2025 is off to a Flying (Blue) start with an unannounced devaluation of Flying Blue redemptions on both Air France / KLM and partners. But Flying Blue argues this was necessary in order to offer more award space at cheaper prices. I’m not buying it…at least based on current availability.
Flying Blue Devalues Award Redemptions In 2025, Promises More Availability
I’ll start by saying that I am a fan of the Flying Blue program in general and also the people who run it. These are not out-of-touch bean counters like the Comcast rube who runs United MileagePlus, but a team of folks who are well-respected in the loyalty sphere, led by Ben Lipsey.
And yet I find myself so disappointed that Flying Blue has raised prices overnight with no notice. As I said a couple of weeks ago:
While devaluations are fair game in any frequent flyer program, a lack of notice is not fair game. Flying Blue miles will devalue again at some future point, but let’s hope that when occurs, advance notice will be provided.
Recall that late last month there was a temporary glitch reducing partner award pricing followed by a steep price hike over “prevailing” saver levels, followed by a quick rollback…all blamed on technical glitches.
> Read More: Flying Blue Partner Devaluation Rescinded (For Now…)
I expected a devaluation, but did not expect one so fast…it’s frustrating, though last month’s fluctuating award pricing should have given all of us a good indication that change was coming.
Here’s the skinny on the latest devaluation:
- Air France – KLM flights are up 14-25%
- Transatlantic economy class now starts at 25,000 miles instead of 20,000
- Transatlantic premium economy class now starts at 40,000 miles instead of 35,000
- Transatlantic business class now starts at 60,000 miles instead of 50,000
- Partner award pricing is up by as much as 12%
- For example, I was looking at a Tel Aviv – London flight on EL AL in business class for 50,000 points and it is now 56,000 points
Could the devaluation have been worse? Sure. But would it have really hurt Flying Blue to give us a 1-2 week notice?
Flying Blue Promises More Availablity At Lower Levels
Flying Blue told One Mile At A Time that this change was necessary in order to release more “entry-level” awards (award pricing on Air France and KLM at the prices above), but that does not explain why capacity-controlled partner awards had to go up in price.
And frankly, I’m not seeing an increase at all in this so-called “entry-level” space (I prefer to call it saver space). You can book any Air France or KLM flight you want, but good luck finding space–especially in premium cabins–at these lowest levels. Instead, you’ll likely pay a whole lot more… sometimes 10x as much.
We’ll give Flying Blue a few days to update availability, but I’m not expecting a noticeable increase in saver award space.
I’ve got a KLM transatlantic award coming up that I booked last year for 50K…I’m glad I did because I cannot find a single day through the next 12 months where that same route is available for less than 80K.
Inflation is real, especially with frequent flyer programs.
Should that mean you abandon the program? No, certainly not. But it does mean the program is less valuable than before which makes other programs or simply cash-back credit cards comparatively more attractive. Award redemptions, for example, via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will cost half the price at the lowest level. Even with additional fees, it now makes a lot more sense to book with Virgin Atlantic in many cases. Flying Blue still handily beats Delta SkyMiles, though!
CONCLUSION
Again, while devaluations are fair game in any frequent flyer program, a lack of notice is not fair game. Flying Blue miles will devalue again at some future point, but let’s hope that when it occurs, advance notice will be provided. This week’s actions suggest, however, that such notice will not be given. As always, miles are a depreciating asset: earn and burn in a smart way, as quickly as you can…
Ever notice that every time there is a devaluation the weasels at the airlines will always find a way to bullshit that it somehow benefits the customer?
You said it.
Most award flights in J were already at least 55k miles from the US. A lot of the time, they were at least 90k such as those from non-DL hubs, so it’s a bit of non-factor.
On top of the miles subscription that they’re selling at $227/month, I wouldn’t be surprised if it got devalued again at the end of this year as $2724 = 204000 miles which is almost 2 RT J flights.
FlyingBlue now only beats SkyMiles when originating/terminating in the US or Canada. Otherwise SkyMiles and Virgin are typically a better deal. It varies but I check all 3 enough. Probably worth pointing out for your non-US & Canadian readers. Especially when you make statements like “Flying Blue still handily beats Delta SkyMiles, though!”
Exactly – see my example in the comment
I wouldn’t be so confident in considering FB better value than DL SkyMiles.
Pointsyeah reports the following one-way business class award prices for LON-CAI in November:
– VS Flying Club: 37k+$324 (AZ) or 49.5k+$328 (MEA)
– DL SkyMiles: 42.5k+$337 (AZ) or 42.5k+$427 (MEA)
– SK Eurobonus: 63k+approx. $400 (SV) (this one doesn’t show on pointsyeah, I found it through my SAS account)
– Flying Blue: 76.5k+$598 (EY) or 82.5k+$326 (AZ) or 89k+$430 (MEA) or 94.5k+$408 (AF) or 107k+$493.
All those programmes allow points transfers from the likes of AMEX, so converting them to SkyMiles yields substantially more value than moving them to FB.
Far from being responsive to demand, the FB h
pricing here is absolutely scandalous, it had obviously been deliberately designed to force people to buy overpriced AFKL redemptions and deprive alliance partners of revenue. In bending over backwards to attract American points collectors, AFKL has seriously undermined the value of the programme for actual frequent flyers.
I rarely talk about Delta’s excellent pricing outside the USA because I know Karen Zacahry and company are only a short fuse away from devaluing that too.
Flying Blue has really nosedived in the last couple of years. I remember when 50k J award space was plentiful, even if only in the off season. Now saved space is limited to maybe 10 dates in a calendar year? Hard not to feel like the program has done a bait and switch, posturing as an Aeroplan alternative and courting the American transfer market then suddenly getting cold feet at the accumulated mileage liability.
You may not buy it, but it’s their program not yours.
Of course. And they are free to do what they feel is best for their shareholders.
I maintain that unannounced devaluations needlessly undermine trust.
Partner awards are dying. This is a worldwide phenomenon that’s only going to get worse.
Yes indeed.
The Bleak Future Of Partner Award Travel
cards compareitlyv
What is this word compareitlyv????????????????
Your inability to write causes me to lose sleep.
Be a professional and care about your job for goodness sake!!!
I am usually looking for TATL business class. With all the devaluations, I still seem to be able to find more saver awards for this year than 2024. Both UA and LH group have had more. In fact, I just cancelled my spring MUC-MAD-IAD for 49K for an LH direct for 80K (which is good, because IB just changed the connection time, though it means I won’t be trying the 321XLR soon). I also just booked Virgin to LHR and back for 28K each way (plus the onerous LHR fees, of course).
I do find that a lot of the 50K AF flights are plane+train. I think they are trying to encourage that.