Flying Blue Raises the Cost of Earning Elite Status XP Through SAF Contributions by 50%

Air France-KLM Flying Blue has made it more expensive to earn elite status through sustainable aviation fuel contributions.

Unfortunately, members will now spend 50% more for each Experience Point (XP) earned through these contributions. For travelers who have relied on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) purchases to earn or maintain elite status, this hurts.

What’s Changing With Flying Blue XP and SAF Contributions?

Flying Blue, the joint program of Air France and KLM, offers a few ways to earn XP without stepping on a plane, and SAF contributions have been one of the most popular options. During the booking process for an Air France or KLM flight, members can pay extra to fund SAF and reduce the emissions tied to their travels. In return, they earn XP — the sole metric that matters for elite status.

Previously, members earned 1 XP for every €10 ($11.20) in SAF contributions. Under the new rate, it takes €15 ($16.80) to earn 1 XP. This change took effect without notice, and it’s a 50% price increase.

There’s a second adjustment that makes this pill even harder to swallow. Flying Blue no longer rounds XP on these contributions, as first noticed by One Mile at a Time. For example, if the SAF contribution offered on a short-haul economy flight costs €14, you won’t earn any XP, since you didn’t spend €15. A €28 contribution earns just 1 XP. Why? You spent over €15 but didn’t reach €30 to get the second XP.

What This Means for Travelers

Flying Blue status is earned and maintained based on the XP you earn during a 12-month qualification period. Reaching Silver status requires 100 XP, Gold requires 180, and Platinum requires 300. Top-tier Ultimate status requires 900 XP. Once you reach a tier, you have 12 months to requalify or earn enough XP to move up.

Each time you move up a tier, that tier’s XP requirement is deducted from your balance. As a result, getting from the introductory Explorer level (the basic membership tier when you join) to Platinum takes 580 XP in total.

The math shows how much this change matters for your wallet. Here’s how much it now costs to earn each tier’s XP requirement through SAF contributions without any other earning strategy involved:

• Silver (100 XP): €1,500, up from €1,000
• Gold (180 XP): €2,700, up from €1,800
• Platinum (300 XP): €4,500, up from €3,000

These figures assume everything you spend counts toward XP. Because the rounding benefit is gone, members who make smaller contributions across several flights will pay even more (possibly much more) to reach these tiers.

Obviously, most members don’t earn all of their XP through SAF. Many, however, have used it to close the gap near the end of a qualification period, helping them reach their desired tier without taking more flights. That strategy now costs 50% more.

If you’re close to a status threshold, compare your options before your qualification period ends. A short, inexpensive flight may get you over the line at a lower cost than a large SAF contribution after this change. U.S.-based members can also earn XP through the Air France KLM Visa Signature^® Credit Card.

Final Thoughts

Earning XP through SAF contributions is one of the more unique features of Flying Blue. It rewards members for supporting the airline group’s environmental goals, and it can help members reach their status goal while sitting at home.

However, a 50% price increase makes this path much less appealing. If you’ve used SAF contributions to reach or maintain your elite status tier, it’s worth checking the math and possibly adjusting your strategy going forward.