{"id":236249,"date":"2025-11-23T21:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T21:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=236249\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:28:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:28:05","slug":"elite-expanded-award-availability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/flying-blue\/elite-expanded-award-availability\/","title":{"rendered":"Flying Blue Expands Saver Award Availability for Platinum and Ultimate Elite Members"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flying Blue, the combined loyalty program of Air France and KLM, has become increasingly popular with North American travelers. The program has leaned into that by adding more routes and keeping award redemptions fairly reasonable. Flying Blue<\/a> technically has an award chart with Saver level fares, but pricing is dynamic<\/a>, which means award rates can climb quickly when Saver seats aren\u2019t available.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll look at what\u2019s changing and how to earn the status needed to unlock this perk.<\/p>\n

Better Award Availability for Flying Blue Platinum and Ultimate Members<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to Flying Blue\u2019s tier benefits page<\/a>, Platinum and Ultimate members get \u201cPriority access to lowest Mile fares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Flying
Flying Blue tier benefits. Screenshot of flyingblue.us<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

What does that look like in practice? In our searches, the differences were noticeable when comparing results with and without status.<\/p>\n

When you leave the dates blank on an award search through either the Air France or KLM website, you\u2019ll get a monthly calendar view<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago
Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG) with Platinum status. Screenshot of Air France.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

And without status, the difference is staggering. Not a single saver date appears, and most dates start at 193,500 miles.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago
Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG) without status. Screenshot of Air France<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Related: Where Flying Blue Shines: Best Redemptions on Air France, KLM & Partners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Earn Flying Blue Platinum Status<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, how do you earn Flying Blue Platinum status? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

Flying<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This chart shows the XP's that can be earned on distance-based flights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Domestic (within a country)<\/th>Medium (under 2,000 miles)<\/th>Long 1 (2,000\u20133,500 miles)<\/th>Long 2 (3,500\u20135,000 miles)<\/th>Long 3 (over 5,000 miles)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Economy <\/td>2 XP<\/td>5 XP<\/td>8 XP<\/td>10 XP<\/td>12 XP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium Economy<\/td>4 XP<\/td>10 XP<\/td>16 XP<\/td>20 XP<\/td>24 XP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Business Class<\/td>6 XP<\/td>15 XP<\/td>24 XP<\/td>30 XP<\/td>36 XP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
First Class<\/td>10 XP<\/td>25 XP<\/td>40 XP<\/td>50 XP<\/td>60 XP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

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:<\/p>\n