Alright, let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Flying Blue—the points program for Air France and KLM—has long been a fan favorite for its incredible award rates to Europe. Between its monthly Promo Rewards and the unbeatable 50,000-mile business-class sweet spot for flights from the U.S. to Europe, it’s been a go-to for many travelers.
Well, my friends, those glory days are officially behind us.
What’s Changed?
As of a few days ago, Flying Blue has increased award rates across all classes of service—economy, premium economy, and business—for flights on KLM and Air France. Here’s a look at the new baseline rates:
Economy: 25,000 miles (up from 20,000)
Premium Economy: 40,000 miles (up from 35,000)
Business: 60,000 miles (up from 50,000)
Unfortunately, these rates are dynamically priced, which means they can go even higher depending on demand. The kicker? There was no advance notice for these changes, leaving many of us feeling blindsided.
So, is this the end of Flying Blue’s appeal? Not quite. Let’s dive into why you shouldn’t write it off just yet.
A Possible Silver Lining
Flying Blue has stated that the higher award rates are meant to come with better availability. If this turns out to be true, it could be a significant improvement for travelers.
Right now, snagging a Flying Blue Promo Reward or a business-class seat often feels like trying to win the lottery. The deals are great on paper, but what’s the point if you can’t find a flight? If these changes make it easier to find award seats, the slight mileage increase might be worth it for many travelers.
Imagine not having to spend hours hunting for deals or reshuffling your travel plans just to make things work. I’d gladly part with an extra 5,000–10,000 miles for a more seamless booking experience.
Partner Airlines to the Rescue
While KLM and Air France flights got hit the hardest by this devaluation, partner airline awards haven’t seen the same level of increase. For instance, you can still find excellent deals like SAS business-class flights to Europe for around 50,000 Flying Blue miles. These partner awards might be the key to keeping Flying Blue in your rotation.
Domestic Delta flights booked through Flying Blue remain another bright spot. A route like Detroit to Atlanta has gone up slightly, from 8,500 to 9,000 miles, but it’s still a fantastic value compared to Delta’s own SkyMiles rates.
💡 Pro Tip: Always compare Flying Blue rates to Delta’s when booking domestic flights. You’ll often come out ahead with Flying Blue.
Transfer Bonuses to the Rescue
Another reason not to despair? Flying Blue partners with all major transferable points programs—think Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One Miles. On top of that, there are frequent transfer bonuses, which can help offset the recent increases.
For example, if there’s a 25% transfer bonus from one of your credit card programs, that 60,000-mile business-class ticket effectively costs you just 48,000 points — not too shabby when you look at it that way.
The Bottom Line
Yes, the changes to Flying Blue’s award chart are disappointing. Losing the 50,000-mile business-class sweet spot hurts, and no one likes unexpected price hikes.
But Flying Blue still has a lot going for it! If availability truly improves as promised, the program could become even more user-friendly despite the higher rates.
And let’s not forget the flexibility of having every major bank’s points transfer to Flying Blue, along with the potential for great partner awards and frequent transfer bonuses. So while it’s no longer the slam-dunk value it once was, Flying Blue is far from grounded.
Fingers crossed that availability lives up to the hype. Until then, keep an eye on those Promo Rewards and partner deals—there are still plenty of opportunities to score some sweet flights to Europe.
