FlyingBlue is the joint frequent flyer program of SkyTeam members Air France and KLM (and a bunch of other, smaller airlines). Its members earn XP to gain status within the program. While XP are predominantly earned on flights with SkyTeam members, it is currently possible to earn them with non-alliance-members.
This rule will be abolished on April 1, 2024. From then on, it will only be possible to earn XP on these airlines as part of an Air France or KLM code share. The rule affects new and existing bookings.
The rule change has been confirmed by Head of FlyingBlue CEO Benjamin Limpsey in a Flyertalk thread:
As we focus on adding more airline partners, we needed to make sure those members earning status in Flying Blue were actually travelling with AFKL and our alliance partners, hence the rationale for this change
Benjamin Limpsey, Head of Flying Blue on Flyertalk
Affected Airlines
The following Airlines are affected by the change:
- Air Mauritius
- Chalair
- China Southern
- Copa Airlines (Star Alliance)
- GOL
- Japan Airlines (Oneworld)
- Malaysia Airlines (Oneworld)
- Qantas (Oneworld)
- Twin Jet
- Westjet
While travellers cannot advance their FlyingBlue status with these carriers in the future, they are still able to earn reward miles.
You can still earn XP as usual on all SkyTeam members. Also, earning possibilities with Aircalin, Air Corsica and Transavia are not affected by this change.
Conclusion
Most FlyingBlue members won’t suffer a great deal after these changes, even if the XP earned with the airlines above could have made the difference between Gold, Silver or no status. What does raise an eyebrow is that the changes apply to existing bookings, as well. In the past, airlines honored the mileage rules at time of booking. Air France and KLM decided against it.
Thanks to our sources LoyaltyLobby und Flyertalk!
Cover Picture: © Air France