Get 25% Bonus Flying Blue Miles When You Transfer Amex Membership Rewards

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American Express just launched a new 25% transfer bonus when you convert Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue miles. American Express Membership Rewards points typically transfer to Flying Blue at a rate of 1 point to 1 mile. With the bonus, you'll receive 1.25 miles per every 1 point transferred now through December 7, 2022.

Let's review how to transfer Membership Rewards points and some of the best ways to use Flying Blue miles.

Travel in Air France's latest business class cabin by redeeming Flying Blue miles. (Image courtesy of Air France)

25% Bonus Miles When You Transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Flying Blue

You can now earn 25% bonus miles when you transfer Membership Rewards to your Flying Blue account. Typically, you'd receive 1,000 Flying Blue miles for every 1,000 Membership Rewards points. However, during this limited-time promotion, you'll receive a 25% bonus.

Here's what that 25% bonus looks like when you transfer Membership Rewards points:

• 1,000 Membership Rewards Points = 1,250 Flying Blue Miles
• 5,000 Membership Rewards Points = 6,250 Flying Blue Miles
• 10,000 Membership Rewards Points = 12,500 Flying Blue Miles
• 25,000 Membership Rewards Points = 31,250 Flying Blue Miles

How To Transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Your Flying Blue Account

Transferring your American Express Membership Rewards to an Amex partner is about as easy as it gets. The first step in transferring points to your Flying Blue account is to ensure you've linked your Flying Blue and Membership Rewards accounts. You can do this by logging in to your American Express account, selecting “Rewards”, and then navigating to American Express' list of transfer partners.

Once you've arrived on this page, you will see both programs that are already connected to your account and all other eligible transfer partners. If you see Flying Blue listed under “Your Programs”, you can begin transferring points to your account. If you have not yet linked your accounts, click the Flying Blue logo to begin the short process. Once you've successfully linked your accounts, you can begin transferring Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue.

You can transfer as few as 1,000 Membership Rewards points or as many as 999,999 points.

Best Ways to Redeem Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue is the official frequent flyer program of Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, Tarom, Air Calin, and Transavia. Not only can you use Flying Blue miles for travel on these airlines but Flying Blue miles can be used for travel on any airline that is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. This includes airlines like Delta, Aeromexico, China Airlines, and Korean Air Lines.

Here are some of the best uses of Flying Blue miles:

Flying Blue Promo Rewards

One of the best uses of Flying Blue miles is through the program's monthly discount program: Flying Blue Promo Rewards. Each month, Air France/KLM discounts the number of miles you need to book certain routes. The discount can be up to 50% but recent promotions have only offered a 25% discount.

Still, this can lead to incredible pricing. For example, for flights booked during November, you can book flights from Newark to Paris in economy for just 11,250 Flying Blue miles. Factoring in this 25% transfer bonus, you'll need to transfer just 9,000 Flying Blue miles to book!

U.S. to Europe in Business Class from 55k Miles One-way

Flying Blue's cheapest business class awards between the U.S. and Europe should price as low as 53,000 miles each way on many routes. However, we are finding most routes are pricing at a slightly more expensive 55k miles each way.

For example, you can fly from Chicago airport to Rome as few as 55,000 Flying Blue miles one-way in business class. During the transfer bonus, you only need to transfer 44k Membership Rewards points to book such an award!

However, due to Flying Blue's dynamic award pricing, you often need to pay more miles to fly to Europe. Still, you can book this nonstop business class award from New York to Paris for 60k transferred Membership Rewards points:

U.S. to Asia in Business Class from 85k Miles One-way

Flying Blue is also a great way to book cheap awards to Asia. For example, you can book business class awards to Seoul for as few as 85,000 miles each way:

Interestingly, some of the cheapest options fly through Europe — even when there are transpacific options available. For example, you can book this 85,000-mile award for just 68k transferred Membership Rewards points during the transfer bonus. Or book a quicker Delta business class award for 102,000 miles each way (82k transferred points):

U.S. to North Africa in Business Class from 53k Miles One-way

Per Flying Blue's Miles Price Estimator, you can book award flights from New York JFK to Casablanca for as few as 53,000 Flying Blue miles each way. If you can find availability at that price, you'd need just 43k Membership Rewards points during this transfer bonus.

There are a number of other ways to use Flying Blue miles. Many of these redemptions are available through Flying Blue's website. However, I recommend calling Flying Blue's customer service line should you be interested in an itinerary that's not appearing on the website. There are numerous bookings that can only be made over the phone.

Redeem Flying Blues miles to travel in Korean Air's business class cabin. (Image courtesy of Korean Air Lines)

Flying Blue Expiration Policy

Your Flying Blue miles will expire if you don't have qualifying activity in the past 24 months. And unfortunately, transferring points to Flying Blue does not count as qualifying activity.

Flying Blue also utilizes a unique mileage expiration policy. Miles that are earned through flying can only be extended through flying activities. If you're looking for a way to extend your mileage expiration, you'll need to take a flight with Air France, KLM, with one of Flying Blue's SkyTeam partners.

Because of these policies, make sure not to transfer Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue if you won't be able to use or extend them over the next two years.

Flying Blue Transfer Bonus History

American Express has offered (at least) eight transfer bonuses to Flying Blue over the past four years:

• 25% transfer bonus through 6/15/2018
• 25% transfer bonus through 4/29/2019
• 25% transfer bonus through 11/30/2019
• 30% transfer bonus through 8/15/2021 — offered by Flying Blue directly
• 25% transfer bonus through 9/30/2021
• 25% transfer bonus through 11/30/2021
• 25% transfer bonus through 6/15/2022
• 25% transfer bonus through 9/30/2022

In August 2021, Flying Blue directly offered a 30% transfer bonus when members transferred points from American Express to Flying Blue. But, besides that, a 25% transfer bonus is the “typical” transfer bonus that we see between Membership Rewards and Flying Blue.

Bottom Line

For some, international travel still isn't back to normal. But, for those that are ready to travel, this transfer bonus is a great way to top off your Flying Blue account. You will now receive 25% bonus Flying Blue miles when you transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards. With this 25% bonus, you'll be able to fly in business class between the U.S. and Europe or North Africa for as few as 44k Membership Rewards points.

Do you plan on transferring any Membership Rewards to your Flying Blue account?