Flying Blue SAF: earn XP with sustainable aviation fuel
Definition
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a sustainable jet fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by at least 65% over its entire lifecycle. At KLM and Air France, you can voluntarily purchase SAF as an add-on when booking. In return, you earn Flying Blue XP: approximately 1 XP per EUR 10 contributed. The remarkable part: SAF XP counts as UXP, making it the only way to work toward Ultimate status without actually flying.
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Open XP Calculator →Quick facts
- What is SAF?
- Mandatory surcharge vs. voluntary contribution
- How much XP do you earn with SAF?
- How KLM calculates SAF prices
- Crediting: when SAF XP do not appear
- SAF and UXP: the Ultimate shortcut
- How to buy a SAF contribution
- Cost-benefit analysis: SAF vs. other XP methods
- SAF strategies per status goal
- SAF on award tickets
- EU regulation: ReFuelEU Aviation
- Tips for maximum SAF XP
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
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Try the calculator →What is SAF?
SAF stands for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. It is a replacement for fossil kerosene that meets the same technical and safety standards as regular jet fuel. SAF can be blended with conventional kerosene and works in existing aircraft engines without any modifications.
How is SAF produced?
The SAF used by Air France-KLM is primarily made through the HEFA process (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids). The main feedstock is used cooking oil. This oil is purified and then treated with hydrogen, creating hydrocarbon chains that are chemically nearly identical to fossil kerosene.
The result is a fuel that emits the same amount of CO2 during flight as regular kerosene, but over its entire lifecycle (production to combustion) causes up to 80% less CO2. This is because the feedstocks (plants, waste oil) absorbed CO2 during their growth.
Why is SAF more expensive?
SAF currently costs 4 to 8 times more than conventional kerosene. This is due to limited production capacity and the costs of the production process. Air France-KLM has signed strategic agreements with Neste and DG Fuels to secure 1.6 million tonnes of SAF between 2023 and 2036. In 2023, the group purchased 16% of global SAF production while representing only 3% of global aviation fuel consumption, making it the world's leading user of SAF. Despite this, economies of scale have not materialized yet.
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Mandatory surcharge vs. voluntary contribution
There are two forms of SAF at KLM and Air France. This distinction is crucial, because only the voluntary contribution earns XP.
1. Mandatory SAF surcharge (no XP)
Since January 2022, KLM charges a mandatory SAF surcharge on all tickets for flights departing from Schiphol. This amount is already included in your ticket price. Air France has a similar surcharge for flights departing from Charles de Gaulle.
| Cabin class | European (indicative) | Intercontinental (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | EUR 1-4 | EUR 2-10 |
| Premium Economy | EUR 3-6 | EUR 6-14 |
| Business | EUR 3-10 | EUR 10-30 |
Amounts per one-way trip, indicative. The surcharge is adjusted periodically. Source: KLM SAF information.
2. Voluntary SAF contribution (earns XP)
On top of the mandatory surcharge, you can purchase a voluntary extra SAF contribution. This is the option that earns XP. KLM and Air France typically offer three levels, based on the estimated fuel consumption per passenger for your specific flight.
- Level 1 (up to 55% SAF): approximately EUR 12 - earn 2 XP
- Level 2 (up to 100% SAF): approximately EUR 22 - earn 3 XP
Exact amounts and levels vary by route, cabin class, and current SAF market price.
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Calculate your ROI →How much XP do you earn with SAF?
The basic rule
SAF contributions earn approximately 1 XP per EUR 10, rounded up. This means:
| SAF contribution | XP earned | Cost per XP |
|---|---|---|
| EUR 4 | 1 XP | EUR 4 |
| EUR 12 | 2 XP | EUR 6 |
| EUR 22 | 3 XP | EUR 7.33 |
| EUR 70 | 7 XP | EUR 10 |
| EUR 100 | 10 XP | EUR 10 |
| EUR 469 | 47 XP | EUR 9.98 |
Due to upward rounding, a small contribution (EUR 4) is much more favorable per XP than a large contribution. But at larger amounts, the cost per XP converges toward EUR 10.
Cash vs. miles
You can pay for SAF with cash or with miles. But note: when paying with miles, the rounding works differently and is less favorable. A contribution of EUR 4 equivalent (800 miles) earns 0 XP when paid with miles, while the same EUR 4 in cash earns 1 XP.
How KLM calculates SAF prices
KLM does not set SAF prices arbitrarily. Behind every SAF offer is a KPMG-audited CO2 calculator that determines the exact fuel consumption and emissions per passenger for your specific route and cabin class. This methodology is publicly available but practically invisible to consumers. Here is what we found in the official documentation.
The CO2 calculator
Every year, KLM updates its CO2 calculator based on actual flight data from the previous calendar year. The data comes directly from aircraft onboard systems and includes fuel consumption per aircraft type, passenger-kilometres, and cargo load. KPMG France audits the methodology annually under the ISAE 3000 standard. The most recent report (September 2025) covers calendar year 2024.
How the calculation works
For each origin-destination pair, KLM determines the expected fuel efficiency per passenger in four steps:
- Weighted average fuel efficiency: KLM calculates the fuel consumption for each aircraft type that operates on the route, weighted by how often each type flies that route in the upcoming schedule year.
- Distance factor: the fuel efficiency per kilometre is multiplied by the actual flying distance (not the straight-line distance, but the real flight plan distance including diversions around military zones and holding patterns).
- CO2 conversion: the fuel consumption is converted to CO2 using the ICAO CORSIA emission factor of 3.16 kg CO2 per kg of kerosene.
- Well-To-Wake adjustment: the result is multiplied by 1.25 to include indirect emissions from fuel production and transport (Scope 3), following the SBTi Aviation Tool methodology.
Cabin class multipliers
Business and Premium Economy passengers occupy more space per person. KLM and Air France compensate for this with exact multipliers applied to the Economy baseline:
| Haul type | Economy | Premium Economy | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short and medium haul | 1x (baseline at 98%) | - | 1.5x |
| Long haul | 1x (baseline at 80%) | 1.5x | 3x |
Source: Calculation methodology KLM CO2 Calculator (KPMG-audited). The ratios are based on how many Economy seats could fit in the space of one Business or Premium Economy seat.
Multi-segment routes
For flights with connections, KLM sums the emissions of each individual segment. For example, Amsterdam-Jakarta (via Kuala Lumpur) equals the emissions of Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur plus Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta. This means a connecting flight has higher total emissions (and therefore a higher SAF price and more XP) than a hypothetical direct flight would.
When you purchase SAF for a multi-segment trip, the contribution covers all segments of your trip. However, in your Flying Blue statement, the SAF XP appears on the first segment only.
The hidden SAF price table
KLM publishes a complete price table for 100% SAF per destination, but does not actively promote it anywhere on their website. The table lists every KLM destination from Amsterdam with the distance, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and SAF price per cabin class (one-way).
You can download the full table here: CO2 emission and SAF price per destination (PDF).
A selection from the table (Economy class, one-way, 100% SAF):
| Route | Distance | CO2 (kg) | SAF price (Y) | SAF price (J) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMS - London Heathrow | 418 km | 40 | EUR 18 | EUR 27 |
| AMS - Barcelona | 1,398 km | 137 | EUR 62 | EUR 93 |
| AMS - New York | 6,183 km | 349 | EUR 159 | EUR 476 |
| AMS - Bangkok | 9,867 km | 636 | EUR 289 | EUR 867 |
| AMS - Tokyo | 10,247 km | 702 | EUR 319 | EUR 958 |
Source: KLM SAF price table (PDF). Prices may differ slightly from live offers due to fleet composition changes during the year.
Official documentation
All of this is based on publicly accessible, KPMG-audited documentation that KLM does not prominently feature on their website:
- Calculation methodology KLM CO2 Calculator - the full methodology document
- KPMG Assurance Report CO2 Calculator 2024 - the independent audit report
- SAF price per destination - the complete price table
Crediting: when SAF XP do not appear
In theory, SAF XP are credited after the flight, along with your regular flight XP. In practice, this unfortunately does not always work automatically.
It happens regularly that SAF XP are not credited automatically. There is no clear pattern: sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. It seems to be improving lately, but it is not reliable. In that case, you need to contact customer service:
- WhatsApp (KLM, available for all travelers)
- Premium Service Line (for Silver and Gold members)
- Platinum Service Line (for Platinum members)
We intentionally do not list phone numbers here. Always get contact details directly from the source: log in to klm.com or airfrance.com and go to Flying Blue customer service in your profile.
Unfortunately, it also happens that customer service cannot immediately find your SAF contribution in their system. This is where the EMD number comes in.
Always save your EMD number
When you purchase a SAF contribution, you normally receive a confirmation email. This email contains an EMD number (Electronic Miscellaneous Document) that specifically corresponds to your SAF contribution. This number is your proof and your lifeline if the XP do not appear.
No EMD number received? Request an invoice
Sometimes you receive a confirmation, but the EMD number is not included. In that case, you can still retrieve it by requesting an invoice via klm.com:
- Go to your booking in "My Trips" on klm.com
- Scroll all the way down on the booking page
- Click on "Request an invoice"
- Fill in the form and receive the invoice by email
The invoice lists all extras you added to the booking, including the EMD number for your SAF contribution. With this number, customer service can trace the contribution and credit your XP.
SAF and UXP: the Ultimate shortcut
This is the most underrated aspect of SAF contributions. SAF XP on AF/KL tickets count as UXP (Ultimate Experience Points).
For most members, this difference does not matter, because UXP is only relevant if you are pursuing Ultimate status (900 UXP). But for members close to Ultimate, SAF is a crucial supplementary source.
| XP source | Counts as XP | Counts as UXP |
|---|---|---|
| AF/KL flights | Yes | Yes |
| SAF on AF/KL | Yes | Yes |
| SkyTeam partner flights | Yes | No |
| Flying Blue Amex card | Yes | No |
| Donating miles | Yes | No |
| Carte d'Abonnement | Yes | No |
Source: Flying Blue Status & XP. More about UXP: What is UXP?
Scenario: 50 UXP short of Ultimate
You have 850 UXP and your qualification year expires in 6 weeks. You have no more flights planned. Options:
- Book a mileage run: a return AMS-CDG-TUN in Business earns 60 UXP for EUR 500-700. You actually have to fly.
- Buy SAF: 50 UXP via SAF costs approximately EUR 500 (50 x EUR 10). You do not need to fly extra, but you do need an existing AF/KL booking to attach the SAF contribution to.
In this scenario, SAF can be cheaper and more practical than an extra flight, especially if you have an upcoming AF/KL flight to add the contribution to.
How to buy a SAF contribution
There are four moments when you can add a voluntary SAF contribution to your booking:
1. During booking
Go to klm.com or airfrance.com and start a booking. During the booking process, the SAF option appears with multiple levels. Each level shows the amount and the number of XP. Choose your level and check out.
2. Via Manage Booking (My Trip)
Already booked without SAF? No problem. Go to "My Bookings" on klm.com or "Mon voyage" on airfrance.com. Look up your booking and add a SAF contribution. This is possible until shortly before departure.
3. During online check-in
During the online check-in process, the SAF option is offered again. Useful if you forgot earlier.
4. Via the KLM or Air France app
Both apps offer the SAF option when managing your booking.
Cost-benefit analysis: SAF vs. other XP methods
How does SAF compare to other ways of earning XP? Here is a comparison of the main methods:
| Method | Cost per XP | Counts as UXP | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Silver Card | EUR 5.60 | No | 15 XP/year, also earns miles |
| Mileage run (EU Business) | EUR 7-12 | On AF/KL: yes | Requires actually flying |
| SAF contribution | EUR 6-10 | Yes | No extra flying required |
| Amex Platinum Card | EUR 11 | No | 60 XP/year, also miles + perks |
| Carte d'Abonnement | EUR 13-20 | No | 20 XP, also AF discounts |
| Donating miles | EUR 22 | No | Emergency option, instant credit |
In terms of cost per XP, SAF sits in the middle: cheaper than the Amex Platinum and donating miles, comparable to mileage runs. The main advantage over mileage runs: you do not have to fly extra. And compared to all other non-flight methods: SAF counts as UXP.
Your flying habits earn 200 XP. You are 100 XP short of Platinum (300 XP).
- Amex Platinum Card: 60 XP (EUR 660/year)
- Remaining 40 XP via SAF: approximately EUR 400
- Total: EUR 1,060 for Platinum (on top of flights you are taking anyway)
SAF strategies per status goal
Silver (100 XP): SAF as a supplement
For Silver, SAF is rarely the primary strategy. The Amex Platinum Card (60 XP) plus 2-3 flights with connections is more efficient. But if you are 5-10 XP short at the end of your qualification year, a SAF contribution of EUR 50-100 is an inexpensive solution.
Gold (180 XP): SAF as a buffer
At Gold, SAF starts to become interesting as a structural supplement. Add a SAF contribution to every booking (EUR 10-30) and you steadily accumulate 10-20 extra XP per year without changing your travel pattern.
Platinum (300 XP): serious supplement
Platinum requires volume. SAF can contribute 20-50 XP per year here if you consistently add it to all your AF/KL bookings. Combine with FB Extra Extended (20% XP bonus) for maximum value.
Ultimate (900 UXP): SAF as UXP accelerator
This is where SAF is at its most powerful. If you are 50-100 UXP short at the end of the year, SAF can make the difference without an extra flight. Note: SAF must be attached to an AF/KL booking to count as UXP. Read more in the Ultimate status guide.
SAF on award tickets
A frequently asked question: do you earn SAF XP when your flight is booked with miles (award ticket)? Yes. You can add a SAF contribution to any booking via KLM.com or AirFrance.com, regardless of whether it is a paid ticket or an award ticket.
This makes sense: the SAF contribution is a separate monetary purchase that is independent of the ticket type. As long as:
- The booking was made via KLM.com or AirFrance.com
- Your Flying Blue number is linked to the booking
- The SAF option is available for that route
This makes SAF particularly interesting for frequent flyers who regularly book award tickets: you do not earn flight XP on awards, but you can still add SAF XP (and UXP).
EU regulation: ReFuelEU Aviation
The European Union promotes the use of SAF through the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. This requires fuel suppliers at European airports to blend a minimum percentage of SAF:
| Year | Mandatory SAF share |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2% |
| 2030 | 6% |
| 2035 | 20% |
| 2050 | 70% |
Air France-KLM has its own target that goes further: at least 10% SAF by 2030 (compared to the 6% EU requirement). The mandatory SAF surcharge on KLM tickets partly finances this ambition.
What does this mean for you as a passenger? Over time, SAF will become an increasingly large part of the fuel mix. The mandatory surcharge will likely increase as the blending percentage rises. The voluntary contribution (which earns XP) remains an extra option on top of the mandatory minimum.
Tips for maximum SAF XP
1. Add SAF to every booking
Make it a habit: add the lowest SAF option to every AF/KL booking. Even EUR 4 per flight earns 1 XP. With 10 flights per year: 10 extra XP for EUR 40. That is EUR 4 per XP, the cheapest XP you can buy.
2. Take advantage of the rounding
Upward rounding works in your favor with small amounts. EUR 4 already earns 1 XP (effectively EUR 4/XP), while EUR 10 also earns 1 XP (EUR 10/XP). When in doubt, choose the lowest level.
3. Use Manage Booking as a second chance
Forgot during booking? Go to your booking in "My Trips" and add SAF afterward. This is possible until shortly before your flight.
4. Combine SAF with FB Extra Extended
Do you have Flying Blue Extra Extended? The 20% XP bonus applies to your flight XP. SAF XP are a separate bonus on top of your base XP and the Extended bonus. They stack.
5. The SAF double-booking method (gray area)
KLM.com and AirFrance.com share the same booking database, but the SAF systems are not always synchronized in real time. This makes it possible in some cases to purchase a SAF contribution twice for the same flight: once via klm.com and once via airfrance.com.
How it works:
- Book your flight via klm.com (or airfrance.com) and add a SAF contribution
- Open the same booking on airfrance.com (or klm.com) via "Manage Booking" with your booking reference
- Check if the SAF option is offered again
- If so: add another SAF contribution
You pay for SAF twice, but also earn XP twice (and UXP twice). The cost per XP stays the same, but this way you can earn more XP per booking than normally possible.
6. Track your SAF XP with SkyStatus
In SkyStatus, you can track your XP progress, including SAF contributions. The Investment page shows your cost per XP over time and reveals how much you invested through SAF versus flights and credit card.
Track your SAF XP with SkyStatus
Import your Flying Blue statement and see exactly how much XP you earned through SAF. Plan your strategy toward your next status level.
Start for freeFrequently asked questions
How much XP do you earn with a SAF contribution?
Approximately 1 XP per EUR 10 contribution, rounded up. A SAF contribution of EUR 22 earns 3 XP. Due to rounding, a small contribution of EUR 4 is already enough for 1 XP.
Does SAF XP count as UXP for Ultimate status?
Yes. SAF contributions on AF/KL tickets count as UXP. This makes SAF the only way to earn UXP without flying. The Amex card and donating miles only earn regular XP, not UXP.
Can you pay for SAF with miles?
Yes, but it is not recommended. When paying with miles, the rounding is less favorable. Always pay with cash (credit card) for maximum XP per euro.
Do you earn SAF XP on award tickets?
Yes. You can add a SAF contribution to any booking via KLM.com or AirFrance.com, including award tickets booked with miles. The booking must be linked to your Flying Blue number.
What is the difference between the mandatory SAF surcharge and the voluntary contribution?
The mandatory SAF surcharge is already included in your ticket price and does not earn XP. The voluntary contribution is an extra option that you choose yourself and for which you earn XP.
How much CO2 does SAF save?
SAF reduces CO2 emissions by at least 65% over the full lifecycle (production to combustion) compared to fossil kerosene. Some production methods achieve a reduction of 75-80%.
Is the SAF option always available?
The SAF option is available on most routes for direct bookings via klm.com and airfrance.com. Occasionally the option is temporarily unavailable (technical issue), but the program is permanent. Bookings through external travel sites (Booking.com, Google Flights) do not offer the SAF option.
My SAF XP were not credited, what now?
This happens more often than you might expect. Follow these steps:
- Wait at least one week after your flight. SAF XP are processed separately and do not appear when claiming manually right away.
- Find your EMD number in the confirmation email for your SAF contribution.
- Contact support via the KLM WhatsApp line (all travelers), the Premium Service Line (Silver/Gold), or the Platinum Service Line. Provide your booking reference and EMD number. Contact details can be found in your profile on klm.com under Flying Blue customer service.
- No EMD received? Request an invoice via your booking page on klm.com. The invoice includes the EMD number.
Is SAF XP included in rollover?
Yes. SAF XP can, like all other XP, roll over to the next qualification year via rollover. The maximum rollover is 300 XP. Excess XP above 300 is converted into Platinum for Life years.
Sources and transparency
Last verified: 12 April 2026. All facts have been checked against official sources and supplemented with forum reports.
- KLM - Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Official SAF information and terms
- Air France - SAF program - Air France SAF options and XP
- Flying Blue Status & XP - UXP rules and status qualification
- Air France-KLM Newsroom - SAF procurement and sustainability goals
- Air France-KLM SAF factsheet - Group SAF strategy, procurement, and sustainability targets
- FlyerTalk - Extra XP for SAF & Donations - Experiences and data points
Exact SAF amounts and XP earnings may vary by route, cabin class, and current SAF market price. The examples listed are indicative and based on reported data points from 2024-2026. The SAF double-booking method is based on forum reports and is not supported by official sources.
This guide is based on official sources from KLM, Air France, and Flying Blue, supplemented with forum reports and personal experience. SAF amounts, XP earnings, and regulations are subject to change. Always check the current terms on the official websites. SkyStatus is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Air France-KLM or Flying Blue.