How to Book Air France/KLM Flying Blue Awards

Although Flying Blue is touted as the frequent flyer program for Air France and KLM, several other airlines also use the program, including Air Europa, Kenya Airways and TAROM. It’s a flexible program, since it has members from all three of the major airline alliances, as well as some nonalliance carriers.

Flying Blue can be complicated, in part because of the sheer quantity of its members. Since the program represents so many airlines, the way it defines some of its fare regions can be unexpected. But that can work in your favor, allowing for some valuable redemptions.

Getting Flying Blue miles is easy, because it is partners with several U.S.-based programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Starwood Preferred Guest.

When Should You Use Flying Blue Awards?

You’ll get the best value for your miles for coach redemptions. Business class awards are often overpriced, while some coach tickets are unbeatable.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind while trying to get the most for your miles:

Flying Blue considers Israel to be part of Europe, so round-trip economy tickets cost only 50,000 miles
Strangely, Hawaii is lumped in with the Caribbean. A round-trip economy ticket between Hawaii and the Dominican Republic, for example, costs only 30,000 miles.
Round-trip flights in economy between the U.S. and French Polynesia are a bargain at only 60,000 miles.
Flights between the U.S. and northern South America are only 35,000 miles roundtrip. Flights to the rest of South America are only 50,000 miles.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Flying Blue’s monthly Promo Awards. They offer discounts between 25 and 50 percent on flights in various regions.

When to Book by Phone:

If a partner airline doesn’t show up in an online search
To book complex itineraries
When changing an existing itinerary

See below for our phone booking tips.

How to Search for Flying Blue Award Seats Online:

Go to the Flying Blue Web page, and log in.

Enter your flight information, and click “FIND FLIGHTS.” Remember to check “You are looking for a flight around these dates” to see the most flight options.

On the next screen, choose your flight dates. Be sure to pay attention to the taxes and fees, since they will vary by airline. If you want to check other dates, click “show earlier dates” or “show later dates” at the bottom of the calendar. Click “NEXT, SELECT FLIGHT” after selecting a date.

Once you’ve decided on the date, you’ll need to pick the flight. In the example below, you have the option of flying direct on Air France, or paying less while making one connection on Delta. After choosing, click “NEXT, FILL IN PASSENGER DETAILS” to see the trip overview.

How to Confirm and Book Flying Blue Flights Online:

If you have enough miles, you’ll be given the option to pay for the taxes and fees, and finalize your booking.

Phone Booking Tips

U.S. booking number: 1-800-375-8723

Flying Blue’s U.S. office is in New York. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Flying Blue’s customer support can be quite good, but it can sometime be difficult to book complex itineraries, particularly on lesser-known airlines. Try to research to find the flights you want in advance of calling. Then you can feed that information to the agent.

Important Award Booking Considerations:

One-way redemptions allowed
Free stopover and open jaw on a round-trip flights
Miles expire in 20 months without activity
No cash-plus-miles awards
Low change fees
Fuel surcharges on some partners
Flat surcharge for intra-Europe flights on Air France and KLM
Monthly reduced mileage Promo Awards