Air France is one of the most luxe ways to fly to Europe. Part of the SkyTeam alliance, Air France is beloved by points-and-miles enthusiasts (and our top pick for the best airline loyalty programs in the world) who love how easy it is to earn and redeem rewards — both with the airline and its partners.
Whether you’re looking to fly to Paris or book a flight with a partner like Japan Airlines, KLM, or Delta, here’s what you need to know about using Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles to book flights or other travel.
Table of contents
About Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program for the Air France KLM Group. When you sign up as a Flying Blue member, you can earn and redeem points when flying with Air France, KLM, and on flights operated by the two carriers’ SkyTeam partner airlines.
How to earn Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles
Flying
You’ll earn Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles when traveling on either airline or SkyTeam flights. Here’s how you’ll earn miles when you’re a Flying Blue member:
- Explorer: 4 miles per euro spent
- Silver: 6 miles per euro spent
- Gold: 7 miles per euro spent
- Platinum: 8 miles per euro spent
- Ultimate: 9 miles per euro spent
Credit cards
Air France-KLM Flying Blue has one credit card: the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard.
The card’s elite benefits include:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and SkyTeam member airlines
- 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 50,000 bonus miles after account opening and meeting the minimum spending requirement
- 5,000 miles every year on your account anniversary after spending $50 or more on purchases within the anniversary year
- No foreign transaction fees
Transfer partners
Pick your transfer partner — Air France-KLM Flying Blue has plenty of options. American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards all transfer to Air France-KLM Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll also earn 5,000 bonus miles if you transfer points in increments of 60,000.
Dining and shopping
You can earn miles on entertainment, dining, and shopping for electronics, travel gear, health and beauty, home and garden supplies, and fashion at the Flying Blue store, where you’ll find goods and promotional deals from merchants like Hertz, GoPro, Tumi, the Bicester Collection, Booking.com, and more.
The fare types available on Air France
Air France offers four fare types: La Première (aka first class), Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Economy is then divided into three fare types: Light, Standard, and Flex.
You’ll receive free drinks, snacks, and meals and earn Flying Blue award miles at each fare class. Lounge access is included for travelers in La Première and Business and for those with Platinum, Gold, and Elite Plus status.
Light fares
Light fares have the cheapest prices, but they’re also the most restrictive. If you want a free checked bag, you’ll need to go up a level; if there’s a possibility that you might need to cancel and want a refundable fare, you’ll need to go up two.
- Hand baggage only
- Checked baggage for a fee
- Change your ticket for $120, plus the fare difference (if applicable)
- No cancellations or refunds
Standard fares
Standard fares offer a few more benefits, but still no cancellations or refunds.
- Hand baggage and one checked bag
- Change your ticket for $120, plus the fare difference
- No cancellations or refunds
Flex tickets
Flex tickets offer the most flexibility, especially if you need to change or cancel your ticket.
- Hand baggage and one checked bag
- Choice of standard seats
- Change your ticket and just pay the fare difference
- Cancellations are possible for a fee
The fare types available on KLM
KLM offers three fare types: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. (There is no first class on KLM). Premium Economy and Economy are then broken down into Light, Standard, or Flex fares.
Light tickets
Similar to Air France, KLM’s economy Light tickets are the most restrictive:
- Hand baggage included
- Checked bag for a fee
- Change your flight for €200, plus the fare difference
- No changes when traveling from Europe to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or Papeete, except when your departure airport is in the U.K.
- No refunds
Standard economy tickets
Standard economy fares have fewer restrictions than Light and a few more perks too.
- Hand baggage and one checked bag
- Additional checked bag for a fee
- Choose a standard seat before check-in opens when traveling from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or Papeete to the Netherlands or France.
Flex tickets
- Hand baggage and one checked bag
- Additional checked bag for a fee
- Choose a standard seat before check-in opens
- Change your ticket and just pay the fare difference
- Cancel for a refund, no fee
- Free drinks, snacks, and meals
Light premium economy tickets
- Two pieces of hand baggage and one accessory
- Checked baggage for a fee
- Choose a standard seat for a fee before check-in opens, when traveling from France or the Netherlands to the US, Canada, or Mexico; when traveling from the US, Canada, or Mexico to Europe; or from France to overseas territories of France, and vice versa.
- Change your ticket for €250, plus the fare difference
- No refunds
Standard premium economy tickets
- Two items of hand baggage, one accessory, and two checked bags
- Choose a standard seat for a fee before check-in opens when traveling from France or the Netherlands to the US, Canada, or Mexico; when traveling from the US, Canada, or Mexico to Europe; or from France to overseas territories of France and vice versa.
- Change your ticket and just pay the fare difference
- Non-refundable
Flex premium economy tickets
- Two items of hand baggage, one accessory, and two checked bags
- Choose a standard seat before check-in opens
- Change your ticket and just pay the fare difference
- Cancel for a refund, no fee
How to book Air France and KLM flights using rewards points
Both Air France and KLM utilize a single award chart for connecting flights.
It’s distance-based, which means the amount you’ll pay for a reward ticket depends on the distance you’re traveling — it’ll be more miles if you’re making a long trek and fewer if you don’t have far to go.
Booking your Air France flight with miles is easy — just visit Air France’s website and select “Book with Miles.”
How to redeem Air France and KLM miles to get the best deal
The Air France-KLM Flying Blue loyalty program presents one of the best ways to book award tickets for economy class flights between the U.S. and Europe.
That’s because one-way award flights between the U.S. and Europe start at just 15,000 miles, as do one-way awards from North America to Asia Pacific — which includes hard-to-reach destinations from the U.S., like the Maldives and Bora Bora.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles are also an excellent option for business-class seats around the world.
As you see in the table above, the starting price for Air France business class flights to Europe is just 55,000 Flying Blue miles, using New York to Paris as an example. Given how easy it is to earn Flying Blue miles, plus the frequency of transfer bonuses, that’s an absolute steal.
Both airlines frequently offer Promo Rewards fares as well, which let you save up to 25% on an award ticket.
Booking Air France first class with miles
Only Ultimate and Platinum members can book La Première first class tickets with miles. If you don’t have those levels of elite status, you’ll need to book a business-class ticket with miles and then upgrade with cash.
Redeeming Flying Blue points with transfer partners
Flying Blue’s rewards transfer from all the major banks at the following ratios:
- American Express Membership Rewards: 1:1
- Bilt Rewards: 1:1
- Capital One Miles: 1:1
- Citi ThankYou Rewards: 1:1
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1
- Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1
Booking an Air France-KLM partner flight with miles
You can also book Air France-KLM partner flights with miles. Air France-KLM partners include members of the SkyTeam alliance, like Aeromexico, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.
More ways to redeem Flying Blue miles
You can redeem Flying Blue miles when you shop at the Flying Blue Store, either for experiences or products from brands like Apple, Sony, and Bose. This isn’t a great way to use Flying Blue miles, though, and we don’t recommend it — award flights offer a much better value.
The worst ways to redeem Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles
The worst way to redeem Flying Blue miles is for non-airline purchases, such as merchandise. Generally, you should redeem them for flights on Air France, KLM, or a partner.
Our best tip for finding Air France-KLM award seats
When searching for Flying Blue award availability, use the online award calendar and leave your dates blank to see all of your flight options.
Frequently asked questions about using Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles
What are Air France’s airline partners?
Air France’s airline partners include its fellow SkyTeam members:
- Aeroflot
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- Czech Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- Xiamen Air
What are Air France’s transfer partners?
Air France’s transfer partners are American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou.
What are Air France’s tier status levels?
Air France’s tier status levels are Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate.
How do I earn miles with Air France?
You can accrue Flying Blue miles by traveling on flights operated by Air France-KLM and its SkyTeam partners, opening an Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard and earning bonus points and miles, and shopping at the Flying Blue Store, among other options.
How do I redeem miles with Air France?
You can redeem miles on one-way and round-trip tickets in economy, premium economy, and business class on Air France and KLM flights, and on SkyTeam-member flights.
Can I book Air France flights with United miles?
No, you can’t use United miles for Air France award tickets.
Can I use Delta SkyMiles on Air France?
Yes, you can use Delta SkyMiles on Air France by booking Air France flights via the Delta website.
Can I use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points on Air France?
Yes, you can put Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points toward Air France award tickets by booking an Air France flight via the Virgin Atlantic website.
Can I use Amex points on Air France?
Yes, American Express is a Flying Blue transfer partner, so you can use Amex points on Air France.
How many Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles do I need for a free flight?
A free flight on Air France-KLM can be as low as 5,000 Flying Blue miles. From the U.S., expect to spend at least 15,000 points for a one-way flight in economy and 50,000 points for business class.
Do Flying Blue miles expire?
Yes, Flying Blue miles expire after two years of inactivity but can be extended by flying or using a co-branded credit card.
Can I transfer or gift my Flying Blue miles to someone else?
Yes, Flying Blue members can transfer or gift their miles to other Flying Blue members.
Can I book a flight for someone else with my Flying Blue miles?
Yes, you can book round-trip and one-way flights for someone else with your Flying Blue miles.
Can I book an Air France flight using a combination of miles and cash?
Yes, you can book an Air France flight with a combination of miles and cash. To book a Miles & Cash ticket, you must make your reservation online through the Air France and KLM websites or mobile apps.
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