An XP run (often called a mileage run) is a flight booking made specifically to earn Experience Points (XP) for Flying Blue status. Unlike traditional mileage runs which focus on distance, XP runs focus on the number of flight segments ('legs') and cabin class.

Why do people choose connecting flights for XP runs?

Flying Blue awards XP per flight segment. A direct flight earns XP once. A flight with a connection (A to B, then B to C) earns XP twice. By adding a stopover, you can often earn 50% more XP for the same ticket price.

What is the Antwerp train hack?

The Antwerp hack exploits KLM's rail-fly service. When you book a flight starting from Antwerp (ZWE) or Brussels, the train to Amsterdam Schiphol counts as a flight segment and earns XP. In Business Class, this adds 15 XP per direction for the cost of a train ride.

What is an XP Run? The Complete Flying Blue Guide

Last updated: 17 February 2026 · 14 min read · Based on official Flying Blue program rules · See sources

Official sources used for verification:
Flying Blue: Status & XP · KLM: Membership levels · Flying Blue: Ultimate (UXP) · KLM: Air&Rail

By Remco Flying Blue Platinum member since 2005, every status from Silver to Platinum. 30 years building digital products, 15+ mileage runs, 50+ countries. Founder of SkyStatus.

The Flying Blue Difference

In the aviation world, people talk about "Mileage Runs." But in Flying Blue, miles do not determine your status. XP (Experience Points) do. Therefore, a Flying Blue member does an XP Run. The goal is not to fly far, but to earn the maximum number of XP for the lowest price. This often means flying shorter distances with more connections rather than one long direct flight. See Flying Blue: Status & XP for official programme context.

SkyStatus requalification card showing Platinum Secured status with XP progress from 301 to 403 including 102 from a planned run, plus Ultimate Progress UXP tracking from 158 to 452 out of 900 needed — SkyStatus shows your XP gap at a glance - here Platinum is secured at 301/300 XP, with scheduled runs pushing the total to 655 XP including rollover.

Want to see the numbers for your route? Try the free XP Simulator - enter any airport pair and cabin class to instantly see your XP and cost per XP.

The Golden Rule: More Legs = More XP

This is the foundation of every successful XP run. Flying Blue awards XP per flight segment (leg), not per trip or per mile.

Why Connections Beat Direct Flights

Direct flight: You earn XP once (for one leg).
Connected flight: You earn XP twice (for two legs).
Double connection: You earn XP three times (for three legs).

Since connecting flights are often priced similarly (or even cheaper) than direct flights, adding a stopover is the easiest way to boost your status earnings by 50% or more.

XP Earning by Distance and Cabin

Before planning your run, understand how XP is calculated. The earning rate depends on two factors: flight distance and cabin class.

Distance Band	Economy	Premium	Business	La Première
Domestic (France)	2 XP	4 XP	6 XP	10 XP
Medium haul (under 2000 mi)	5 XP	10 XP	15 XP	25 XP
Long haul 1 (2000 to 3500 mi)	8 XP	16 XP	24 XP	40 XP
Long haul 2 (3500 to 5000 mi)	10 XP	20 XP	30 XP	50 XP
Long haul 3 (over 5000 mi)	12 XP	24 XP	36 XP	60 XP

Official sources: KLM membership levels, Flying Blue Status & XP. Last verified: 17 February 2026.

💡 Key Insight: Business Class earns 3x more XP than Economy per leg. On short European flights, the price difference is often only 50 to 100 euros, but the XP difference is 10 XP (15 vs 5). This makes short haul Business the XP runner's best friend.

The Power of Connections: Real Examples

📊 Example 1: Amsterdam to New York

Option A: Direct Flight (Business)

AMS → JFK: 30 XP (Long haul 2)
Return: 30 XP
Total: 60 XP

Option B: Via Paris (Business)

AMS → CDG: 15 XP (Medium haul)
CDG → JFK: 30 XP (Long haul 2)
Return legs: 15 + 30 = 45 XP
Total: 90 XP

Result: By changing planes in Paris, you earn 50% more XP for often the same price or less.

📊 Example 2: Amsterdam to Singapore

Option A: Direct Flight (Business)

AMS → SIN: 36 XP (Long haul 3)
Return: 36 XP
Total: 72 XP

Option B: Via Paris (Business)

AMS → CDG: 15 XP
CDG → SIN: 36 XP
Return legs: 15 + 36 = 51 XP
Total: 102 XP

Result: The Paris connection adds 30 XP to your trip. Three of these trips per year (306 XP) is enough for Platinum.

SkyStatus XP Simulator showing AMS-CDG-BKK route chain in Business Class with 4 segments earning 102 XP total - AMS to CDG 15 XP, CDG to BKK 36 XP each way, plus return CDG to AMS 15 XP — The XP Simulator breaks down every segment - this Bangkok via Paris route earns 102 XP in Business, compared to just 60 XP on a direct flight.

The Antwerp Hack: The Train That Earns XP

This is one of the most powerful XP run strategies, and many members do not know about it.

🚄 The Antwerp Run Explained

KLM operates an Air&Rail service from Antwerp (station code: ZWE) and Brussels to Amsterdam Schiphol. When you book a flight that starts from Antwerp, the train ride counts as a flight segment and earns XP.

The Magic:

The train is classified as a "Medium haul" segment.
In Economy: 5 XP per direction.
In Business: 15 XP per direction.

The Double Benefit: Flights from Antwerp or Brussels are often significantly cheaper than direct flights from Amsterdam, while earning more XP due to the extra segment.

📊 Example: The Antwerp Run to New York

Standard booking from Amsterdam (Business)

AMS → JFK: 30 XP
Return: 30 XP
Total: 60 XP

Antwerp booking (Business)

ZWE → AMS (train): 15 XP
AMS → JFK: 30 XP
Return: 30 + 15 = 45 XP
Total: 90 XP

Result: Same destination, 50% more XP, often a lower price. The "cost" is arriving at Antwerp Central Station instead of Schiphol.

📊 Example: Triple Stack (Antwerp + Paris Connection)

Antwerp to New York via Paris (Business)

ZWE → AMS (train): 15 XP
AMS → CDG: 15 XP
CDG → JFK: 30 XP
Return: 30 + 15 + 15 = 60 XP
Total: 120 XP

Result: One round trip earns 120 XP. That is 40% of your entire Platinum requirement (300 XP) in a single booking.

⚠️ Important: The train segment only earns XP when booked as part of a KLM Air&Rail itinerary. Booking the train separately does not count.

SkyStatus XP Simulator showing ZWE-AMS-CDG-TRN Antwerp hack route with 6 segments in Business Class earning 90 XP total at 15 XP per segment including the ZWE to AMS train segment — The Antwerp hack in action - the ZWE-AMS train counts as a full 15 XP segment in Business, turning a 4-segment trip into 6 segments for 90 XP.

Understanding When to Do an XP Run

Timing is everything. Your qualification year determines when XP runs make strategic sense.

Your Qualification Year

Structure: Runs from the 1st of a month to the last day of the month before, one year later (e.g., November 1 to October 31).
Determined by: Your last level up to your current XP status.
XP Expires: Any XP not used for status or rollover is lost when your year ends.
Rollover Cap: Maximum 300 XP can carry over to the next year.

Official references: KLM membership levels, Flying Blue T&C (PDF).

SkyStatus Risk Monitor showing Platinum Secured with 258 days left in qualification cycle from Nov 1 to Oct 31, rollover forecast of 253 projected XP to next cycle with no XP waste and room for 47 more rollover XP — The Risk Monitor tracks your qualification year countdown and rollover forecast - know exactly how many days and XP you have left before planning a run.

When an XP Run Makes Sense

Close to a threshold: You have 250 XP and need 300 for Platinum. A targeted run closes the gap.
Year ending soon: Your qualification year ends in 6 weeks and you will lose your progress without action.
Strategic rollover: You want to hit 600 XP as Platinum so you roll over 300 XP and start next year already qualified.
Soft landing prevention: You are Gold with 150 XP and your year ends next month. A run to 180 XP saves your status.

When to Skip the XP Run

Far from next level: You have 50 XP toward Gold (180). The cost to close 130 XP is likely not worth it.
Light travel year ahead: If you only fly twice next year, the benefits will not pay back the run cost.
Above the rollover cap: You already have 550 XP as Platinum. More XP just gets wasted (cap is 600 effective: 300 for status + 300 rollover).

⚠️ The 600 XP Sweet Spot: As a Platinum member, earning exactly 600 XP is optimal. You pay 300 XP for status renewal and roll over 300 XP. You start next year already qualified. Earning more than 600 XP means wasted points above the cap.

XP Runs for Ultimate Aspirants

If you are pursuing Ultimate status, your XP run strategy must account for UXP.

UXP Rules for XP Runners

UXP Source: Only flights marketed by Air France (AF) or KLM (KL) earn UXP. The flight code on your ticket must start with AF or KL.
Partner Warning: Flights operated by KLM but sold with a Delta code (DL) earn zero UXP. See Flying Blue Ultimate.
Requirement: Ultimate needs 900 UXP + 300 XP (Platinum) in one qualification year.
Payment: When you qualify, both 300 XP and 900 UXP are deducted from your balance.

💡 Ultimate Strategy: If you need both XP and UXP, always book through klm.com or airfrance.com to ensure AF or KL flight codes. Avoid booking via partner sites (like delta.com) as the flight codes may be different.

The Key Metric: Cost Per XP

Experienced XP runners evaluate every booking by its cost efficiency.

Cost per XP = Flight Price (EUR) ÷ Total XP Earned

Cost per XP	Rating	When to Book
Under 10 EUR	Excellent	Book immediately
10 to 15 EUR	Good	Worth considering
15 to 20 EUR	Average	Only if you need the XP urgently
Over 20 EUR	Poor	Look for alternatives

SkyStatus analysis: Cost per XP benchmarks are based on observed market rates. Individual results vary by route and timing.

Try the XP Simulator

Enter any route, pick a cabin class, and instantly see how many XP you earn and what it costs per XP.

Open XP Simulator →

SkyStatus XP Simulator showing CDG-AMS-KRK route in Business with Full SAF contribution adding 48 bonus XP on top of 60 flight XP for 108 total, estimated SAF cost 310 euros — The XP Simulator also calculates SAF contributions - here a Krakow run with Full SAF earns 108 XP (60 from flights + 48 from SAF) for 310 euros extra.

📊 Cost Analysis Example

Option A: Direct AMS to JFK, Business, 2500 EUR, 60 XP return

Cost per XP: 2500 / 60 = 41.67 EUR (Poor)

Option B: ZWE to JFK via AMS and CDG, Business, 1800 EUR, 120 XP return

Cost per XP: 1800 / 120 = 15 EUR (Good)

Decision: Option B costs 700 EUR less AND earns twice the XP.

XP Run Strategies by Goal

Strategy 1: The Gold Sprint (180 XP)

Goal: Reach Gold status from Silver as efficiently as possible.

Recommended Approach:

3 connected round trips in Business (3 x 60 XP = 180 XP)
Or: 2 triple stack runs using Antwerp hack (2 x 90 XP = 180 XP)
Or: Mix of Business and Economy connected flights

Budget Estimate: 1500 to 3000 EUR depending on destinations and cabin class.

Strategy 2: The Platinum Push (300 XP)

Goal: Reach Platinum status from Gold.

Recommended Approach:

3 to 5 connected long haul Business trips
Use Antwerp hack on every booking to maximize segments
Target routes: US East Coast, Middle East, or Southeast Asia via CDG

Pro Tip: Aim for 600 XP if possible. You maintain Platinum AND start next year pre-qualified.

Strategy 3: The Maintenance Run

Goal: Keep your current status when your qualification year is ending.

Scenario: You are Platinum with 220 XP and your year ends in 8 weeks.

Action: You need 80 XP. One connected Business round trip to a medium haul destination (like Dubai via CDG) earns approximately 78 to 90 XP.

Cost: Often 800 to 1200 EUR for a well timed booking.

Strategy 4: The Ultimate Accelerator

Goal: Maximize UXP toward Ultimate status (900 UXP required).

Critical Rules:

Book only AF or KL marketed flights (check flight code). See Flying Blue Ultimate.
Avoid partner codeshares (DL, KE, etc.).
Every segment must be AF or KL to count as UXP.

Target: 1800 UXP in one year. After paying 900 for Ultimate, you roll over 900 and start next year pre-qualified.

Timing Your XP Run

Best Times to Book

3 to 6 weeks before departure: Sweet spot for pricing on most routes.
Tuesday to Thursday flights: Cheapest days, often emptier planes.
January and September: Low season pricing on many routes.
Sale periods: Watch for KLM Real Deal Days and Air France promotions.

Best Routes from Amsterdam

Destination	Via	Business XP (Return)	Typical Price Range
New York (JFK)	CDG	90 XP	1600 to 2400 EUR
Dubai (DXB)	CDG	78 XP	1400 to 2000 EUR
Singapore (SIN)	CDG	102 XP	2200 to 3200 EUR
New York (JFK)	ZWE + CDG	120 XP	1400 to 2200 EUR

SkyStatus analysis: Price ranges are typical observed rates and vary by season and availability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️ Mistake 1: Booking Direct Flights
Direct flights are XP killers. Always check if a connected routing is available at a similar price. The XP difference can be 50% or more.

⚠️ Mistake 2: Ignoring Your Qualification Year
XP earned after your qualification year ends counts toward the NEW year, not the current one. Check your exact end date before booking.

⚠️ Mistake 3: Earning Above the Cap
As Platinum, earning more than 600 XP means wasted points. The rollover cap is 300 XP. Plan your runs to hit the sweet spot, not exceed it.

⚠️ Mistake 4: Wrong Flight Codes for Ultimate
If you need UXP, double check that your flight codes are AF or KL. A KLM operated flight sold as DL9642 earns zero UXP. See Flying Blue Status & XP.

Is an XP Run Worth It?

Calculate the value of your target status against the cost of the run.

Gold Status Value (Annual)

Lounge visits: 15 visits x 40 EUR = 600 EUR
Extra baggage: 4 trips x 50 EUR = 200 EUR
Priority services: Estimated 150 EUR in time saved
Total: Approximately 950 EUR

Platinum Status Value (Annual)

Lounge visits: 20 visits x 40 EUR = 800 EUR
Free seat selection: 6 trips x 80 EUR = 480 EUR
Extra baggage (2 bags on AF/KL): 6 trips x 100 EUR = 600 EUR
Platinum Service Line: Priceless during disruptions
Total: Approximately 1900 EUR+

SkyStatus analysis: Value estimates are based on typical usage patterns. Individual value varies by travel frequency.

💡 The Math: If an XP run costs 1500 EUR and delivers Platinum status worth 1900 EUR annually, the run pays for itself within the first year. Add the value of rollover XP giving you a head start on year two, and the ROI becomes even clearer.

Plan Your XP Run

See exactly how many XP you need, when your qualification year ends, and calculate your optimal strategy.

Start Planning Free →

Official References

Flying Blue Status & XP — XP earning rates, segment-based system
KLM Membership Levels — Status thresholds, soft landing rules
Flying Blue Ultimate — UXP requirements, AF/KL marketing rule
KLM Air&Rail — Train + flight bookings from Antwerp/Brussels
Flying Blue Terms & Conditions (PDF) — Full program rules

This guide reflects general XP running strategies based on official Flying Blue program rules. XP earning rates and prices vary by route and booking class. Always verify current info on official pages. Last verified: 17 February 2026. SkyStatus is not affiliated with Air France-KLM or Flying Blue.