(Potentially) today only: great £1,200 KLM business class fares from the UK to Hong Kong

I was writing this up for ‘bits’ tomorrow when it turned out that the fare seems to expire tonight.  It might roll over but ITA Matrix says that it ends today, so I dropped this in as an extra Monday article just in case.

If you are reading this on Tuesday you might find that the fare has gone.

Via Flyertalk, KLM has launched a very attractive £1200 business class return fare to Hong Kong.

It seems to be available from all UK KLM airports – which means virtually all UK international airports – although Heathrow and Birmingham are cheapest at just around £1200.  Expect to pay somewhere between £1250 and £1400 from elsewhere.

KLM is a member of the Flying Blue frequent flyer scheme.  You can top up your balance via American Express Membership Rewards points and, from 2019, they should be redeemable on Virgin Atlantic as well as all of the other members of the SkyTeam alliance.

The fare is bookable into Spring 2019.

You can find out more about KLM’s business class product here, and see the picture below, but check the exact aircraft type.  However, you won’t find the cheapest fares on the KLM website – look at Expedia or Opodo instead.  KLM direct appears to be around £200 higher.

Your best option to maximise your miles when paying is American Express Preferred Rewards Gold.  This offers double points – 2 per £1 – when you when you book flight tickets directly with an airline.  Our review of Amex Gold is here.

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How to earn Flying Blue miles from UK credit cards (April 2024)

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 40,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 40,000 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.

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.