An thrilling growth has simply taken place with Air France/KLM Flying Blue, because the loyalty program has made First Class award redemptions out there with China Jap Airways.
This growth may pave the best way for extra alternatives to redeem Flying Blue miles for First Class flights with different SkyTeam and associate airways.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue Provides First Class Accomplice Redemptions
Traditionally, SkyTeam airline loyalty applications haven’t supplied First Class associate award redemptions.
For instance, in case you’d prefer to fly Air France La Première, you’d solely have the ability to e-book it with Air France utilizing Flying Blue miles, and never with, say, Delta SkyMiles.
Certainly, this has been one of many weaknesses of SkyTeam loyalty applications; nevertheless, it seems that Air France/KLM Flying Blue is trying to change course, as this system has simply rolled out First Class redemptions on China Jap Airways.
A one-way ticket between Shanghai and Paris prices 134,000 Flying Blue miles, and round $445 (CAD) in taxes and charges.
A one-flight First Class flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai prices 128,500 miles plus $516 (CAD) in taxes and charges.
It’s value noting that First Class redemptions with China Jap Airways are solely doable via the Air France web site in the intervening time. When looking out, you’ll have to pick out “La Première” as the specified cabin in case you’re looking for First Class awards.
China Jap Airways gives First Class on a variety of long-haul routes from its hub in Shanghai to locations the world over, together with Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Because it stands, it seems that First Class redemptions aren’t out there on all routes presently, because it appears restricted to European routes.
It’s very doable that this will likely change sooner or later; nevertheless, it could be primarily based on what China Jap Airways releases to Flying Blue, relatively than blanket geographical restrictions.
We’ve reached out to Flying Blue for affirmation of the above.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue Continues to Add Worth
Air France/KLM Flying Blue continues to spend money on its program, at a time when many loyalty applications are stripping away worth and eradicating options.
For instance, Flying Blue not too long ago added free stopovers as a function, and shortly, members will have the ability to earn and redeem miles on flights with Etihad Airways.
Its month-to-month Promo Rewards have the potential to supply distinctive worth for transatlantic flights in financial system, premium financial system, and enterprise class.
Flying Blue miles are additionally comparatively straightforward to come back by in Canada and the US. In each nations, you possibly can earn miles via spending with co-branded bank cards, together with the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard in Canada, and the Financial institution of America Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard in the US.
It’s additionally doable to transform transferable factors into Flying Blue miles from a wide range of applications, at occasions with switch bonuses. Eligible applications embrace American Categorical Membership Rewards in Canada, in addition to American Categorical US Membership Rewards, Chase Final Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Miles in the US.
Nonetheless, probably the most attention-grabbing a part of the story right here is that the addition of First Class award seats on China Jap Airways First Class might be indicative of much more thrilling alternatives to come back.
For instance, it could develop into doable to redeem Flying Blue miles for First Class redemptions with different SkyTeam airways, resembling Garuda Indonesia.
Or, it might be the case that First Class awards with a few of Flying Blue’s different associate airways, resembling Etihad Airways, develop into out there sooner or later.
If this occurs, Flying Blue will develop into an much more attention-grabbing loyalty program to have interaction with, because it continues on its trajectory of providing worth and extra choices to its members.
Conclusion
Air France/KLM Flying Blue has made First Class award redemptions out there with China Jap Airways. That is notably attention-grabbing, as traditionally, SkyTeam loyalty applications haven’t allowed associate First Class redemptions.
Whereas China Jap Airways is at present the one associate airline out there for First Class redemptions, hopefully, this paves the best way for extra alternatives sooner or later.
This might embrace First Class awards with different SkyTeam airways, in addition to First Class awards with different associate airways, resembling Etihad Airways.
It’s thrilling to see what else Air France/KLM Flying Blue has in retailer, because it continues so as to add worth to its program relatively than taking it away.
