How to earn and keep Flying Blue elite status

What are the Flying Blue status levels and XP thresholds?

Flying Blue's published ladder has five levels: Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Ultimate. [3] A member climbs by collecting XP, and the programme states that the more a member travels, the more XP they gain and the more benefits they receive. [3] The threshold that promotes a member to a level is also the threshold that renews it. [3] [4]

The Miles-per-euro rate rises with each level, from 4 Miles per euro at Explorer to 9 at Ultimate; on flights marketed by Air France the same progression applies, with 6 Miles per euro at Silver, 7 at Gold and 8 at Platinum. [3] [5]

How does the 12-month Flying Blue qualification period work?

A member has up to 12 months to gain enough XP to hold their level or move up, and the qualification period starts when they earn their first Mile or their first XP. [3] A member who reaches the next threshold is upgraded instantly, and the XP that carried them to the new level is deducted from their XP counter. [3] A fresh qualification period then begins, running until the end of the twelfth month. [3]

At the end of the period Flying Blue checks whether the member still holds the minimum XP for their level: 100 XP at Silver, 180 XP at Gold and 300 XP at Platinum. [3] Meeting that minimum renews the membership at the same level for another 12 months, and elite members — Silver and above — keep any surplus XP above the threshold to use toward the next level, up to a maximum of 300 surplus XP. [3] [4] The programme's own illustration is a Silver member with 122 XP who does not reach the 180 XP needed for Gold: they stay Silver, 100 XP is deducted, and the 22 surplus XP remain as a start toward Gold. [3]

A member who does not reach the minimum for their current level moves down one level, and an Explorer has their XP counter reset to zero. [3] The threshold of the lower level is deducted from the counter, and the membership period at the new level lasts 12 months. [3] Platinum members step down gradually, first to Gold and then to Silver, before becoming Explorer. [3]

How do you earn XP toward Flying Blue status?

XP is earned on eligible fares on eligible flights marketed or operated by Air France, KLM, Transavia, Aircalin, Air Corsica flights between Paris-Orly and Corsica, and SkyTeam airline partners. [3] The number of XP depends on the distance flown and the cabin. [3]

A member flying Frankfurt to New York via Amsterdam in economy earns 5 XP for the Frankfurt–Amsterdam sector plus 10 XP for Amsterdam–New York, 15 XP in total. [3] The same table gives 6 XP plus 36 XP, or 42 XP, for Nice to Tokyo via Paris in business class. [3] On medium-haul routes a member earns 2 XP on an Economy Basic fare and can add 2 XP on Economy Flex fares. [3]

Only flights marketed by Air France or KLM earn UXP, the separate counter shown alongside XP. [3] Air France-marketed flights include train, bus and limousine services carrying an Air France flight number, though train travel earns Miles only when it comes before or after an international flight to or from Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly. [5] Miles are not earned on award tickets booked with Miles. [5]

XP can also be earned without flying. A contribution to Sustainable Aviation Fuel earns 1 XP for every €10 or 2,000 Miles, and the example levels for a Paris–Toronto flight were priced as of 14 May 2025 at €76, €188 and €533.60 for 8, 19 and 54 XP. [3] Using Miles to support about 25 charities is listed as another way to earn XP. [3]

Exceptions and limits

• Surplus XP is capped at 300 for elite members, an amount Flying Blue describes as equivalent to one extra year of Platinum status. [3] [4]
• Holding Platinum for 10 years in a row, while reaching the required threshold, leads to Platinum for Life, after which Platinum status no longer needs to be requalified. [3] [4]
• The XP counter is not a running lifetime total: the XP that promoted a member is taken off at the upgrade, and a new 12-month period starts from that point. [3]
• Benefits differ by level rather than arriving all at once — free seat options open 24 hours before departure at Silver and 72 hours before at Gold, and lounge access on SkyTeam flights begins at Gold, subject to conditions. [3]
• Ultimate adds four one-cabin upgrade vouchers per membership year and one partner Flying Blue Platinum card, alongside a dedicated assistant available 24/7. [3]

Frequently asked questions

How many XP do you need to keep Flying Blue Silver?

Silver requires 100 XP at renewal, Gold 180 XP and Platinum 300 XP, and the same numbers apply when a member first reaches each level. [3] [4]

What happens if a member does not earn enough XP?

They drop one level, and the threshold of the lower level is deducted from their XP counter. [3] A member at Explorer has the counter reset to zero instead. [3]

How long is the Flying Blue qualification period?

Up to 12 months, beginning with the member's first Mile or first XP, and a new 12-month period starts whenever they level up. [3]

Can XP be earned without taking a flight?

Yes — Sustainable Aviation Fuel contributions earn 1 XP per €10 or 2,000 Miles, and Miles donated to about 25 charities are also listed as an XP route. [3]

Do award tickets earn Miles?

No. Air France's Flying Blue earning conditions state that Miles are not earned on award tickets, meaning tickets booked with Miles. [5]

Related pages

Programme: Flying Blue. Guides: Flying Blue status, status match and challenge. Terms: elite qualification thresholds, frequent flyer glossary.

Sources

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. SkyTeam partner programmes other than Air France and KLM, and hotel and credit-card programmes, are not covered here; see the glossary for related terms.

1. Flying Blue — Status & XP, checked 18 October 2026
2. Flying Blue — Status & XP: levels, XP thresholds and qualification periods, checked 18 October 2026
3. Flying Blue — Air France earning conditions and fare tables, checked 18 October 2026