Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to buy Flying Blue Miles: Miles, XP and earn rates
Flying Blue Miles are the award currency of Flying Blue, the loyalty programme of Air France-KLM, and they are kept separate from the XP that sets a member's level: on flights marketed by Air France, members earn between 4 and 9 Miles for every euro spent, depending on their level. [3] [5]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Miles and XP are two different currencies in the same account: Miles are redeemed for flights, Promo award tickets and upgrades, while XP is what moves a member between levels. [3] [5]
- The Miles-per-euro rate on Air France-marketed flights climbs with level, from 4 Miles for an Explorer to 9 Miles for an Ultimate member. [3] [5]
- Award tickets do not earn Miles, and rail segments only count towards Miles in a connecting journey at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly. [3]
- Maintaining Silver, Gold or Platinum takes 100, 180 or 300 XP respectively within a qualification period of up to 12 months. [5] [6]
What can you use Flying Blue Miles for?
Miles are the part of a Flying Blue account that gets spent. Air France's earning conditions list the uses the programme sets out for them: flights, Promo award tickets, upgrades and other paid options. [3] The separate guide to upgrading Flying Blue with Miles takes the upgrade route further.
A Miles balance can also be put towards Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Flying Blue says members can support SAF with cash, with Miles, or with a combination of both, and that the programme awards 1 XP for every €10 or 2,000 Miles contributed. [5] In the Paris CDG to Toronto-Pearson example published by Flying Blue, with prices valid on 14 May 2025, the three contribution levels ran from €76 or 15,200 Miles for 8 XP to €533.60 or 106,800 Miles for 54 XP. [5] Miles can also be used to support around 25 charities. [5]
How many Miles do you earn per euro on Air France flights?
On flights marketed by Air France, Miles are credited per euro spent, and the rate is set by the member's level. [3] Miles and XP are earned on those flights whatever the operating carrier, including train, bus and limousine services that carry an Air France flight number. [3] For rail segments, Miles are credited only when the train journey comes before or after an international flight departing from or arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly. [3]
| Level | Miles per euro |
|---|---|
| Ultimate | 9 |
| Platinum | 8 |
| Gold | 7 |
| Silver | 6 |
| Explorer | 4 |
The per-euro figures come from Air France's earning conditions and match the level benefits published by Flying Blue. [3] [5] Two other routes to Miles on Air France are listed: buying extras such as an upgrade, a more comfortable seat, extra baggage or a special menu, and Elite Bonus Miles for members holding the corresponding status. [3]
Two situations switch the calculation away from euro spend: Air France-marketed flights sold on Tour Operator fares, and Air France-operated flights marketed by Flying Blue partner airlines. In both, Miles are based on the distance travelled, a booking-class percentage from the published fare tables, and Elite Bonus Miles. [3] Air France applies a floor of 500 miles on domestic flights and 750 miles on international flights; its own example is a 274-mile domestic one-way that credits 500 Flying Blue Miles. [3]
How does your level change the Miles you earn?
Flying Blue has five levels — Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Ultimate — and the Miles-per-euro rate rises at each one. [5] The currency that moves a member between those levels is XP, which is earned on eligible fares on flights marketed or operated by Air France, KLM, Transavia, Aircalin, Air Corsica flights between Paris-Orly and Corsica, and SkyTeam airline partners. [5] UXP is earned only on flights marketed by Air France or KLM. [5] XP can also be earned by contributing to SAF, at 1 XP per €10 or 2,000 Miles, and by supporting charities through the programme. [5]
A qualification period can run for up to 12 months and starts when a member earns a first Mile or a first XP. [5] Reaching a threshold upgrades the member immediately, and the XP that took them to the new level is deducted from the counter. [5] Holding a level takes 100 XP for Silver, 180 XP for Gold and 300 XP for Platinum, and Elite members keep any surplus above the threshold up to a maximum of 300 XP. [5] [6] Ten consecutive years at Platinum make a member Platinum for life. [5] [6]
| Level | XP threshold |
|---|---|
| Silver | 100 XP |
| Gold | 180 XP |
| Platinum | 300 XP |
What limits and exceptions apply?
- Award tickets. Miles are not earned on tickets booked with Miles. [3]
- Rail segments. A train, bus or limousine leg carrying an Air France flight number earns Miles only when it sits either side of an international flight departing from or arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly. [3]
- Distance floors. The 500-mile domestic and 750-mile international minimums apply to the distance-based calculation on Air France, not to the flat per-euro rates. [3]
- Indicative XP tables. Flying Blue states that no rights can be derived from the estimated values in its flight-type simulator or XP table. [5]
- Missing a threshold. A member who does not reach the minimum XP for their level drops one level, and a Platinum member steps down to Gold, then Silver, before becoming Explorer. [5]
- Dated prices. The SAF contribution amounts quoted above were the prices valid on 14 May 2025 and are described by Flying Blue as non-contractual. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Do Flying Blue Miles count towards elite status?
Miles and XP are separate currencies. XP is what moves a member between Explorer and Ultimate, and Flying Blue lists eligible flights, SAF contributions and charity support as the ways to earn it. [5]
How many Miles do you earn per euro on Air France flights?
Explorer members earn 4 Miles per euro, Silver 6, Gold 7, Platinum 8 and Ultimate 9, based on the level held at the time of travel. [3] [5]
Do award tickets booked with Miles earn Miles?
No. Air France's earning conditions state that Miles are not credited on award tickets. [3]
Is there a minimum distance for earning Miles on Air France?
Yes, in the distance-based calculation: Air France applies a 500-mile minimum on domestic flights and a 750-mile minimum on international flights. [3]
Can a Miles balance be turned into XP?
It can be put towards SAF, and Flying Blue awards 1 XP for every 2,000 Miles contributed, alongside cash-only contributions. [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers the Air France-KLM Flying Blue programme only; other airline and hotel loyalty programmes are not covered here.
- Air France — Flying Blue earning conditions and fare tables, checked 18 October 2026
- Flying Blue — Status & XP, checked 18 October 2026
- Flying Blue — Status & XP (programme summary), checked 18 October 2026