The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 70,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard vs Southwest Plus
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- spent directly on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airlines purchases 3x
- All Other Purchases 1.2x
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- 5000 Miles every yearAfter $50 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 70,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard tops out at 3x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1050 for Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard and $800 for Southwest Plus. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/air-france-klm-world-elite-mastercard-vs-southwest-plus
- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard reaches 3x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is $89/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1050 and $800.
Common Questions: Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard vs Southwest Plus
Is the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard or Southwest Plus better for dining?
Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard currently offers 70,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Southwest Plus offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard and the Southwest Plus?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard is from Bank of America and Southwest Plus is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.