Flying Blue
Encyclopedia
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
and KLM that offers rewards to passengers travelling on certain types of tickets. In June 2005, the frequent flyer programmes of Air France (Fréquence plus) and KLM (Flying Dutchman) were combined to create the Flying Blue program after the two companies merged into a single parent company. Apart from KLM and Air France, Flying Blue is also the loyalty scheme of various carriers which formerly shared Air France's Fréquence plus or KLM's Flying Dutchman schemes, including Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International...
(partly owned by KLM) and Aircalin
Aircalin
Société Aircalin, also known as Air Calédonie International, is the international airline of New Caledonia. It operates scheduled services to 10 regional destinations, including Japan. Its main base is La Tontouta International Airport...
(partly owned by Air France). On June 15, 2007, it also became the loyalty scheme of Air Europa as the company was moving towards becoming an associate member of SkyTeam
SkyTeam
SkyTeam, branded as SKYTEAM, is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands...
sponsored by Air France (associate members had to abandon their own frequent flyer programme and adopt that of the sponsoring carrier). The program was subsequently adopted by the Swiss carrier FlyBaboo in 2009 and, in 2010, by Skyteam-inductee TAROM
TAROM
S.C. Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A., doing business as TAROM Romanian Air Transport, is the flag carrier and oldest currently operating airline of Romania. The brand name is an acronym for...
of Romania. Flying Blue members can earn and spend mileage points on flights and services of Air France-KLM, other companies of the SkyTeam
SkyTeam
SkyTeam, branded as SKYTEAM, is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands...
airline alliance
Airline alliance
An airline alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate on a substantial level. The three largest passenger alliances are the Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld. Alliances also form between cargo airlines, such as that of WOW Alliance, SkyTeam Cargo and ANA/UPS Alliance...
and assorted other financial, travel, and transportation companies.
SkyTeam member airlines
| Airline | Frequent Flyer Program | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
 AeroflotAeroflot OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year... |
Aeroflot Bonus | x | x |
 AeroméxicoAeroméxico Airways of Mexico, SA de CV , operating as Aeroméxico, is the flag carrier airline of Mexico based in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. It operates scheduled domestic and international services to North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia... |
Club Premier | x | x |
 Air Europa |
Flying Blue | x | x |
 Air FranceAir France Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance... |
Flying Blue | x | x |
 AlitaliaAlitalia Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier... |
MilleMiglia | x | x |
 China AirlinesChina Airlines China Airlines is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of Republic of China . Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation... |
Dynasty Flyer | x | x |
 China Eastern AirlinesChina Eastern Airlines China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Changning District, Shanghai, China. It is a major Chinese airline operating international, domestic and regional routes. Its main hubs are at Shanghai Pudong... |
Eastern Miles | x | x |
| China Southern Airlines China Southern Airlines China Southern Airlines is an airline headquartered in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. It is the world's sixth-largest airline measured by passengers carried, and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried... |
Sky Pearl Club | x | x |
 Czech AirlinesCzech Airlines Czech Airlines j.s.c. , trading as Czech Airlines , is the national airline of the Czech Republic and temporary in Slovakia with its head office on the grounds of Ruzyně Airport in Ruzyně, Prague... |
OK Plus Czech Airlines Czech Airlines j.s.c. , trading as Czech Airlines , is the national airline of the Czech Republic and temporary in Slovakia with its head office on the grounds of Ruzyně Airport in Ruzyně, Prague... |
x | x |
 Delta Air LinesDelta Air Lines Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day... |
SkyMiles SkyMiles SkyMiles is the loyalty program of Delta Air Lines that offers rewards to passengers travelling on certain types of tickets. Created in 1981 as the "Delta Air Lines Frequent Flyer Program"; its name was changed to SkyMiles in 1995. When the frequent flyer program was first established in 1981, new... |
x | x |
 Kenya AirwaysKenya Airways Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International... |
Flying Blue | x | x |
 KLM |
Flying Blue | x | x |
 Korean AirKorean Air Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. , operating as Korean Air, is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of South Korea, with global headquarters located in Seoul, South Korea. Korean Air's international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division together serve 130 cities in 45... |
SKYPASS | x | x |
 TAROMTAROM S.C. Compania Națională de Transporturi Aeriene Române TAROM S.A., doing business as TAROM Romanian Air Transport, is the flag carrier and oldest currently operating airline of Romania. The brand name is an acronym for... |
Flying Blue | x | x |
 Vietnam AirlinesVietnam Airlines Vietnam Airlines Company Limited, trading as Vietnam Airlines , is the national flag carrier of Vietnam. Founded in 1956 under the name Vietnam Civil Aviation, the airline was established as a state enterprise in April 1989. Vietnam Airlines is headquartered in Long Bien, Hanoi, with hubs at Noi... |
Golden Lotus Plus Vietnam Airlines Vietnam Airlines Company Limited, trading as Vietnam Airlines , is the national flag carrier of Vietnam. Founded in 1956 under the name Vietnam Civil Aviation, the airline was established as a state enterprise in April 1989. Vietnam Airlines is headquartered in Long Bien, Hanoi, with hubs at Noi... |
x | x |
Other airline partners
| Airline | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles |
|---|---|---|
 AircalinAircalin Société Aircalin, also known as Air Calédonie International, is the international airline of New Caledonia. It operates scheduled services to 10 regional destinations, including Japan. Its main base is La Tontouta International Airport... |
x | x |
| Air Corsica |
x | x |
| Airlinair Airlinair Société Airlinair is an airline based in Rungis, France, operating scheduled regional flights , and aircraft lease services. The airline has set up bases at Paris-Orly Airport and Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport... |
x | x |
| Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines is an airline based in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, Washington in the United States. The airline originated in 1932 as McGee Airways. After many mergers with and acquisitions of other airlines, including Star Air Service, it became known as Alaska Airlines in 1944... |
x | x |
 AviancaAvianca Avianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport... |
x | x |
 Bangkok AirwaysBangkok Airways Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd. is a regional airline based in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand. It operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, Burma, India and Singapore... |
x | |
| Chalair Aviation Chalair Aviation Chalair Aviation, previously Chalair, is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Caen – Carpiquet Airport in Carpiquet, France... |
x | x |
 CityJetCityjet CityJet Limited is an Irish regional airline headquartered in the Swords Business Campus in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. It operates at London City Airport, and flies franchise services on behalf of its parent company Air France from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Since the take over of VLM... |
x | x |
 Comair LimitedComair (South Africa) Comair is an airline based in South Africa. It operates scheduled services on domestic trunk routes as a British Airways franchisee and an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance. Its main base is OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, with hubs at Cape Town International Airport... |
x | x |
 GOLGol Transportes Aéreos Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil.... |
x | x |
 Japan AirlinesJapan Airlines is an airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flag carrier of Japan and its main hubs are Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport , as well as Nagoya's Chūbu Centrair International Airport and Osaka's Kansai International Airport... |
x | x |
 Jet AirwaysJet Airways Jet Airways is a major Indian airline based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is India's largest airline and the market leader in the domestic sector. It operates over 400 flights daily to 76 destinations worldwide. Its main hub is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, with secondary hubs at Delhi,... |
x | x |
| Kingfisher Airlines Kingfisher Airlines Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is Kingfisher House in Vile Parle , Mumbai. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red.... |
x | x |
 Malaysia AirlinesMalaysia Airlines Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz... |
x | x |
| Martinair Martinair For the American cargo airline, see Martinaire.Martinair Holland N.V., operating as Martinair, is an airline headquartered in the TransPort Building on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands. It operates cargo services to over 50 destinations worldwide. Services... |
x | x |
 Middle East AirlinesMiddle East Airlines Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L. , more commonly known as Middle East Airlines , is the national flag-carrier airline of Lebanon, with its head office in Beirut, near Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport... |
x | x |
 QantasQantas Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport... |
x | |
 TAAG Angola Airlines |
x | |
| Twin Jet Twin Jet Twin Jet is an airline based in Aix en Provence, France, which started in May 2001 with its first scheduled flight in March 2002. It is also a Flying Blue partner.-Flights:... |
x | x |
 Ukraine International AirlinesUkraine International Airlines CJSC Ukraine International Airlines , Aviyakompaniya Mizhnarodni Avialiniyi Ukrayiny) is one of the flag carriers of Ukraine, based in Kiev. It operates scheduled domestic and international passenger and cargo services to cities in western Europe... |
x | x |
Future airline partners
Aerolíneas ArgentinasAerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas , formally Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A., is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. Owned in its majority by the Argentine Government, the airline is headquartered in the Torre Bouchard, located in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires...
Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia
PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk , publicly known as Garuda Indonesia, is the flag carrier of Indonesia. It is named after the mystical giant bird Garuda of Hinduism and Buddhist mythology. It is headquartered at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia...
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. It operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 90 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America...
These airlines are future SkyTeam members.
Financial services
| Company | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles | Convert Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards American Express American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best... |
x | x | |
| Diners Club Rewards Diners Club Diners Club International, founded as Diners Club, is a charge card company formed in 1950 by Frank X. McNamara, Ralph Schneider and Matty Simmons... |
x | x | |
| Flying Blue-American Express card American Express American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best... |
x | ||
| Travelex | x | ||
Leisure companies
| Company | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles | Convert Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avenir Consult Competition |
x | ||
| Branche Restaurant, Bar & Lounge |
x | x | |
| Disneyland Resort Paris Disneyland Resort Paris Disneyland Paris is a holiday and recreation resort in Marne-la-Vallée, a new town in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. The complex is located from the centre of Paris and lies for the most part within the commune of Chessy, Seine-et-Marne.... |
x | x | |
| Flying Blue Golf |
x | ||
| UGC UGC UGC is the second largest cinema operator in Europe with, as of August 2005, 49 sites and 553 screens across four countries:* France: 37 cinemas, 357 screens* Spain: 5 cinemas, 88 screens* Belgium: 3 cinemas, 43 screens* Italy: 4 cinemas, 66 screens... |
x | x | |
| Voyageurs du Monde |
x | ||
| Wonderbox |
x | x | |
Telecom
| Company | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles | Convert Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelling Connect |
x | ||
| World Telecom Teleconnect |
x | ||
Car rental
| Company | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles | Convert Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Avis Rent A Car System Avis Rent a Car System, LLC is a car rental company headquartered in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey, United States. Avis, Budget Rent a Car and Budget Truck Rental are all units of Avis Budget Group.... |
x | x | |
| Europcar Europcar Europcar is a Paris based car rental company owned by the French investment company Eurazeo, after its sale by the Volkswagen group. The company was founded in Paris in 1949... |
x | ||
| Hertz The Hertz Corporation Hertz Global Holdings Inc is an American car rental company with international locations in 145 countries worldwide.-Early years:The company was founded by Walter L. Jacobs in 1918, who started a car rental operation in Chicago with a dozen Model T Ford cars. In 1923, Jacobs sold it to John D... |
x | x | |
| National Citer National Car Rental National Car Rental is a rental car company based in Clayton, Missouri. National was founded by 24 independent rental car agents on August 27, 1947... |
x | ||
 SixtSixt Sixt is a European car rental company. It has around 3,500 service stations in over 80 countries. Sixt was founded in 1912 by Martin Sixt in Munich.-Company facts:*Revenue : €1.44 billion*EBIT: €153.3 million*EBT: €121.647 million*Employees: 2,015... |
x | x | |
| Verstraaten BT |
x | ||
Hotels
| Hotel Company | Earn Miles | Redeem Miles | Convert Miles | Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accor Accor Accor is Europe's leading hotel group , part of the CAC 40 index , and operates in over 90 countries. Headquartered in Courcouronnes, Essonne, France, near Évry, France, the group owns, operates and franchises 4,229 hotels ranging from economy to luxury on five continents .Previously, the group... |
x | Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons | ||
| Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is a hospitality ownership and management organization, headquartered in White Plains, New York. One of the world's largest hotel companies, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences, and vacation ownership properties... |
x | Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Le Méridien, Four Poins by Sheraton, W Hotels, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Aloft | ||
| Best Western Best Western Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free... |
x | Best Western | ||
| Carlson Hotels |
x | x | Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Blu, Radisson Edwardian, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts | |
| Concorde Hotels & Resorts Groupe du Louvre Groupe du Louvre is a French company, headquartered in Village 5, La Défense in Nanterre, France.The company is owned by an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group. The luxury hotel division uses the brands Crillon and Concorde Hotels & Resorts. Louvre Hôtels, the budget division, has the brands... |
x | Concorde Hotels | ||
| Hilton Hotels Hilton Hotels Hilton Hotels & Resorts is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton hotels are either owned by, managed by, or franchised to independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast... |
x | x | Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, The Waldorf-Astoria Collection, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton | |
| Global Hotel Alliance |
x | Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Kempinski Hotels, Marco Polo Hotels, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts, The Doyle Collection, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, First Hotels, Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, Mokara Hotels & Spas, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, Lungarno Collection, Shaza Hotels | ||
| x | ||||
| Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts Golden Tulip Hospitality Group Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is a hotel company with its head office in Amersfoort, Netherlands.At one time the company considered merging with Apollo Hotels & Resorts. In 2009 Golden Tulip went into voluntary receivership... |
x | x | Golden Tulip, Royal Tulip | |
| Hyatt Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation... |
x | x | Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, AmeriSuites | |
| Louvre Hotels Louvre Hôtels Louvre Hôtels is a hotel company and an affiliate of the Groupe du Louvre, which is owned by the Starwood Capital Group. It is headquartered in Village 5, La Défense in Nanterre, France.The group owns several brands, which vary by star rankings... |
x | x | Campanile, Kyriad, Kyriad Prestige | |
| Marriott Marriott - Corporations :* Marriott International, international hotel company* Marriott Hotels & Resorts* Marriott Corporation , originally known as Hot Shoppes, Inc... |
x | x | Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Mariott Vacation Club, Mariott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts Residence Inn by Mariott, SpringHill Suites by Mariott, TownePlace Suites by Mariott | |
 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group |
x | |||
| Meliá Hotels International |
x | x | x | Meliá, Meliá All Inclusive, Innside by Meliá, Gran Meliá, Paradisus, ME by Meliá, Sol Hotels, Tryp by Wyndham |
| NH Hoteles NH Hoteles NH Hotels is a Spanish-based hotel chain headquartered in Madrid. NH offers moderately priced and modernly-furnished hotel rooms and lobbies, located primarily in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. NH Hoteles ranks third in the European ranking for business hotels. The group has 347 hotels with... |
x | x | NH Collection Hoteles, NH Hoteles, NH Express Hoteles | |
| Oberoi Hotels |
x | Oberoi Hotels, Trident Hotels | ||
| Preferred Hotel Group |
x | Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Preferred Boutique, Summit Hotels & Resorts, Sterling Hotels, Historic Hotels of America | ||
 Intercontinental Hotel Group |
x | InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites | ||
| Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces |
x | Taj Luxury Hotels, The Gateway Hotels, Vivanta by Taj; lunch & dinner: Bombay Brasserie, Quilon | ||
| Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts |
x | |||
| Tulip Inn Golden Tulip Hospitality Group Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is a hotel company with its head office in Amersfoort, Netherlands.At one time the company considered merging with Apollo Hotels & Resorts. In 2009 Golden Tulip went into voluntary receivership... |
x | Tulip Inn | ||
| Worldhotels |
x | |||
Service and support for members
Flying Blue is supported by the respective web sites on www.AirFrance.com and www.KLM.com and to a greater extent through the dedicated Flying Blue Service Centres located around the world. For instance, the European office is in Ivry-sur-SeineIvry-sur-Seine
Ivry-sur-Seine is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris....
, France, while the service centre for North America, South America and the Caribbean is in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
in Canada.
Structure
Members of the Flying Blue programme can gain Level Miles and Award Miles.Level and award miles
Flying Blue contains four membership levels – Ivory (Basic level), Silver (SkyTeam Elite level), Gold, and Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus level). Level miles are gained by taking any flights with an AF or KL code (this includes codeshares not operated by SkyTeam members; however, getting mileage credited for such flights may take written complaints), or flights operated by one of SkyTeam's airline companies under the code of any other SkyTeam airline, or flights operated by Kenya Airways (including some feeder flights operated on behalf of KQ by regional carriers).Each mile flown on KL and AF is one level mile and one award mile (minimum 750 for international and 500 for domestic). International long-haul flights in the bottom economy fare classes (class L) only get 25% of the mileage flown credited, with a minimum of 187 miles (fare classes N and V on KLM, L on AF, V on Kenya Airways and NWA). Other discounted economy fares score 50% or 75%. The full 100% is only credited when flying on flexible, full-fare tickets. Some French domestic fare classes on AF (fare class N is well-known) do not accrue any mileage. Passengers in Business or First Class get a bonus. For airline partners, the precise mileage earning rules vary (including by fare class).
Award miles for flights on AF, KLM, SkyTeam partners and Kenya Airways correspond to the level miles earned, augmented by a status-dependent bonus of 50% (Silver), 75% (Gold), or 100% (Platinum) for elite members. Flights on non-SkyTeam airline partners (except Kenya Airways) yield award miles only, but no elite bonus is granted. Detailed mileage earning rules vary by airline partner. Award miles can be earned through several partners like hotels, car rental companies, and affiliated credit cards, among others.
Award Miles can be used for free flights, discounts, ticket upgrades, gifts and donations. However when used to buy Economy class tickets, Award miles are worth little or nothing: often the additional charges and taxes levied are equal to the cost of a similar ticket on a low cost airline. To be of any value the Award miles have to be used for intercontinental business class tickets.
To retain Award Miles one needs to fly on a paid, Award Mile-earning ticket at least once every twenty months, otherwise the total balance expires.
Elite benefits
Each membership level above Ivory offers an increasing amount of advantages: priority boarding and extra baggage allowance for Silver level members; lounge access for Gold and Platinum. Silver level members enjoy SkyTeam Elite status with SkyTeam partner airlines; Gold and Platinum level members enjoy SkyTeam Elite Plus status.Lounge access is granted to Air France and KLM lounges when on a same-day SkyTeam flight; to SkyTeam partner lounges when on a same-day international SkyTeam flight (this benefit is only available to SkyTeam Elite Plus level members, i.e., Platinum and Gold). Gold and Platinum members may invite one guest to join them in lounges, when that guest is also travelling on a same-day SkyTeam flight. When partner airlines use contract lounges, lounge access rules might differ from the above summary.
Elite members of Flying Blue are also eligible for confirmed upgrades to domestic First Class when flying Delta Air Lines flights in the contiguous United States and Canada.