To the point
We explain to you how to become a Silver, Gold or Platinum member of Air France-KLM's frequent flyer program, Flying Blue, and enjoy a host of exclusive advantages both at the airport and on board.
Earning a status in an airline’s frequent flyer program is the key to an outstanding flying experience, with benefits rising in line with the status. Flying Blue, Air France-KLM’s frequent flyer program, is no exception. It offers four different statuses, enabling its loyal travelers to get their hands on important benefits. But how do you get there? Overview.
Flying Blue program
Flying Blue is Air France-KLM’s frequent flyer program which offers travelers worldwide the opportunity to maximize their travel experience by using Miles. These can be used as currency to obtain certain benefits, such as award tickets, upgrades, free Flying Blue Store merchandise or hotel stays.
It also allows you to obtain different statuses, depending on the number of flights completed in a year. The more you fly with Air France, Transavia and KLM airlines, as well as Skyteam member airlines, the more Experience Points (XP) you earn, and the higher your status. The higher your status, the more exclusive benefits you’ll enjoy, such as priority access and access to certain Air France airport lounges, like the Air France Lounge – Paris Charles De Gaulle Terminal 2E Hall Lthe Air France Montreal-Trudeau lounge and the Air France-KLM Lounge Toronto.
What are the advantages of Flying Blue status?
The Flying Blue program has four status levels:
- Explorer
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
Flying Blue status - Explorer
Explorer status is available to everyone who creates a Flying Blue account. All you have to do is register on the loyalty program website. It offers the following benefits:
- Earn 4 Miles for every euro spent
- 10% on your first purchase of an additional Baggage Option
Flying Blue status - Silver
Silver status is the first level that can be acquired after accumulating a certain number of XP. It offers the following benefits:
- Earn 6 Miles for every euro spent
- Priority access for check-in and baggage drop-off
- Free selection of your standard seat
- Free seating options 24 hours before flight departure
- Additional hold baggage offered on all SkyTeam member airline flights
Flying Blue status - Gold
As mentioned above, Gold status is the most attractive Flying Blue status. It offers the following benefits:
- Earn 7 Miles for every euro spent
- Access to Air France lounges worldwide, with a guest
- Access to SkyPriority
- Free selection of your standard seat
- Free seating options 72 hours before flight departure
- Additional hold baggage offered on all SkyTeam member airline flights
Gold status is the most attractive, thanks in particular to its access to SkyPriority. SkyPriority members enjoy VIP treatment from the moment they arrive at the airport, with dedicated check-in counters that allow them to avoid queues and save valuable time at nearly 1,000 airports worldwide. They are then directed to priority security lanes for smooth and efficient passage. Once at their destination, members are also entitled to priority baggage delivery, minimizing time spent in airports.
Passengers also have exclusive access to prestigious airport lounges, including the Air France – Terminal 2F lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and the Air France Montréal-Trudeau YUL lounge, where they can relax in sophisticated surroundings before their flight.
Finally, when it comes to boarding, SkyPriority members enjoy priority access, allowing them to avoid the crowds and board at their own pace.
Flying Blue status - Platinum
Platinum status is the highest status in the Flying Blue program. Although this is particularly difficult to achieve, it doesn’t offer much more profitable benefits than Gold status. It offers :
- Earn 8 Miles for every euro spent
- Access to Air France lounges worldwide, with a guest
- Access to SkyPriority
- Free selection of your standard seat
- Seat options
- Additional hold baggage offered on all SkyTeam member airline flights
- Exclusive access at all times to the Platinum Service Line
How do I obtain Flying Blue status?
To move up in the Flying Blue program, it is essential to accumulate XPs, which are earned by flying on an eligible flight with Air France, KLM, Transavia, SkyTeam member airlines, as well as certain Air France-KLM partner airlines.
XP scale and validity
Here is the number of annual XPs required to obtain each Flying Blue status:
| STATUS | EXPERIENCE POINTS (XP) |
| Explorer | 0 |
| Silver | 100 |
| Gold | 100 + 180 |
| Platinum | 100 + 180 + 300 |
Explorer status is offered to anyone who registers with Flying Blue. After registration, you have 12 months to earn enough XP to upgrade to the next level. At the end of the 12 months, your XP counter returns to zero. This qualification period begins as soon as you earn your first Miles or your first XP, after you join the Flying Blue program.
To achieve Silver status, you need to earn 100 XP. To achieve Gold status, you need to earn the 100 XP required for Silver status, plus 180 XP. To achieve Platinum status, you need to earn the 100 XP required for Silver status, the 180 XP required for Gold status, and 300 XP.
XP earning
To earn XP, you have to fly. However, the earning varies according to two factors:
- Flight type: Domestic, medium-haul or long-haul (subdivided into 3 categories)
- Travel cabin: Economy, Premium Economy, Business or La Première
| EXPERIENCE POINTS | DOMESTIC | MEDIUM (LESS THAN 2,000 MILES) |
LONG 1 (2,000 – 3,500 MILES) |
LONG 2 (3,500 – 5,000 MILES) |
LONG 3 (OVER 5,000 MILES) |
| Economy | 2 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Premium Economy | 4 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
| Business | 6 | 15 | 24 | 30 | 36 |
| La Première | 10 | 25 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
More and more XP
In France, every Air France KLM American Express cardholder receives Experience Points every year:
- Air France KLM American Express Silver Card: 15 XP
- Air France KLM American Express Gold Card: 30 XP
- Air France KLM American Express Platinum card: 60 XP
- Air France KLM American Express Silver Card: 15 XP
- Air France KLM American Express Gold Card: 20 XP
- Air France KLM American Express Platinum Pro Card: 30 XP
Signing up for a banking card is therefore one of the most advantageous ways of quickly replenishing the number of XP earned on an annual basis.
Bottom Line
The Flying Blue program has a rather unique way of working, notably with the awarding of XPs. To optimize your earning of Experience Points and maximize your chances of obtaining Flying Blue status, don’t hesitate to read our guide on the best ways to earn XP.
Frequently asked questions about Flying Blue status
How can I obtain Flying Blue Gold status?
To achieve Gold status, you need to earn the 100 XP required for Silver status, plus 180 XP, all within one year.
Which airlines are part of Flying Blue?
Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program of Air France, KLM, Transavia, Aircalin and Tarom.
How to earn XP with Air France and KLM?
To earn XP, you need to fly with Air France, KLM, Transavia and SkyTeam member airlines, or sign up for one of the Air France KLM American Express cards, which offer annual XP bonuses.
How many XP can you earn per flight?
Earnings vary according to flight type (domestic, medium-haul or long-haul) and travel cabin (Economy, Premium Economy, Business or La Première). You can earn between 2 and 60 XP per flight.
What are Flying Blue Elite and Flying Blue Elite Plus?
All Flying Blue status holders (Silver, Gold and Platinum) are Flying Blue Elite members. All holders of Flying Blue superior status (Gold and Platinum) are Flying Blue Elite Plus members.
Can I buy XPs with Air France?
Flying Blue offers you the opportunity to contribute to reforestation projects or buy SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) in cash to help you earn XP. To do this, go to the “My reservations” or “My trip” section of the Air France and KLM websites.
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