Flying Blue standardizes costs of saver-level redemptions to Europe

Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France-KLM, has standardized pricing for these seeking to journey to Europe. Whereas some redemptions have elevated in worth, many now require fewer miles than earlier than on choose dates.

This system prices flights dynamically, which means the price varies vastly primarily based on demand. Nonetheless, on the lowest “saver” degree, you can beforehand guide flights from america to Europe on the following costs (topic to availability):

• 15,000 miles in financial system from the East Coast, as much as 24,000 from the West Coast
• 30,000 miles in premium from the East Coast, as much as 40,000 from the West Coast
• 55,000 miles in enterprise class from the East Coast, as much as 80,000 from the West Coast

As first reported by Thrifty Traveler, moderately than utilizing totally different pricing relying on the size of the transatlantic flight, and any brief connections past the hubs of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Flying Blue has now standardized pricing for all one-way transatlantic flights as follows, no matter origin or vacation spot:

• 20,000 miles in financial system
• 35,000 miles in premium financial system
• 50,000 miles in enterprise class

Associated: Private suites and high-tech touches: What it’s like flying Air France’s new business class

General, the adjustments imply that in financial system and premium financial system, you might be paying barely extra on shorter itineraries from the East Coast and barely much less on longer itineraries, and people involving connections in Europe, from the West Coast.

That is significantly nice information for business-class redemptions, with saver-level charges lowering on all itineraries. This makes award flights from the West Coast significantly invaluable. Flying Blue is progressively rolling out the up to date pricing, so for now, you should still see the odd search end result on the previous worth.

Keep in mind that these charges are just for the bottom saver-level seats, that are restricted. We’ve discovered loads from the West Coast on the new decrease charges (together with these with European connections) within the financial system and premium financial system cabins.

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Associated: Is KLM premium economy worth it on the 787 Dreamliner?

Nonetheless, business-class seats at saver ranges stay very onerous to search out, with only some flights accessible on some routes over the complete subsequent 12 months. And waiting for subsequent summer time, we’re seeing 148,000 miles as one of many lowest accessible costs.

If you cannot discover the seats you need at these new standardized costs, keep in mind that the regular Flying Blue Promo Rewards might supply seats at even decrease ranges.

We’re at the moment seeing flights from the East Coast to the UK for simply 15,000 miles in financial system, which is less expensive than the brand new standardized worth of 20,000 miles from the U.S. to Europe.

Boosting your Flying Blue balance is simple for the reason that program companions with all main applications with transferable currencies.

You may switch factors at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You may also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for each 60,000 factors you switch.

Primarily based on our checks, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers ought to submit virtually immediately. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to reach in our Flying Blue account. Due to this, bank card factors are your finest guess if you happen to hope to guide immediately, although Flying Blue typically permits three-day holds on award tickets whenever you name.