Embarking on a transatlantic journey in business class doesn’t have to come with a massive price tag. Thanks to Flying Blue Promo Rewards, travelers can unlock discounted award flights, including premium cabin experiences, for a fraction of their usual cost. Here's a breakdown of how a $7,400 business class flight from Washington, D.C. to Amsterdam was booked for significantly less using points and miles.
What is Flying Blue?
Flying Blue is the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, offering members the ability to earn and redeem miles for flights. A standout feature of this program is the monthly Flying Blue Promos, which offer discounted award flights on select routes. These promotions often feature round-trip economy flights to Europe for as little as 12,000 points, making it an incredible value for people looking to maximize their miles.
Earning Flying Blue Miles
Accumulating Flying Blue miles is straightforward, as the program is a transfer partner for major credit card providers, including Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt. This means that points earned through everyday purchases or welcome offers can be transferred to Flying Blue miles. For example, premium cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer generous welcome offers and benefits that make their annual fees easily justifiable. However, more budget-friendly options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also provide ample opportunities to earn miles.
Finding Award Seats
Before transferring points, it's essential to find and confirm award seat availability. On the Flying Blue website, users can explore current promotions under the “Discover Promo Rewards” section or search for flights by inputting departure and arrival airports, dates, and seat types. Flexibility is key; sometimes, choosing a nearby airport or adjusting travel dates can reveal significantly better deals.
For those looking to streamline the search process, award search tools like SeatSpy and Seats.Aero can be game changers. SeatSpy, though limited in its free version, allows for a comprehensive search over multiple months, quickly identifying low-cost dates for award flights. On the other hand, Seats.Aero provides a broad overview of available award seats across various airports when a specific date is inputted.
Booking and Transferring Points
Once an ideal flight is found, points need to be transferred from the credit card provider to the Flying Blue program. This process is straightforward; for example, Capital One allows users to transfer points directly through its travel portal. Transfers are typically instant, and miles can be combined from different card programs if necessary. After transferring, the booking process continues seamlessly on the Flying Blue website.
In this case, a round-trip business class flight costing 113,000 miles and $452 in taxes and fees was booked, compared to its $7,400 cash price. This equates to a redemption value exceeding 6 cents per point, showcasing the exceptional value Flying Blue Promo Rewards can provide.
Final Tips for Maximizing Flying Blue Promos
Flying Blue Promo Rewards are updated monthly, so checking back regularly is crucial for catching new deals. If a desired route or date isn’t available, patience and regular monitoring can pay off. Additionally, don’t overlook short-haul flights within Europe, as these often cost only a few thousand points and can be an excellent way to extend a trip affordably.
Flying Blue Promo Rewards remain one of the most valuable and consistent travel hacks available, enabling travelers to experience premium flights for a fraction of the price. By leveraging credit card points and strategic award searches, some super solid travel is more attainable than ever.