# Flying Blue guide: Air France and KLM awards and how to book By AwardTool | Updated 2026-10-19 Canonical URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide Flying Blue is the loyalty program of Air France and KLM. Its current reward fares require a closer comparison than miles alone: new Air France and KLM bookings use Light, Standard and Flex options with different inclusions and flexibility. Best for: Travelers comparing Air France, KLM and partner awards, especially when baggage or flexibility matters. ## At a glance - Air France and KLM reward fares changed on September 8, 2026. - Compare Light, Standard and Flex inclusions as well as miles and cash. - Promo Rewards have route, booking-period and travel-period conditions. - Partner flights need their own availability check and applicable fare rules. [Find award flights](https://www.awardtool.com/flight) ## How do Flying Blue miles work? Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide#what-is-flying-blue Flying Blue is the loyalty program used by Air France and KLM. Members can spend miles on eligible reward tickets on those airlines and partner flights. You can search and book through Air France or KLM using the Flying Blue account; using the other airline's website does not create a second rewards currency. A reward ticket combines a mileage requirement with taxes and carrier charges paid separately. KLM's official redemption page also describes Cash & Miles options. Keep an award search distinct from using miles against a regular cash ticket, because the way miles are applied and the ticket's earning and servicing conditions can differ. ## Understand the September 2026 fare changes Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide#light-standard-flex Flying Blue introduced Light, Standard and Flex rewards for new Air France and KLM operated and marketed bookings from September 8, 2026. Tickets issued before that date retain their earlier conditions. The official reward page now identifies starting prices as Light prices, with Standard and Flex requiring more miles. This changes the comparison within a single cabin. Light can have restrictions on changes, refunds, baggage and included benefits that travelers previously associated with an award ticket. Frequent Miler's September 5 analysis and The Points Guy's August 19 reporting describe the new structure. Read the exact fare inclusions in your booking, including any benefits supplied separately by your status, rather than assuming all business-class rewards include the same ground services. [Current Flying Blue reward fares and conditions](https://www.flyingblue.us/en/spend/flights/rewards) ## Use Promo Rewards without overlooking the fare Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide#promo-rewards-and-partners Flying Blue publishes monthly Promo Rewards for selected routes and travel windows. These are limited offers, so the published destination list does not promise seats for every departure or every party size. The current official page states that, from September 2026, the displayed promotional price is a Light fare price. Compare the relevant restrictions before treating it as equivalent to a more flexible option. Partner awards require a separate check. The official reward page lists booking channels for Flying Blue airline partners, including the Air France and KLM booking tools. Availability on a partner's own website does not establish that Flying Blue can sell that seat. Inspect which airline operates every flight and apply the fare conditions displayed for the actual ticket. ## How to book a flight with Flying Blue miles Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide#how-to-book Locate suitable dates in AwardTool, then confirm the complete reward through Air France or KLM. Compare fare choices before deciding how many miles to transfer. 1. **Sign in and search with miles** Use the Air France Use your Miles option or the KLM reward-booking path. Enter the complete route, travel dates and passenger count, then open the detailed itinerary. 2. **Compare fares inside the cabin** Check Light, Standard and Flex where offered. Compare miles, cash charges, baggage, seats, lounge eligibility and the specific change and refund conditions for each choice. 3. **Confirm funding and ticketing** Check the bank transfer terms for your account and verify availability again before moving points. Complete payment for the selected fare and confirm issued tickets for every traveler. ## Transfers, cash charges and later changes Section URL: https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-guide#funding-and-servicing For U.S. bank points, check the exact issuer's live transfer menu, required account details and processing terms. A bonus changes how many bank points you may need; it does not change the airline fare you are buying. Choose the fare type first so you do not fund only the Light amount and then discover that your baggage or flexibility needs require another option. Retain the fare rules attached to your ticket and its issue date. Older guides that describe one universal Flying Blue change or cancellation fee do not capture the current fare structure. If traveling with an infant or arranging an unaccompanied minor, use the contact instructions on the official reward page before assuming the standard online adult booking flow applies. ## Common questions ### Does every Flying Blue business-class award include the same benefits? No. New Air France and KLM rewards use different fare options. Check included lounge access, baggage, seat selection and flexibility for the exact fare, plus any separate elite benefits. ### Can Promo Rewards be changed or refunded like older reward tickets? Do not assume so. The current official page says promotional starting prices are Light fares from September 2026. Read the selected fare's restrictions and applicable status exceptions before booking. ## Sources and further reading Sources reviewed 2026-10-19. Publisher dates are shown where available. - [Flying Blue: current rewards and fare conditions](https://www.flyingblue.us/en/spend/flights/rewards) - [KLM: spending Flying Blue miles](https://www.klm.com/information/flying-blue/spending-miles) - [Frequent Miler: Light, Standard and Flex analysis, September 5, 2026](https://frequentmiler.com/flying-blue-light-standard-flex-awards/) - [The Points Guy: new reward fares, August 19, 2026](https://thepointsguy.com/news/flying-blue-award-fare-changes/) ## Before you book Award availability and prices can change. Confirm the exact itinerary, cabin, traveler count, points, and cash total with the loyalty program before transferring points or booking. Search access and limits depend on your plan. [See current plans](https://www.awardtool.com/pro) ## Related guides - [Flying Blue vs Virgin Atlantic: Compare Awards and Fare Rules](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-blue-vs-virgin-atlantic) - [Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide: reward seats and how to book](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/flying-club-guide) - [Delta SkyMiles guide: award flights, fare rules and how to book](https://www.awardtool.com/learn/skymiles-guide)