Air France KLM Flying Blue Elite Status: Guide to Qualifying and Privileges

Air France KLM Flying Blue members can gain Experience Points (XP) by flying with Air France, KLM, and partner airlines each year.

By earning XP, you’ll move up in elite status tiers, and enjoy an incremental range of extra benefits when flying with Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam-member airlines.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Air France KLM Flying Blue Elite status, including how to qualify for each tier and the benefits that are available as you reach each new level.

How to Qualify for Air France KLM Flying Blue Elite Status

The only way to qualify for Air France KLM Flying Blue Elite status is by earning Experience Points (XP).

There are a couple of ways to earn XP; however, the most common way is by flying on eligible flights.

XP are earned when flying with Air France, KLM, and their airline partners; however, beginning April 1, 2024, XP will be earned exclusively on flights with Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam airline partners.

Currently, Flying Blue members can earn XP on non-SkyTeam partner airlines including Copa Airlines, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Etihad Airways, and WestJet, but this will no longer be the case after April 1, 2024.

XP can only be earned on revenue bookings, and aren’t earned on award flights.

The number of XP earned on each flight is based on the cabin class and the flight distance, as laid out in the following chart:

For example, if you fly from Montreal to Paris on a revenue business class ticket, you’ll earn 24 XP, since the distance between the two cities is 3,442 miles, according to Great Circle Mapper.

For connecting flights, you’ll receive XP cumulatively for each leg you fly.

For example, if you have a revenue flight from Toronto to Paris with Air France in business class, and then onwards from Paris to Nice in economy, you’ll earn 32 XP.

The Toronto to Paris leg of the trip is an international flight between 3,500–5,000 miles, earning 30 XP for a business class fare, while the Paris to Nice leg is a domestic flight, earning 2 XP. These two legs together earn a total of 32 XP.

Flying Blue has four elite status tiers. After Flying Blue Explorer, the base membership level, there’s Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate.

Notably, earning XP will only get you as far as the Platinum level. To reach the Flying Blue Ultimate level, you have to earn what are known as Ultimate Experience Points (UXP).

Unlike XP, UXP can only be earned by flying with Air France or KLM, and not with partner airlines; however, the earning structure for UXP is the same as earning XP.

To qualify for each Flying Blue elite status tier, you’ll need to earn the following number of XP or UXP:

• Silver: 100 XP
• Gold: 180 XP
• Platinum: 300 XP
• Ultimate: 900 UXP

It’s important to note that your XP balance resets as you reach each status tier. 

For example, once you’ve reached 100 XP and earned Silver status, these accumulated XP will be withdrawn from your account, and you’ll begin again at 0 XP.

Then, to reach Gold status, you’ll need to earn an additional 180 XP, and not just an additional 80 XP, as it might appear at first glance.

Accounting for these withdrawals, you’ll actually need to earn a total of 100 XP for Silver, 280 XP for Gold, and 580 XP for Platinum. Qualifying for Ultimate status is still 900 UXP, as UXP aren’t withdrawn at any of the lower levels.

Another important aspect of the Flying Blue Elite status program is ‌timing.

Whereas most loyalty programs give members one calendar year to meet status level requirements, Flying Blue’s elite status operates a bit differently.

Instead of a calendar year, members have 12 consecutive months to earn enough XP to increase their status level. The 12 months begin as soon as you earn your first XP after joining the Flying Blue program, rather than on January 1.

If you earn less than 100 XP in that first 12 months, thus failing to reach Silver status, your XP will start back at 0, and you’ll have another 12 months to try again.

As soon as you’ve earned 100 XP and reached Silver status, that 100 XP will be subtracted from your account total, and you’ll start back at 0 XP. However, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits that come with your Silver status for the next 12 months.

Additionally, the 12-month counter also resets, giving you another 12 months to earn another 100 XP to maintain Silver status, or to earn another 180 XP to level up to Gold status.

If after these 12 months, you don’t earn enough XP for the next status level, you’ll be downgraded to one status tier lower.

This “soft-landing” feature is also very different from most other loyalty programs, as typically if you don’t reach the status requirement after a year, you’ll be downgraded all the way to the program’s base member level of no status.

With Flying Blue, you’ll only move down one level each year that you don’t earn enough XP to maintain or move up.

With this system, a member who earns Ultimate status, but who doesn’t earn any more XP or UXP, will still be able to enjoy Flying Blue elite status for four years.

This member will spend the first 12 months at the Ultimate level, then 12 months at the Platinum level, 12 months at the Gold level, and 12 months at the Silver status level before falling to the Flying Blue Explorer level.

The Flying Blue elite status program also allows members to carry over XP if they hold Silver Elite status or higher, and are unable to earn enough XP to access the next level up.

For example, if you earn 100 XP as a Flying Blue Explorer member, you’ll immediately be upgraded to the Silver Elite level.

If you then earn only 150 XP within the following 12 months (30 XP shy of Gold status), 100 XP will be deducted to maintain your Silver status for another year, and the remaining 50 XP will stay in your account to help you jumpstart your journey towards earning Gold status.

However, if you fail to reach the 100 XP needed to maintain Silver status, then you won’t be able to carry over any XP, and you’ll be downgraded to Flying Blue Explorer, starting again at 0 XP.

Similarly, if you’ve reached the Gold level by earning the full 280 XP necessary, but in the next 12 months, you fail to earn an additional 180 XP to maintain your Gold status, you’ll be downgraded to Silver, and your XP will reset to 0.

XP are only carried over if you have extra XP above and beyond what’s required to maintain your current status level.

At the Ultimate level, if you earn more than the 900 UXP needed to keep your Ultimate status for another year, any UXP over the 900, and up to 1,800, will stay in your account to help you reach Ultimate status again in the new 12-month period.

Other Ways to Earn Flying Blue XP and UXP

Even though XP and UXP are most commonly earned through eligible paid flying activity, there are also other ways to top up your balances.

Credit Cards

In Canada, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, offered through Brim Financial, may come with XP as a welcome bonus, and comes with XP as an ongoing annual cardholder benefit.

Until March 10, 2024, you can earn 100 XP as a welcome bonus on the card, which will then immediately boost you to Silver Elite status.

Then, in subsequent years, you’ll earn 30 XP each year, which lowers the threshold for maintaining or earning status on an ongoing basis.

If you flying with Air France or KLM with any frequency, this is an excellent credit card to have to help fast-track your way to status every year.

In the US, Bank of America offers a similar Flying Blue co-branded credit card with the same name.

However, with the US-issued Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, you’ll only earn 20 XP on your account anniversary, with the chance to earn an additional 40 XP if you spend $15,000 (USD) within the anniversary year with the card.

Buying Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Making Donations

Air France KLM Flying Blue also allows members to earn XP by participating in C0₂ reduction and Flying Blue charitable projects.

You can contribute to these projects with either Flying Blue miles or with cash.

You’ll receive 1 XP for every 2,000 miles contributed to specific charitable causes, a list of which can be found on Flying Blue’s website.

Additionally, when purchasing an eligible flight, you’ll be given an option to help offset C0₂ emissions corresponding to your flight by paying extra towards sustainability efforts.

You’ll earn XP depending on how much you choose to pay, and the amount you can pay will change depending on your specific flight.

The example given on Flying Blue’s website is of an economy flight on KLM from Amsterdam to Edmonton, and for this flight, the four sustainability options are as follows:

• Reforestation: pay €10 or 2,000 miles, gain 1 XP
• Reforestation and Sustainable Aviation Fuel: pay €19, gain 2 XP
• Reforestation and Sustainable Aviation Fuel: pay €33, gain 4 XP
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel: pay €469, gain 47 XP

If you find yourself just shy of reaching the next Flying Blue status level, it may‌ make sense to donate miles or cash to support a charity or offset C0₂ emissions and earn XP.

Accor Live Limitless

Lastly, if you link an Accor Live Limitless account with your Flying Blue account, you’ll receive up to 10 XP.

You’ll receive 5 XP after your first eligible stay at an Accor Live Limitless hotel, and you’ll receive an additional 5 XP after your first eligible flight.

Air France KLM Flying Blue Elite Status Benefits

Once you’ve earned enough XP to reach an elite status level, you’ll be able to enjoy status benefits immediately.

General Benefits for Flying Blue Elite Members

There are a number of Air France KLM Flying Blue benefits available to all elite members; however, they change depending on your status level.

Extra baggage allowance: All elite members get one extra checked bag on flights operated by Air France, KLM, Aircalin, Air Corsica, Air Mauritius, China Southern Airlines, GOL, Qantas, and SkyTeam partners, plus one golf bag containing only your golf equipment (max 23 kg) when flying with KLM, Air France, Air Corsica, Air Mauritius, or Aircalin.

Lounge access: Flying Blue Silver members have access to eligible airport lounges for a fee that changes depending on the lounge.

Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members have complimentary access to eligible lounges for themselves plus one guest.

Flying Blue Ultimate members have free lounge access for themselves plus up to eight guests.

Upgrades: When flying with Air France, Flying Blue Platinum and Ultimate members may be upgraded to La Première cabin class, subject to availability.

SkyTeam status: Each Flying Blue elite status corresponds to a SkyTeam status level, which provides more benefits when flying with partnered SkyTeam airlines.

Flying Blue Silver matches to SkyTeam Elite, and Flying Blue Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate match to SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Priority services: All Flying Blue elite members will enjoy priority baggage drop-off and priority check-in. Gold members and higher will also have access to priority baggage handling.

Dedicated service line: All Flying Blue elite members have access to a designated service line.

Silver and Gold members have access to the Premium Service Line, while Platinum and Ultimate members have access to the more exclusive Platinum Service Line and Ultimate Assistant, respectively.

Air France and KLM Exclusive Benefits for Flying Blue Elite Members

The following are specific benefits that only apply to flights with Air France and KLM:

Seat selection: All Flying Blue elite members will be able to select standard seats at the time of booking on Air France and KLM flights.

Priority boarding: Silver members get access to boarding zone 3, and all other elite members have SkyPriority boarding.

Specific seat requests: Flying Blue elite members can request extra legroom, front section seats, and seats in a row of two.

Silver members can make requests 24 hours before departure, Gold members can make requests 72 hours before departure, and Platinum and Ultimate members can make requests at the time of booking.

Economy Comfort seats: On KLM flights, Gold members can request an upgrade to an Economy Comfort seat 72 hours before departure. Platinum and Ultimate members can make the request at the time of booking.

Guaranteed seat in economy: Gold status members and higher are guaranteed a seat in economy, even if the flight is fully booked.

This benefit is available on long-haul flights operated by Air France, KLM, China Southern Airlines, and SkyTeam partners if you purchased a full-fare ticket at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure.

Miles never expire: For non-elite members, Flying Blue miles expire after two years unless you take an eligible flight or make a purchase with an eligible co-branded credit card.

Elite members don’t have to worry about this, as their Flying Blue miles don’t expire.

Since the Flying Blue program is used by six airlines and has partnerships with even more, there are quite a few more benefits for members with elite status.

With Delta Air Lines, when booking an eligible fare class, Flying Blue Silver and Gold status members enjoy a 25% and 50% discount, respectively, on Delta Comfort+ seats. Flying Blue Platinum and Ultimate members can upgrade to Delta Comfort+ seats for free.

There are further benefits with Kenya Airways, Air Mauritius, and GOL, and these can all be found on Flying Blue’s website.

Summary of Flying Blue Elite Benefits

Here’s a summary of the key benefits available at each Flying Blue Elite status level.

Silver (100 XP)

Flying Blue Silver members will enjoy the following benefits:

• Earn 6 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
• Priority check-in, baggage drop-off, and boarding
• Free selection of standard seats
• Free seat options 24 hours before departure
• One free extra checked bag on eligible flights

Gold (180 XP)

Flying Blue Gold members will enjoy the following benefits:

• Earn 7 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
• Free access to select lounges worldwide with a guest (conditions apply)
• SkyPriority priority access throughout the airport
• Free seat options 72 hours before departure
• Free selection of standard seats
• One free extra checked bag on eligible flights

Platinum (300 XP)

Flying Blue Platinum members will enjoy the following benefits:

• Earn 8 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
• Enjoy complimentary access to select lounges across the globe for you plus one guest
• SkyPriority priority access at the airport
• Choose a standard seat when you buy your ticket, free of charge
• Benefit from preferred seat options, free of charge
• One free extra checked bag on eligible flights
• Waived service fees for changes on award flights
• Enjoy 24/7 access to the exclusive Platinum Service Line

Ultimate (900 UXP)

Flying Blue Ultimate members will enjoy the following benefits:

• Earn 9 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM, as well as selected extra options
• Complimentary access to Air France and KLM lounges with up to eight travel companions
• Enjoy SkyPriority services for you and your travel companions
• Enjoy 24/7 support from Ultimate Assistant
• Receive 4 complimentary cabin upgrade vouchers per year
• One Flying Blue Platinum card for a travel companion
• Hertz Platinum Card with additional benefits

Flying Blue Ultimate status is the highest Flying Blue status tier. It’s fairly hard to reach, but if you can earn 900 UXP, you’ll be greatly rewarded.

In particular, the four complimentary upgrade vouchers per membership year are especially intriguing.

Ultimate Elite members can apply one upgrade voucher to upgrade a flight from economy to business class on short and medium-haul flights, and can apply two vouchers to upgrade a long-haul flight from economy to business class.

A flight with multiple legs that connects a short- or medium-haul flight with a long-haul flight will all be considered part of one request.

A flight with two long-haul legs will need two requests to upgrade from economy to business (using four upgrade vouchers in total).

Lastly, Flying Blue Ultimate members will receive a Platinum Card for a travel companion. This allows ‌Flying Blue Ultimate members to nominate a travel companion to receive all Flying Blue Platinum benefits.

The nominated Flying Blue member will continue to enjoy Platinum benefits for as long as the original members hold Ultimate status.

Lifetime Elite Status

Flying Blue also offers members the opportunity to enjoy Platinum status for life.

To‌ earn lifetime Platinum status, you’ll need to be a Platinum or Ultimate status member for 10 consecutive years.

Conclusion

Air France KLM Flying Blue offers members the chance to enjoy extra benefits by earning elite status.

By earning Experience Points (XP) each year , members can progress through the elite tiers and enjoy an incremental range of elevated benefits.

Additionally, there are alternative ways to earn XP, such as through the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, donations, and hotel partnerships, and the program’s unique 12-month qualification period and ability to carry over XP provide flexibility for members to maintain or upgrade their status.

From extra baggage allowances to lounge access, priority services, and even cabin upgrades, elite status in the Flying Blue program is absolutely worth pursuing if you often travel with Air France, KLM, and their partner airlines.