Advertiser Disclosure

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

16 Best Ways to Redeem Flying Blue Miles (Air France/KLM) for Max Value

Alex Miller's image
Alex Miller

Alex Miller

Founder & CEO

Countries Visited: 34U.S. States Visited: 29

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business...
Learn more
Updated:
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 41U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
Learn more
& Kellie Jez

Kellie Jez

Director of Operations & Compliance

Countries Visited: 10U.S. States Visited: 20

Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
Learn more
16 Best Ways to Redeem Flying Blue Miles (Air France/KLM) for Max Value

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Flying Blue is the loyalty program of Air France, KLM, and several partner airlines. With its range of mile earning opportunities and a large group of airline partners, Flying Blue offers strong value to travelers.

Using Flying Blue miles for award flights is relatively simple. Many itineraries can be booked online. Award charts and routing rules are straightforward across member airlines.

Flying Blue utilizes a variable award pricing structure, and award prices change depending on the day, exact route, and even the date of search.

Plus, there are great values including monthly Promo Rewards for discounts of 20% to 50%. Let’s find some of the best Flying Blue values!

Best Ways to Earn Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue miles can be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou Rewards (all at a rate of 1:1) or from Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
  • Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

  • 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business owner? See our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase – or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees

 

Cons

  • $395 annual fee
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

 

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Marriott Bonvoy Transfers

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and transfer those to Flying Blue at a transfer rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive a bonus of 5,000 Flying Blue miles.

See our list of the best Marriott credit cards in our guide.

The 16 Best Ways to Redeem Your Flying Blue Miles

1. Save 20% to 50% With Flying Blue Promo Rewards (Air France/KLM)

Fly Air France business class. Image Credit: Air France

The best ways to use Flying Blue miles while getting the highest values per point are monthly Promo Rewards. Discounts range 20% to 50% off of the miles price!

Promo Rewards are bookable for travel within 3 months. You still pay the full fees and any applicable surcharges.

Each Promo Award specifies the available dates, route, airline (Air France and/or KLM) and class (economy or business). Some Promo Rewards are between 2 specific cities, while others are between a city and region.

Example: A U.S. city may offer 50% off to Europe, so one-way economy is anywhere from 10,750 to 14,500 miles. Check regularly as these offers come and go. You must book online.

Hot Tip: Even if there is no Promo Award from your home airport, it might be a good deal to buy a Promo Award from another airport and a separate, cheap ticket to get to that airport. This is called a positioning flight.

2. Israel and North Africa

Visit Chefchaouen in Morocco for the same number of miles as going to Europe with KLM/Air France Flying Blue. Image Credit: Robert Brands via Unsplash

Flying Blue places Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and the Canary Islands as part of Europe as far as pricing goes, even though the model is variable. Most other programs put these countries in the Middle East or Africa regions which are more expensive than Europe when coming from North America.

Coming from the U.S., Classic Awards range from only 43,000 to 58,000 miles round-trip in economy and 106,000 to 135,000 in business.

When these go on Promo Award sale you have huge savings!

In addition to Air France/KLM flights, Delta flies to Israel.

The flip side of this is an Israel to Middle East award is quite expensive even if just a short flight.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Paris (CDG) – Tunis (TUN) on Air France round-trip economy for 43,000 miles or business for 106,000 miles
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Moscow (SVO) – Tel Aviv (TLV) on Aeroflot round-trip economy for 58,000 miles or business for 106,000 miles
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) – Algiers (ALG) on Air France round-trip economy for 58,000 miles or business for 106,000 miles

3. The Contiguous U.S. to Hawaii (Delta and Alaska Airlines)

Using your Flying Blue to get to Hawaii can present some incredible value! Image Credit: Katie Seemann

Using Flying Blue partner airlines Delta and Alaska, a great Flying Blue redemption is for flights from the contiguous U.S. to Hawaii. Round-trip starts at only 35,000 Flying Blue miles in economy and less than $10 in fees, and 86,000 miles in business class.

This is less than U.S. programs charge their own members!

Hot Tip: If you’re flying Delta, The Platinum Card® from American Express will grant you access to the Delta Sky Club lounge for your flight.

4. The Contiguous U.S. to the Caribbean (Delta and Alaska Airlines)

Relax on a Caribbean beach for only 30,000 Flying Blue miles. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

Like Hawaii, the contiguous U.S. to the Caribbean on Delta is a good deal at 29,000 to 35,000 miles round-trip in economy.

Delta has many Caribbean flights from New York and Atlanta.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Atlanta (ATL) – Aruba (AUA) on Delta round-trip economy for 29,000 miles or business for 72,000 miles
  • New York City (JFK) – St. Maarten (SXM) on Delta round-trip economy for 35,000 miles or business for 86,000 miles

5. Caribbean to Hawaii (Delta and Alaska Airlines)

Even cheaper than the U.S. to Hawaii flights are the Caribbean to Hawaii flights for just 25,000 miles round-trip!

» Related: The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide to Maui and Kauai

6. The Caribbean to Europe (Air France/KLM)

Air France/KLM has many routes between the Caribbean and Europe.

A one-way economy class award ticket will cost 25,000 to 27,000 Flying Blue miles and a one-way business class award ticket will cost 67,500 to 79,000 miles.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Havana (HAV) – Moscow (SVO) on Aeroflot for 27,000 miles in economy or 67,500 miles in business
  • Punta Cana (PUJ) – Paris (CDG) on Air France for 27,000 miles in economy or 79,000 miles in business

7. U.S. to Mexico (AeroMexico, Delta, and Alaska Airlines)

Flights between Mexico and the U.S. are ridiculously cheap, too!

Round-trip economy is around 29,000 miles, which can be even cheaper than U.S. domestic awards.

Hot Tip: Look for routes with AeroMexico’s 787 Dreamliner: New York City (JFK) – Mexico City (MEX) often has 1 flight daily with this plane featuring lie-flat seats in business class.

8. Cheap Economy Flights to the South Pacific (Air France, Aircalin, Delta)

The contiguous U.S. to the South Pacific ranges from only 51,000 to 97,000 miles round-trip in economy. Air France flies Los Angeles to Tahiti.

In addition, you can fly to South Pacific via Japan on Aircalin or via Australia on Delta.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) on Delta round-trip economy for 97,000 miles or business for 242,000 miles
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Tahiti (PPT) on Air France round-trip economy for 51,000 miles or business for 128,000 miles
  • Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – Noumea (NOU) on Aircalin round-trip economy for 69,000 miles or business for 173,000 miles

9. Pacific Island Hopping (Aircalin)

Dive the South Pacific and see the sharks in New Caledonia with a Flying Blue award on Aircalin. Image Credit: Damsea via Shutterstock

Aircalin is a South Pacific airline that connects some of the most remote and beautiful islands in the world.

With the South Pacific, flights are around 35,000 miles round-trip in economy, often a great deal for how expensive these tickets can be. Visit Wallis and Fortuna, so small the 2 islands share only 1 ATM!

10. Central America Beaches and Jungles (Copa)

Copa is a Star Alliance airline yet partners with Flying Blue. From its hub in Panama City, you can reach Central and South American destinations that are often expensive cash tickets.

The U.S. to Central America round-trip is just 35,000 miles round-trip in economy. Within Central America, flights are 23,000 to 29,000 round-trip in economy.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • New York City (JFK) – Panama City (PTY) on Copa Airlines round-trip economy for 35,000 miles or business for 86,000 miles
  • Panama City (PTY) – Guatemala (GUA) on Copa Airlines round-trip economy for 26,000 miles or business for 56,000 miles
  • Panama City (PTY) – San Salvador (SAL) on Copa Airlines round-trip economy for 23,000 miles or business for 56,000 miles

11. Europe Domestic Flights

Air France, KLM, and their partners such as Czech Airways cover much of Europe. Awards start starting at just 10,000 miles one-way. Focus on economy because intra-Europe business class is not much different from economy.

Always shop around because Europe flights usually have a high cash component due to taxes that are passed on for awards. It may be better value on some trips to buy a cash ticket.

12. Visit Corsica, Napoleon’s Home Island (Air France, Air Corsica)

What better than a combination of France and Italy with spectacular beaches and towering mountain villages? Image Credit: Jon Ingall via Shutterstock

Corsica is a ravishing island blending French and Italian culture; it is the birthplace of Napoleon.

Air France and Air Corsica awards are available to the island’s 4 airports: AJA, BIA, CLY and FSC. You have many options and it is really hard to choose where to go for your Corsica vacation!

Hot Tip: When visiting tourist attractions, you can often get 2x points when you use your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

13. Into Japan (Japan Airlines)

SkyTeam lacks a Japanese partner airline, so it is great that Flying Blue partners with Japan Airlines.

If you are booking a Flying Blue award to Japan, you can fly Japan Airlines all the way or fly another airline and add a Japan Airlines domestic flight in Japan.

The U.S. to Japan award price is more expensive than India’s, despite being closer to the U.S. Awards start at 92,000 miles round-trip in economy class, while business is prohibitively expensive at 190,000 miles.

Hot Tip: You can read about more ways to fly to Japan using points and miles here.

14. Visit Africa From Tip to Toe (Air France/KLM and Kenya Airways)

With the colonial legacies of France and the Netherlands, Air France and KLM have extensive Africa networks. Add in Nairobi-based Kenya Airways and you have one of the most extensive Africa networks in the sky.

Many of these tickets are extremely expensive in cash so use your Flying Blue miles to travel around Africa!

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Addis Ababa (ADD) – Nairobi (NBO) on Kenya Airways round-trip economy for 27,000 miles or business for 54,000 miles
  • Marrakesh (RAK) – Nairobi (NBO) on Kenya Airways round-trip economy for 48,000 miles or business for 113,000 miles
  • Paris (CDG) – Johannesburg (JNB) on Air France round-trip economy for 54,000 miles or business for 165,000 miles

15. Indian Ocean Island Hopping (Air Mauritius)

Air Mauritius is a key Flying Blue partner that gets you to magnificent Indian Ocean islands such as Mauritius, Reunion, and Madagascar.

The U.S. to these islands is 92,000 miles round-trip in economy and 170,000 to 220,000 in business.

If you love flying business class, you can sometimes go from 1 island to the other via Paris on Air Mauritius or Air France. Don’t do this in economy!

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Paris (CDG) – Antananarivo (TNR) on Air France round-trip economy for 92,000 miles or business for 182,000 miles
  • New York City (JFK) – Rome (FCO) – Mauritius (MRU) on Delta round-trip economy for 92,000 miles or business for 170,000 miles
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Paris (CDG) – St. Denis (RUN) on Air France round-trip economy for 92,000 miles or business for 182,000 miles

16. The Remote African Beaches of Cabo Verde (Transavia)

Drift away your cares in the Cabo Verde Islands. Image Credit: Panayu Chairatananond via Shutterstock

The beaches of the islands of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) are not easy to reach but are oh-so-beautiful.

Transavia is a subsidiary of Air France/KLM and you can use Flying Blue miles for awards to its destinations around Europe, Morocco, and all the way to Praia and Sal in Cape Verde.

Check the Transavia website for Flying Blue award availability.

More Ways to Earn Flying Blue Miles

Citi ThankYou Rewards Credit Cards

Citi ThankYou Rewards also transfer to Flying Blue at the same rates of 1,000 points for 1,000 Flying Blue miles. Transfers take about 48 hours.

Hotel-Branded Credit Cards

You can transfer several major hotel program points to Flying Blue miles:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Hotel Loyalty ProgramConvertTo Flying Blue
Hilton Honors10 Hilton Honors Points*1 mile
World of Hyatt1,250 World of Hyatt Points500 miles
Marriott Bonvoy3 Marriott Bonvoy Points**1 mile
IHG One Rewards10,000 IHG One Rewards Points2,000 miles

*Must transfer a minimum of 20,000 Honors Points; can then increase in increments of 10,000 points
**Convert 60,000 points to receive a 5,000-mile bonus

» Related: 19 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Flying Blue Miles [Air France/KLM Airlines]

Flying Blue Program

To get started earning and redeeming Flying Blue miles, you simply need to sign up for the loyalty program. Sign up with Flying Blue for free here.

Award Booking Guidelines

Flying Blue allows one-way and round-trip awards.

What Flying Blue calls a “multi-destination award” online is really an open-jaw, meaning you can fly to 1 destination and return from another. You cannot add additional stops and you must return to your origin.

Most partner airlines can be searched on the Air France website. For others, you can search alternate sites or call Air France for availability.

Hot Tip: Not all partner airlines show on award searches with Air France/KLM. For example, you can use American Airlines’ website to check Alaska Airlines award availability.

Phantom Partner Award Availability

The Air France website is great for searching partners. It has 1 big flaw: so-called phantom availability on partner airlines.

Sometimes an award will show as available but then be impossible to book. Either the award is not available or the routing is not possible to book with Flying Blue.

It is always best to call Air France to confirm an award is available prior to transferring miles to Flying Blue.

There are no award holds, however, American Express and Chase transfers are instant, so if the agent confirms availability, you can immediately transfer and book the award. There is no phone booking fee.

Classic Awards and Flex Awards

The main types of Flying Blue flight awards are Classic Awards and Flex Awards.

Classic Awards are lower-priced and less available. All partner awards except Kenya Airways and TAROM are Classic Awards.

Flex Awards are higher-priced awards on Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, and TAROM. While Classic Awards may be hard to find, Flex Awards are available for most flights.

Hot Tip: If you must take a specific flight and have enough miles, you can lock in a Flex Award since it is free to change or cancel, then keep checking back to see if a cheaper Classic Award becomes available.

How Much Do Flights Awards Cost?

Flying Blue does not publish full award charts. Instead, check the cost of award flights using the Flying Blue Miles Calculator.

Use Air France’s award search function to plan your travel. Image Credit: Air France

Pricing is variable and will fluctuate depending on many factors. Unlike many other airlines, award prices in miles are the same regardless of airline.

What can differ among airlines is the cash component since some Flying Blue partner airlines assess fuel surcharges and others do not. Always check alternate Flying Blue partner options for your trip.

Example: Taipei-based China Airlines does not have fuel surcharges while Shanghai-based China Eastern and Guangzhou-based China Southern, do. A similar itinerary may cost several hundred dollars more on China Eastern or China Southern.

Flying Blue vs. Delta SkyMiles

Air France/KLM and Delta are both SkyTeam members, so in many cases you can use either program’s miles for the same trip.

Generally, the differences are:

  • Air France first class can only be booked with Flying Blue miles and only by Flying Blue elites (same for Flex Business Class awards)
  • U.S. domestic awards on Delta will have less availability for Flying Blue but often lower prices
  • International awards typically cost fewer miles but higher cash on Flying Blue than SkyMiles
  • Flying Blue has partners such as Air Mauritius and Aircalin that are not SkyMiles partners
  • SkyMiles has partners such as Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia that are not Flying Blue partners
  • SkyMiles has award blackout dates on China Airlines, China Southern, and Korean Air, while Flying Blue has no partner blackout dates

What are Flying Blue Promo Rewards?

Released monthly, Flying Blue Promo Rewards are discounts of 20% to 50% of the mileage for award travel.

You must book Promo Rewards online. If you call to book you will be charged the full price.

Promo Rewards offered for travel between 2 specific cities or regions. You can travel in either direction, one-way or round-trip.

Each promo award is specified for Air France or KLM or both.

You cannot change, cancel or refund Promo Rewards.

Book Upgrade Awards

Upgrade awards are available on Air France, KLM, and several partner airlines (Delta, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Aircalin, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Korean Air).

You can upgrade paid flights on Air France, KLM, and select airline partners. Image Credit: Flying Blue

Air France and KLM upgrades are the most flexible. They can be requested online up to 24 hours departure and may also be available at the airport or on board the aircraft.

Partner awards are subject to availability and various restrictions specific to the airline, route, and fare class of ticket. It is best is to contact Flying Blue at least 72 hours prior to departure for availability and price. See upgrade award terms here.

Check the cost of upgrade awards using the Flying Blue Miles Calculator.

Fees, Changes, and Cancellations

There are 3 different types of awards: Classic, Flex, and Promo.

  • Classic Awards have a €45 (~$54) change or cancel fee
  • Flex Awards are free to change or cancel
  • Promo Rewards cannot be changed or canceled

There is no phone booking fee, thankfully. However, Promo Rewards must be booked online.

Mileage Expiration Caveat

To keep miles from expiring, you need to meet at least one of these conditions:

  1. Take an eligible flight at least once every 2 years with Air France, KLM, Joon, HOP!, or any SkyTeam partner
  2. Earn Silver, Gold, or Platinum status
  3. Make a purchase with an eligible partner bank card at least once every 2 years

Final Thoughts

Flying Blue is a versatile airline frequent flyer program with strong mileage values and a wide range of partners. Flying Blue has some great values like Promo Rewards and Israel in the Europe region. It is a contender for the best overall SkyTeam loyalty program.

Now that you know some of the best ways to use Flying Blue miles, we hope you’ll enjoy your next redemption!

The information for The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Air France

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flying Blue? How much does it cost?

Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program of Air France and KLM. It is free to join and you can earn miles from flying Air France, KLM, and their airline partners.

Flying Blue also has many other travel and non-travel partners where you can earn miles.

You can use Flying Blue for award flights, upgrades, and more!

How do I enroll in Flying Blue?

Sign up for Flying Blue here.

Is there a Flying Blue credit card that earns miles?

There is not a Flying Blue credit card in the U.S., however, there are plenty of other ways to earn Flying Blue miles with credit cards.

Flying Blue partners with several credit card loyalty programs where you can transfer your credit card points to Flying Blue miles.

Here are just a few examples of credit cards that you can use to earn Flying Blue miles:

  • Chase Ultimate Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Chase Freedom Unlimited® card
  • American Express Membership Rewards: The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
  • Citi ThankYou: Citi Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card

You can also transfer points from hotel loyalty programs:

  • Marriott Bonvoy: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
  • Hilton Honors:Hilton Honors American Express Card

Where can I log in to my Flying Blue account?

Sign in to your Flying Blue account on the Flying Blue website. You can learn about Flying Blue, check account activity, and research awards. In order to book award flights, you’ll need to use the same log-in on either the Air France or KLM website to search and book.

Can I earn miles with Flying Blue partners?

Flying Blue has many partners such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, retailers, and many more.

How much do Flying Blue award flights cost?

Check the cost of award flights using the Flying Blue Miles Calculator. Prices are zone-based regardless of airline.

What are Flying Blue Promo Rewards?

Flying Blue Promo Rewards are monthly discounts of 20% to 50% for award travel. Promo Rewards are for travel between 2 specific cities or regions, in either direction, one-way or round-trip. Each promo award is available for Air France or KLM or both. You cannot change, cancel or refund Promo Rewards. You must book Promo Rewards online.

Is it possible to upgrade a flight with Flying Blue miles?

Yes, you can upgrade Air France or KLM flights with Flying Blue miles.

How can I earn Flying Blue Miles shopping online?

Earn miles by shopping at the Flying Blue Shop & Earn Store or the Air France Online Store. From these portals you can earn miles shopping at participating major retailers.

Which airlines are in the Flying Blue loyalty program?

KLM and Air France are members of SkyTeam along with airlines such as Delta. Fliyng Blue has additional airline partners such as Air Mauritius, Alaska Airlines, and Japan Airlines. See all Flying Blue airline partners here.

Can I earn Flying Blue Miles by flying Delta?

Yes, you can earn Flying Blue miles on Delta flights marketed as DL, AF, KL, or a SkyTeam-partner. You will earn Flying Blue miles at the rate of the marketing airline on the ticket.  This mostly occurs with connecting tickets that involve multiple airlines.

Can I transfer Flying Blue miles to Delta SkyMiles?

You can’t transfer Flying Blue miles to Delta SkyMiles, however you can use Flying Blue miles for awards on Delta flights. Sometimes the miles price is much lower, too! Note that award availability differs, so a flight Delta makes available to SkyMiles members may not be available to Flying Blue members.

When do Flying Blue Miles expire?

You must satisfy one of these conditions to prevent mileage expiration:

  • Take an eligible flight at least once every 2 years with Air France, KLM, Joon, HOP!, or any SkyTeam partner
  • Earn Silver, Gold, or Platinum status
  • Make a purchase with an eligible partner bank card at least once every 2 years

Can I rent a car to earn Flying Blue Miles?

Yes, Flying Blue has car rental partners including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and SIXT.

About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

Read More

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

Flying Blue Air France KLM Loyalty Program Review
19 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Flying Blue Miles [Air France/KLM Airlines]
9 Best Ways to Redeem Korean Air SKYPASS Miles for Max Value
8 Best Ways to Redeem Virgin Australia Points for Max Value
Upgrade your travel experience
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertiser Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Policy | Cookie Policy

© 2023 Upgraded Points™, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

DMCA.com Protection Status

Disclaimer: Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice.

Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer.