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. 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 Canada 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 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 Canada
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:
Flying Blue is still a very competitive option
We all hate seeing devaluations and no matter how we look at this it is a devaluation. However, when compared to other programs the Flying Blue program remains very competitive. These increases bring the program more inline with it’s biggest competitors out of Canada, Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Club (for BA it is travel to the continent, not UK) so they had some room to make these increases without decimating the program compared to their industry compatriots.
At 60,000 miles and up for business class with Flying Blue it still ends up being better than Aeroplan’s 70,000 and up requirements and matches Aeroplan’s 60,000 mile requirement for partner award flights.
On top of all this, Air France KLM Flying Blue will still offer their monthly Promo Rewards that provides discounts of 25% and even sometimes 50% off reward tickets. While 50% has become quite rate, perhaps with this increase, it is entirely possible we may see more 50% off rewards come into play.
Time for American Express Membership Rewards to go to 1 to 1 conversion
The option to convert Membership Rewards points to Air France KLM Flying Blue has been very valuable and lucrative for cardmembers even with a 1 to 0.75 conversion rate. Now, it is losing value, especially outside of times where Promo Rewards are available out of Canada, as the rates are now similar to Air Canada Aeroplan yet with Aeroplan you have 1 to 1 conversion.
This would be the right time for American Express Membership Rewards to bump up to conversion rate to 1:1 to Flying Blue to keep FB in the mix and in front of consumers as Air France KLM would like.
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.