American Express Membership Rewards has long been favored by points and miles travelers for its versatile transfer options and valuable redemption opportunities. The latest offer has sweetened the pot even further: a 20% bonus on point transfers to Air France/KLM Flying Blue, valid until November 10, 2024. This promotion enhances the appeal of using Flying Blue miles, which are often praised for their flexible booking and lower mileage requirements compared to other programs. With business class flights from the US to Europe starting at a competitive 50,000 miles one-way, transferring points during this bonus period could be an ideal strategy for travelers looking to maximize their points.

Flying Blue is known for offering “saver” space more frequently than some of its SkyTeam counterparts, such as Delta or Virgin Atlantic. Additionally, the program features monthly Promo Rewards. While fuel surcharges are a consideration, the opportunity to secure a business class seat for under the standard mileage cost is an attractive prospect for those planning transatlantic travel. Availability can be limited, so make sure to confirm the desired flights before transferring points. Moreover, Flying Blue miles have specific expiration rules, though they can be extended through non-flight activity, providing a level of flexibility for maintaining and using your miles over time.

Our Take

The current 20% bonus when transferring American Express Membership Rewards to Flying Blue presents a compelling opportunity for those looking to capitalize on value-driven travel to Europe and beyond. From our perspective, the key lies in the unique advantages Flying Blue offers, such as its regular promo rewards and increased availability of saver awards.

While the fuel surcharges associated with Flying Blue awards are a factor, the potential savings can still be significant, especially during these promotional periods. We recommend that travelers looking to transfer points should do so with a clear plan in mind. Check for award availability approximately matching your travel dates and destinations to fully leverage the bonus effectively. See our video tutorial on how to access the Air France calendar for more efficient searching for those coveted saver awards.

You can pair the transfer bonus with the October promo awards for more value. 

Flying Blue Promos October 2024

  • Save 25% on Air France economy awards between Europe and Atlanta (ATL) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on Air France economy awards between Europe and Dallas (DFW) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on Air France economy awards between Europe and Detroit (DTW) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on Air France economy awards between Europe and Los Angeles (LAX) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on Air France economy awards between Europe and Toronto (YYZ) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on KLM economy awards between Europe and Austin (AUS) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on KLM economy awards between Europe and Chicago (ORD) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on KLM economy awards between Europe and Houston (IAH) — starting at 15,000 miles
  • Save 25% on KLM economy awards between Europe and Miami (MIA) — starting at 15,000 miles

These promos are for bookings between October 1 and October 31, 2024. They can be used for flights through March 31, 2025 if you find the award availability.

Points Needed to Transfer w/ Bonus

Standard Economy Saver – 17k transferred for 20k FB miles

Standard Business Saver – 42k transferred for 50k FB miles

Promo Economy Saver – 13k transferred for 15k FB miles

Promo Business Saver – 34k transferred for 40k FB miles***

There aren’t currently any promo business awards but there could be some announced November 1st. ***