[Sticky] Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Why It's The Most Useful SkyTeam Mileage Currency

I have stopped searching for saver J availability on Air France. It's pretty much nonexistent. Has that even changed ?

@ Bbt -- The screenshots in this post were all taken just now from a non-elite account. As you can see, there's a fair bit of space again in many markets.

seats.aero will occasionally throw up an AF J class seat but you have to book months in advance

I don't disagree that Flying Blue can be useful in certain circumstances, but you're omitting some things that are very important:

- The standard transatlantic redemption 'saver' rate for business class is 85k each way. This applies everywhere, even domestic destinations like FDF/PTP/AUA, other than the three N. American countries.

- Every other intercontinental business class redemption on AFKL also seems to start at 85k, plus taxes and surcharges, each way. And that's too high!

- There's no zonal pricing for partner redemptions, and that can result in some ridiculous pricing (e.g. CMN-DXB on Saudia is 103k FB miles).

- The lack of a pricing chart wouldn't be such an enormous issue if there hadn't been a recent no-notice devaluation which saw lots of prices increase by 70% overnight.

I do keep a small balance in FB so that I can use miles on Gol, Etihad etc for last-minute short haul flights which are too expensive for my liking, but it's basically the only programme of those in which I participate where I have zero confidence when it comes to my miles retaining any value. I'd be having sleepless nights if I somehow had a six-figure balance in my FB account.

When I book Delta or Skyteam I always credit the flights to Delta. Though they are my third choice in airlines so it's a lesser liability. Lately I agree that Flying Blue has been good with space coming available and I'm seriously considering just crediting all my Sky Team flights to them in 2026, including Delta.

If you're doing at least 26 Skyteam segments a year, you should look into Suma as it'd give you Elite Plus status and some of their redemption rates are quite attractive too.

Was wondering if I could please get your advice. I transferred Bilt points to FB Jan 1 2024 for 252K points. I also did a Bilt redemption to obtain FB Gold status, which I currently have (but may expire at the end of the year). My account has had no activity since Jan 1 2024. Will transferring AMEX MR points or Bilt points by tomorrow reset the clock for 2 years? I'm seeing differing information on various websites. Thanks advance for your input - I really enjoy your articles.

What’s the best way to search for Flying Blue awards?

Also useful for booking domestic Delta economy tickets for less than the number of Skymiles needed.

In my experience, AFKL redemption usually has good availabilty, but is rather expensive (in terms of points needed). As your examples show, for an intercontinental business class return something like 200k is needed, unless you find a Promo redemption. 200k is quite a lot in terms of earnings ...

But you chose February for your example.

It's off season and not exactly the best time to visit Paris/Europe. Show us the chart for June to August.

I like having FB as an option, but at some point those transfer bonuses will result in even more devaluations.

As i am a Platinum4life member at FB i have recently been able to book 3 bc return tickets from AMS direct to LAS in April 2026. This for 3 x 120.000 fb plus tax. Normal price for these 3 tickets would be almost $12.000.
So yes, you can get some really gooed deals when booking with flying blue miles on KLM or Air France!!!

The availability if off peak periods. Even in your screenshot May jumps to 155k miles, which with all the taxes, is not a good redemption.

@ Doug -- As I understand it, moving over points from a transferable points currency wouldn't reset the expiration of your account. That being said, having elite status does prevent your miles from expiring. Flying Blue status typically doesn't follow the traditional calendar year, so are you sure your status expires on December 31?

@ BD -- For travel on Air France and KLM? The Flying Blue website does the trick, by just leaving the date blank, and then you'll get the entire calendar result.

@ Jon -- There are different seasonalities for different destinations. Sure, at the moment there's not a ton of award space in summer through Flying Blue across the Atlantic (though I do see decent availability on some routes), but as time goes on, it tends to open up.

There's also often more availability as the departure date approaches, which is why we currently see more availability in the winter and spring.

But bigger picture, I think we also have to be realistic about the state of miles & points. Which program that partners with major transferable points currencies currently has good transatlantic business class award space for next summer?

Ben, you assert that "...any mileage earning or redemption activity can reset that expiration."
I have not heard that redemption activity will reset the expiration date. I would be thrilled if it did, but, like, does it?
Some clarification would be great!

Not to mention a bucketload of miles!

I had a short paid hop on Garuda in July of 2024, credited it to FB, which reset my miles by two years, to July 2026. But that's the only positive thing I can say about their program. I am only traveling once a year, even if it's usually a lengthy trip around the world, but I had to cancel my summer '25 trip due to illness, so I have to use my miles next summer, otherwise they expire. Unfortunately I closed my FB CC, my bad, so that doesn't help. I am booked for next June, but should I have to cancel that trip again, all I can do, is take an absolutely unnecessary trip on Delta next June, which, due to my home means 12 hours flight time to nowhere, to reset it again. I just cannot stand their uniquely illogical two-tier mileage system, and even the answer I got from their CS via email, was more gibberish than a proper explanation. Once I use my miles with them, I am done!

Flying Blue is a great currency. Easy to build up miles, every major currency seems to transfer to KLM/AF/FB, and as Ben stated, there are bonus transfers throughout the year. Snagging two award seats in Business is tough throughout most of the year and PE seems even tougher as there is so little inventory compared to J.

That said, I can pretty much always find a few flights across the Atlantic in economy for two at about 25K or less a seat. So If I want to go on short notice, I can usually find a few seats albeit in the back of the bus. These flights usually translate to about 2.5 cents per mile in value. Not great, not bad either.

I was able to get AF A350 Business Tahiti to LAX (and yes, got bulkhead in the new business class) 90K and about $207 ea. That was only about a 2.7 cent value, but it will be a great ride! This was not off season.

I also transfer a fair amount of credit card points to FB when there is a bonus. And I am glad I did when I was flying on AF from Singapore to Amsterdam last August. When I checked in online there was an upgrade offer to Premier for 180,000 points. And AF had just updated the Premier class on that route a week before my flight. That was an incredible deal since I only have Delta Gold for life and no status with FB. What an incredible flight ( 13 hours) and lounge experience both in Singapore and Paris.
@ Ben , happy new year and thanks for all the content. We met in 2013 at the Chicago seminars and I have been reading your blog since then. Keep up the good work and if you make part of the blog pay only I will happily support you.

I miss my JFK base when I lived there, but now have to change somewhere because I’m flying from Tampa. Are the connecting flights to Paris on AF also competitive in miles?

I have often gott awards from Flying blue and never from Aeroplan

I'd argue that Jun-Aug is the worst time to travel to Paris. Tons of American tourists, usually with children in tow. Tons of Chinese tourists. Etc.

I'd much rather to travel there in February. I'm not going to Paris for the beach.

I used to love FB but finding award availability for US/Europe trips on AF or KLM metal is now very difficult. If you have flying blue elite status, you see more availability.

I agree that their 'two-tier' mileage system is crazy and overall pointless.
Still wondering if Ben's comment on redemptions was a snafu he prefers not to address. :/

Question for @Lucky - i used the flying blue website to cancel mileage booked airfare in late decmeber 2025 and expected immediately to be charged the refund fee and get the miles back for rebooking alternatove flights. After cancelling i was notified that a review was required to determine the refund amount. I still havent been refunded the $700+ fees or the 130,000 miles for this.

Calling (and waiting a loooong time) i was notified by the flying blue agent that cancelling on the website requires a 3rd party review of the refund while if i had cancelled via phone it would have been immediate. Its now 2 months later...any advice?