Upcoming Flying Blue Changes
For better or worse, Air France/KLM Flying Blue can be one of the trickier airline loyalty programs to master. Finding the most attractive rates has been increasingly difficult, particularly for non-elites. Plus, it’s an understatement to say reaching meaningful elite status with the program isn’t exactly easy. On the positive side, though, hobbyists holding enough curiosity, perseverance, organization, and even just a bit of creativity can still reach it. Indeed, Flying Blue’s formidable barrier to elite entry especially turns into a positive for the portion who reach Platinum. And now, just-announced Flying Blue changes specifically limit the benefits of the more attractively-priced Air France/Flying Blue award rates for non-elites.
But individuals have ways to rise above the changes. One takes more time and effort than the other.
Overcoming Flying Blue Changes
Effective 8 Sep, certain benefits associated with the cheapest rates on newly-issued Flying Blue awards for Air France and KLM flights will be more substantially limited. Matthew over at Live and Let’s Fly wrote an excellent piece fleshing out all the tweaks. The main changes are non-elites won’t have access to Air France/KLM lounges, and these awards can’t be cancelled or changed. What to do?
Book Now
Easier said than done, right? Perhaps, but looking at “normie” Explorer availability via my wife’s Flying Blue account, I see a selection of dates offering 60k award rates before and after 8 Sep still available. Importantly, these do NOT include the limitations outlined above. Sure, it’s not wide availability, but it’s more than a few dates in the bookable future. Like Matthew, I’m using CDG to JFK in business class for this example. Here are a random few months of availability as of this writing:
The last screenshot (from 27 May availability) above reflects lounge access and the existing cancellation/change policies are available for the post-8 Sep dates. If you have schedule flexibility, make an effort to reserve the most attractive rates before 8 Sep, or optimally ASAP, to include existing benefits.
The next strategy is a tougher slog, but a worthy effort for a certain few.
Go For Platinum
I reached Flying Blue Platinum for the first time in spring 2025. Years earlier, I decided it was a worth endeavor in my situation, primarily for the ability to book La Premiere awards, expanded business class award availability, waived cancellation fees, and the challenge itself. I can’t underscore that last one enough. Much of the fun was the chase, and it took me years to get there.
There are some misunderstandings about Flying Blue status. Indeed, I made my share of errors and corrections along the way to Flying Blue Platinum. It’s a convoluted setup – in relation to most of its counterparts, at least – rewarding hobbyists who prefer chess over checkers. Earlier this month, Greg the Frequent Miler stated, “Platinum status is even more attractive, but it can’t be achieved with the credit card alone.” I agree with him on that first part. But the second part is inaccurate.
I know this because that is exactly how I achieved Flying Blue Platinum status. I reached this elite level solely with Bank of America’s Air France KLM Mastercard (now Visa) and subsequently wrote about it in January. It took multiple years and multiple cards. I still hold all of these cards for a variety of reasons, including what I described here.
Since I achieved Platinum status, a few things have changed with the card. Bank of America has tightened up the signup bonus terms in certain ways:
Limit of one bonus miles offer per new Air France KLM credit card account, and limit of one new account XP bonus per Flying Blue member within any 24-month period, regardless of how many Air France KLM credit card accounts are opened.Â
On the positive side, the big spend bonus angle with this card has substantially improved since I first reached Platinum. Previously, I could only earn up to 60 XP per account per cardmember year – 20 automatically and 40 from big spend. Now, I can and have earned up to 160 XP per account – 20 automatically and 140 from big spend.
Bank of America Application Rules
So Bank of America officially limits a new account XP bonus (among other things) to once every 24 months. For those wanting to reach Platinum status, the real XP heavy lifting comes from reaching the big spend bonus thresholds. Brush up on those here, and also the Bank of America card application rules:
- Individuals are limited to two Bank of America personal card approvals every two months, three every 12 months, and four every 24 months. (All timeframes are rolling.)
- Bank of America generally enforces a five personal card limit.
- 3/12 and 7/12 Rules:
- If an individual has a deposit account with Bank of America – Your credit card application will be denied if they have 7 new cards in the past 12 months.
- If an individual does NOT have a deposit account with Bank of America – The credit card application will be denied if they have 3 new cards in the past 12 months.
To climb the Flying Blue status mountain, do the simple math on earning XP, understand Bank of America rules and Flying Blue elite qualification, apply in a timely fashion, attentively spend, and watch the XP roll in. A shortcut to a particular status level can help in one’s Platinum quest but is not absolutely necessary. And, of course, XP can be earned in various other ways, including flying on revenue tickets, which can complement any XP earned via the Bank of America card. Regardless, pack some patience.
I’ve continued to requalify for Platinum with only credit card spending. I’m confident others can still reach it with the sole tool being the Bank of America card. Whether that’s a wise pursuit in one’s unique situation is on each individual to decide.
Conclusion
If your schedule is flexible, book the cheapest Air France/KLM awards now.
Bigger picture, though, my Platinum status has been key. Selfishly, I’m okay with the upcoming September tweaks. As an existing Platinum, I’ve dodged the limitations this go-round. It turns out my Platinum status has become even more valuable now.
With these changes, Flying Blue gives certain individuals even more incentive to reach Platinum. Don’t be confused by others – it’s still attainable with just the credit card tool. In a sense, the big spend bonus improvement can make reaching Platinum status easier now than it was when I first accomplished it.
Be curious and do big things!
I enjoy your pragmatic insights. I’ve qualified for year three of FB Platinum. My wife is also on the path. I’d argue that while FB’s system is different, it’s quite easy
What you mentioned ain’t the only thing that a certain someone got wrong. I’ll reserve comments. But, I will say that i’ve noticed substantial “misses” in addressing some topics. And, not just one author.
Lee,
Indeed, you probably know from experience it’s much easier to requalify for Platinum than reaching the first time. Thanks for reading and your thoughtful comments, as always!