Air France-KLM Flying Blue is one of the most useful frequent flyer programs for redeeming miles. Not only does the program have great award pricing for travel on Air France-KLM, but it also has lucrative award pricing for travel on partner airlines.
Well, the Flying Blue program has just increased award pricing, particularly for travel on Air France-KLM, as flagged by Travel on Points. I’ve confirmed with Flying Blue that this devaluation is intentional, unlike the glitch one that we saw several weeks back, around Christmas. However, there is a silver lining, in the form of more award availability… or so I’m told.
Flying Blue increases award costs on many flights
As of January 13, 2025, Flying Blue has increased award costs across a variety of flights. Flying Blue doesn’t publish an award chart, but up until now, there has essentially been consistent “saver” pricing for travel on Air France-KLM flights, for situations where that inventory has been available.
For example, between the United States and most of Europe, one-way award tickets started at 20,000 miles in economy, 35,000 miles in premium economy, and 50,000 miles in business class. With this change, award costs now start at 25,000 miles in economy, 40,000 miles in premium economy, and 60,000 miles in business class.
As you can see, this translates to increases of 14-25%, depending on the class of service. This devaluation isn’t limited to transatlantic travel, as there are similar increases in other regions.
Some partner award costs have also been increased, but for the most part, the changes are fairly mild. For example, a one-way award from Seoul Incheon to Abu Dhabi on Etihad has increased in cost from 26,000 miles in economy and 51,500 miles in business class, to 28,000 miles in economy and 55,500 miles in business class.
A one-way award from Toronto to New York on Delta has increased in cost from 7,000 miles in economy and 18,000 miles in business class, to 7,500 miles in economy and 19,500 miles in business class.
Some award costs didn’t go up at all, but for the most part, the above is pretty representative of the changes that I’m seeing.
Flying Blue promises there will be more award availability
Now, there is a silver lining to this devaluation. Flying Blue has shared with me that this award pricing change was in part to address a common concern among members, regarding the difficulty of finding availability at the lowest award levels.
The claim is that by rebalancing the entry-level pricing, the program is able to significantly increase entry-level award availability, making it easier for members to book flights at the lowest mileage levels. The folks behind the program acknowledge that no one likes price increases, but that this change ensures better access to rewards for all members, avoiding the frustration seen in some programs, where limited availability undermines member benefits.
Now, at first glance I can’t say that I’m seeing a huge difference in award availability. However, I have faith in program management, so I’m curious to see this play out over the coming days and weeks.
My take on these Flying Blue award pricing changes
Obviously no one likes a devaluation, and I’m disappointed to see the cost of award tickets increasing. That being said, as far as devaluations go, this is hardly the most unreasonable one that we’ve seen. Furthermore, if award availability actually does improve materially, then I might even call this a positive change.
When it comes to flights on Air France-KLM metal, the program had among the lowest award costs out there, so I don’t consider these increases to be that bad, especially for premium cabin travel. Even at 60,000 miles, it’s still among the best pricing out there (though there are some mild carrier imposed surcharges).
Arguably the bigger issue with Flying Blue has been the lack of saver level award availability in premium cabins. A one-way transatlantic business class award for 50,000 miles sounds great, but if it’s only rarely available, that’s of limited value. If we actually see more availability at 60,000 miles, then I’d be a happy camper.
What I find interesting here is that back in October 2023, Flying Blue lowered award costs for travel on Air France-KLM metal. Up until then, the airline charged 55,000-80,000 miles for a one-way saver business class award across the Atlantic. With the change, the price was brought down to a standardized 50,000 miles. Now we’re seeing it brought up to 60,000 miles, but (hopefully) with more award availability.
When it comes to partner award costs, we’re talking about truly mild changes, ranging anywhere from 500 miles to several thousand miles. Of course I don’t like to see them, but we haven’t seen many changes with those otherwise.
While credit cards aren’t as lucrative in Europe as in the United States, Flying Blue leadership has done a good job leveraging the loyalty program to generate revenue and increase engagement with the program and the airline group. Flying Blue management understands the program needs to continue to remain competitive to be interesting to consumers (especially with the flexibility afforded by transferable points currencies).
Bottom line
The Flying Blue program has made some significant award pricing changes as of today. Air France-KLM awards have seen the biggest price increases, with one-way transatlantic awards increasing in cost by 5,000 miles in economy and premium economy, and by 10,000 miles in business class. The good news is that there will reportedly be more award availability, which would be awesome.
There are also some partner airline award cost devaluations, though they seem to be milder than for travel on Air France-KLM, with increases ranging from 500 miles, to several thousand miles.
What do you make of this Flying Blue award pricing change?
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