25% Membership Rewards Bonus to Flying Blue: Offer Ended April 17, 2026
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American Express launched a first in Canada: a 25% bonus on Membership Rewards transfers to Flying Blue. From March 18 to April 17, 2026, every 1,000 points transferred earned 1,250 Flying Blue Miles instead of 1,000. This offer ended on April 17, 2026.
This promotion came just a few weeks after the announcement, on January 3, 2026, of an improved exchange rate from 1:0.75 to 1:1. By combining these two improvements, American Express cardholders in Canada gained access to exceptional rates for award flights on Air France-KLM and their partners.
Concretely, this transfer bonus allowed you to obtain business class flights to Europe for as little as 36,000 Membership Rewards during Flying Blue Promo Rewards. Here are the details of this limited-time offer, which has now ended.
Conditions of the promotion
Here are the essential details of this transfer offer:
- 25% Bonus: 1,250 Flying Blue Miles for every 1,000 Membership Rewards transferred
- Period: from March 18 to April 17, 2026 (offer ended)
- Transfer Increments: transfers were made in increments of 1,000 Membership Rewards
- Transfer Time: transfers to Flying Blue are generally instant
- First in Canada: it was the very first time that American Express Canada had offered a transfer bonus to Flying Blue
A Double Boost
To fully appreciate the scope of this promotion, we need to go back to January 3, 2026. On that date, American Express permanently improved the transfer rate to Flying Blue in Canada, increasing it from 1:0.75 to 1:1. In other words, 1,000 Membership Rewards now yield 1,000 Flying Blue Miles, compared to only 750 previously.
During the promotion, the 25% bonus raised the temporary ratio to 1:1.25. Before January 2026, you needed to transfer approximately 1,333 Membership Rewards to obtain 1,000 Flying Blue Miles (at the 1:0.75 rate). During the promotion, those same 1,333 points yielded 1,666 miles. The gain compared to the old rate was therefore considerable.
| Scenario | Transfer Rate | Miles for 10,000 pts |
|---|---|---|
| Before January 2026 | 1:0,75 | 7,500 miles |
| Since January 2026 | 1:1 | 10,000 miles |
| With the bonus (March-April 2026) | 1:1,25 | 12,500 miles |
In summary, during the promotion, you got 67% more miles than before January 2026 for the same number of Membership Rewards. To learn more about this partnership, read our article on Flying Blue as an American Express Membership Rewards Partner.
Sweet Spots with This 25% Bonus
The Flying Blue program offers several opportunities to get excellent value on your award flights. During the promotion, the transfer bonus made them even more accessible. Here are the most cost-effective uses for Canadians.
Combine with Promo Rewards
Each month, Flying Blue publishes its Promo Rewards: discounted Air France and KLM routes, often 25% to 50% off. By combining these discounts with the 25% transfer bonus, you got a multiplier effect on the value of your Membership Rewards.
For example, a one-way economy flight to Europe normally costs 25,000 miles. During a Promo Reward with a 25% discount, this rate drops to 18,750 miles. Thanks to the transfer bonus, you only needed 15,000 Membership Rewards to obtain those 18,750 miles.
In business class, the effect is even more pronounced. A Promo business class flight to Europe at 45,000 miles cost only 36,000 Membership Rewards with this bonus. That was a remarkable rate for a premium product on Air France or KLM. Taxes and surcharges in business class range around $200 to $300 CAD per segment.
Business Class to Europe
Flying Blue uses dynamic pricing on Air France and KLM flights. The best rate for a one-way business class flight between North America and Europe is 60,000 miles. With the 25% bonus, this flight cost only 48,000 Membership Rewards.
Admittedly, dynamic pricing sometimes pushes prices well above 100,000 miles. However, by searching in advance on secondary routes (Montreal–Amsterdam or Toronto–Budapest, for example), you can find the floor rate of 60,000 miles. To compare with other options, consult our Flying Blue vs Aeroplan comparison for Europe.
China Airlines to Taipei
China Airlines serves Taipei (TPE) from Vancouver (YVR). You can book a one-way business class flight on this route for 62,500 Flying Blue Miles. Thanks to the transfer bonus, this represented 50,000 Membership Rewards instead of 62,500.
This long-haul business class flight offers excellent value, especially for West Coast Canadians. Additionally, surcharges on China Airlines remain moderate compared to those on Air France or KLM.
Intra-Europe Flights with Air Europa
Flying Blue also allows you to book flights on Air Europa within Europe. Business class regularly appears at 15,000 miles one-way, with reduced taxes. With the bonus, this amounted to only 12,000 Membership Rewards.
In economy class, rates drop to 7,500 miles (or 6,000 points with the bonus). This is an efficient option for traveling within Europe after a transatlantic flight, especially when paid tickets on these short routes reach $300 to $500.
Free Stopover in Europe
Flying Blue is one of the few programs that offers a free stopover on one-way award tickets. You can add a stop in Paris or Amsterdam at no additional miles, provided you fly on Air France or KLM for both segments.
For example, a Montreal–Paris–Marrakech in business class for the price of a single award ticket. This option multiplies the value of your miles and allows you to visit two destinations for the cost of a single award.
Summary Table of Savings
Here’s an overview of the main sweet spots and their cost in Membership Rewards with the 25% bonus, as it applied during the promotion:
| Route / Cabin | Miles Required | Membership Rewards (with bonus) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Promo to Europe | 18 750 | 15 000 |
| Business Class Promo to Europe | 45 000 | 36 000 |
| Standard Economy to Europe | 25 000 | 20 000 |
| Standard Business Class to Europe | 60 000 | 48 000 |
| China Airlines Business Class (YVR–TPE) | 62 500 | 50 000 |
| Intra-Europe Business Class (Air Europa) | 15 000 | 12 000 |
| Intra-Europe Economy (Air Europa) | 7 500 | 6 000 |
| Economy to North Africa | 25 000 | 20 000 |
Expiry of Flying Blue Miles
Flying Blue Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. Change in effect since May 4, 2026: any eligible activity, such as a Membership Rewards transfer, extends the validity of all the miles in your Flying Blue account.
Good news for those who had already accumulated miles: existing balances were merged on the implementation date, applying the most advantageous validity period. Any eligible activity since May 4, 2026, extends the entire balance by 24 months.
Thus, if you earned miles through this promotion before April 17, 2026, a new eligible activity completed since May 4, 2026, is enough to extend their validity by 24 months.
To learn more, consult our article on the changes to Flying Blue miles expiration.
Which Amex Cards to Use
To transfer Membership Rewards to Flying Blue, you must hold an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards. Here are the main options in Canada:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $199 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $799 | |||
| $250 |
Consult our selection of the best Membership Rewards cards to choose the one that matches your spending profile. For an even broader comparison, visit our page on the best credit cards in Canada.
Additionally, if you hold the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, you earn Flying Blue miles directly on your purchases. This card complements a transfer strategy from American Express well. Find all options in our selection of the best Flying Blue cards in Canada.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $132
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$132Total$132Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $132
- Welcome offer+ 60 XP
- 60 XP + First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now
on Brim's website
Conclusion
This 25% bonus on Membership Rewards transfers to Flying Blue was a rare opportunity, and a first in Canada. The promotion came just a few weeks after the announcement of an improved transfer rate, from 1:0.75 to 1:1. It ran from March 18 to April 17, 2026, and has now ended.
The strategy still works without the bonus: combine your transfers with Flying Blue Promo Rewards to maximize the value of each point. During the promotion, a business class flight to Europe cost 36,000 Membership Rewards.
To not miss any promotion of this type, subscribe to our newsletter. You’ll receive our analyses and alerts directly in your inbox.
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Membership Rewards Flying Blue Transfer Bonus — Frequently Asked Questions
What was the transfer bonus to Flying Blue in March 2026?
American Express offered a 25% bonus on Membership Rewards transfers to Flying Blue. For every 1,000 points transferred, you received 1,250 Flying Blue Miles. The promotion was valid from March 18 to April 17, 2026, and has now ended.
Was this the first promotion of this type in Canada?
Yes. It was the very first time that American Express Canada had offered a transfer bonus to Flying Blue. In the United States, this type of promotion has existed for several years, but the Canadian market had never benefited from it before.
Which cards allow this transfer?
All cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards are eligible. This includes the Cobalt Card, the Gold Card, the Platinum Card, the Green Card, as well as business cards like the Business Platinum Card and the Business Gold Rewards Card.
How many points for business class to Europe?
At the standard rate, Air France or KLM business class to Europe starts at 60,000 miles, or 48,000 Membership Rewards with the 25% bonus. During a Promo Reward, this rate can drop to 45,000 miles (36,000 points). It was the best value available during the promotion.
Are transfers to Flying Blue instant?
Generally, Membership Rewards transfers to Flying Blue are nearly instant. Miles appear in your Flying Blue account within minutes. Transfers are made in increments of 1,000 points.
Can you cancel a Membership Rewards transfer?
No. Membership Rewards transfers to Flying Blue are irreversible. Once points are converted to miles, you cannot return them to your American Express account. Always check award availability before transferring.
Do Flying Blue Miles expire?
Yes. For Explorer members aged 18 and over, Flying Blue Miles expire after 24 months without eligible activity. Since May 4, 2026, any eligible activity, whether a flight or a partner activity, extends the entire balance by 24 months. Miles do not expire for Elite and Elite Plus members, Flying Blue Extra subscribers, co-branded card holders and members under 18.
Could you combine this bonus with Promo Rewards?
Yes, and it was the most rewarding strategy during the promotion. Promo Rewards reduce the miles cost of certain routes, while the transfer bonus reduced the number of Membership Rewards needed to obtain those miles. Both discounts stacked. The bonus ended on April 17, 2026, but Promo Rewards return every month.