It’s now possible to redeem Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles for travel in international first class on some partner airlines, which is a pretty cool development! This was first quietly rolled out a few weeks ago, but has now been officially announced by Flying Blue.
In this post:
SkyTeam generally doesn’t allow reciprocal first class redemptions
I consider SkyTeam to be the weakest of the “big three” alliances when it comes to reciprocal elite recognition, mileage earning opportunities, and mileage redemption opportunities. That’s not a judgment of the member airlines as such, but rather a reflection of the restrictions in place regarding reciprocity.
Just to give one small example, SkyTeam Elite Plus doesn’t offer lounge access on domestic itineraries (even if you have status with a non-US program), and heck, Delta even restricts its own SkyTeam Elite Plus members from accessing Sky Clubs on most international itineraries. You don’t see restrictions like that in oneworld or Star Alliance.
When it comes to redeeming miles, SkyTeam is the only alliance that doesn’t consistently offer first class award redemptions on at least some partners. Most SkyTeam frequent flyer programs don’t let you redeem miles for travel in first class on partner airlines, but rather this only sometimes seems to be offered based on an individual agreement between two airlines.
It’s worth noting that it didn’t used to be this way. I remember back in the day redeeming Delta SkyMiles for Air France first class. I mean, nowadays I could redeem that many SkyMiles for a trip to Wichita… if I’m lucky.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is the most useful SkyTeam frequent flyer program, in my opinion, both in terms of redemption opportunities, and in terms of opportunities to rack up miles.
However, historically the program hasn’t really offered many first class redemption opportunities. It hasn’t been possible to redeem Flying Blue miles for travel in first class on any partners. Furthermore, redemptions for Air France’s La Premiere first class are restricted to Flying Blue Platinum members.
There’s a positive update when it comes to first class awards with Flying Blue…
Flying Blue’s partner first class awards
Flying Blue has announced that it has rolled out first class award redemptions on three partner airlines — China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, and Xiamen Air. Admittedly these are pretty niche opportunities and the value isn’t amazing, but still, I’m sure this will interest some.
Garuda Indonesia first class is incredible, and one of my favorites in the world. Unfortunately the airline only offers first class on one route, between Jakarta and Amsterdam.
If you go to the Flying Blue website, you can redeem miles for Garuda Indonesia first class, at the rate of 275,000 Flying Blue miles one-way, plus around $200 in taxes and fees. There seem to be up to three first class award seats available per flight.
It’s also possible to redeem miles for China Eastern first class, which is admittedly not quite as amazing of a product.
For example, if you go to the Flying Blue website, you can redeem miles for China Eastern first class between Frankfurt and Shanghai, at the cost of 130,000 Flying Blue miles one-way, plus around $300 in taxes and fees. There seem to generally be two first class award seats per flight.
Xiamen Air first class redemptions are also possible in theory (according to Flying Blue), but I haven’t actually been able to find any first class redemptions that are available. Xiamen Air only has first class on some Boeing 787-8s, and much like on China Eastern, the product isn’t much to get excited about.
Flying Blue states that it plans to roll out first class redemptions on more partners, which is great. Then again, of the remaining SkyTeam carriers, I think Saudia is the most likely to be available next, and that’s about it. It sure would be nice if Flying Blue made the award calendar easier to use for first class redemptions, since it doesn’t currently seem to work well for that.
The China Eastern redemption rates are pretty attractive, while the Garuda Indonesia redemption rates are steep. Keep in mind that Flying Blue miles are easy to earn, as the program partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou.
Furthermore, we frequently see transfer bonuses of around 25%. So with a 25% transfer bonus, you’d be paying 220,000 transferable points for Garuda Indonesia first class. That’s not some amazing deal, but given the limited first class award options out there nowadays, that’s also not terrible for such a long flight.
Bottom line
The Air France-KLM Flying Blue program is allowing award redemptions in first class on select partner airlines, including China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, and Xiamen Air. China Eastern redemption rates are quite affordable, but the product also isn’t much to get excited about. Meanwhile Garuda Indonesia redemption rates are higher, but it is a spectacular product.
It’s nice to see the Flying Blue program improving in this way, and I’m sure some people will see value in this. It’s certainly more effort than Delta SkyMiles is putting in. This is only the latest Flying Blue improvement, as we also recently saw the introduction of stopovers on one-way awards, plus improved award pricing in many regions.
What do you make of Flying Blue’s partner first class redemptions?
Curious why you didn’t mention or speculate about Korean Airlines F. Do you think that may eventually be included? Why or why not?
Just in response to Garuda’s quality, unfortunately I never had the chance to fly First with them but last week I did DPS-SYD in Business and it was a dream after the KLM flight AMS-SIN-DPS! I loved the upgraded Business seat but seriously, KLM can’t come close when it comes to service and food!
The Garuda experience was fabulous regarding service and when it comes to food well … they have like a chef...
Just in response to Garuda’s quality, unfortunately I never had the chance to fly First with them but last week I did DPS-SYD in Business and it was a dream after the KLM flight AMS-SIN-DPS! I loved the upgraded Business seat but seriously, KLM can’t come close when it comes to service and food!
The Garuda experience was fabulous regarding service and when it comes to food well … they have like a chef on board so even if he can’t make miracles in a plane, already the presentation itself is awesome. On KLM I only got overcooked/overheated stuff and they manage to ruin the Michelin 3* menu! Based in NL and I keep on flying with them … and I like to little blue houses!
So I think Garuda’s First must still be awesome … even if it’s only on one route.
The Garuda first class doesn’t look much better than China eastern on those photos. Maybe the food is better? But for that many more miles? I’ve flown China eastern biz before a couple of times. Seats are good but the food was awful.
Flying Garuda on Denpasar to Sydney next week for 40k Virgin Atlantic miles (was 55k flying blue miles for the same redemption). Think that’s much better value than GA first.
As mentioned above … you’ll have an amazing experience … and a great deal for your miles! Enjoy
Lovely! I just read your comments and it made me really excited! How did you enjoy the lounge at the airport?
I wonder if they will also allow those redemptions on their non SkyTeam partners like Qantas or JAL.
I was going to comment on this, then realized that I have already posted my thoughts about this on October 12. Revenge may be a dish best eaten cold, but not airline news....
Certainly hope they do start Saudia awards, I’d love to have that option! I might eventually have enough Skypass miles for Europe Riyadh/Jeddah but would much rather do a USA route ofc
In the past with Skypass miles I have seen ICN-CDG Korean air F awards “operated by Air France”. It was in the Korean air section, not in the Skyteam partner section, therefore did not have to book RT
With Garuda unsafe for decades and China Eastern offering a First Class service worthy of Premium Economy elsewhere, this is not earth-shattering, except for those 2 airlines which found a way of monetizing seats that otherwise are mostly empty or given out as upgrades. You will not see me on any of those...
Garuda pf today is not the same airline (company) of decades past. Only thing the same is the name they operate as.
Oh, you mean like today's American compared to the one of 20 years ago ?
As others have mentioned, GA is quite different now. Their first class product is still good, but not as great as when I tried F back in 2019.
After friends flying it recently it’s just not the same as it once was. GA went downhill in F and C over the last couple years.
I only fly them domestically, but international I’m not happy with them this year flying C.
(Side note, GA gotten...
As others have mentioned, GA is quite different now. Their first class product is still good, but not as great as when I tried F back in 2019.
After friends flying it recently it’s just not the same as it once was. GA went downhill in F and C over the last couple years.
I only fly them domestically, but international I’m not happy with them this year flying C.
(Side note, GA gotten so bad for their maintenance program that it’s comparable to Lion. Word of mouth from FA and pilot friends in Indonesia.)
Hey Ben, not sure if you are talking about Witchita, KS or not, but it is not spelled with a "t." The correct spelling is Wichita.
I have no experience on both mentioned airlines, but just talking a look of the pictures was showed, their 1st Class are mostly the bizz class on other companies. You can see the huge difference to the AF 1st Class (1st picture)
I remember reading that Garuda first class was going to be discontinued. Glad to see its still alive.
Let's see if this benefit will extend to the other Skyteam airlines. I think Korean Air Skypass still lets you redeem on Saudia F so let's see if Flying Blue can negotiate for this availability as well. I won't expect to be able to access F award availability on airlines like JAL or Qantas despite Flying Blue having a partnership.
Flying Blue's director (Ben Lipsey) has posted that AF doesn't extend lounge access to DL elites flying purely domestic itineraries in France (with DOM/TOM not being domestic for this purpose). So LYS-CDG shouldn't have lounge access for a DL Diamond, but LYS-CDG-FRA would.
Oops, replied to the wrong post there...
I have heard scuttlebutt that EY F will become bookable through FB as that partnership evolves. I am fairly sure that I've seen JL F availability as well.
In terms of lounge access AF/KLM is in fact much more generous than DL. Skyteam Elite Plus gets you AF/KLM lounge access on any itinerary including domestic within Europe.I’m DL Diamond but live in France and regularly benefit from this. Whereas this status isn’t enough on its own for DL Sky Club access as you point out.
Unless by "domestic" you mean BSL/GVA or DOM-TOM flights, this shouldn't be the case. Access should be only to those with an international flight the same day
Might seem weird, but AF only operates a very few domestic flights. KLM does operate any. Despite common misunderstanding, flights between two EU countries still are international flights.
Ben...with all due respect...from what I can tell the last time you reviewed Garuda was 7 years ago. I was surprised to see that it still made your top ten first class list since so much can/has changed with airlines over that time period (morale, cutbacks, etc). Have you gotten feedback from other reliable flyers that the quality is still exceptional? My apologies if you have flown them since that review I am referencing and I just missed it!
I flew them from Dehli to Mumbai earlier this year and it was pretty good but wouldn't describe it as exceptional. Boarding process was chaotic but the service once on board was great, food was decent. Business class hard product (seats/amenities) was on a par with most average airlines (looking at you, American Airlines) but a far cry from the exceptional ones like Qatar.
This still exciting news in my book! I feel like this falls for updated reviews of Garuda and China Eastern F!
You and I obviously have a different definition for "intriguing"
I can see that flying Garuda first class would be aspirational but I’d rather fly 2x return on klm or Air France between the USA and Europe in biz.