| Last updated on October 27th, 2023
China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card
China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card
China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card
- 26.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 26.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card is a co-branded airline rewards card from First Bankcard and China Airlines. The card is especially targeted towards those who frequently fly with China Airlines and want to earn solid miles for their everyday purchases. The card earns double miles with purchases through China Airlines and single miles for everything else. New account holders also benefit from 7,500 bonus miles after first using their card, as well as 0% introductory APR on balance trans
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 2 miles per $1 spent on China Airlines purchases
- 1 mile per $1 spent everywhere else`
- Earn 7,500 bonus miles after the first purchase
- No foreign transaction fees
- Regular Purchase APR: 26.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 6 months from account opening date
- Balance Transfer APR: 26.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $59
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
- You prefer to fly with China Airlines
- You fly frequently enough to justify the $59 annual fee
- You don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees
China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card Review
The China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card is an airline reward credit card from First National Bank of Omaha (also known as the First Bankcard). The card is co-branded with China Airlines and designed for those who frequently travel to Asia – particularly China – for work or pleasure.
How to Earn Rewards
The China Airlines Mastercard earns rewards in the Dynasty Flyer loyalty program. Cardholders earn miles for every dollar spent on purchases through China Airlines and everywhere else, with the different levels of card offering different rewards.
The China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card earns is the premium version of the two and features a $59 annual fee. For that, you’ll earn extra rewards: 2X Dynasty Flyer Miles for every $1 spent on purchases with China Airlines, including fares, class and status upgrades, luggage, and other incidentals. You’ll also earn 1X miles PER $1 SPENT on every other purchase), with no cap on the total number of miles earnable. That’s double the rewards of the no annual fee version.
The Gold-version of the China Airlines Mastercard also comes with a slightly better welcome offer of 7,500 miles after the first purchase made within the first three billing cycles. That welcome bonus is about $75 in value, which isn’t much; still, it’s triple the welcome bonus of the Blue Card.
How to Redeem Dynasty Flyer Miles
Miles earned through the China Airlines World Card are redeemable for flights with China Airlines, lounge access or seat upgrades, or for gaining tiers in the airline’s Dynasty frequent flyer program. Miles may also be used for booking flights with other SkyTeam Alliance partner airlines, including:
| Aeromexico | China Airlines | Garuda Indonesia | Air France | Saudia |
| Air Europa | China Eastern Airlines | Kenya Airlines | China Southern Airlines | TAROM |
| Aeroflot | Czech Airlines | LATAM | Korean Air | Vietnam Airlines |
| Aerolineas Argentinas | Delta Air Lines | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Middle East Airlines | XiamenAir |
| Air Europa | ITA Airways | Virgin Atlantic | Shanghai Airlines | JinAir |
China Airlines has a redemption method known as Miles and Cash, allowing members to pay with rewards and cash. Miles and Cash payment is only available via the China Airlines website. If you book your ticket through travel agents or China Airlines ticket offices or call centers, you will not have the option to mix your miles and cash for payment2.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to the SkyTeam Alliance
International Airline Card Comparison
Not sure which international credit card is right for you? Here is a side-by-side comparison of the China Airlines credit cards and another competitor card:
 China Airlines Blue Mastercard |
 China Airlines Gold Mastercard |
 Cathay Pacific Visa Signature |
|
| Annual fee | None | $59 | $95 |
| Rewards | 1X miles on China Airlines purchases; 1X miles per $2 spent everywhere else | 2x miles on China Airlines purchases; 1X miles everywhere else | 2X miles on Cathay Pacific purchases; 1.5X miles on US dining and international purchases; 1X miles everywhere else |
| Alliance | SkyTeam | SkyTeam | Oneworld |
Other Card Features
The card has a reasonably competitive APR for both purchases and balance transfers, with a bonus of 0% APR for balance transfers for the first six months after opening an account. The typical APR will vary depending on both creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. Other features include Mastercard World Elite™ protections, including:
Zero
Liability Protection
Airport
Concierge
Cell Phone
Protection
Mastercard
Global Services
Priceless
Experiences
Lyft
Credits
ID Theft
Protection
Priceless
Golf
Mastercard Travel Services
Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee
ShopRunner
Membership
| Zero Liability Protection | Airport Concierge | Cell Phone Protection |
| Mastercard Global Services | Priceless Experiences | Lyft Credits |
| ID Theft Protection | Priceless Golf | Mastercard Travel Services |
| Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee | ShopRunner Membership |
FNBO Ratings
How does First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO or First Bankcard) stack up as a lender and credit card issuer? Here is a selection of ratings for the bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
3/5 |
1.5/5 |
2/5 |
Should You Apply for the China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Gold Card?
The China Airlines Gold Card is a satisfactory rewards card from First Bankcard and China Airlines, but the $59 fee holds it back. Sure, account holders get triple the introductory bonus when compared to the China Airlines World Elite™ Mastercard® Blue Card – as well as improved miles-earning potential – but is it really worth the additional outlay of $59 per year? For the serious China Airlines traveler, the answer may be yes; for everyone else, however, the Blue version may be the better deal.
Browse Other Card Offers:
Editorial Disclosure – The opinions expressed on BestCards.com's reviews, articles, and all other content on or relating to the website are solely those of the content’s author(s). These opinions do not reflect those of any card issuer or financial institution, and editorial content on our site has not been reviewed or approved by these entities unless noted otherwise. Further, BestCards.com lists credit card offers that are frequently updated with information believed to be accurate to the best of our team's knowledge. However, please review the information provided directly by the credit card issuer or related financial institution for full details.