Air France and KLM are upgrading their US credit card with a new feature that is sure to delight frequent flyers, especially those who enjoy flying with the SkyTeam Alliance. In addition to raising the number of miles one can earn as a welcome bonus, the carriers are also offering enough experience points to reach the silver tier of the Flying Blue
program.
How does it work?
The Mastercard, issued through Bank of America, recently upgraded its welcome bonus with a limited-time offer of 70,000 bonus Miles plus 40 XP (Experience Points) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening the account. When combined with the 60 XP awarded upon approval, members will have enough experience points to progress to the next tier.
The bonus experience points are not merely given out to new cardholders. The card also offers an annual bonus to compensate for the $89 annual fee. Frequent flyers receive 5,000 anniversary miles each year after spending at least $50 in Net Purchases (excluding any fees, such as the yearly fee). Plus, they will receive 20 XP every year on the account anniversary, with the opportunity to earn an additional 40 XP (for a total of 60 XP) upon reaching $15,000 in net purchase.
Photo: Bank of America
Once at the Silver tier, it will take another 180 XP to reach Gold and a further 300 to obtain Gold.
What are the benefits of Silver Elite status?
The Silver tier, which corresponds to SkyTeam Elite status, includes the following benefits:
- Priority check-in (usually business class counters)
- Access to preferred seating
- Extra baggage allowance (either an extra piece of additional weight allowance)
- Priority boarding
- Higher waitlist ranking.
The announcement follows the news that Flying Blue was named the ‘World’s Best Frequent Flyer Program’ by Point.me, taking top marks for the ease of use, redemption opportunities, and a wide range of transfer partners. In addition to KLM and Air France, Flying Blue is also the loyalty program of Romanian flag carrier TAROM and Sint Maarten’s Winair.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Winair CEO this month, Hans van de Velde revealed that the airline’s customers love the loyalty program, which increases earning and redemption opportunities on flights across the Caribbean.
The program and associated card allow SkyTeam alliance loyalists based in the US to earn miles and status, especially if they frequently travel to and through Europe or prefer not to use the Delta SkyMiles
program. For reference, to reach Silver Medallion (SkyTeam Elite) status in Delta’s program, you must spend a minimum of $5,000 with the airline.
Photo: Olaf Schulz | Shutterstock
Fellow SkyTeam member Virgin Atlantic also released a US credit card this week. Virgin Red Rewards cardholders earn 25 Flying Club Tier Points for each $2,500 in eligible purchases, up to 50 Tier Points per month, which places them well on the way to reaching the 400 Tier Points required for the Silver tier (SkyTeam Elite) in the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club loyalty program.