Airline Loyalty Program Analysis: A Look at Flying Blue from Air France-KLM
The Air France-KLM frequent flyer program, known as Flying Blue, offers a rewarding way to earn and use miles for travel, upgrades, and more. Here's a breakdown of the program's key features.
Flying Blue is one of a handful of award programs that partners with all of the flexible point programs, making it easy to earn miles from various sources. You can earn Flying Blue miles through flying Air France, KLM, or partner airlines' flights, spending on flexible points program credit cards, and spending at car rental, hotel, or retail partners.
To join Flying Blue, simply complete the application, and once approved, you can start earning miles. One of the popular ways to earn Amex points that can be transferred directly to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio is by using Amex credit cards. Capital One has also upped its game in the realm of transfer partners, including Flying Blue, allowing you to transfer over your Capital One Miles at a 1:1 ratio.
Flying Blue offers three elite tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To progress through these tiers, you'll need to earn Experience Points (XP). For instance, if you're an Explorer, earn 100 XP to move up to Silver; if you're Silver, earn 180 XP to move up to Gold; if you're Gold, earn 300 XP to move up to Platinum; and if you're Platinum, earn 300 XP to maintain Platinum. You have a 12-month window to earn enough XP to move up to the next elite tier.
Each elite tier comes with its own set of benefits. Silver members earn 6 miles for each euro spent, have access to priority lines, enjoy a 25% discount when purchasing seats, and receive an additional baggage allowance on all SkyTeam flights. Gold members benefit from all of the benefits of Silver, plus earning 7 miles for each euro spent, lounge access with a guest of your choice, SkyPriority access at the airport, 50% discount when purchasing seats, and 50% more miles when flying. Platinum comes with benefits like all of the benefits of Gold, plus earning 8 miles for each euro spent, free choice of any preferred seat, exclusive Platinum Service Line, and 100% more miles when flying.
The number of Flying Blue miles that you earn on flights marketed by Air France, KLM, Joon, and HOP! is driven by three factors: cost of the ticket, carrier surcharge, and your elite level. If you're flying other Flying Blue or SkyTeam partner-marketed flights, the miles you earn are based on distance, booking class earning percentage, and elite bonus earning percentage.
Flying Blue miles can be used for SkyTeam redemptions like flights on Delta, and you can check your mileage balance by logging into your account and clicking the grey drop-down arrow in the top right corner, then clicking My Profile, and finally clicking Activity Overview. To check your KLM mileage balance, follow a similar process, but use the KLM website instead.
Air France and KLM websites require you to log in using your Flying Blue account number to search for award flights. The Flying Blue program recently released its Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard, issued by Bank of America, providing another way to earn miles.
Lastly, it's important to note that all Flying Blue Miles are valid for life as long as one of the following is true: you take an eligible flight on Air France, KLM, Joon, HOP!, Aircalin, Kenya Airways, TAROM, or other SkyTeam partner at least once every 2 years, you're an Elite or Elite Plus member, or you make a purchase with an eligible co-branded credit card at least once every 2 years.
In conclusion, Flying Blue offers a versatile way to earn and use miles for travel, upgrades, and more. By leveraging various sources like flexible points program credit cards, transferring points from Marriott's loyalty program, and flying on Air France, KLM, or partner airline flights, you'll have no problem earning Flying Blue miles.
