account approval. Experience Points help you gain elite status within the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program.
Account Anniversary Bonus
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® also rewards its cardholders with an account anniversary bonus. Every year during which you spend $50 or more on the card, you will receive a bonus of 5,000 miles on your account anniversary. This bonus serves as an incentive for cardholders to maintain and continue using the card for their airfare and other expenses.
In summary, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® provides enticing bonuses for its cardholders, both in the form of a welcome bonus and an account anniversary bonus. With the opportunity to earn bonus miles and Experience Points, this credit card proves to be beneficial for frequent Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam member airlines’ travelers.
Fees and APR
Annual Fee
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® has an annual fee of $89. It’s essential to consider whether the rewards and benefits provided by the card can justify this cost.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Good news for travelers: the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® does not impose any foreign transaction fees. This feature makes it an excellent choice for those who frequently travel internationally, allowing cardholders to make purchases in foreign currencies without incurring additional charges.
APR
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® offers a variable APR ranging from 15.99% to 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. It’s important to note that these rates apply to both purchases and balance transfers. To maintain the best possible credit score and avoid paying interest, it is advised to pay off your balance in full each month.
Card Benefits and Features
Airline and Hotel Partners
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® provides various benefits for travelers, especially those who frequently fly on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam member airlines. Cardholders can redeem their reward points for travel on these airlines and enjoy perks like free checked bags.
One of the main appeals of the card is its integration with the Flying Blue loyalty program, which offers a variety of airline and hotel partners. Elite status earned through the program can be used across the SkyTeam alliance, giving you access to benefits and lounge access on numerous airlines.
Travel and Purchase Protections
In addition to the airline and hotel partners, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® offers several travel and purchase protections for cardholders. Some notable protections include:
- Travel accident insurance: In case of an accident while traveling, cardholders can be covered for up to a certain amount, ensuring financial assistance during difficult times.
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage: If your trip must be canceled or interrupted due to unforeseen events, the card offers coverage for non-refundable expenses, such as flights and hotel bookings.
- Baggage delay insurance: In the event of delayed luggage, cardholders can receive compensation for expenses incurred due to the delay, such as buying clothes or basic necessities.
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for those who travel frequently with Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam member airlines and enjoy taking advantage of numerous airline and hotel partners in the Flying Blue loyalty program. Additionally, the card offers valuable travel and purchase protections to make your trips more secure and worry-free.
Alternative Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular option for travelers seeking a versatile rewards program. Cardholders earn:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x points on dining
- 3x points on select streaming services
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart and Target)
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
There is a $95 annual fee, and the card currently offers a 100,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Amex
The American Express Platinum Card is an excellent choice for luxury travelers looking for premium benefits. With a $695 annual fee, cardholders receive:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
- access to airport lounges
- complimentary hotel status
- up to a $200 credit for incidental airline fees
- a host of other travel and shopping benefits
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
For frequent Delta Air Lines travelers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can offer valuable rewards and perks. Cardholders earn:
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles on dining
- 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets
- 1x mile on all other eligible purchases
There is a $99 annual fee (waived for the first year). In addition, cardholders enjoy a $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year and can check their first bag for free when flying Delta.
Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a flexible travel rewards card with a straightforward rewards program. With a $95 annual fee, cardholders earn:
- 2x miles per $1 spent on every purchase
- 5x miles per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
The card also offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Bottom Line and Methodology
In this review of the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard®, we have thoroughly analyzed various features and benefits, such as rewards, fees, security, and customer experience. Our methodology includes examining key factors like the welcome bonus, annual fee, earning potential, and redemption options for travel on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partners.
To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation, we have compared the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® to other rewards cards available in the market. Our opinions are based on factual information collected from reputable sources and combined with our knowledge of the credit card industry.
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® offers a generous welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus miles and 40 XP after making $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days, plus 60 XP upon approval. With an annual fee of $89, which is not waived in the first year, this card has a regular APR between 19.74% and 27.74% variable, depending on your credit score.
As for rewards, cardholders can enjoy a base earning rate of 1.5 miles per dollar on everyday purchases, with no foreign transaction fees. This makes it a suitable option for frequent travelers or those who often shop internationally.
In terms of redemption, miles can be used for travel on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partners. Though the card does not offer free checked bags, potential savings in mileage and travel benefits may still be appealing for some.
It is important to note that our review is intended as guidance to help readers make well-informed decisions. Individual financial situations and travel preferences may vary, so we recommend further research and comparison with other credit card options before deciding if the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard® suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of the card?
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard offers a variety of benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles for travel on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partners. Cardholders will also enjoy no foreign transaction fees, adding convenience for international travelers.
Earning miles?
Cardholders can earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam partners. In addition, they can earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all other purchases, making it a competitive card for earning miles.
Any sign-up offers?
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard may offer a sign-up bonus to new cardholders. Please check the latest offer details with the bank or card provider as they can change over time.
World Elite Mastercard perks?
As a World Elite Mastercard, the Air France KLM card offers numerous perks to cardholders. Some of these perks may include access to luxury travel benefits, concierge services, identity theft protection, and more. Please refer to the issuer’s website for the most current list of benefits.
Annual fee?
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard comes with an $89 annual fee.
Best card for XP?
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard may not be the best option for earning Experience Points (XP) within the Flying Blue program, as it focuses more on earning miles. Cardholders looking to maximize XP should explore other options within the Flying Blue program or other travel rewards programs.
