Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
Lufthansa Miles & More vs Air France Flying Blue: rules
Flying Blue is the loyalty programme of Air France, KLM and Transavia, with five status levels and mileage earning on Air France-marketed flights of 4 to 9 Miles per euro depending on the member's level. [5] [3] This page sets out those published Flying Blue rules on earning, XP status, award tickets and fee boundaries; Lufthansa Miles & More rules are covered on the separate Miles & More programme page.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Flying Blue is the loyalty programme of Air France, KLM and Transavia. [5]
- On Air France-marketed flights, earning is spend-based and rises with status: Explorer 4, Silver 6, Gold 7, Platinum 8 and Ultimate 9 Miles per euro. [3] [5]
- Tour Operator fares and flights operated by Air France but marketed by Flying Blue partner airlines use distance, booking class and any Elite bonus instead of the per-euro rate. [3]
- Award tickets — tickets reserved with Miles — do not earn Miles. [3]
- Status is set by XP over a 12-month qualification period, with published thresholds of 100 XP for Silver, 180 for Gold and 300 for Platinum. [5] [6]
How does Flying Blue award Miles on Air France flights?
Miles are earned on flights marketed by Air France (AF), whatever the operating carrier, including train, bus and limousine services that carry an AF flight number. [3] For train journeys, Miles accrue only when the member travels by train before or after an international flight departing from or arriving at CDG or ORY. [3] Award tickets — tickets reserved with Miles — do not earn Miles. [3]
On Air France-marketed flights, the number of Miles depends on the member's level. [3] [5] The rate is 4 Miles per euro for Explorer, 6 for Silver, 7 for Gold, 8 for Platinum and 9 for Ultimate. [3] [5]
| Flying Blue level | Miles per euro spent |
|---|---|
| Explorer | 4 |
| Silver | 6 |
| Gold | 7 |
| Platinum | 8 |
| Ultimate | 9 |
A different calculation applies to Air France-marketed flights sold at Tour Operator fares, and to flights operated by Air France but marketed by Flying Blue partner airlines. [3] For those, Miles are based on the distance travelled, the booking-class rate for the cabin and any Elite bonus for which the member qualifies. [3] The distance figure is the mileage between origin and destination, not Flying Blue Miles. [3] Minimum credited distances are 500 miles on domestic flights and 750 miles on international flights. [3]
On long-haul distance-based flights, the published booking-class rates run from 25% in the lowest Economy booking classes to 550% in First P. [3] In that calculation the percentage is applied to the distance flown, not to the cash fare. [3]
How does XP set Flying Blue status?
Flying Blue has five levels: Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Ultimate. [5] [6] A member has up to 12 months to earn enough XP to maintain a level or move up, and the qualification period starts when the member earns a first Mile or first XP. [5] [6]
A level-up is instant once the XP threshold is reached. [5] The XP that brought the member to the new level is deducted; Elite members, meaning Silver and above, keep surplus XP above the threshold up to 300 XP. [5] A new 12-month qualification period starts on level-up. [5] [6]
| Level | XP threshold | XP to renew |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 100 | 100 |
| Gold | 180 | 180 |
| Platinum | 300 | 300 |
To maintain a level, the same minimum applies: 100 XP for Silver, 180 for Gold and 300 for Platinum. [5] If the member does not reach that minimum by the end of the qualification period, status drops one level; Explorer resets to 0 XP, and the XP threshold for the lower tier is deducted from the counter. [5] The new membership period at that level lasts 12 months. [5] A Platinum member downgrades successively to Gold and then Silver before becoming Explorer. [5]
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. [5] UXP is earned only on flights marketed by Air France or KLM. [5] XP can also be earned by contributing to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), at 1 XP for every €10 or 2,000 Miles contributed. [5] The number of XP earned from flying is based on flight distance and cabin; for example, Frankfurt to New York via Amsterdam in Economy earns 15 XP, and Nice to Tokyo via Paris in Business earns 42 XP. [5]
Platinum for Life is reached by earning Platinum 10 years in a row and reaching the required threshold; the member then keeps Platinum benefits without requalifying for Platinum. [5] [6]
What can Flying Blue Miles be used for, and do award tickets earn Miles?
Flying Blue Miles can be used on flights, Promo award tickets, upgrades and other paid options. [3] A ticket reserved with Miles does not earn Miles. [3] Miles are also earned when buying supplements such as an upgrade, a more comfortable seat, additional baggage or a special meal. [3]
Air France lists extended validity for Flying Blue Miles among the benefits of crediting flights to the programme. [3]
This comparison keeps taxes, surcharges and upgrade pricing separate; it does not present them as common to European carriers.
Exceptions and limits
- Train segments earn Miles only when they are linked to an international flight departing from or arriving at CDG or ORY. [3]
- Tour Operator fares and flights operated by Air France but marketed by Flying Blue partner airlines move to distance, booking class and Elite bonus rather than the per-euro rate. [3]
- Award tickets do not earn Miles, even when the flight is marketed by Air France. [3]
- Minimum credited distances are 500 miles on domestic flights and 750 miles on international flights in the distance-based calculation. [3]
- A Platinum member who does not requalify drops to Gold and then Silver before Explorer; an Explorer who does not requalify resets to 0 XP. [5]
- Elite members can keep no more than 300 surplus XP above the threshold. [5]
- UXP is earned only on flights marketed by Air France or KLM. [5]
Frequently asked questions
How many Miles does Flying Blue award per euro on Air France flights?
It depends on status: 4 Miles per euro for Explorer, 6 for Silver, 7 for Gold, 8 for Platinum and 9 for Ultimate. [3] [5]
How long do I have to earn XP for Flying Blue status?
The qualification period is up to 12 months and starts when the member earns a first Mile or first XP. [5] [6]
Do award tickets earn Flying Blue Miles?
No. Tickets reserved with Miles are excluded from mileage earning. [3]
Can train segments earn Flying Blue Miles?
Only when the train journey is before or after an international flight departing from or arriving at CDG or ORY. [3]
How can I earn Flying Blue XP without flying?
Contributing to sustainable aviation fuel earns 1 XP for every €10 or 2,000 Miles contributed. [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. This page covers Flying Blue; Lufthansa Miles & More is not covered here and is covered on the Miles & More programme page.
- Air France: Flying Blue earning conditions and fare tables, checked 18 October 2026
- Flying Blue: Status & XP programme page, checked 18 October 2026
- Flying Blue: Status & XP programme rules, checked 18 October 2026