Flying Blue discounted redemptions for July-August travel released

Flying Blue, the Air France / KLM loyalty scheme, has launched a new batch of discounted redemption routes.

These rewards have been poorer value this year and the last list had no business class deals at all, which is why I didn’t feature it.  Things have picked up a little this time.

The Flying Blue promo awards website is here.

Some of the interesting long-haul business class deals include:

Europe to Botota (131,250 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Guayaquil (131,250 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Quito (131,250 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Panama City (112,500 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Chicago (93,750 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Toronto (93,750 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Washington (62,500 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Cayenne (75,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to St Maarten (75,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Pointe a Pitre (75,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Cairo (50,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Lagos (93,750 miles return – a 25% discount)

Europe to Nouakchott (62,500 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Beijing (100,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Chengdu (100,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Hangzhou (100,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Xiamen (100,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Amman (50,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

Europe to Beirut (50,000 miles return – a 50% discount)

If you know your Avios reward chart by heart, you will have spotted that – even with a massive reduction – not all of these routes offer a great deal.  Such is the poor value that Flying Blue now represents.  Washington and Beijing are worth a look though.

However, on the upside, taxes are now capped on redemptions. Whilst I cannot access the detailed tax data, as I don’t have an active Flying Blue account, you should find that the numbers look better than the equivalent BA redemption.

You need to book by May 31st.

Remember that Flying Blue is an American Express Membership Rewards partner if you need to top-up your account.

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How to earn Flying Blue miles from UK credit cards (December 2023)

Air France and KLM do not have a UK Flying Blue credit card.  However, you can earn Flying Blue miles by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

These cards earn Membership Rewards points:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 20,000 Flying Blue miles. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 30,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 30,000 Flying Blue miles

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 10,000 Flying Blue miles. This card is FREE for life.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 9th January 2024, you will receive 30,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 30,000 Avios) with American Express Preferred Rewards Gold. You receive 25,000 points if you spend £3,000 in three months and a further 5,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 9th January 2024, you will receive a huge 100,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 100,000 Avios) with The Platinum Card. You receive 75,000 points if you spend £10,000 in six months and a further 25,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

Membership Rewards points convert at 1:1 into Flying Blue miles which is an attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 1 Flying Blue mile. The Gold card earns double points (2 per £1) on all flights you charge to it.