How do I earn Flying Blue XP?

You earn XP by flying on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam partner airlines. The amount depends on your cabin class: Economy earns 4-8 XP per segment, Business earns 16-20 XP, and First/La Première earns 24+ XP.

What is the difference between XP and Miles?

XP determines your status level and resets each qualification year. Miles are your reward currency that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. They are earned separately and don't expire as long as you have account activity.

What is Flying Blue XP? Complete Guide to Experience Points

Last updated: 17 February 2026 · 10 min read · Based on official Flying Blue program rules · See sources

By Remco de Graaf 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.

Definition

Flying Blue XP (Experience Points) are status-qualifying points that determine your elite status with Air France and KLM. Unlike miles (which you spend on awards), XP accumulates from flights and determines whether you reach Silver (100 XP), Gold (180 XP), Platinum (300 XP), or Ultimate (900 UXP) status. When you reach each level, the required XP is deducted from your balance. XP resets annually but up to 300 XP can roll over to your next qualification year.

How the XP System Works

You start as an Explorer and must earn 100 XP to reach Silver status. The system deducts 100 XP from your balance immediately upon qualification.
You keep only the surplus XP above that threshold to start your new cycle. You are now at the start of your Silver year.
You need to earn a full 180 XP to reach Gold status. This is a fresh requirement, not the difference between Silver and Gold.
The system deducts 180 XP once you upgrade to Gold. You then need to earn 300 XP to reach Platinum.
For Ultimate, you need 900 UXP (earned only on AF/KL marketed flights) while holding Platinum. When you qualify, 900 UXP is deducted.

SkyStatus dashboard showing Platinum status with 301 XP earned, projected XP progress bar, miles balance of 343,549, and Risk Monitor overview — The SkyStatus Command Center showing a Platinum member's XP balance, miles overview, and status risk assessment at a glance.

XP vs Miles: Two Separate Currencies

Flying Blue operates two distinct currencies. Confusing them is one of the most common mistakes new members make. Here is how they differ:

Aspect	Miles	XP (Experience Points)
Purpose	Redeemable currency for awards	Determines your status level
Can you spend them?	Yes: flights, upgrades, shopping	No: status qualification only
Expiration	After 24 months of account inactivity	Reset each qualification year (with rollover)
Earning sources	Flights, credit cards, partners, shopping	Primarily flights + SAF purchases
Transferable?	Yes, to other Flying Blue accounts	No

⚠️ Common misconception: Many members think spending miles or earning miles from credit cards helps their status. It does not. Only XP determines your status level from Explorer to Platinum.

How Flying Blue XP is Earned

XP earnings depend on two primary factors: flight distance and cabin class. Unlike Miles, XP earnings are not affected by your status level or the price of your ticket.

Factor 1: Flight Distance

Flying Blue uses distance bands rather than exact mileage. Longer flights earn proportionally more XP.

Distance Band	Economy	Premium	Business	First	Example Routes
Domestic	2 XP	4 XP	6 XP	10 XP	Toulouse to Paris (Orly)
Medium-haul (<2000 mi)	5 XP	10 XP	15 XP	25 XP	AMS to London, CDG to Istanbul
Long-haul 1 (2000 to 3500 mi)	8 XP	16 XP	24 XP	40 XP	AMS to Dubai, CDG to Montreal
Long-haul 2 (3500 to 5000 mi)	10 XP	20 XP	30 XP	50 XP	AMS to New York, CDG to Nairobi
Long-haul 3 (5000+ mi)	12 XP	24 XP	36 XP	60 XP	AMS to Tokyo, CDG to Los Angeles

Official source: Flying Blue Status & XP. Rates may vary by airline and booking class. Last verified: 17 February 2026.

✈️ Important: First Class & Feeder Flights

KLM does not offer a First Class cabin. First Class is exclusive to specific Air France long-haul routes (branded as La Premiere).

Insider Trick: If you book a La Premiere itinerary that involves a connection (e.g., AMS to Singapore via Paris), you earn First Class XP on the short feeder flight (AMS to CDG) as well. This applies even though you fly in Business Class on that specific leg and even if that leg is operated by KLM.

Factor 2: Cabin Class Multiplier

Your ticket class significantly impacts XP earned. This is why some frequent flyers specifically book Business Class for status runs:

Economy: Base XP (1x)
Premium Economy: 2x base XP
Business Class: 3x base XP
La Premiere (First): 5x base XP

📊 Real Example: A direct Amsterdam to New York round trip (Long-haul 2) in Business Class earns 60 XP (2 legs of 30 XP).

🚀 Expert Tip 1: The Power of Connections
If you book the same trip via Paris (AMS to CDG to JFK), you earn for 4 flight segments instead of 2.

AMS to CDG (Medium): 15 XP
CDG to JFK (Long 2): 30 XP

That is 45 XP one-way, or 90 XP total. You earn 50% more status points for often the same price (or less!).

🚄 Expert Tip 2: The "Antwerp Run"
Prices from outstations (like Antwerp or Brussels) are often significantly cheaper than direct flights from hubs. This is a favorite strategy of "XP Runners".

The Hack: If you book Antwerp (ZWE) to Amsterdam to New York, the train ride from Antwerp to Schiphol counts as a flight segment!

ZWE to AMS (Train in Business): 15 XP
AMS to JFK (Long 2 in Business): 30 XP

Total: 90 XP return plus potential savings on the ticket price.

SkyStatus flight list showing individual flights with XP, UXP, and Miles earned per segment across Economy, Premium, and Business cabins — Real flight data in SkyStatus Pro Analytics: each flight shows its cabin class, XP earned, UXP contribution, and miles - making it easy to see how cabin class affects earnings.

Additional XP Sources

While flights are the primary source, you can earn bonus XP from:

Flying Blue AMEX cards: 15 to 60 XP annually depending on card tier
SAF contributions: Sustainable Aviation Fuel purchases earn bonus XP
Flying Blue Extra Extended: 20% bonus XP on Air France and KLM flights (not on partner airlines)
Promotional campaigns: Flying Blue periodically offers double XP on specific routes

Flying Blue Status Thresholds

Here are the exact XP requirements for each status level. Remember: at each level, the required XP is deducted ("paid") from your balance.

Status	Points Required	Key Benefits
Explorer	0 XP	Base tier, earn miles on flights
Silver	100 XP (Deducted upon qualification)	SkyPriority, +1 bag
Gold	180 XP (Deducted upon qualification)	Lounge access, SkyPriority, seat guarantee
Platinum	300 XP (Deducted upon qualification)	Complimentary upgrades, start earning UXP
Ultimate	300 XP + 900 UXP (Both deducted upon qualification)	Highest priority, lifetime status path, upgrade vouchers

Official sources: KLM membership levels, Air France Flying Blue levels. XP is deducted upon qualification.

💡 Strategic insight: Gold status represents the best value for most travelers because of the lounge access. Remember: you must earn the full 180 XP during your Silver qualification year to reach Gold. It does not stack on top of your previous 100 XP.

Understanding Your Qualification Year

SkyStatus Command Center with Risk Monitor showing qualification cycle dates, requalification status secured, rollover forecast with actual and projected XP values — The Risk Monitor tracks your qualification year progress, showing days remaining, requalification status, and projected rollover - essential for planning your flying strategy.

XP operates on a personal 12-month cycle, not the calendar year. Understanding this is essential for status planning.

Qualification Year Structure

Format: Always 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.
Requalification: If you maintain your status (not level up), your year dates stay exactly the same.
Level-up reset: If you reach a higher status mid-cycle, your 12-month clock restarts from the 1st of the following month.
Rollover: Excess XP (up to 300) rolls over to your next qualification year.

Official reference for qualification period rules: Flying Blue Terms and Conditions (PDF).

⚠️ Ultimate Does NOT Reset Your Year: Unlike Silver, Gold, and Platinum, reaching Ultimate does not trigger a new qualification year. Ultimate is a status layer on top of Platinum, not a separate XP level.

📊 Rollover Example: You are Gold and earn 250 XP by your qualification date. You need 180 XP to maintain Gold, so 70 XP (250 minus 180) rolls over. Your new year starts with 70 XP already banked.

Tracking Your XP Progress

SkyStatus XP Ledger showing monthly breakdown of XP earned from flights, credit cards, and miscellaneous sources with cumulative totals and UXP tracking — The XP Ledger breaks down your earnings by month and source - flights, credit card bonuses, and other XP - so you can see exactly how your status progress builds over time.

The official Flying Blue website shows your current XP balance, but has limitations:

No historical XP data or trends
No projections or pace analysis
No rollover calculations
No planning tools for mileage runs

This is why many frequent flyers use dedicated tracking tools for better visibility into their status progress.

Track Your Flying Blue XP

Import your Flying Blue PDF statement and see your complete XP history, projections, rollover calculations, and status predictions.

Start Tracking Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do partner airline flights earn XP?

Yes. Flights on SkyTeam alliance partners (Delta, Korean Air, etc.) earn XP when credited to your Flying Blue account. However, only Air France and KLM marketed flights earn UXP toward Ultimate status. See: Flying Blue Ultimate.

Can I buy XP?

No, you cannot purchase XP directly as a standalone product. However, you can earn XP by purchasing sustainable add-ons during your booking:

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Contributing to SAF earns XP.
Nature Restoration: Contributing to nature projects (reforestation) can earn XP.

⚠️ Crucial Note: You only earn XP for nature projects if the option explicitly states "Earn [X] XP" on your screen (e.g. "Earn 6 XP") during the booking flow. This option is not available on all flights. If the text is missing, no XP will be granted. Note: This is often an expensive way to earn XP compared to flying (approx. 10 euros per XP).

What happens if I do not requalify? (Soft Landing)

Flying Blue guarantees a Soft Landing. This means you only drop down one level per year, regardless of how few XP you earned. See: KLM membership levels.

Scenario A (Surplus XP): If you are Gold (requiring 180 XP) but only earn 150 XP, you drop to Silver. The system still deducts 100 XP (Silver cost), and you start your new Silver year with 50 XP.
Scenario B (No XP): If you are Gold and earn 0 XP (you did not fly at all), you still only drop to Silver. You start your new Silver year with 0 XP.

Official References

Flying Blue Status & XP — XP thresholds, earning rates
KLM Membership Levels — Status benefits, soft landing rules
Air France Flying Blue Levels — XP deduction rules
Flying Blue Ultimate — UXP requirements
Flying Blue Terms & Conditions (PDF) — Full program rules

This guide is based on official Flying Blue program rules. Status requirements and benefits may change. Always verify current terms on the official Flying Blue website. Last verified: 17 February 2026. SkyStatus is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Air France-KLM or Flying Blue.