Air France-KLM Expands Status Match Offer [Open to U.S. Residents]

Flying Blue, the joint elite status program of Air France and KLM, is offering a rare status match opportunity that can earn you near top-tier status in the program for a limited time.

Notably, Flying Blue rarely ever offers status match opportunities, so this could be a great opportunity for those looking to level up in the program quickly. And Flying Blue is taking the offer a step further to draw in unhappy British Airwaays customers.

Here are the promotion details and some guidance to help you determine if it’s a worthwhile offer for you.

Flying Blue Status Match Details

This is a paid status match opportunity, and the amount of funds you need to fork over will depend on what status level you are matching to, using this pricing:

• Flying Blue Silver Status: $99
• Flying Blue Gold Status: $299
• Flying Blue Platinum Status: $399

Note that residents of Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and the U.S. aren’t eligible to match up to Platinum status.

Those living in the U.K. and matching from The British Airways Club have a better offer, though — likely trying to attract those unhappy about the program’s recently announced changes. These members will pay £99 regardless of the tier they’re matching to.

To apply for the status match, you must submit an application, provide proof of equivalent elite status in 1 of 18 eligible airlines (more on that below), pay the associated fee, and have a valid email address. You may also need to provide additional verification details, like your passport or driver’s license.

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be informed within 3 days whether or not your application has been approved. If approved, your Flying Blue account will be updated to reflect your new status within 5 days, and your status will be valid for the next 12 months from the date of approval.

To requalify for your elite status level beyond the initial 12 months of the match, you’ll need to reach the standard qualification Experience Points (XP) thresholds of 100 XP for Silver, 180 XP for Gold, and 300 XP for Platinum.

What Airlines Are Eligible?

Here is a look at the 18 eligible airlines and the status level you’ll need in that program to match each level of Flying Blue elite status.

Is It Worth It?

To determine whether the promotion is worth it, let’s examine some of the noteworthy perks at each status level.

Flying Blue Silver

• Earn 6 miles for each euro spent
• Priority access for check-in and baggage drop-off
• Free selection of standard seats
• Free seat options 24 hours before departure
• One free extra checked bag item on SkyTeam flights

Flying Blue Gold

• All Silver status perks
• Earn 7 miles for each euro spent
• Free access to SkyTeam lounges worldwide with a guest
• SkyPriority: priority access throughout the airport
• Free seat options 72 hours before departure

Flying Blue Platinum

• All Gold status perks
• Earn 8 miles for each euro spent
• Choose your standard seat when you buy your ticket, free of charge
• Benefit from preferred Seat Options, free of charge
• Call the exclusive Platinum Service Line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Ability to upgrade to La Première with miles

Since matching to any of the 3 levels requires you to spend cash, you’ll want to feel confident that the benefits you receive in exchange will save you money in the long run.

That said, Flying Blue elite status is less lucrative than other programs, with the main benefits being additional baggage allowance, SkyTeam lounge access, additional miles earned on flights, and reciprocal perks on other SkyTeam member flights.

The most interesting benefit offered, reserved for Flying Blue Platinum members, is the ability to book or upgrade to Air France La Première first class with your Flying Blue miles. For those unaware, La Première is often considered one of the very best first class experiences in the world.

While anyone can pay cash for La Première, often at an eye-popping $10,000+ for a one-way ticket, only Flying Blue Platinum members and above can book the experience with their Flying Blue miles. However, in addition to award availability being tough to come by, award pricing for La Première is often 220,000+ Flying Blue miles for a one-way ticket.

That said, if you’re not based in the U.S. or Mexico and flying La Première is on your bucket list, you’ve got a stash of Flying Blue miles burning a hole in your pocket, and you don’t think you’d ever qualify for Flying Blue Platinum naturally, paying the €399 status match fee might be a worthwhile price of entry in your view.

Final Thoughts

Flying Blue status matches only come around once in a while, so it is definitely something to consider if you think you’ll travel with Air France or KLM often enough to get good value out of your new status.

Now that the promotion is available to U.S.-based travelers, it may be worth thinking about. You won’t get Platinum status, but Gold could be good enough, depending on your needs. While there is no current expiration date, you might want to take advantage of it sooner rather than later if you believe this status match will benefit you.