What the Flying Blue Credit Card is and who issues it
The Flying Blue Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by American Express and Air France-KLM, the airline alliance. It earns points in the Flying Blue loyalty program, which you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel purchases. The card is designed for people who fly Air France, KLM, or their partner airlines regularly, or who want to build up points toward a future trip.
American Express handles the card account itself — billing, customer service, fraud protection, and the terms of the card agreement. Air France-KLM runs the Flying Blue program and determines what your points are worth and what you can buy with them. This matters because if you have a dispute about points or redemption, you may need to contact Air France-KLM, not just Amex.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns points on every purchase, with bonus rates on Air France and KLM flights and certain other categories, depending on which version of the card you hold.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, which varies by card tier and can sometimes be waived in the first year.
- Points are worth different amounts depending on what you redeem them for — a flight might be worth 1 cent per point, while a hotel stay might be worth less.
- The card comes with travel perks like baggage fee waivers and priority boarding on Air France and KLM flights, but these explore only to tickets you buy with the card or points.
- Your points do not expire as long as you earn or redeem at least once every 18 months, but inactivity can cause you to lose them.
Annual fees and what you get for them
The Flying Blue Card charges an annual fee, which ranges depending on the card version. American Express sometimes waives the fee for the first year, but you will owe it in year two and every year after unless you close the account. The fee is not refundable if you cancel mid-year.
In exchange for the fee, you receive benefits like a statement credit toward Air France or KLM purchases, baggage fee waivers on those airlines, priority boarding, and a points bonus when you first open the card. The value of these perks varies by person — if you never fly Air France or KLM, the fee is a pure cost. If you fly them several times a year, the baggage waiver and boarding priority alone may offset part of the fee.
Before you open the card, check the current offer on American Express's website. The sign-up bonus, annual fee, and perks change periodically, and the offer you see may not be the same next month.
How points are earned and what they are worth
Every dollar you spend on the card earns points. The earning rate depends on the category: you earn more points per dollar on Air France and KLM flights, and fewer points on everyday purchases like groceries or gas. The exact rates vary by card version, so check your card agreement or log into your Amex account to see your specific earning structure.
Points are not all worth the same. When you redeem them for a flight, you might get 1 cent of value per point. When you redeem them for a hotel stay through the Flying Blue program, you might get 0.5 cents per point. This means a 50,000-point redemption could be worth $500 on a flight but only $250 on a hotel. Before you spend points, look at what the program is offering for that specific redemption.
You can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners in the Flying Blue network, though the exchange rate is usually fixed and often unfavorable compared to redeeming directly. Transfer partners change, so check the current list on the Flying Blue website before you commit to a transfer.
Travel perks and protections that come with the card
The card includes baggage fee waivers on Air France and KLM flights when you pay with the card or redeem points for the ticket. This typically covers one checked bag per person on your ticket. If you travel with family or fly frequently, this can add up to real savings — a checked bag fee is usually $30 to $40 per flight.
You also receive priority boarding on Air France and KLM, which means you board before economy passengers and may get better overhead bin space. The card comes with travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation coverage, though these have limits and exclusions. Read the full benefits guide that comes with your card to understand what is and is not covered.
These perks explore only to flights you purchase with the card itself or with points redeemed from the card. If you book a flight with cash but pay with a different card, you do not get the baggage waiver or priority boarding.
How to redeem points and what to watch for
You redeem points through the Flying Blue website or app by logging into your account and browsing available flights, hotels, or other redemptions. The program shows you the point cost for each option. You can search by route and date, just like booking a regular flight, and then choose to pay with points instead of cash.
Redemption rates are not fixed — the same flight might cost 40,000 points one day and 50,000 points another, depending on demand and availability. This is called dynamic pricing. If you see a flight you want at a reasonable point cost, book it then rather than waiting, because the price can go up.
Some redemptions require you to call Air France-KLM directly instead of booking online. This is common for complex itineraries, partner airline flights, or upgrades. Have your confirmation number and Flying Blue account number ready when you call.
Point expiration and account maintenance
Flying Blue points do not expire as long as you earn or redeem at least once every 18 months. This means if you use the card regularly or redeem points periodically, your balance will stay active indefinitely. If your account goes inactive for 18 months or longer, Air France-KLM will close your account and you will lose any remaining points.
If you close the card, your Flying Blue account does not automatically close — you can keep earning points through flights and other activities. However, if you do not use the account for 18 months, it will expire and you will lose your points. If you plan to stop using the card, make sure you redeem your points or keep your account active through other means.
Comparing the Flying Blue Card to other airline cards
Other airlines and credit card issuers offer similar co-branded cards — United, Delta, Southwest, and others all have their own versions. The main differences are the annual fee, the earning rate, the sign-up bonus, and the perks. A United card might offer better value if you fly United more often, or a general travel card might offer more flexibility if you fly multiple airlines.
To compare, look at your own flying patterns: which airline do you fly most, how many times per year, and what routes? Then compare the annual fee, earning rate on that airline, and the value of the perks. A card with a higher annual fee might still be worth it if you fly that airline enough to earn back the fee in perks and points value. A card with a lower earning rate might be better if you fly multiple airlines and want flexibility.
You can also hold multiple airline cards at once, though each one charges its own annual fee. Some people hold one card for their primary airline and a general travel card for everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points on airlines other than Air France and KLM?
Yes, through transfer partners. Flying Blue lets you transfer points to other airlines in their network, though the exchange rate is usually unfavorable — you might get 1 point for every 1.25 or 1.5 points you transfer. You can also redeem points for flights on partner airlines directly through the Flying Blue website, though availability and pricing vary.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your Flying Blue account and points remain separate from the card. Closing the card does not close your Flying Blue account or erase your points. However, if your Flying Blue account goes 18 months without any activity — earning or redeeming points — the account will expire and you will lose your points.
Do I have to use my points for flights, or can I redeem them for other things?
You can redeem points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel purchases through the Flying Blue program. You can also transfer points to partner airlines and hotels. Points are typically worth more when redeemed for flights than for hotels or other categories, so check the value before you redeem.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly Air France or KLM once a year?
That depends on the fee amount, the sign-up bonus, and the perks. If the annual fee is $95 and you get a $50 statement credit plus a baggage waiver worth $35, you have already offset most of the fee. If the fee is higher or the perks are smaller, you may not break even with just one flight per year. Calculate the value of the perks you will actually use, then decide.
Can I earn points on the card without flying?
Yes. Every purchase you make with the card earns points, whether it is a flight, groceries, gas, or anything else. You earn more points per dollar on Air France and KLM flights, but you earn points on all spending. This is how many people build up a large point balance even if they do not fly frequently.