The New Air France KLM Flying Blue World Elite Mastercard

Brim Financial and Air France/KLM Flying Blue have now launched the loyalty program’s first co-branded credit card in Canada.

This new credit card offers an earning multiplier for Flying Blue elite members, accelerated earning on Air France/KLM tickets, and free Boingo Wi-Fi worldwide. Let’s take a look at all the details.

Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard by Brim Financial

First announced in June 2022, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard represents the European-based loyalty program’s first foray into the co-branded credit card space here in Canada. Being issued by Brim Financial gives it a younger-leaning edge, given Brim’s usual target demographic.

With respect to Brim, adding Air France/KLM as a new partner represents a major expansion of their credit card portfolio beyond their rather pedestrian in-house Mastercard offerings.

Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee

As a welcome bonus, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is offering 30 Experience Points (XP) for the first year. The card also offers 30 XP on an ongoing annual basis, so you’d earn a total of 60 XP in the first year, followed by 30 XP every year thereafter.

As a refresher on Air France/KLM Flying Blue elite status, Experience Points (XP) are the only currency that matters for earning status. XPs are normally earned based on the fare and distance flown on paid flights with Air France, KLM, or SkyTeam partners, as per the chart below.

Air France/KLM offers the following elite status tiers based on XP:

• Explorer: 0 XP
• Silver: 100 XP
• Gold: 180 XP
• Platinum: 300 XP

Each XP requirement is incremental, so a member with Gold status would need an additional 300 XP to earn Platinum, and Platinum members would need another 300 XP to maintain Platinum status. Flying Blue also uses a rolling 12-month basis for status earning, rather than calendar dates.

Therefore, 60 XP in the first year offers a jump-start towards Flying Blue Silver status, which comes with one extra checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, and a 25% discount when booking a seat. However, you’d still need to organically earn 40 XP to achieve Silver status.

The annual fee of the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is $132, and is waived for the first year, allowing you to give the card a try for no money out-of-pocket upfront.