{"id":194326,"date":"2025-01-14T16:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T16:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=194326\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:07:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:07:55","slug":"award-pricing-changes-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/flying-blue\/award-pricing-changes-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye 50k Business Class Awards to Europe: Flying Blue Raises Minimum Award Rates by Up to 25%"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every so often, you'll log into a frequent flyer program to book an award and find higher rates than you did yesterday &#8212; despite no notice from the program. The example du jour is <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/flying-blue\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Air France\/KLM Flying Blue<\/a>. Based on what we're seeing now, the cheapest awards between the U.S. and Europe now require as much as 25% more miles.<\/p>\n<p>Here's what Flying Blue fans need to know about this devaluation.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Flying_Blue_Devalues_Awards_Between_the_US_And_Europe\">Flying Blue Devalues Awards Between the U.S. And Europe<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Flying Blue awards between the U.S. and Europe have been devalued. Unlike when we saw higher award rates a couple of weeks ago \u2014 which Flying Blue attributed to tech issues \u2014 this change looks doesn't seem to be temporary. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/onemileatatime.com\/news\/flying-blue-devaluation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">One Mile at a Time reports<\/a> that Flying Blue confirmed this change is intentional.<\/p>\n<p>We'll re-iterate that Flying Blue has had its fair share of tech issues lately. Beyond the faux Christmas devaluation and the delayed implementation of the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/flying-blue\/promo-rewards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">program\u2019s monthly Promo Rewards<\/a>, there\u2019s still a chance this could be related to something similar.<\/p>\n<p>It's reasonable to believe that if Flying Blue could take the time to confirm the worst with the media, it could also take a similar step and let consumers know about the state of the program. That hasn't happened yet.<\/p>\n<p>But with that context in mind, here are the Flying Blue award prices we're seeing now. Then, you can decide whether to lock in a saver-level award while they're still (sort of) available or wait for the dust to settle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_153493\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/480\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-153493 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/KLM-Plane-Featured-CardMapr.nl-Unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"KLM E175 taking off at dusk.\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/KLM-Plane-Featured-CardMapr.nl-Unsplash.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/KLM-Plane-Featured-CardMapr.nl-Unsplash-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/KLM-Plane-Featured-CardMapr.nl-Unsplash-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/KLM-Plane-Featured-CardMapr.nl-Unsplash-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: CardMapr.nl\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"Current_Flying_Blue_award_rates_tofrom_Europe\">Current Flying Blue award rates to\/from Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In October 2023, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/flying-blue\/award-pricing-changes-2023\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Flying Blue standardized award prices between North America and Europe<\/a>. The result? Flying Blue awards priced as low as the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>20,000 miles in economy<\/li>\n<li>35,000 miles in premium economy<\/li>\n<li>50,000 miles in business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But if you look for saver-level awards now \u2014 and by that, we mean the cheapest available (excluding Flying Blue's monthly Promo Rewards) \u2014 you'll notice pricing that looks like this instead:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>25,000 miles in economy (25% increase)<\/li>\n<li>40,000 miles in premium economy (14% increase)<\/li>\n<li>60,000 miles in business (20% increase)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>However, finding business class awards right now is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Take Chicago (ORD) to Amsterdam (AMS), for example. The only day through the end of the bookable calendar you can lock in a one-way ticket for 60k Flying Blue miles is&#8230;today. So, pack your bags!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_194331\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/534\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-194331 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2.png\" alt=\"Flying Blue award calendar -- ORD to AMS.\" width=\"750\" height=\"534\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2.png 1966w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2-1024x729.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2-768x547.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-ORDAMS-2-1536x1094.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Flying Blue<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>It's the same story with premium economy. Availability was spotty at best on a few of the routes we checked. However, these issues are the apparent silver lining of the Flying Blue deviation. OMAAT reports more availability is coming to compensate for the higher prices \u2014 but it hasn't been reflected in the system yet.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_194329\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/263\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-194329 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL.png\" alt=\"Flying Blue award from MIA to OSL\" width=\"750\" height=\"263\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL.png 2904w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL-300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL-1024x360.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL-768x270.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL-1536x540.png 1536w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-MIAOSL-2048x719.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Flying Blue<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>On the other hand, economy class is widely available \u2014 on virtually every route \u2014 for 25k miles. The exception is the routes included in the program's Promo Rewards. Right now, those tickets still reflect the vintage promotional pricing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_194328\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/534\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-194328 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER.png\" alt=\"Flying Blue award calendar -- LAX to BER.\" width=\"750\" height=\"534\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER.png 1966w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER-1024x729.png 1024w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER-768x547.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/FB-LAXBER-1536x1094.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Flying Blue<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>From what we can tell, some of Flying Blue's partner award sweet spots have remained intact \u2014 at least for now. For instance, last month, Delta awards between coastal North Carolina and New York LaGuardia started at 7,500 Flying Blue miles per person. And those same rates are available today.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/news\/flying-blue\/miles-overdraft-benefit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">How the Flying Blue Mileage Overdraft Benefit Works<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Air France\/KLM Flying Blue devalued saver-level awards between the U.S. and Europe. This is unfortunate news for those who could successfully find and book the program's cheapest awards across the Atlantic. The cheapest award tickets now require up to 25% more miles.<\/p>\n<p>That said, if the additional availability is as promised, this devaluation could work to award travelers advantages &#8212; at least for those who book premium economy and business class. Finding economy award availability at 20k miles was never an issue. Despite that, Flying Blue economy awards underwent the worst devaluation percentage-wise.<\/p>\n<p>The last thing we'll say is that this devaluation feels like a slap in the face. Just weeks ago, the program appeared to have devalued, walked it back, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flyertalk.com\/forum\/36763821-post36.html\" rel=\"noopener\">apologized for the inconvenience<\/a>, and then&#8230;did this. No-notice devaluations are a part of life in the points and miles game, but it's worth taking note of the programs that are the most serious offenders. As the saying goes, trust is a two-way street.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ftoc\"><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Flying_Blue_Devalues_Awards_Between_the_US_And_Europe\">Flying Blue Devalues Awards Between the U.S. And Europe<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Current_Flying_Blue_award_rates_tofrom_Europe\">Current Flying Blue award rates to\/from Europe<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every so often, you&#8217;ll log into a frequent flyer program to book an award and find higher rates than you did yesterday &#8212; despite no notice from the program. The example du jour is Air France\/KLM Flying Blue. Based on what we&#8217;re seeing now, the cheapest awards between the U.S. and Europe now require as much as 25% more miles. Here&#8217;s what we know so far.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":158342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12069],"tags":[12777,12036],"coauthors":[36432],"class_list":["post-194326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-air-france-flying-blue","tag-major-updates"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=194326"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":256743,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194326\/revisions\/256743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=194326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=194326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=194326"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=194326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}