---
title: "How to Spend Flying Blue Miles: Complete Guide (2026)"
locale: "en"
canonical_url: "https://skystatus.pro/guide/how-to-spend-flying-blue-miles"
updated_at: "2026-10-08T12:05:21.474825+00:00"
---
# How to spend Flying Blue miles and points wisely
Last updated: 8 October 2026 - 17 min read - Based on [Flying Blue]() and American Express
By [Remco de Graaf]() Founder of SkyStatus, Flying Blue member since 2005, currently Ultimate. Also Managing Director and co-owner at Reshift Digital. Founder of Zoom.nl (120,000 users) and Zoom Academy (80,000 paying students). Experience includes at least 15 mileage runs and visits to at least 60 countries.
You have a balance of Flying Blue miles and one question. What is the smartest way to actually spend them? Most members burn miles on whatever pops up first, a short economy hop or a seat upgrade, and quietly lose most of their value. The same miles can be worth a fraction of a cent or many times that, depending entirely on what you book. This guide walks through every way to spend Flying Blue miles and American Express points, and shows which choices pay off and which ones waste them.
## The golden rule
**Miles and points are most valuable when you use them for premium cabin award tickets.** The official value of a Membership Rewards point is EUR 0.003, but with smart spending you can get up to EUR 0.034 per point - more than 10x as much. This guide shows you how to maximize the value of your Flying Blue miles and MR points.
## What do you want to know?
I have
Flying Blue miles
Award tickets, Promo Rewards, partner airlines and upgrades. Discover the best way to spend your miles.
[Go to Flying Blue miles →]()
I have
Membership Rewards points
Transfer partners, ratios and when to choose which program. From Flying Blue to Singapore KrisFlyer.
[Go to MR points →]()
I want to
Fly Business or First Class
The best sweet spots for premium cabins: from KLM Business to Singapore Suites and Qatar QSuite.
[Go to sweet spots →]()
I want to know
What are my points worth?
Concrete value per point across different redemptions. From EUR 0.003 to EUR 0.034 per point.
[Go to valuation →]()
The value per 1,000 Membership Rewards points varies by up to 10x. Business Class award tickets deliver EUR 15-34, while statement credits yield only EUR 3.
## The golden rule: maximizing value per point
The same points can be worth 10x more depending on how you spend them. This is the most important insight from this guide. Many people redeem their points for gift cards or statement credits, but that is almost always the worst option.
Below you can see [the value per 1,000 Membership Rewards points]() across different redemptions:
| Redemption | Value per 1,000 MR points | Rating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Statement credit | EUR 3.00 | Avoid |
| Gift card (retailers) | EUR 3.00 - 4.00 | Avoid |
| Economy award ticket | EUR 5.00 - 8.00 | Decent |
| **Business Class award ticket** | **EUR 15.00 - 34.00** | Best value |
**Never do this:** redeeming points for gift cards or statement credits. At EUR 0.003 per point you are literally throwing away 80-90% of the value. Save your points until you can use them for an award ticket.
The value per point depends on three factors: the **cabin class** (Business and First yield the most), the **route** (long-haul flights give more value) and the **timing** (when a cash ticket is expensive, your award is worth more).
Three of the flown awards on one account in SkyStatus: the Business award to Toronto returned 3.17 cents per mile, each last-minute upgrade 0.70 cents. Same miles, more than four times the value.
Measured among SkyStatus members: the median recorded redemption returned **0.82** euro cents per mile (216 redemptions by 61 members, October 2026). A value like the Business award above is the exception, not the rule.
**More on miles value:** for a detailed analysis per route and cabin class, read our [complete guide to Flying Blue miles value](). With [SkyStatus]() you can track exactly what your miles are worth and how your portfolio develops.
## Spending Flying Blue miles
You [earn Flying Blue miles]() by flying with KLM, Air France and SkyTeam partners, or through a credit card. These are the best ways to spend them.
### Award tickets: the best option
Award tickets are by far the best way to spend your miles. Since 2018, Flying Blue uses [dynamic pricing](): there is no longer a [fixed award chart](). The price in miles varies per flight, just like cash tickets.
Flying Blue offers two price levels for award tickets:
- **Classic Awards** - the regular dynamic price in miles. Available on most flights.
- **Promo Rewards** - monthly offers with up to 25% discount. The best deals.
**From September 8, 2026** every new award booking on Air France and KLM flights additionally comes in one of three fare options: [Light, Standard or Flex](). The option sets the conditions of your ticket. Light is the entry option: no checked bag in Economy and no voluntary changes or refunds. Standard includes the bag plus changes and refunds for EUR 70. Flex includes free changes, refunds and advance seat selection at a higher miles price with a lower cash surcharge. In Business, Light also drops the included lounge access. Partner awards keep a single unbranded fare, and awards booked before September 8 keep their original conditions.
Price indication per cabin and distance (one-way):
| Route | Economy | Premium Eco | Business |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Short-haul Europe (AMS-BCN) | 8,000 - 15,000 | \- | 20,000 - 35,000 |
| Long-haul Europe (AMS-IST) | 12,000 - 20,000 | \- | 25,000 - 45,000 |
| Transatlantic (AMS-NYC) | 25,000 - 45,000 | 40,000 - 55,000 | 60,000 - 120,000 |
| Asia (AMS-NRT) | 30,000 - 50,000 | 50,000 - 100,000 | 85,000 - 130,000 |
Prices are indicative and vary per date. Prices exclude taxes and surcharges. Source: flyingblue.com, February 2026.
**Tip:** use the calendar view on [flyingblue.com]() to find the cheapest day. Prices can vary significantly per day, sometimes by as much as 50%.
One more way to get more out of an award ticket: a [free stopover](). You stop for at least 24 hours in a connecting city such as Amsterdam or Paris and fly on later, without paying extra miles.
### Promo Rewards: monthly discounts
Every month Flying Blue publishes a selection of routes at up to 25% discount in miles. These are [Promo Rewards](), and they are often the best deal you can find.
- **Discount:** up to 25%, in Economy as well as Premium Economy and Business Class (older promotions went as far as 50%)
- **Availability:** new selection at the beginning of each month
- **Booking window:** usually for travel up to 6 months ahead
- **Where to find them:** on [flyingblue.com]() under "Spend miles"
Example: Promo Reward in action
AMS-SFO (San Francisco) Business Class: normally 60,000 miles one-way. With a 25% Promo Reward: **45,000 miles**. A cash ticket for the same flight easily costs EUR 2,500+. The value per mile: more than EUR 0.05. That is better than any other redemption.
### Partner airlines
Flying Blue miles can be spent not only with KLM and Air France, but also with partner airlines. Sometimes partners offer better availability or a better product.
**SkyTeam partners:**
- **Korean Air** - excellent Business Class to Asia, good availability via Flying Blue
- [**Delta**]() - to the US, but availability can be limited
- **China Eastern** - affordable award tickets to China
- **Kenya Airways** - to Africa, priced as medium-haul
**Non-SkyTeam partners:**
- **Air Europa** - to South America, often without fuel surcharges
- **Transavia** - European destinations with Flying Blue miles
**Watch out with partners:** taxes and fees can vary significantly per airline. An award ticket with British Airways can include hundreds of euros in fuel surcharges, while Air Europa charges virtually no surcharges. Always check the total price before booking.
Read more about all partners in our [guide to Flying Blue partner airlines]().
### Miles & Cash
With Miles & Cash you combine miles with money for a ticket. This can be useful when you are just short of miles for a full award ticket.
**Watch out:** the value per mile with Miles & Cash is often lower than with a full award ticket. You typically get less discount per mile than when you pay everything in miles. Only use Miles & Cash when you truly do not have enough miles and the deal is attractive enough.
### Cash & Miles: the hybrid option
With **Cash & Miles** you can pay part of a regular ticket with Miles, or part of a reward ticket with cash (up to 25%). This works for both options. Available on every booking with KLM, Air France and their airline partners via the website or app.
**The key benefit:** you still earn Miles and XP on the total booking value, including the part paid with Miles. This makes Cash & Miles more valuable than a pure reward ticket (which earns no Miles or XP).
You can also use Cash & Miles for paid extra options like seat selection and extra baggage, not just tickets.
Source: [flyingblue.com]()
### Upgrades with miles
You can purchase an upgrade from Economy to Business Class with miles. This only works on KLM and Air France flights, and availability is limited. The upgrade appears as an option in "My Trips" when there is space.
The value of a [miles upgrade]() can be good, but it is not guaranteed to be available. Do not plan ahead counting on it.
The other route runs through check-in: when the higher cabin has empty seats, KLM and Air France may offer an [upgrade at check-in]() at a personal price in euros or miles.
### What to avoid
Not every way of spending Flying Blue miles is smart. Avoid these options:
- **Flying Blue web shop** - buying products with miles yields a value below EUR 0.005 per mile. That is less than half of what an Economy award ticket delivers.
- **SkyTeam Lounge access** - expensive in miles. If you want regular lounge access, consider working toward your [Flying Blue Gold status]().
- **Hotels or car rental via Flying Blue** - poor value per mile. Book these separately and pay cash.
## Spending Membership Rewards points
Do you have a regular American Express card (not the Flying Blue variant)? Then you earn Membership Rewards (MR) points. These points are extremely flexible because you can transfer them to multiple airline programs.
### Transfer partners: the overview
The power of MR points lies in the [transfer options](). From a European perspective, [these partners]() are the most relevant:
The Transfer partners tool in SkyStatus: American Express Nederland converts at 2:1, so 1,000 points become 500 Flying Blue miles.
| Partner | Transfer ratio | Max. value per MR point | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Flying Blue** | 2:1 in NL (1,000 = 500 miles) | Up to EUR 0.014 | KLM/AF, Promo Rewards |
| **British Airways Avios** | 5:4 (NL) | Up to EUR 0.016 | Iberia, Qatar QSuite |
| **Singapore KrisFlyer** | 5:4 (NL) | Up to EUR 0.027 | Singapore Airlines Suites/Business |
| **SAS EuroBonus** | 3:2 (1,000 = 667) | Up to EUR 0.015 | Short SAS flights |
| **Delta SkyMiles** | 3:1 (1,000 = 333) | Avoid | Almost never |
Transfer ratios as of September 2026. The "max. value" is with optimal use (Business/First Class award tickets). Source: americanexpress.com.
### When to choose which partner?
**Choose Flying Blue when:**
- You want to fly KLM or Air France (the most logical choice from Europe)
- There is an attractive Promo Reward on your desired route
- You already have Flying Blue miles and want to top them up
- You want SkyTeam partner destinations (Korean Air to Asia, Kenya Airways to Africa)
**Choose British Airways Avios when:**
- You want to book **Iberia Business Class** (one of the best sweet spots from Europe)
- You want to fly **Qatar Airways QSuite** (widely considered the best Business Class product in the world)
- You want to book short flights within Europe on British Airways
**Choose Singapore KrisFlyer when:**
- You want to fly **Singapore Airlines Business or First Class** (consistently the best airline product)
- You want the highest possible value per MR point (up to EUR 0.027)
- You are traveling to Southeast Asia or Australia
**Choose SAS EuroBonus when:**
- You want to book specific SAS routes (Scandinavia)
- Short European flights via SAS (from 5,000 points)
**Avoid Delta SkyMiles:** the transfer ratio of 3:1 (you only get 333 SkyMiles per 1,000 MR points) makes this partner almost always a poor choice. Only consider it if you have absolutely no alternative for a specific Delta flight.
### What to avoid with MR points
- **Statement credits** (EUR 0.003 per point) - the worst option. You are throwing away 90% of the potential value.
- **Buying gift cards** (EUR 0.003 - 0.004 per point) - barely better than statement credits.
- **Small transfers without a plan** - do not transfer 10,000 points to Flying Blue "just in case." Keep them until you have a specific booking goal. Once transferred, you cannot reverse it.
**Rule of thumb:** keep your MR points until you know what you want to use them for. The flexibility of MR points is their greatest strength. Once you transfer them to an airline program, you lose that flexibility.
### Measured: how members actually redeem
Everything above assumes people actually redeem. The measured baseline: **52.9% of tracked members (587 of 1109) redeemed at least once within their tracked history**. Roughly half of the tracked base shows no redemption within its tracked history (histories are partial: a redemption before the imported window would not show). The redemptions themselves are also more modest than the sweet-spot examples suggest: median redemption 20,100 miles (p25 9,300, p75 52,500). And on flown award segments, premium cabins take about half: Business+First 46.1% (65 of 141 flown award segments), Economy 51.8%, Premium Economy 2.1%.
_SkyStatus member data, October 2026, measured across the full tracked base (587 members redeemed within it). Our members are self-selected optimizers, not a random sample of Flying Blue members._
_Full report: [Flying Blue by the Numbers]() · [Methodology]()_
## Sweet spots: the best award tickets
Not all award tickets are created equal. Some routes and cabins deliver significantly more value than others. These are the [sweet spots]() you need to know.
### Short-haul Europe: the quick wins
- **KLM/AF Economy within Europe:** 8,000-15,000 miles one-way, with Light at 8,000 without a checked bag. Ideal for a weekend trip to Barcelona, Lisbon or Rome.
- **Promo Rewards Europe:** regularly 25% off, bringing the price down to 6,000 miles.
- **North Africa:** Morocco and Tunisia are priced by Flying Blue as European destinations. Marrakech from 8,000 miles in Light.
- **Transavia:** also bookable with Flying Blue miles. Handy for destinations KLM does not fly to.
Among SkyStatus members, award journeys within Europe cost a median of **13,000** miles per passenger one way over the last 24 months (637 journeys by 156 members, October 2026).
### Transatlantic: the classics
The Amsterdam-New York route is one of the most popular award routes. Here are the options:
- **Economy:** from 25,000 miles one-way. During a Promo Reward sometimes from 18,750 miles.
- **Premium Economy:** from 40,000 miles, during Promo Reward from 30,000 miles. A good middle ground between comfort and miles.
- **Business Class:** from 60,000 miles. During Promo Reward from 45,000 miles. KLM World Business Class is a solid product on the 787 Dreamliner.
Example: AMS-NYC Business Class
A return Business Class Amsterdam-New York easily costs EUR 3,000-5,000 in cash. With Promo Rewards you book the same flight for 90,000 miles return (2x 45,000). If you earned the miles through the Flying Blue Platinum Card (1.5 miles/euro), you would need EUR 60,000 in spending. But with the welcome bonus of 70,000 miles you have more than enough for this flight.
For SkyStatus members, award journeys between Europe and North America (Mexico included) since February 2025 cost a median of **45,000** miles per passenger one way across all cabins, and 59.3% cost exactly the lowest regular price for their cabin or a Promo Reward price (297 journeys by 75 members, October 2026).
### Premium cabins with partners
The real sweet spots are often found with partner airlines. With MR points you have access to world-class products:
**Qatar Airways QSuite via Avios:**
- Book via British Airways (Avios) - transfer MR points (5:4 from a Dutch Amex, 1:1 from a US Amex)
- QSuite is widely regarded as the best Business Class product in the world
- Routes from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and Australia
- Availability can be limited, book as early as possible
**Singapore Airlines Business/First via KrisFlyer:**
- Transfer MR points to KrisFlyer (5:4 for Dutch Amex)
- Singapore Airlines consistently ranks in the top 3 of the world's best airlines
- Singapore Suites (First Class on the A380) is one of the most exclusive flight products
- Delivers the highest value per MR point: up to EUR 0.034
**Korean Air Business to Asia via Flying Blue:**
- Book directly with Flying Blue miles
- Korean Air has a solid Business Class product
- Often better availability than KLM on routes to Asia
- Via Seoul (ICN) to numerous Asian destinations
### Hidden gems
Lesser-known sweet spots worth exploring:
- **Air Europa via Flying Blue** - to South America, often without fuel surcharges. That saves hundreds of euros compared to KLM.
- **SAS short European flights via EuroBonus** - from 5,000 points per flight. Handy for trips to Scandinavia.
- **Iberia Business Class via Avios** - to South America and the Caribbean. Iberia charges lower surcharges than BA.
## Real-world examples
How much are your points worth in practice? Below are concrete scenarios based on common point balances.
"I have 40,000 Flying Blue miles"
With 40,000 miles you can choose from:
- **2 return Economy flights within Europe** in Light (4x 8,000 = 32,000 miles, e.g. AMS-BCN and AMS-FCO)
- **1 return Premium Economy to the US** during a Promo Reward (2x 30,000 miles, you need to earn 20,000 more)
- **1 one-way Business Class to the US** during a Promo Reward (45,000 miles - you need to earn 5,000 more)
"I have 120,000 Flying Blue miles"
With 70,000 miles premium options open up:
- **1 return Business Class to the US** during Promo Reward (2x 45,000 = 90,000 miles, 30,000 left over)
- **1 one-way Business Class to Asia** (85,000 miles, 35,000 left over)
- **7 return Economy flights within Europe** in Light (from 16,000 miles per return)
"I have 100,000 MR points"
With 100,000 MR points you have three strong options:
- **Option A - Flying Blue:** transfer to FB (50,000 miles via the 2:1 NL ratio) = 1x one-way Business Class to the US during Promo Reward (45,000 miles), 5,000 left over
- **Option B - Singapore Airlines:** transfer to KrisFlyer (80,000 miles via the 5:4 NL ratio), enough for Business Class toward Asia on Singapore Airlines.
- **Option C - Split:** half to Flying Blue for a Promo Reward in Business, half to Avios (5:4 in NL) for Iberia or Qatar redemptions
### Track your miles and their value
Want to know exactly what your miles are worth, what they cost per mile and whether you are spending them wisely? SkyStatus calculates it automatically.
[Start tracking for free]()
Miles donation: 50,000 miles donated to NGOs, earning 25 XP plus surplus XP available on the counter (March 2025).
**Author's real experience:** I donated 50,000 miles to the Flying Blue NGOs & Startups program and earned 25 XP in return. This is an often overlooked way to spend miles. If your miles are close to expiring or you have a surplus, donating is both a feel-good option and an XP earner. The XP bonus varies, but even a small donation earns XP that count toward your status.
**Donate your Miles.** Flying Blue lets you donate Miles to 19+ charities including Unicef, WWF, Red Cross, War Child and The Ocean Cleanup. Donations are tax-deductible. Visit [the donation page]() to contribute.
## Frequently asked questions
What are my Flying Blue miles worth?
The value depends on how you spend them. For Economy award tickets they average EUR 0.008-0.012 per mile. For Business Class the value can reach EUR 0.015-0.025 per mile. With discounted Promo Rewards you get even more value. Avoid the Flying Blue web shop, where values often drop below EUR 0.005 per mile. Read the full [value analysis]().
Should I transfer MR points to Flying Blue or keep them?
Keep them until you have a specific booking goal. Flying Blue is the best choice for KLM/AF flights and Promo Rewards (ratio 2:1 in NL). For Qatar Airways QSuite or Iberia Business Class, [Avios are better]() (5:4 in NL). For Singapore Airlines, KrisFlyer is the best option (also 5:4 in NL). Never transfer points without a plan.
When is the cheapest time to book with miles?
The cheapest deals can be found during Flying Blue's monthly [Promo Rewards]() (up to 25% discount). Use the calendar view on flyingblue.com to find the cheapest day. Book well in advance for popular routes. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper than weekends.
Do my miles or points expire?
Flying Blue miles expire after 24 months of inactivity on your account. Any activity that earns miles, such as a flight, resets the clock. Spending miles does not. Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as your Amex card is active. If you cancel your card, you lose any unused points.
Can I share miles or points with family?
Flying Blue miles can be shared via [Transfer Miles]() (up to 100,000 miles per year, with a small fee). You can also book an award ticket directly in someone else's name. MR points cannot be transferred to other people, but you can book flights for others with them. Booking for others is common: among SkyStatus members, 36.2% of award bookings in the last 24 months were for two or more passengers (October 2026).
What are Promo Rewards and how do I find them?
Promo Rewards are monthly offers from Flying Blue with up to 25% off in miles. Each month new routes are selected. You can find them on flyingblue.com under "Spend miles." New offers appear on the 1st of each month.
## Sources and transparency
Last verified: February 19, 2026. All facts verified against at least two independent sources.
- Flying Blue - award pricing, Promo Rewards, partner airlines
- American Express - transfer partners, MR value, ratios
### Related guides
- [**Sweet spots: the best award tickets**]()
- [**How to earn Flying Blue miles: the complete guide**]()
- [**Finding award availability**]()
- [How to use Flying Blue miles on Delta]()
- [Flying Blue Family: share miles with your family]()
- [KLM upgrade with miles: all options]()
- [KLM upgrade at check-in: costs and pitfalls]()
- [What are Flying Blue miles worth?]()
- [The business model behind Flying Blue]()
- [Calculating cost per mile]()
- [Flying Blue partner airlines]()
- [What is Flying Blue XP?]()
- [Flying Blue status levels compared]()
- [Promo Rewards: discounts on award tickets]()
- [Stopover: free layover on award tickets]()
- [Flying Blue Tracker: complete app guide]()
- [Flying Blue Beginners Guide]()
- [Should You Buy Flying Blue Miles?]()
- [Air France La Première lounge: who gets in and what it costs]()
**Related reading:** want more miles before spending them? Our [Flying Blue transfer partners guide]() covers all six credit card programs that transfer to Flying Blue.
SkyStatus is not affiliated with Air France-KLM, Flying Blue or American Express.