Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue adds new elite benefits for frequent flyers

Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue has introduced a new set of perks aimed at rewarding its most frequent travellers, adding fresh incentives for members who go beyond standard elite status thresholds.

The programme has rolled out “Choice Benefits,” giving high-tier members the option to select rewards such as bonus miles, status boosts, upgrade vouchers, or even gifting elite status to others.

Under the new system, travellers who accumulate experience points (XPs) – the metric used to determine status – can unlock additional rewards at key milestones before reaching the top-tier “Ultimate” level.

These thresholds, set at 450, 600, and 750 qualifying points earned specifically on Air France and KLM flights, offer increasing benefits. Options include tens of thousands of bonus miles, extra XP credits to fast-track status renewal, and premium perks like upgrade vouchers or sharing elite status with friends or family.

The move addresses a long-standing gap in the programme, where frequent flyers who surpassed Platinum status had little incentive to continue accumulating points unless aiming for the much higher Ultimate tier. By introducing mid-tier rewards, Flying Blue is effectively encouraging continued loyalty and engagement from its most active customers.

While the added flexibility has been widely welcomed, some observers note that certain options – such as mileage overdrafts – may be less appealing compared to straightforward bonus miles.

Still, the broader update signals a positive shift for the programme, offering more tangible value and making it easier for frequent travellers to benefit from their continued spending and travel activity.