Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard

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Card Details and Application Link
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard
70K miles + 100XP ⓘ Non-Affiliate
70K miles + 40 XP after $3K in the first 90 days + 60 XP upon approval
$89 Annual Fee

Click Here to Apply
This is NOT an affiliate offer. We always present the best offer even when it means less revenue for Frequent Miler
Alternate Offer: Going through the steps to make a dummy booking at the Air France website may result in an offer that also includes a $100 statement credit.
Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
Recent better offer: 70K miles + 100XP points [Expired 9/23]
FM Mini Review: Valuable primarily only for the welcome offer, then it should go off to the sock drawer unless you're interested in Flying Blue elite status. Click here for our complete card review
Earning rate: 3X on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam purchases ✦ 1.5X everywhere else
Base: 1.5X (1.95%)
Brand: 3X (3.9%)
Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: 5K after anniversary when you spend $50 or more the previous year ✦ 40XP points towards status after anniversary when you spend $15K or more the previous year
Noteworthy perks: 20 Experience Points every year; Miles don't expire as long as you make a purchase once every 2 years.

Overview

The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is a basic airline card with a low annual fee ($89) and few perks.  The primary reason to get the card, for most of us, is for the welcome bonus.  If that’s you, then there will be little reason to keep the card past the first year.  Those interested in seeking elite status, though, will probably find the card worth getting and keeping long term.

Application Tips

  • 3/12 or 7/12 Rule: Similar to Chase's 5/24 rule, you won't be approved for a card if you have opened 3 or more accounts, with any bank, within the past 12 months. For those with Bank of America deposit accounts, the rule changes to 7 accounts in the past 12 months.
  • 24 Month Rule: With some BOA cards, you may have to wait 24 months after either opening or cancelling a card to be eligible for approval on that same card. This language varies from card to card and sometimes, applicant to applicant. Some business cards have language stating that you may be declined for additional credit card accounts if your business currently has, or has had, another business card with BOA in the preceding 24 months. Again, enforcement seems to vary.
  • Velocity Limits: BOA will approve a maximum of two consumer cards per rolling 2 months, three per rolling 12 months, and four per rolling 24 months.
  • Application Status: Call (866) 422-8089 to check your application status or use this link.
  • Reconsideration: If denied, call (800) 732-9194 for reconsideration.

Perks

  • Receive 5,000 Miles every year on your account anniversary after you spend $50 or more on purchases within the anniversary year
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Miles don’t expire as long as you make a purchase once every 2 years
  • Earn 20 XP towards elite status every year on your account anniversary
  • Earn an additional 40 XP (totaling 60 XP) on your account anniversary after you spend $15,000 or more on purchases within the anniversary year

Earn Points

  • Earn 3 Miles per $1 spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases
  • Earn 1.5 Miles per $1 spent on all other purchases

Redeem Points

KLM 787 Business Class

The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard earns Flying Blue miles which can be redeemed for flights on Air France or KLM, or on their partner airlines including Delta, Air Europa, Air Mauritius, GOL, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, West Jet, and many, many more.  You can find a list here.

To find award prices, create a Flying Blue account, go to the Air France or KLM website, and click to “Book with Miles”.

Elite Benefits

In addition to earning XP (experience points) towards elite status as part of the card’s welcome bonus, you can earn up to 60 XP each account anniversary:

  • Earn 20 XP towards elite status every year on your account anniversary
  • Earn an additional 40 XP (totaling 60 XP) on your account anniversary after you spend $15,000 or more on purchases within the anniversary year

For reference, you need to earn the following numbers of XP each year to earn and maintain elite status:

  • Silver: 100XP
  • Gold: 180 XP to get from Silver to Gold
  • Platinum: 300 XP to get from Gold to Platinum

And here are the primary benefits of each tier:

Silver (100 XP)

  • Earn 6 Miles per euro spent (vs 4 for base members)
  • Priority check-in, baggage drop-off and boarding
  • Some free seat options 24 hours before departure
  • Free selection of standard seats
  • One free extra checked baggage item on SkyTeam flights

Gold (180 XP)

  • Earn 7 Miles per euro spent
  • Free access to SkyTeam lounges worldwide with a guest (conditions apply)
  • SkyPriority: priority access throughout the airport
  • Free seat options 72 hours before departure
  • Free selection of standard seats
  • One free extra checked baggage item on SkyTeam flights

Platinum (300 XP)

  • Earn 8 Miles per euro spent
  • Free access to SkyTeam lounges worldwide with a guest (conditions apply)
  • SkyPriority: priority access throughout the airport
  • Free access to seat options
  • One free extra checked baggage item on SkyTeam flights
  • Platinum Service Line for dedicated help
  • Stay Platinum for 10 years in a row, and you’ll be Platinum for Life, without the need to requalify for Platinum yearly