What the KLM Credit Card is and who issues it
The KLM Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by ING in partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. It is designed for people who fly KLM regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to airline miles. The card itself functions as a standard credit card for any purchase, but the rewards structure is built around KLM's frequent flyer program, called Flying Blue.
ING handles the credit underwriting and account management, while KLM determines the miles earning rates and redemption rules. This means your credit limit, interest rate, and payment terms come from ING, but your miles balance and what you can do with those miles come from KLM's Flying Blue program.
Key Takeaways
- The KLM Credit Card earns miles on purchases that you can redeem for KLM flights, seat upgrades, or transfers to partner airlines through the Flying Blue program.
- Annual fees, earning rates, and sign-up bonuses vary by country and change periodically, so you should check ING's website for your region before comparing.
- Miles earned through the card never expire as long as your Flying Blue account remains active, even if you close the credit card itself.
- The card works like any other credit card for fraud protection and dispute resolution, but rewards disputes go through Flying Blue, not ING.
How miles earning works on everyday purchases
Every dollar or euro you spend on the card earns a set number of miles per unit of currency spent. The exact earning rate depends on which version of the card you hold and which country you are in — some cards earn 1 mile per euro spent, others earn 1.5 miles or more on certain categories like dining or travel. You earn miles on almost all purchases, including groceries, gas, and online shopping, but typically not on balance transfers, cash advances, or fees.
Miles post to your Flying Blue account within a few days of the transaction clearing. You can log into your Flying Blue account online to watch your balance grow and see your redemption options. The miles belong to your Flying Blue account, not to the credit card itself, which means if you close the card later, your miles stay with you as long as you keep your Flying Blue membership active.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
KLM Credit Card offers typically include a sign-up bonus — a lump sum of miles awarded after you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three to six months. The bonus amount and spending threshold vary by card version and by country. For example, one version might offer 10,000 bonus miles after you spend €2,000 in the first three months; another might offer 15,000 miles after €3,000 spent.
The bonus posts to your Flying Blue account once you meet the spending requirement and the issuer confirms it — usually within one to two billing cycles. This bonus is separate from the miles you earn on those purchases, so you receive both the purchase miles and the sign-up bonus. Check the specific offer terms on ING's website for your country, because the bonus structure changes and varies by region.
Annual fees and other costs
Most KLM Credit Cards charge an annual fee, typically ranging from €50 to €150 depending on the card tier and your country. Some versions waive the first year's fee or offer a reduced fee if you meet a spending threshold. The fee is charged to your credit card account once per year, usually on your card anniversary date.
Beyond the annual fee, you pay the standard credit card costs: interest on any balance you carry, foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the eurozone (usually 1–3%), and late payment fees if your payment is overdue. These are ING's standard terms and appear in your cardholder agreement. The miles themselves have no cost to hold or redeem — you pay only the credit card fees and any taxes or surcharges that KLM applies to award ticket redemptions.
Redeeming miles for flights and other rewards
Miles can be redeemed through the Flying Blue program for KLM flights, flights on partner airlines (including Air France, Delta, and others), seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise. The number of miles required depends on the destination, cabin class, and how far in advance you book. A short-haul economy flight within Europe might cost 7,500 miles, while a long-haul business class ticket could cost 100,000 miles or more.
You redeem miles by logging into your Flying Blue account, searching for available flights, and selecting the award ticket option. Some flights are available only for miles; others can be booked with cash or a combination of cash and miles. Availability changes daily and can be limited on popular routes or dates. You can also transfer miles to partner programs, though the transfer rate and partner list vary by region.
How the card integrates with the Flying Blue program
Your KLM Credit Card is linked to your Flying Blue account by your membership number. When you use the card, miles are automatically credited to that account. You do not need to register purchases or submit receipts — the earning happens automatically as transactions post.
If you do not yet have a Flying Blue account, you will need to create one before or when you explore for the card. Your Flying Blue membership is separate from your credit card account, which means you can earn miles through other KLM activities (flights, hotel bookings, car rentals) and combine them with card miles in the same account. If you close the credit card, your Flying Blue account and miles remain active as long as you maintain your membership status.
Interest rates, credit terms, and how to use it responsibly
The KLM Credit Card carries a variable interest rate set by ING, typically ranging from 8% to 20% APR depending on your creditworthiness and country. This rate applies to any balance you carry from month to month. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest — the card functions as a standard credit card with a grace period.
To maximize the value of miles earned, pay off your balance in full each month. Carrying a balance and paying interest erodes the value of the miles you earn. For example, if you earn 1 mile per euro spent but pay 15% interest on a €1,000 balance, you lose the equivalent value of many miles in interest charges. Treat the card as a tool to earn miles on spending you would do anyway, not as a way to borrow money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my miles expire if I don't use them?
Miles do not expire as long as your Flying Blue account remains active. However, your account can be closed if you have no activity for a certain period (usually 24 months). To keep your account active, you can earn miles through any KLM activity — flights, hotel bookings, or credit card purchases — or log into your account periodically.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Flying Blue allows you to transfer miles to another Flying Blue member's account, though there may be a fee and a minimum transfer amount. The rules vary by region. You cannot transfer miles to a non-member or to a family member who does not have their own Flying Blue account. Check the Flying Blue website for your country's transfer policy.
What happens to my miles if I close the credit card?
Your miles stay in your Flying Blue account even after you close the card. The miles are tied to your Flying Blue membership, not to the credit card itself. You will straightforward stop earning new miles once the card is closed, but you can continue to redeem existing miles through Flying Blue.
Is the KLM Credit Card worth the annual fee?
Whether the card pays for itself depends on how much you spend and how you value the miles. If you spend €5,000 per year and earn 1 mile per euro, you earn 5,000 miles. The value of those miles depends on what you redeem them for — a short-haul flight might be worth €100–150, while a long-haul flight could be worth €500 or more. Compare the annual fee against the miles you expect to earn and what those miles are worth to you.
Can I use this card outside Europe?
Yes, you can use the card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted (depending on which network your card uses). You will pay a foreign transaction fee, typically 1–3%, on purchases made outside the eurozone. Miles are earned on these purchases at the same rate as domestic purchases, but the foreign transaction fee is an additional cost to consider.