Flying Blue est le programme de fidélité d’Air France KLM. Depuis le 19 août 2021, soit depuis peu dans la longue histoire d’Air France, ce programme est partenaire d’American Express Points-Privilèges au Canada, ce qui lui permet de rejoindre bien plus de canadiens et de gagner en intérêt.

Ainsi, dans ce guide ultime sur le programme Flying Blue au Canada, vous découvrirez toutes les options pour accumuler et utiliser des Miles Flying Blue, comment fonctionnent les statuts Flying Blue et quelques sweetspots du programme.

Joining the Flying Blue program is free and easy. You can do this directly on this page by creating a Flying Blue account.

You can also enroll your children in the Flying Blue program.

The primary method of earning Flying Blue miles in Canada is through American Express Rewards Cards. You can transfer your Membership Rewards into Flying Blue Miles at a ratio of 1,000 Membership Rewards points = 750 Flying Blue Miles.

Here are the American Express Rewards Cards available in Canada:

So, with a credit card like the American Express Cobalt^® Card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3.75 Flying Blue Miles per dollar of purchases:

There are many other American Express Membership Rewards credit cards from which you can convert your points to Flying Blue Miles.

The second method of earning Flying Blue miles in Canada is through Marriott Bonvoy Amex credit cards. You can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles including Flying Blue Miles at the ratio of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 Mile.

And if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll earn 5,000 bonus Miles. Thus, 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 25,000 Flying Blue Miles.

The two Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards available in Canada are:

Since October 2022, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® has been available in Canada. It allows you to earn Flying Blue Miles directly.

The earning rates of the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® are as follows:

In addition to extending the validity of your Flying Blue Miles with each purchase, the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® offers you 30 XP per year, making it easier to earn or renew Flying Blue Elite Status.

In France, there are 3 American Express Flying Blue credit cards. Their welcome bonus is nothing like what we see in North America:

• 6,000 miles for the Air France KLM – American Express Silver Card
• 10,000 miles for the Air France KLM – American Express Gold Card
• 30,000 miles for the Air France KLM – American Express Platinum Card

Rather, their value lies in the benefits provided, including:

• Earning Flying Blue miles on every purchase (which is rare in France and Europe)
• Extending the validity of your Flying Blue Miles with each purchase
• Earning between 15 XP and 60 XP per year to get or renew a Flying Blue Elite status more easily

Benefits	AF KLM Amex Silver Card	AF KLM Amex Gold Card	AF KLM Amex Platinum Card
Bonus	6,000 miles	10,000 miles and first-year free	30,000 miles
Annual fee	0 €	165 €	570 €
XP per year	15	30	60
Earning rate	10 € = 10 Miles	10 € = 15 Miles	10 € = 20 Miles
Extending the validity of miles	Yes	Yes	Yes
Insurance	Standard	Optimal	Maximum
Concierge service	No	No	Yes

In the United States, in partnership with Bank of America, Air France has launched the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, which usually offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 to 50,000 Flying Blue miles.

With this card, you get :

• 3x Flying Blue miles for Air France KLM and Skyteam airlines like Delta Airlines
• 1.5X miles everywhere else
• 5,000 Flying Blue miles each year upon renewal
• 60 XP the first year (20 XP the following years)
• 40 additional XP if you spend US $15,000 with the card
• No FX fee

Vous pouvez obtenir des Miles Flying Blue avec vos voyages effectués sur Air France KLM et les compagnies de l’alliance Skyteam.

Le nombre de miles Flying Blue accumulés dépend de deux facteurs:

• le prix du billet en €
• le statut que vous détenez dans le programme Flying Blue

Le programme Flying Blue est subdivisé en 4 catégories de membres :

La dépense effectuée prise en compte est le prix hors taxes du billet (hors surcharge carburant connue comme YQ). Toutes les dépenses annexes effectuées permettront également de cumuler des miles comme:

• la sélection d’un siège,
• l’achat d’une franchise de bagage supplémentaire
• la sélection d’un menu à la carte
• l’achat d’un surclassement

Cette méthode de calcul a tendance à favoriser les voyageurs payant des billets plein tarifs, surtout ceux voyageant dans les cabines supérieures (affaires, première).

Ce calcul n’est pris en compte que pour les vols effectués sur Air France KLM.

Pour les autres compagnies membres de Skyteam et Westjet, le nombre de miles accumulés pour des vols dépend d’un pourcentage en fonction de la classe de réservation et de la distance parcourue. Vous pouvez calculer cela sur la page dédiée de Flying Blue.

Voici par exemple le barème pris en compte pour les vols effectués sur WestJet :

Voici par exemple le barème pris en compte pour les vols internationaux effectués sur Delta Airlines:

Au-delà des compagnies aériennes, Flying Blue est partenaire avec des hôtels et des agences de location de voitures, ainsi que d’autres entreprises comme Allianz Travel et Amazon.

Flying Blue’s preferred partner is Accor Live Limitless through Miles+Points.

You can earn points for your stays in the group’s hotels and also Flying Blue Miles. Which is a pretty unique combination.

Apart from Accor, Flying Blue is partnered with :

• Booking.com
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• Best Western Rewards
• Radisson Hotel Group
• Golden Tulip
• World of Hyatt
• IHG Rewards
• Shangri-La
• WorldHotels
• YOTEL

However, for these hotels, you will have to choose between earning points (for free hotel nights) or Flying Blue Miles.

Vous pouvez également obtenir des Miles Flying Blue lorsque vous louez une voiture auprès d’une de ces agences :

• Avis
• Budget
• Enterprise
• Europcar
• Hertz
• Sixt
• Thrifty

There is a shopping portal offering Flying Blue miles for your online shopping with partners such as Apple, Indigo, Nike, Sephora, etc.

For your first purchase on the portal, you can earn 500 Flying Blue Miles.

The way it works is similar to other online shopping portals: you need to log in to the portal, choose the merchant you are interested in and click on the corresponding link.

Make sure your shopping cart is empty before you do this!

Note that Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® credit cardholders also have dedicated offers (inCard and eShop) to earn more Flying Blue Miles through their purchases.

Flying Blue Family is the possibility offered by the program to share Miles between family members.

Up to 8 Flying Blue members can be part of a Flying Blue Family: 2 adults and 6 children maximum.

To create a Flying Blue Family account, go to this page.

The Flying Blue Family member is the only person who can transfer Miles from the accounts of Flying Blue Family members.

The Flying Blue Family member can transfer some or all of the Miles. After each transfer, all Flying Blue Family Miles will be valid for two years. Miles transfers are final, and you will be notified by email if your Miles have been transferred.

Également, sachez que Flying Blue est le meilleur programme de fidélité pour voyager en famille. En effet, vous bénéficiez d’une réduction de 25 % sur les billets primes réservés pour les enfants de 2 à 11 ans voyageant avec un adulte. Que ce soit en économie, premium économie ou en classe affaires ! Consultez notre article sur cet avantage ici.

Et les Miles des enfants n’expirent pas jusqu’à l’âge de 18 ans.

La meilleure manière d’utiliser des miles Flying Blue est en réservant des billets d’avion appelés primes aériennes. Vous tirerez la meilleure valeur de vos miles Flying Blue de cette façon, notamment en voyageant dans des classes de voyages supérieures (premium économie, affaires, première classe).

Les membres Flying Blue ont accès à tous les sièges disponibles sur n’importe quel vol. Ce qui fait que le tarif en miles des sièges varie en fonction du nombre de sièges restants.

Il n’y a donc pas de grille tarifaire fixe comme dans d’autres programmes. Toutefois, pour les vols entre le Canada et l’Europe, les tarifs débutent à 21 500 miles Flying Blue en classe économie et 53 000 Miles Flying Blue en classe affaires.

Pour réserver un vol, vous devez vous connecter avec votre compte Flying Blue au site d’Air France ou de KLM. La réservation s’effectue comme un billet payant.

Voici par exemple le coût d’un vol aller simple entre Montréal et Paris en Économie à partir de 21 500 Miles et 135 $ :

In Premium Economy from 44,500 miles and $224:

And in business class from 53,000 miles and $348:

You will notice that the cost changes greatly from one day to the next: this is the principle of a flexible chart.

Also, you’ll notice that the premium the cabin you travel in (premium economy, business, first), the higher the cost in cash: these are the fare surcharge .

It is also possible to pay in miles + cash (maximum of 25% of the ticket price can be paid in cash).

You can calculate the number of miles needed on this page.

With your Flying Blue Miles, you can travel on Air France KLM, all Skyteam alliance airlines and their airline partners such as WestJet.

Reservations can be made online on the Air France KLM website for flights with:

• Air France
• KLM
• Aircalin
• GOL
• Japan Airlines
• Kenya Airways
• TAROM
• WestJet
• Skyteam Partners: Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines

You can book Transavia flights with your Flying Blue Miles directly on the Transavia website.

In North America, you can use Flying Blue Miles for travel on partner airlines: WestJet and Delta Airlines.

For example, here is a cost for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Toronto with WestJet for 11,500 miles and $42:

For example, here is a cost for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Vancouver with WestJet for 14,500 miles and $42:

For example, here is a cost for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Los Angeles with WestJet for 14,500 miles and $99:

For example, here is a cost for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Atlanta with Delta Airlines for 14,000 miles and $93:

And probably one of the cheapest options to travel to Hawaii with Flying Blue miles!

Here is a cost for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Honolulu with WestJet for 17,500 miles and $112:

Every month, the Air France KLM Flying Blue frequent flyer program runs a promotional offer called Promo Rewards.

You can book flight rewards at a discounted rate during the month: from 25% to 50% off depending on the itinerary and travel cabin.

For example, I was able to book a Promo Reward for travel on the Air France A350 between Toronto and Paris for only 32,000 Flying Blue miles in Business Class.

On the Air France KLM website, there is a tip you need to know to run a 30-day search using your Flying Blue Miles.

Instead of doing a one-way search as you would typically do when searching for a flight reward, search for a round-trip flight. By indicating the same date for the outbound and inbound flights.

This unlocks a hidden option: a 30-day flight reward calendar. As shown below:

You can then select the date with the best price in Flying Blue Miles and proceed with the booking.

As we’ve seen above, Hawaii is one of the sweet spots for Canadians with the Flying Blue program: 17,500 miles and $112 is a good deal (especially from Eastern Canada).

Mexico is also a good option for Canadians with the Flying Blue program: 14,500 miles and $104 for this one-way flight from Montreal to Cancun with WestJet.

Israel is one of the most interesting sweetspots in the Flying Blue program for Canadians. For example with this one-way flight from Montreal to Tel Aviv for 34,000 miles and $171:

There are also aberrations in the program, such as the flight from Montreal to Papeete (Polynesia), which will take you first to Paris and then to Los Angeles for 34,500 miles and $254:

You might prefer this direct flight from Los Angeles to Papeete for only 25,500 miles and $87:

Or that business class flight from Los Angeles to Papeete for only 64,000 miles and $279:

Or this flight between Montreal and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) which goes through Paris for 29,000 miles and $259:

Or this flight from Montreal to Buenos Aires (Argentina) via Amsterdam for 29,000 miles and $230:

On a more serious note, you should aim for domestic flights like this one from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for only 17,500 miles and $8:

Several other flights can be interesting, like the one between Tokyo and Noumea (New Caledonia) with Aircalin for 34,500 miles and $281:

Having Flying Blue Miles can be a good opportunity to save money in Europe on certain flights. For example, think about your luggage (it is included with Flying Blue tickets, unlike low-cost airlines like Easyjet).

For example between Paris and Nice for 6,000 miles and $49:

Or between Paris and Athens (Greece) for 11,500 miles and $46:

The Air France KLM website sometimes has surprises in store, displaying flights and then no longer displaying availability. It is not possible to make a reservation otherwise (or you can do it by phone).

Before searching for availability, learn your “Skyteam and partners” geography by browsing a site like Flight Connections. You will be able to discover airlines and flights in the destinations you plan to visit.

For example, in Argentina with Aerolinas Argentinas.

You can then search for the flight you are interested in directly on the Air France KLM website.

Check out these flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia for only 17,500 miles and $8:

You can use your Flying Blue Miles to upgrade your flight.

This can be done in advance (up to 24 hours before the flight), subject to availability in the award booking class. The ticket must have been booked in an eligible booking class, excluding award tickets (all classes are detailed here for partner airlines).

It is possible to request a last-minute upgrade just before boarding. Or even once on board! This time, even award tickets are eligible for upgrades.

La Première Classe d’Air France, appelée La Première, est l’une des meilleures Première Classe dans le monde.

Pour s’offrir ce luxe avec des Miles Flying Blue, il faut être membre Élite du programme de niveau Platinum.

You can use Flying Blue Miles for various options:

• Additional luggage (details)
• Seat selection (between 2,000 and 6,000 miles)
• Premium meals on board (from 2,700 miles)
• Air France KLM or Skyteam lounges(from 6,000 miles)

Why not, for example, to try the Air France Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau (unless you already have a credit card giving you access to it like the Platinum Card^®)!

Flying Blue Miles remain valid for life provided that one of the following conditions is met:

• you travel on an eligible flight at least once every 2 years with Air France, KLM or one of its partner airlines
• you are a Silver, Gold or Platinum member
• you make a purchase with an eligible partner credit card at least once every 2 years.

For eligible credit cards, only cards bearing the Flying Blue logo are eligible. This excludes transfers of American Express Membership Rewards points.

So remember to book at least one flight every 2 years with Air France KLM or a partner airline (Delta Airlines, WestJet, etc.), indicating your Flying Blue number.

To earn a Flying Blue Elite status, it is necessary to earn Experience Points (XP):

Thus, to reach Gold status, an Explorer member must earn:

• 100 XP to become Silver
• Then 180 XP to become Gold

Once a status is reached, the XP counter is reset to 0 and the member has one year to earn the necessary Experience Points.

This makes it very difficult to access the higher statuses for casual travellers.

Experience Points are calculated based on:

• flight type: domestic/medium-haul/long-haul (subdivided into 3 categories)
• the cabin

These rates apply to all flights on Skyteam member airlines.

In France, American Express cards earn Experience Points:

• 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

Many benefits are reserved for members who have achieved status with Flying Blue. A table is available here.

En dehors du Platinum qui s’adresse essentiellement aux très grands voyageurs d’affaires, le statut qui offrira les meilleurs avantages est celui de niveau Gold. Ce statut a pour correspondance le statut SkyTeam Elite Plus auprès des autres transporteurs SkyTeam.

Avec ce statut, vous avez :

• un accès gratuit pour vous et un invité pour tous les salons Air France KLM et Skyteam à travers le monde
• un accès aux lignes prioritaires SkyPriority (enregistrement prioritaire, dépose bagages prioritaires, embarquement prioritaire, priorité aux contrôles d’immigration et de sécurité, livraison de bagages prioritaires)
• des réductions sur les options de siège d’Air France KLM (et la sélection gratuite de siège standard)
• accès à la possibilité de réserver un billet en Première

Pour maximiser vos chances d’engranger les Points d’Expérience (XP), il faudra être stratégique et être prêt à faire des correspondances. En effet, chaque vol vous permet d’obtenir des XP… et des vols internationaux vous en donnent davantage.

Par exemple, vous pourriez prioriser des vols avec WestJet ou Delta Airlines pour vous rendre aux États-Unis. Ou choisir de passer par Amsterdam pour vous rendre en France.

The Air France KLM Flying Blue frequent flyer program is worth knowing, especially since it is now easier to earn Flying Blue Miles thanks to the partnership with Membership Rewards.

Cover photo: Thomas Arnoux