Air France-KLM Mastercard review: Good for Air France and KLM loyalists
Editor's Note
Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard overview
Many seasoned points and miles fans have at least one or two cobranded airline cards. If you're currently seeking a new airline card to add to your wallet, the Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard® may be the right choice for you. With a solid earnings structure and bonus anniversary miles, this card is best suited for frequent Air France and KLM flyers. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Once you've opened a core set of cards that earn transferable points, it's time to move on to cobranded airline cards. Opening a card or two with your favorite airline can provide additional perks, a faster path to elite status and the opportunity to earn additional rewards on every purchase.
The Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard, issued by Bank of America, isn't too different from its mid-tier airline card peers. While its perks are slimmer than some other options, it still provides good value for those who fly with Air France and KLM at least a couple of times per year.
In March, current cardholders will see their cards converted from a World Elite Mastercard to a Visa Signature. This means some benefits and insurance coverage, such as extended warranty and auto rental coverage, will change on or after March 20. Current cardholders received notice of these changes in January, so look into Visa Signature benefits if you've been using World Elite Mastercard benefits with this card.
This card has an $89 annual fee, and we recommend a credit score of 700 or higher for the best chance of approval.
Let's dive into this card's details so you can decide if it's the right airline card for you.
The information for the Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Air France-KLM Mastercard pros and cons
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Air France-KLM Mastercard welcome offer
New cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles plus 100 Experience Points (XP) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
According to TPG's January 2026 valuations, Flying Blue miles are worth 1.3 cents per mile. That means the miles portion of this welcome offer is worth $910.
Related: This month's best credit card welcome bonuses
Air France-KLM Mastercard benefits
The Air France-KLM Mastercard has limited benefits for a mid-tier airline card, but there are still a few noteworthy perks.
This card's most notable feature is a 5,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary. However, the anniversary bonus has a spending requirement, which is unusual. Fortunately, the spending requirement is exceptionally low: $50 in the previous cardholder year. Even if you rarely use this card, that's not a hard threshold to meet.
According to TPG's valuations, these 5,000 miles are worth $65; that covers more than 70% of the card's annual fee.
You'll also earn 20 XP each account anniversary.
You can also earn more XP by spending on the card. You'll earn 80 XP after spending at least $15,000 on the card in a calendar year (for a total of 100 XP, including the 20 XP you receive upon card anniversary). If you spend at least $25,000 on the card in a calendar year, you'll earn an additional 60 XP, bringing your potential annual total to 160 XP through annual spending on the card.
These annual XP bonuses can help you reach the 100 XP needed to earn Flying Blue Silver status. Silver status benefits include priority check-in and boarding, free selection of standard seats and one extra free checked bag on SkyTeam-operated flights.
Additionally, you'll enjoy perks that are fairly standard for a mid-tier travel card, such as no foreign transaction fees and a contactless payment option.
If you plan on spending a lot on this card each year, it's likely worth it for you. Otherwise, consider how much you value the base XP and 5,000-mile bonus against the card's $89 annual fee.
Earning miles on the Air France-KLM Mastercard
The Air France-KLM Mastercard earns miles in two useful bonus categories.
With this card, you'll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam member airline purchases and eligible dining purchases. You'll receive 1.5 miles on everything else.
While those rates are nothing stunning, they certainly aren't bad, either — especially since dining was recently added as a bonus category.
According to our valuation of Flying Blue miles at 1.3 cents per mile, this yields a 3.9% return on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam member airlines purchases as well as dining and almost a 2% return on all other purchases.
In fact, the Air France-KLM Mastercard could work as a nonbonus spending card if you need one and you frequently fly with the airline to use these miles.
Redeeming miles on the Air France-KLM Mastercard
The optimal way to redeem Flying Blue miles is for flight redemptions. Flying Blue uses dynamic pricing, so there's no award chart to reference. That means prices can change at any time, making it difficult to find sweet spots.
In addition to redeeming miles for Air France and KLM flights, you can redeem them for award tickets on other SkyTeam airlines, like Delta Air Lines. This can be a great way to find an award ticket for a better price than if you used a given airline's own rewards program.
Flying Blue frequently releases Promo Rewards, which are deeply discounted award tickets. These tickets often have more restrictions than standard Flying Blue award tickets, so make sure to read any relevant terms and conditions.
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt recently redeemed 60,000 Flying Blue miles plus $330 in taxes and fees for a one-way business-class flight from Spain's Valencia Airport (VLC) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
And, thanks to Flying Blue's stopover program, he could have extended his trip with a free stopover in Amsterdam if he wanted to.
What cards compete with the Air France-KLM Mastercard?
When thinking about other cards that compete with the Air France-KLM Mastercard, cards that earn rewards that can be transferred to Flying Blue likely come to mind. Here are a few options:
- If you like American Express: American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees) but comes with a wide range of perks to help justify that cost. It earns Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to Flying Blue. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
- If you like Chase: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) has a similar annual fee to the Air France-KLM Mastercard. It comes with some benefits to help offset its $95 annual fee, including an annual $50 hotel credit. It earns Ultimate Rewards points, which are transferable to Flying Blue. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
- If you like Capital One: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also has a $95 annual fee, placing it in the same tier as the Air France-KLM Mastercard. Much like the Amex Platinum and the Sapphire Preferred, it offers Flying Blue as a transfer partner. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
For additional options, check out our picks for the best airline cards and the best travel cards.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture Rewards: Which $95 card should you get?
Is the Air France-KLM Mastercard worth it?
For Air France and KLM loyalists, the Air France-KLM Mastercard is definitely worth considering, with a reasonable annual fee and an elite-status boost. However, if you don't fly with Air France and KLM at least twice each year, I recommend considering another airline card or a general travel card that earns transferable rewards.
Bottom line
If you're serious about points and miles, opening an airline cobranded card is the right choice.
The Air France-KLM Mastercard is only one of many options, but it's a solid choice for fans of the two airlines. The card can go even further if you're able to maintain Flying Blue elite status over the long term.
If you aren't a frequent Air France and KLM flyer, another airline card will be a better fit for you.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
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