Air France Flying Blue in 2027: How to Earn and Spend Miles, Status Levels and Whether It’s Worth Joining

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Quick Answer

Flying Blue is Air France and KLM’s free loyalty programme, and it’s worth joining before you book a trip to France. On Air France flights, you earn Miles based on your fare, starting at 4 Miles per euro, and you spend them on reward flights, upgrades and extras.

Meanwhile, separate Experience Points (XP) decide your status, from Explorer up to Ultimate. Download the Air France app to manage your loyalty account, track your Miles, and store digital boarding passes.

The Sunset Weekly Connection Reality: Joining Flying Blue prior to traveling maximizes the value of your Air France flights through earning redeemable Miles and tier-building XP points. Managing your membership via the mobile app ensures seamless tracking of status progress and flight rewards on every journey.

JOIN FLYING BLUE

Flying Blue at a Glance

What	How it works
Cost to join	Free, according to Air France
Miles on Air France, KLM and Transavia	4 to 9 Miles per euro, excluding taxes and fees, depending on your status
Status levels	Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Ultimate
To reach Silver	100 XP within a 12-month qualification period
XP on a London–Paris flight	2 XP on Basic, 5 XP on Light or Standard, and 7 XP on Flex, each way in Economy (indicative)
Spending Miles	Reward tickets, upgrades, seats, extra bags and partner rewards
Taxes on reward tickets	Paid in cash, because Miles can’t cover taxes and carrier surcharges

Sources: Air France Flying Blue pages, checked 15 October 2026.

How I Checked These Rules

When I join a loyalty scheme, I want to know two things first: how fast I’ll earn and what I can actually do with the points. So for this guide, I used Air France’s own Flying Blue pages, the programme’s general terms and Air France-KLM’s press releases.

I also checked the advice you’ll often find elsewhere. For example, some guides say Platinum members earn 9 Miles per euro. However, Air France lists 8 for Platinum, with 9 reserved for Ultimate. So wherever other advice differed, I followed the official pages.

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Before you book, see our guide to flights to France from the UK, US and Europe for Air France’s routes, fares and baggage rules.

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Miles vs XP: How Flying Blue Works

Flying Blue uses two separate counters, so it helps to understand both before you fly.

First, Miles are what you spend. You collect them on flights and with partners, then use them for reward tickets, upgrades and extras. Second, XP measures your activity, and it decides your status level. In other words, Miles pay for rewards, while XP unlocks benefits such as priority check-in and lounges.

According to Air France-KLM, Flying Blue has more than 35 million members, over 40 airline partners and more than 100 commercial partners. Plus, it was named Program of the Year for Europe and Africa at the 2026 Freddie Awards.

Earning Miles on Flights

Air France, KLM and Transavia

On Air France, KLM and Transavia flights, Miles are based on your ticket fare, excluding taxes and fees. Then your status decides the rate.

Status	Miles per euro	Example: €150 fare, excluding taxes
Explorer	4	600 Miles
Silver	6	900 Miles
Gold	7	1,050 Miles
Platinum	8	1,200 Miles
Ultimate	9	1,350 Miles

Source: Air France, “Earn Flying Blue Miles”, checked 15 October 2026. Air France gives the Gold example; the other rows apply the same rates.

SkyTeam and Partner Airlines

On other SkyTeam and partner airlines, however, Miles depend on the distance flown, the cabin and the airline. In addition, status adds a bonus: 20% for Silver, 30% for Gold, 40% for Platinum and 50% for Ultimate.

Earning Miles on the Ground and by Train

You don’t need to fly to earn Miles. Air France lists hotel and car hire partners, online and in-store shopping, a monthly MilesGrow subscription and converting bank or loyalty points. You can also buy Miles to complete a booking, although Air France says the price can vary. Co-branded credit cards also earn Miles, but only in some markets. Meanwhile, Air France-KLM names Uber, Booking and SNCF among its commercial partners.

Trains can count too. For example, with Air France’s Train + Air, you earn Miles and XP on the train part of your journey as well as the flight. Similarly, Air&Rail from Brussels-Midi can earn Miles on the train, depending on your status and travel class.

Example: A London–Paris Return

Here’s how one short UK trip adds up. On Air France’s XP table, which it describes as indicative, a non-domestic flight under 2,000 miles counts as medium-haul. So a London–Paris flight in Economy earns:

Air France Economy fare	XP each way	XP for a return trip
Basic	2	4
Light or Standard	5	10
Flex	7	14

Source: Air France, “Your Flying Blue status and benefits”, checked 15 October 2026.

As a result, you’d need ten Standard return trips to reach Silver’s 100 XP. That’s why, for one holiday, Flying Blue works best as a way to collect Miles rather than a quick route to status.

Long-haul flights earn more, though. For instance, Economy earns 8 to 12 XP each way, depending on distance, while Business earns 24 to 36 XP.

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If you’re booking your trains separately, our guide to booking French trains on SNCF Connect explains TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités and TER.

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The Five Flying Blue Status Levels

Status	XP needed	Miles per euro	Key benefits
Explorer	None, when you join	4	Miles and XP from your first flight
Silver	100 XP	6	Priority check-in and bag drop, free standard seats, plus one extra checked bag on SkyTeam flights
Gold	180 XP as Silver	7	SkyTeam lounges with a guest, SkyPriority, plus free Seat Options 72 hours before departure
Platinum	300 XP as Gold	8	Up to two extra checked bags on Air France and KLM, free Seat Options from booking, plus the Platinum Service Line
Ultimate	900 UXP as Platinum	9	Air France and KLM lounges with up to 8 guests, four upgrade vouchers a year, plus a 24/7 Ultimate Assistant

Sources: Air France Flying Blue status pages, checked 15 October 2026. Lounge and guest benefits are subject to conditions.

Also, Gold members and above can bring a hand bag free on Air France, even on the Basic fare.

Keeping Your Status

Your 12-month qualification period starts as soon as you earn your first Mile or XP. Then, if you move up a level, it resets from the month of your upgrade. Elite members also keep any surplus XP above the threshold, up to 300 XP.

If you fall short, however, Air France says you move down one level only. For example, Platinum members who earn less than 300 XP return to Gold. Similarly, Silver members who earn less than 100 XP return to Explorer.

To reach Ultimate, you need UXP as well. Platinum and Ultimate members earn UXP on Air France and KLM flight numbers, as well as on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) purchases.

Spending Your Miles

Reward Tickets

You can use Miles for one-way or return reward tickets in Economy, Premium or Business on all Air France and KLM flights, up to the last available seat. However, you pay taxes and carrier surcharges in cash when you book. Also, with Cash & Miles, you can pay up to 25% of an eligible reward ticket in cash, and you earn Miles and XP on that cash part.

Since prices in Miles vary, use the Miles price estimator on the Flying Blue website. Then check the Promo Rewards, which discount reward tickets and change every month.

Upgrades, Seats and Bags

Next, Miles also pay for extras. For example, you can use them for a cabin upgrade, a seat with more legroom or an extra checked bag, either when you book or later.

Other Ways to Use Miles

Finally, you can buy, give or transfer Miles, use them for online shopping or donate them to a charity.

Do Flying Blue Miles Expire?

Yes, they can. For Explorer members aged 18 and over, Flying Blue’s terms say Miles are valid for two years. However, a flight that earns XP extends all your Miles by another two years, and so does paying with an eligible co-branded credit card.

So the simplest way to keep your Miles is to take an eligible flight at least every two years. Then check the expiry date in your account before you plan a reward trip.

Status Perks UK Travellers Will Notice

If you fly from the UK, a few benefits stand out. First, Air France’s Heathrow lounge in Terminal 4, opened in July 2026, is open to Flying Blue Elite Plus members. Second, Gold members and above get a free hand bag on Air France, which matters if you book the Basic fare.

Also, if you connect through Brussels on Air&Rail, eligible members can use the Eurostar Premier Lounge at Brussels-Midi and choose train seats for free. My guide to flights to France covers Air France’s UK airports and baggage rules in more detail.

The Most Common Flying Blue Mistakes

• Booking without your Flying Blue number. Instead, join before you book and add your number to every booking.
• Chasing status on one holiday. Because a London–Paris Standard return earns 10 XP, Silver takes ten trips.
• Forgetting taxes on reward tickets. Even with enough Miles, you still pay taxes and carrier surcharges in cash.
• Missing Promo Rewards. Since they change every month, check them before you book a reward ticket.
• Letting Miles expire. For Explorer members, a flight that earns XP keeps all your Miles alive, so take one at least every two years.
• Using Miles when the cash fare is cheap. Instead, compare the Miles price plus taxes with the cash fare before you book.

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Once your flight is booked, our guide to planning a France trip by train helps you choose your route, budget and bases.

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Why Join Flying Blue Before Your France Trip

First, it’s free, and you earn Miles from your very first Air France flight. So even one trip to Paris starts your balance.

Second, Flying Blue covers more than flights. In fact, Train + Air earns Miles on the train part of your journey, and SNCF is one of Air France-KLM’s commercial partners.

Finally, the network is large. With more than 40 airline partners and over 1,000 destinations, your Miles have plenty of places to go next.

Is Flying Blue Worth Joining for You?

If you’re…	My verdict
Taking one return trip to France	Join, because it’s free and you’ll start collecting Miles
Flying Air France or KLM several times a year	Join, then aim for Silver at 100 XP
Flying long-haul from the US in Business	Join, because Business earns 24 to 36 XP each way
Travelling by Train + Air within France	Join, because the train part earns Miles and XP
Hoping for lounge access after one Economy trip	Lounges start at Gold, so that’s unlikely

Final Verdict

For a trip to France in 2027, join Flying Blue before you book. After all, it’s free, Air France flights earn 4 Miles per euro from the start, and Train + Air earns on the train too. However, treat status as a long-term goal, because Silver needs 100 XP. Then, once you’ve booked, my guide to planning a France trip by train will help you plan the rest.

FAQs

Is Flying Blue free to join?

Yes. Air France says joining Flying Blue is free, and its terms allow members from the age of two, with parental approval where required.

How many Miles do I earn on an Air France flight?

You earn 4 to 9 Miles per euro of your fare, excluding taxes and fees, depending on your status. For example, a €150 fare earns an Explorer 600 Miles.

How many XP do I need for Flying Blue Silver?

You need 100 XP within your 12-month qualification period. Then Gold takes 180 XP as Silver, and Platinum takes 300 XP as Gold.

Do Flying Blue Miles expire?

For Explorer members aged 18 and over, Miles are valid for two years. However, a flight that earns XP extends all your Miles by another two years.

Can I pay taxes on a reward ticket with Miles?

No, because taxes and carrier surcharges are paid in cash when you book. That said, with Cash & Miles, you can pay up to 25% of an eligible reward ticket in cash.

Does Train + Air earn Flying Blue Miles?

Yes, since Air France says you earn Miles and XP on the train part of a Train + Air journey. You can also pay for the combined trip with Miles.

Which Flying Blue members can use Air France’s Heathrow lounge?

Air France’s Heathrow lounge in Terminal 4 is open to Flying Blue Elite Plus members, as well as La Première and eligible Business customers.

Editorial & Accuracy Standards

• Expert Review:
  Ammara Azmat,
  Senior Travel Mobility Analyst (12+ years experience)
• Status: Verified for accuracy against official 2026 service data and real-time traveller reports.
• Our Process: This content follows our Fact-Checking Policy.