Air France-KLM FlyingBlue Guide
Your complete guide to maximizing credit card transfers and finding exceptional flight redemptions with Europe's premier airline loyalty program.
Introduction to FlyingBlue
FlyingBlue is the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM, serving as one of Europe's largest and most versatile frequent flyer programs. With access to the entire SkyTeam alliance network and several non-alliance partners, FlyingBlue opens up a world of redemption opportunities, especially for travelers focused on European destinations.
What makes FlyingBlue particularly valuable is its wide range of credit card transfer partners, monthly Promo Rewards that offer significant discounts on award tickets, and relatively good award availability on premium cabins. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about maximizing FlyingBlue miles for exceptional travel experiences.
In This Guide:
Credit Card Transfer Partners
FlyingBlue's strength as a loyalty program comes partly from its extensive transfer partner network. You can transfer points from all major flexible points currencies to FlyingBlue, making it one of the most accessible airline programs for credit card points collectors.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time | Transfer Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | 1-2 days | Occasional transfer bonuses of 20-30% |
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | Instant to 24 hours | Rare transfer bonuses |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | Instant | No recent transfer bonuses |
| Citi ThankYou Points | 1:1 | 1-2 days | Occasional transfer bonuses |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours | Monthly 25% transfer bonus on 1st of month (1-5 minutes) |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 (plus 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred) | 3-5 days | Occasional transfer bonuses |
Pro Tip: Before transferring points to FlyingBlue, always check award availability first. Once you transfer points, you cannot transfer them back to your credit card program.
How to Earn FlyingBlue Miles
Credit Card Spending & Bonuses
- Transfer points from Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One
- Look for welcome bonuses on flexible points cards
- Take advantage of category bonuses for faster earning
Flying & Travel Partners
- Fly on Air France, KLM, or SkyTeam alliance partners
- Book hotels through FlyingBlue's hotel partners
- Rent cars with Hertz, Avis, or other partner companies
For U.S.-based travelers, transferring points from credit card programs is typically the fastest way to accrue a meaningful balance of FlyingBlue miles, especially given the program's partnerships with all major transferable points currencies.
Key Program Features
Monthly Promo Rewards
Special discounted award tickets on select routes that change monthly, offering savings up to 50% on regular award prices.
Dynamic Pricing
FlyingBlue uses dynamic pricing instead of a fixed award chart, meaning prices can vary based on demand, route, and season.
Miles & Cash Option
Flexibility to pay for part of your award ticket with miles and part with cash when you're short on miles.
Family Benefits
Share miles with family and friends without transfer fees, making it easier to pool resources for redemptions.
Flying Blue Experience Awards
Redeem miles for unique experiences like flight simulator sessions, wine tastings, and premium airport services.
Important Note: FlyingBlue uses dynamic pricing, which means award prices can fluctuate based on demand, season, and route. This can sometimes work in your favor during off-peak times but may result in higher prices during peak travel periods.
Sweet Spot Redemptions
Despite using dynamic pricing, FlyingBlue offers several exceptional sweet spots, particularly when taking advantage of their monthly Promo Rewards.
| Route | Economy | Business | First | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US to Europe | 15,000-30,000 miles (one-way with promo awards) | 45,000-65,000 miles (one-way with promo awards) | Limited availability | Focus on Promo Rewards for exceptional value to/from Europe |
| US to North Africa | 22,000-35,000 miles (one-way) | 53,000-70,000 miles (one-way) | Not widely available | Good value on Air France and KLM flights to Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia |
| Europe to Middle East | 16,000-30,000 miles (one-way) | 42,000-60,000 miles (one-way) | Not widely available | Great value on MEA, Saudia, and Tarom connections |
| Intra-Europe | 5,000-15,000 miles (one-way with promo awards) | 12,500-25,000 miles (one-way with promo awards) | Not applicable | Excellent short-haul values especially with promo awards |
| US to Israel | 34,000-50,000 miles (one-way) | 85,000-100,000 miles (one-way) | Not widely available | Good availability on Air France via Paris |
Spotlight: FlyingBlue Promo Rewards
FlyingBlue's Promo Rewards are special discounted award tickets that are released monthly, offering savings of 20-50% on regular award prices. These deals can provide exceptional value, especially for business class travel to Europe.
How to Maximize Promo Rewards:
- Check the FlyingBlue website between the 1st and 5th of each month for new Promo Rewards
- Be flexible with your travel dates (usually valid for 2-3 months in advance)
- Consider positioning flights to take advantage of deals from different gateway cities
- Book quickly as availability on the most attractive deals can disappear rapidly
Best Credit Cards for FlyingBlue
These credit cards offer the best opportunities to earn points that can be transferred to FlyingBlue, either directly or through transferable points programs.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express
$695
125,000 Membership Rewards points
5X on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, 5X on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, 1X on other purchases
- Points transfer 1:1 to FlyingBlue
- $200 annual airline fee credit
- $200 annual hotel credit
- Lounge access (Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club when flying Delta)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase
$550
60,000 Ultimate Rewards points
10X on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 5X on flights through Chase Travel, 3X on other travel and dining, 1X on everything else
- Points transfer 1:1 to FlyingBlue
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select membership
- 50% more value when redeeming for travel through Chase
- Primary rental car insurance
Citi Premier® Card
Citi
$95
60,000 ThankYou Points
3X on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels; 1X on everything else
- Points transfer 1:1 to FlyingBlue
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Extended warranty and purchase protection
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Maximizing Dynamic Pricing
- Search multiple dates to find the lowest prices
- Consider nearby airports for better pricing
- Use the price calendar view for best results
- Book off-peak seasons for better award availability and pricing
Partner Award Strategies
- Check award availability on Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and other SkyTeam partners
- Partner awards often have more stable pricing than Air France/KLM flights
- Look for Delta One availability to/from Europe with lower fees than Delta's own program
- Consider Kenya Airways and Korean Air for unique route options
Managing Surcharges and Fees
FlyingBlue does impose fuel surcharges on many awards, but there are ways to minimize these costs:
- Book Delta, KLM, and Air France flights departing from Brazil or Japan where surcharges are regulated
- Choose Delta-operated flights which typically have lower surcharges
- Flights originating in the US typically have reasonable surcharges compared to those departing Europe
- Compare the total cost (miles + cash) when evaluating redemption options
Start Your FlyingBlue Journey
With its extensive partner network, frequent Promo Rewards, and accessibility through multiple credit card programs, FlyingBlue offers excellent value for travelers, especially those looking to visit Europe and beyond. Whether you're planning a simple weekend getaway or a multi-destination adventure, FlyingBlue miles can help you experience premium travel at a fraction of the cash price.