Flying Blue

What is Flying Blue?

Flying Blue is a loyalty program of which several SkyTeam partner airlines are members. The following airlines make up the loyalty program:

Earning Miles with Flying Blue

Frequent flyers with airlines that are part of the Flying Blue network earn both miles and experience points (XP) when flying with their preferred carrier or any other member of the alliance.

Earning Miles with Flights

Earning miles with Flying Blue is dependent on the carrier operating the flight, as well as the class of travel booked by the passenger. Miles are earned at a rate of 1 mile for every euro spent on flights with Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, HOP, or Joon airlines. To ensure that miles are earned, it is important that passengers check that their flight is marketed by one of the 4 listed airlines – this can be done by checking the 2-letter airline code before the flight number.

Earning miles with KLM, Air France, Joon, or HOP are based upon the Flying Blue status of the passenger. The breakdown is as follows:

Flying Blue miles can also be earned when booking flights with other Flying Blue airlines, or with SkyTeam alliance carriers. The number of miles earned varies based on carrier, but are broken down based on the following criteria:

As these rates vary based on carrier, before booking any travel, it is advised that you check with your carrier.

Earning Miles with Partners

Flying Blue members can also earn miles when booking hotels directly through Flying Blue at over 300,000 properties worldwide, good for up to 10,000 miles per night. Additionally, miles are earned when making purchases through Flying Blue’s dedicated shopping portal, which offers enticing deals from thousands of leading brands from across the world.

Finally, miles are earned through rentals with select vehicle rental partners, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Budget. Thrifty and Driving Blue.

Redeeming Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue members may redeem miles accrued for flight awards, seat upgrades of lounge access. Flight rewards with Flying Blue are broken down into 4 distinct categories: promo awards, flex awards, and the world awards, and classic awards.

Redeeming Miles for Travel

Promo awards are a selection of flights to rotating destinations that members can purchase at a reduced rate, with typical savings ranging from 25% to 50% off the fare.

Flex awards allow members to use their miles to purchase fares that offer additional flexibility, meaning travel dates can be altered without fear of a penalty fare. Flex awards are much more expensive than classic awards.

Round the world awards allow Flying Blue members to purchase around the world itinerary fares, based on the destinations available through SkyTeam, Air France, KLM, and other eligible partner carriers. These fares permit a maximum of 6 stopovers.

Classic awards are straightforward fares purchased with Flying Blu miles, and cannot be used to purchase first-class fares. Classic awards are cheaper than flex awards, but ticket modifications or cancelation incur an additional fee of 45 euros.

Other Ways to Redeem Miles

As with earning miles,  members can also redeem miles through Flying blue’s online portals.  Miles can be applied to stays booked through the hotel portal – at more than 300,000 hotels worldwide, or on purchases for goods and services from leading brands in the Flying Blue online shopping site.

Miles are also applicable for seat upgrades with member airlines. For Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines passengers, however, seat upgrades must be made at least 48 hours before departure.  Flying Blue Silver status members may also use their miles for access to Air France or KLM lounges.

Earning XP with Flights

Experience points (XP) refer to the points required for achieving and maintaining Flying Blue member status. Earn XP through flying on qualifying flights with Flying Blue carriers. XP earned during 12 months determines a member’s status, with XP levels resetting annually for Flying Blur Explorer members, but points over their current level carry over for Silver, Gold, or Platinum members.

Status Levels

Flying Blue Explorer

Flying Blue Explorer is the lowest level of membership status in the program. Explorer status members receive the following perks:

Flying Blue Silver

Silver status is the second level of membership and requires 100 XP. Silver status members receive the following perks:

Flying Blue Gold

Gold status requires 180 XP over the Silver status membership level and includes the following in addition to the benefits of Silver status members:

Flying Blue Platinum

Platinum is the highest level of membership in the program and requires 300 XP over Gold status. Elite status offers the following perks in addition to those of Gold status: