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Flying Blue, the combined
But a lack of Saver availability is now less of an issue if you have Flying Blue Platinum or Ultimate elite status. The program made it an official policy that these elites get better Saver award availability. And the difference between the results you'll see with and without status is drastic.
We’ll look at what’s changing and how to earn the status needed to unlock this perk.
Better Award Availability for Flying Blue Platinum and Ultimate Members
According to Flying Blue’s tier benefits page, Platinum and Ultimate members get “Priority access to lowest Mile fares.”
What does that look like in practice? In our searches, the differences were noticeable when comparing results with and without status.
When you leave the dates blank on an award search through either the Air France or KLM website, you’ll get a monthly calendar view. Below is a look at business-class availability in April 2026 when logged in with Platinum status. As you can see, almost every day can be booked at the saver rate of 60,000 miles.
And without status, the difference is staggering. Not a single saver date appears, and most dates start at 193,500 miles.
This can translate into major savings, especially for families or anyone booking multiple tickets. In a world where airline status perks might be worth the effort to obtain, this is a meaningful benefit for Flying Blue elites.
Related: Where Flying Blue Shines: Best Redemptions on Air France, KLM & Partners
How to Earn Flying Blue Platinum Status
So, how do you earn Flying Blue Platinum status? Let’s take a look.
Flying
Getting to Flying Blue Platinum status in order to unlock more award space can be done in a variety of ways. But in short, you must earn XP (Experience Points) in order to achieve the various tiers.
This chart shows the XP's that can be earned on distance-based flights:
| Domestic (within a country) | Medium (under 2,000 miles) | Long 1 (2,000–3,500 miles) | Long 2 (3,500–5,000 miles) | Long 3 (over 5,000 miles) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2 XP | 5 XP | 8 XP | 10 XP | 12 XP |
| Premium Economy | 4 XP | 10 XP | 16 XP | 20 XP | 24 XP |
| Business Class | 6 XP | 15 XP | 24 XP | 30 XP | 36 XP |
| First Class | 10 XP | 25 XP | 40 XP | 50 XP | 60 XP |
Air France's status earning formula is a bit nuanced, so be sure to read the post above. In order to achieve Platinum status you would need 580 XP in total. Once you achieve Platinum status, you only need 300 XP in a 12-month period going forward. Taking the Long 2 band — which includes U.S. to Western Europe flights, you could get to 300 XP by flying:
- 30 economy-class flights
- 10 business-class flights
- 6 first-class flights
These are pretty high requirements, but luckily there are other ways to status.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Air France–KLM Flying Blue Elite Status
Credit card spending
Outside of flying, you can earn XP via the Air France KLM
In addition, cardholders get 20 XP annually on account anniversary plus 40 XP after spending $15,000 or more on purchases within the anniversary year. This can be a much easier path to status versus flying several cash flights.
- Limited Time Online Offer! Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles + 100 Experience Points (XP) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
- Low $89 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Earn 3 Miles for every $1 spent on eligible Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airline purchases. Earn 3 Miles for every $1 spent on eligible dining purchases. And, earn 1.5 Miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- 5,000 Miles every year on your account anniversary after you spend $50 or more on purchases within the anniversary year.
- Redeem Miles toward flights with any SkyTeam member airline to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.
- Receive 20 XP every year on your account anniversary. Earn an additional 80 XP (totaling 100 XP) on the account anniversary after you spend $15,000 or more on purchases within the anniversary year. Plus, earn an additional 60 XP (totaling 160 XP) on the account anniversary after you spend $25,000 or more on purchases within the anniversary year.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- Earn 3 Miles for every $1 spent on eligible Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and SkyTeam member airline purchases
- Earn 3 Miles for every $1 spent on eligible dining purchases
- Earn 1.5 Miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Status match
It is also possible to status match to Flying Blue Platinum — but with a catch. There is a fee required and only residents of certain countries are eligible. Currently, U.S. residents are not eligible to status match but Canadian status holders are. So although this is a much easier path to status, it only applies to select residents.
Bottom Line
Obviously the point of airline status is to reward its most loyal flyers. Offering expanded saver award availability to Platinum and above status holders is a nice perk of the Flying Blue program. It can be frustrating for those without status, especially because Air France–KLM seems to be seriously limiting those low awards to the general public.
Although flying Blue status isn't terribly easy to achieve, it is possible if getting access to expanded awards is your goal. Through flying and the Air France KLM Visa, there is a path to Platinum status.
