Air France-KLM Launches New Rewards Credit Card
Flying Blue loyalty program fans have a new way to earn miles and points toward elite status: Air France-KLM and Bank of America have just launched a new cobranded credit card that offers bonus miles on both airfare purchases and on everyday spend.
The new Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard also comes with a 25,000-mile welcome bonus after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That bonus is worth $300 according to TPG's latest valuations, which peg Flying Blue points at 1.2 cents each. Cardholders also will earn 5,000 miles (worth $60) every year on their account anniversary after spending at least $50 on purchases within the anniversary year.
You'll also earn 60 Experience Points, or XP, upon card approval. That's the currency for earning elite status that Flying Blue switched to earlier this year, replacing Level Miles and qualifying flights. The free XP is enough to get you more than halfway toward the 100 XP you need to earn Silver status. What's more, cardholders also will receive 20 XP every year on their account anniversary. Spend $15,000 within an anniversary year, and you'll earn another 40 XP.
As for rewards, you'll earn:
- 3 miles per $1 on direct purchases from Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines
- 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
The annual fee is $89, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Miles can be redeemed for flights booked directly through Flying Blue partners, including Air France, KLM, Hop, Joon and Transavia. You'll need to use Flying Blue's pricing calculator, which will let you know the minimum number of miles needed for an award. Miles required are based on origin, destination and the date of your flight. You can also book flights through SkyTeam partners. In total, the loyalty program boasts 39 airline partners and more than 100 non-airline partners.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app