Frequent flyers who are loyal to Air France and KLM should pay particular attention. The Air France-KLM Flying Blue credit card in the United States is undergoing a series of changes that have improved the card’s value, especially for those seeking elite status. The changes include making it easier to earn Experience Points (XPs), improving earning potential, and rebalancing the card’s positioning in the competitive U.S. credit card market.

For Flying Blue loyalty cardholders who are interested in loyalty program benefits, these changes are a step in the right direction. Below is a comprehensive explanation of what is changing, why it matters, and who will benefit the most.

A New Chapter for the Flying Blue Credit Card in the U.S.

The Flying Blue credit card, offered by Bank of America, has traditionally been a specialized card, mainly of interest to loyal Air France-KLM customers. Although the credit card provided good airline-related rewards, it was not always a competitive option for daily spending.

This is soon to be a thing of the past

In the coming weeks and months, Flying Blue will be implementing changes that will make the card more rewarding, more flexible, and much more valuable for earning elite status. Notably, these changes will be implemented without increasing the annual fee, which is a relatively low $89.

Transition From Mastercard to Visa in 2026

One of the changes that will be implemented is related to the card network. As of March 2026, the Flying Blue credit card will change from a World Elite Mastercard to a Visa Signature Card.

Although this sounds like a big deal, the effect on cardmembers is likely to be small:

• Existing cardholders will automatically receive a new Visa card
• A new card number will be issued
• The change is expected to be seamless, with no action required from most users

From a practical perspective, this is mainly an improvement in acceptance, as Visa is sometimes more accepted than Mastercard in a particular region.

New Rewards Category: 3x Miles on Dining

One of the most practical improvements is the addition of a new bonus category for earning bonuses. As of January 21, 2026, new cardholders and existing cardholders will earn:

• 3x Flying Blue miles on dining transactions

This is in addition to the existing rewards structure that the card offers, which includes:

• 3x miles on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam airline purchases
• 1.5x miles on all other eligible purchases

Dining is one of the most popular spending categories for consumers in the U.S., so this addition makes the card much more attractive for everyday spending, even if it’s not for travel-related transactions.

Earn Up to 160 XPs Through Card Spending

With the new format, cardmembers can earn additional XPs based on their annual spending:

• 80 XPs for spending $15,000 in a cardmember year

• An additional 60 XPs for spending $25,000 in a cardmember year

• When combined with the existing 20 anniversary XPs, this means:

• A maximum of 160 total XPs per year can be accumulated based solely on credit card purchases.

This is a big change and puts the Flying Blue credit card among the more status-friendly airline credit cards on the market in the U.S.

Why Experience Points Matter in Flying Blue

Flying Blue has Experience Points (XPs) instead of miles for elite qualification. Unlike most loyalty programs, there are levels of status advancement that reset as you move up.

Here’s how Flying Blue elite status works:

• Silver Status: 100 XPs
• Gold Status: 180 more XPs than Silver
• Platinum Status: 300 more XPs after Gold

Since the XP counter resets for every tier, a traveler beginning from zero would require a total of 580 XPs to qualify as Platinum.

For those who currently have Platinum status, only 300 XPs per year are required to requalify.

Improved Value Without a Higher Annual Fee

What may be the most remarkable thing about these changes, however, is what has not changed: the annual fee.

At $89 per year, the Flying Blue credit card is still relatively cheap compared to other airline credit cards. When you consider:

• 5,000 Anniversary Miles
• Up to 160 XPs per year
• Increased earning on dining
• Strong airline bonus categories

…the value proposition offered by the card becomes much more attractive.

For many cardholders, the miles awarded on the anniversary of card membership alone may go a long way in offsetting the annual fee.

Who Should Consider Putting More Spend on This Card?

These changes make the Flying Blue credit card an attractive option to a wider range of people, particularly:

• Air France and KLM frequent flyers
• Passengers originating from cities with good SkyTeam connectivity
• Flying Blue elite members who want to requalify with more ease
• Appeals to points enthusiasts who value status over cash back rewards
• Cardholders looking for a low-fee airline card with high upside potential

Before, the card was only good for airline transactions. But with the ability to earn XP and dining bonuses, it can now find a spot in a regular spend cycle.

Strategic Perspective: A Smart Move by Flying Blue

From a loyalty strategy perspective, these moves demonstrate a profound understanding of the U.S. market. American travelers are used to earning elite status not only through flying, but also through credit card spend.

In addition to this, by providing more chances to earn XP, Flying Blue is aligning itself with the behavior of U.S.-based travelers who use airline loyalty programs. This will not only promote the use of the card but also help build brand loyalty.

There is still some potential for further growth, such as more XP levels or XP rewards based on categories, but this is definitely a good start.

Final Verdict:

The changes that are coming to the Air France-KLM Flying Blue credit card are overwhelmingly good. The changeover to Visa is purely superficial, but the new dining bonus and the new XP earning structure make the card much more valuable. The ability to earn up to 160 XPs per year through spend, while maintaining the same annual fee, makes elite status much more accessible.

For Flying Blue loyalty program members, this card is no longer simply an airline companion card, but a status-boosting powerhouse. For those serious about Flying Blue elite status, these changes may finally make this card one worth prioritizing in their wallet.