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In “news we didn't want to hear today,” Flying Blue has announced changes to how it credits partner flights in its award program. While members of SkyTeam are unaffected, the same can't be said for non-alliance partners. Let's take a look.
Flying Blue Program Changes
Airline loyalty has long been on the decline. Although airlines will still reward you with bonus miles and other perks for flying with them regularly, there's no denying that earning and redeeming these has become more difficult. And starting April 1, 2024, Flying Blue will further diminish its loyalty program by eliminating some partners from earning XP and Elite bonuses. No, that's not an April Fools' Day joke.
Flying Blue is the joint rewards program of Air France and KLM, which are both members of SkyTeam, which includes other airlines such as Delta, China Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. The Flying Blue program also has a number of partnerships with additional airlines, such as Japan Airlines and COPA Airlines. However, beginning April 1, 2024, XP and Elite bonuses won't be awarded on flights with some partners. For those unfamiliar, XP (Experience Points) are what you earn to gain Flying Blue elite status.
Per the new rule, flights with additional partners must be marketed by either Air France or KLM to earn XP and elite bonuses. This means the flights must be for sale on these airlines' websites and operated as a codeshare. If not, you're out of luck. Here are the affected airlines:
- Air Mauritius
- Chalair
- China Southern Airlines
- COPA Airlines
- GOL
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Twin Jet
- WestJet
Notably, this change is even affecting those who've already bought a ticket. If your flight takes place after the deadline, you'll be missing out on earnings. For those with upcoming tickets, you might be better served crediting your flight elsewhere — not to Flying Blue.
Related: Do Air France/KLM Flying Blue Miles Expire?
What Does This Mean?
How many people are going to be affected by this? That's an excellent question — especially if you're based in the United States. If you're a SkyTeam loyalist who consistently earns Flying Blue elite status, presumably this is done mostly via flights with Air France, KLM, and Delta. If this is you, you probably won't have much to say about these changes.
However, if you're a frequent international traveler who likes to credit your flights to Flying Blue, this can represent a devastating blow. This is especially true for Canadian travelers who rely on WestJet for their travel.
The only way around this will be to seek out codeshare flights. Even then, those options will be extremely limited. If this is you, you're probably extremely upset. Maybe it's time to switch to a new loyalty program.
Related: Air France-KLM Flying Blue Award Sweet Spots
The Bottom Line
This news hits hard for those who earn Flying Blue status through partner flights. Although it won't take place until April 2024, there's still no grace period for those who've already purchased future flights. If you're affected, it may be time to look for a new airline loyalty program or change your strategy for Flying Blue elite status.
Do you have Flying Blue elite status? How will these changes affect your earning and qualification strategy? Let us know in the comments.
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