Air France-KLM Flying Blue is making changes to its award chart and fuel surcharges, starting June 2013. The changes are generally positive if you book economy class awards, and a devaluation if you book business class awards. Here are the details:
Flying Blue Economy Class Awards
- Same number of miles required for the lowest priced Classic Awards
- More fare classes “buckets” for Classic awards, with varying number of miles required
- Lower Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges. Example: Paris to New York roundtrip carrier surcharge decreased from 274 Euros to 100 Euros
- Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges now include connecting European flights. Example: New York-Amsterdam-Rome roundtrip carrier surcharge decreased from 416 Euros to 100 Euros
Flying Blue Premium Economy Awards
- Increased miles for a Flying Blue Premium Economy award. Example: Paris to Singapore roundtrip increased from 125,000 miles to 160,000 miles
- Lower Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges. Example: Paris to Singapore roundtrip carrier surcharge decreased from 376 Euros to 220 Euros)
- Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges now include connecting European flights
- More booking classes eligible for upgrades to Premium Economy, using miles
Flying Blue Business Class Awards
- Increased miles for a Flying Blue Business Class award. Example: NYC-Amsterdam-Rome round trip increased from 100,000 miles to 125,000 miles. Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur round trip increased from 160,000 miles to 200,000 miles
- More fare classes “buckets” for Classic awards, with varying number of miles required
- Same amount of Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges
- Flying Blue imposed fuel surcharges now include connecting European flights
- More booking classes eligible for upgrades to Business Class, using miles
Here's the new Flying Blue Award Chart for flights from Europe:
Fortunately, in addition to some advance notice of the changes (which are a devaluation if you normally redeem Flying Blue miles for Business Class), you can book at the current award levels through the end of the year by calling the Air France-KLM Flying Blue Service Center. From the U.S., call 800-375-8723 8am-9pm daily except Sunday 10am-6pm. Or, we can help to book your award for a fee of $75-$150 per ticket (depends on if you also book your hotel with TravelSort-See How to Become a Client).
Personally, I don't use Flying Blue for my own award tickets since the business class product is quite lackluster: angled flat seats, so not terribly comfortable and definitely *not* one of the best business class seats for sleeping. That said, the flight from the East Coast of the U.S. to Paris is only 7 hours, and Air France can be a convenient choice when you want the nonstop. And don't forget that Flying Blue, unlike Delta, does allow one way awards.
You can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards or SPG points to Flying Blue, and with SPG points you receive 25% bonus miles when transferring in increments of 20,000 miles. See Starwood Preferred Guest Airline Transfer Partners: Turn SPG Points into Miles
What do you think of the Flying Blue award changes: good for your travel plans or not?
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