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Flying Blue announced the introduction of a cap to XP rollover for Platinum members. The new Flying Blue XP rollover cap will start taking effect for member years starting after November 1, 2024. From then onwards, Platinum members will only be able to roll over 300 XP points to the following year.
What Is the New Flying Blue XP Cap?
The new cap means that Platinum members will only be able to carry forward a maximum of 300 XP to the following year. This means you'll have enough to earn Platinum Status for another year, but no more.
For instance, say that a member accumulates a total of 600 XP. Of that, Flying Blue will utilize 300 XP to renew the member's status for the following year. And they can carry forward the 300 XP balance to help qualify for Platinum the year after that.
Suppose a member earns 650 XP. Just as above, 300 XP will be used to renew their status for the following year. A maximum of 300 XP is rolled over to help qualify for Platinum the year after that. The remaining 50 XP is gone.
When is the new Flying Blue XP cap coming into force?
Flying Blue is giving its members plenty of notice about the new cap. The one-year transition period will begin on November 1, 2024, meaning the new capping rules will be fully implemented across the program by November 1, 2025.
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Who does the change affect?
The 300 XP rollover cap affects a tiny bracket of Flying Blue members. Only top-tier Platinum members are affected by the cap. The new Flying Blue XP cap does not apply to Silver and Gold members since, by default, they could not have achieved that much surplus XP with their current status.
Why is Flying Blue capping XP rollover?
Flying Blue is upfront about this on their page. The cap is being introduced to ensure that you keep flying to maintain your status. This prevents travelers from having one huge travel year and then living off the XP earned from that year for several years.
Related: Flying Blue Standardizes Award Rates Between US-Europe
Surplus XP and Platinum for Life Status
Some Flying Blue members may have accumulated a ton of surplus XP and are hoping that this balance would earn them Platinum status for years to come. Obviously, if all surplus XP over 300 were forfeited, that would be a massive loss to these travelers.
For this reason, Flying Blue is adding a feature during this one-year transition period to the new policy. Every 300 XP accumulated over the new 300 XP cap will be credited as one year of Platinum elite status toward the required ten years to reach Platinum for Life.
Say you have accumulated a total of 1,200 XP at the end of your next member year after November 1, 2024. Your XP would break down as follows:
- 300 XP used to renew your Platinum Status.
- 300 XP is rolled over.
- 600 XP is credited towards your Platinum for Life counter. You will be credited with two more years of Platinum towards Platinum for Life.
If you are one of the few travelers who's racked up hundreds or thousands of Flying Blue XP points, this is excellent news. You may be able to earn Platinum for Life as soon as this conversion takes place.
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Our Take
In a way, this news is excellent for Flying Blue elites who've racked up hundreds or even thousands of XP points. These members may get a quick shortcut to Platinum for Life. For instance, if someone accumulates a monster 3,000 XP before the transition period, they'd receive Platinum for life and never have to worry about XP again. Historically, the same traveler would still have to earn status for ten years to reach status. Therefore, the new system is much better for them.
On the one hand, this is bad news for those who are earlier on their journey and were hoping to utilize their XP rollover over the next few years. These travelers will miss having a large surplus of XP that they could use as a cushion to maintain status for the following few years, even if they had a significant change in their travel plans.
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