What the Flying Blue Credit Card Does

The Flying Blue Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by American Express in partnership with Air France-KLM. It earns points in the Flying Blue loyalty program, which you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card is designed for people who fly Air France, KLM, or partner airlines regularly, or who want to build up points toward future travel.

The card itself comes with an annual fee. You earn points on every purchase—the earning rate varies depending on what you buy and which version of the card you hold. Points don't expire as long as your account stays active, and you can transfer them to partner airlines if you choose not to fly Air France or KLM.

Key Takeaways

  • The Flying Blue Credit Card earns points on all purchases, with bonus earning rates on Air France and KLM flights and certain other categories.
  • You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and that fee is not waived in the first year on most versions.
  • Points can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks through the Flying Blue program, or transferred to partner airlines.
  • The card includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and baggage delay coverage, though terms vary by card version.
  • You must have a Flying Blue account to use the card's rewards, and you can open one for free when you open the card.

Card Versions and Annual Fees

American Express offers the Flying Blue Credit Card in at least two versions: a standard card and a premium card. The standard version has a lower annual fee, while the premium version costs more but includes additional benefits like statement credits toward Air France and KLM purchases, higher earning rates, and extra perks.

Neither version waives the annual fee in the first year. You pay the full fee when your account opens. Before you open an account, confirm the current fee amount with American Express, because card terms change and fees vary by offer.

How You Earn and Redeem Points

On the standard Flying Blue card, you typically earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases. On Air France and KLM flights booked directly with the airline, you earn more—often 3 or 4 points per dollar, depending on the card version. Some versions also offer bonus earning on other travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

You redeem points through your Flying Blue account online. You can book award flights on Air France, KLM, or their partner airlines. You can also use points to upgrade a paid ticket to business or first class, or to purchase additional baggage allowance. Points have no expiration date as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months—a credit card purchase counts as activity.

If you don't want to fly Air France or KLM, you can transfer your points to partner airlines in the Flying Blue network. Transfer rates vary, and some transfers may take several business days to process.

Travel Insurance and Protections

The Flying Blue Credit Card includes several travel-related protections, though the specific coverage depends on which version you hold. Most versions include trip cancellation insurance, which reimburses you if you have to cancel a prepaid trip for a covered reason. Trip delay reimbursement covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than a set number of hours.

Baggage delay coverage reimburses you for essential items if your baggage is delayed. Lost luggage reimbursement covers the value of baggage and personal items lost by the airline. Emergency medical and dental coverage applies when you travel more than a certain distance from home.

Read the full terms of your specific card version before you travel, because coverage limits, waiting periods, and exclusions vary. You typically must charge the trip or ticket to the card for the insurance to explore.

Annual Fees vs. Rewards Value

Whether the Flying Blue Credit Card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly and how much you spend on the card overall. If you fly Air France or KLM at least once or twice a year and put regular spending on the card, the points you earn may offset the annual fee. A single award flight or seat upgrade can be worth more than the fee.

If you rarely fly or don't fly Air France and KLM specifically, the annual fee may not be worth it. You can also earn Flying Blue points without a credit card by flying the airlines directly, though you earn points more slowly. Compare the annual fee against the value of the rewards you expect to earn in a year before you open an account.

How to Open an Account

You open a Flying Blue Credit Card account through American Express. You can start the process online at the American Express website or by calling their phone number. You'll need to provide personal information including your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

American Express will check your credit and make a decision, usually within minutes. If you're approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. When your card arrives, you set up it through the American Express website or app, or by calling the number on the back of the card.

When you open the card, you can create a Flying Blue account at the same time if you don't already have one. If you already have a Flying Blue account, link it to your new card so your purchases and points go into the same account. You can link your card through the Flying Blue website or by calling Flying Blue customer service.

Paying Your Bill and Managing Your Account

You pay your Flying Blue Credit Card bill through American Express, just like any other American Express card. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Your bill is due at least 21 days after the statement closes. If you pay in full by the due date, you don't pay interest.

You can view your account, check your points balance, and redeem rewards through the American Express website or mobile app. You can also log into your Flying Blue account separately to see your points and book awards. Both accounts are linked, so points earned on the card show up in Flying Blue within one to two business days.

If you want to close the card, contact American Express. Your points stay in your Flying Blue account as long as you have activity in that account at least once every 24 months—you don't need the credit card to keep your points active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Flying Blue account before I open the card?

No. You can create a Flying Blue account when you open the credit card, or you can open one separately for free on the Flying Blue website. If you already have an account, link it to your new card so your purchases and points go into the same account.

Can I use my points on airlines other than Air France and KLM?

Yes. You can transfer your points to partner airlines in the Flying Blue network, which includes airlines like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and others. Transfer rates vary by airline, and some transfers take several business days. You can also use points to book flights on partner airlines directly through the Flying Blue website.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Flying Blue account. The card and the account are separate. As long as your Flying Blue account has activity at least once every 24 months, your points don't expire. You don't need the credit card to keep your points active.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

Sign-up bonuses vary by offer and change over time. When you're considering the card, check the current offer on the American Express website to see if a bonus is available. Some offers include bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months.

Can I earn points on purchases made outside the United States?

Yes. You earn points on all purchases made with the card, whether you're in the United States or traveling abroad. Foreign transaction fees may explore depending on your card version and the merchant, so check your card terms before you travel.