Without any advance notice Air France KLM Flying Blue has increased the minimum mileage requirements for reward flights. And unlike the error that happened during the Christmas season, this increase is legit. FFB/RWRDS Canada reached out to Air France KLM and our contact there has confirmed they have increased the minimum redemption amounts.
Air France KLM Flying Blue has been the best program for Transatlantic flights out of North America for several years now after they standardized and actually lowered the minimum amount of miles required for reward flights in 2023. We always state “minimum” as Flying Blue prices their rewards dynamically but does publish minimum mileage requirements for what reward flights will start at and it these minimum amounts that have been increased overnight.
With dynamic pricing it can be hit and miss to find those minimum mileage amounts and Air France tells FFB/RWRDS Canada that with the increases “it will give customers more availability for entry-level fares, especially for business class tickets”. Hopefully this means we will actually see more availability at 60,000 miles (using Business Class as an example here) instead of only some flights at 50,000 and then big jumps to 90,000, 100,000 etc. I guess time will tell.
Our contact at AF KLM has provided further details:
- Availability for entry level Economy Class rewards will still be as good as seen prior to these changes
- Availability for entry level Business Class rewards will be better than seen prior to these changes (That is “people will find more often these entry fares than in the past”)
The increased minimum redemption rates out of North America
The increased redemption rates as of today for Flying Blue reward tickets across the Atlantic are as follows:
- Economy Class: 25,000 miles (up 25% from 20,000 miles)
- Premium Economy Class: 40,000 miles (up just over 14.25% from 35,000 miles)
- Business Class: 60,000 miles (up 20% from 50,000 miles)
Here is a perfect example of the new pricing for all three fare classes:
Wrapping it up
Air France KLM Flying Blue has made an unannounced devaluation to their program in regards to the minimum mileage amounts required for reward flights. The program has been the best option for points and miles enthusiasts across the Atlantic as their previous reward prices were significantly less than the competition. These increases bring the Flying Blue program more in-line with the competition which means the program still remains as an extremely competitive one. And, some of the sting from the overall devaluation may be taken away if we really do see more availability across the fare classes at these entry level amounts.
