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Flying Blue levels · Tier points per flight

Air France-KLM Flying Blue elite status explained

Flying Blue status runs on Experience Points (XP), a fixed number per flight set by cabin and distance band, not by what you paid. Silver takes 100 XP, then 180 XP more for Gold and 300 XP more for Platinum, each within a rolling 12-month qualification period. Flying Blue Ultimate sits on top at 900 UXP from Air France and KLM flights.

XP are earned on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam partner flights, so a Delta flight credited to Flying Blue counts. For US readers the other big lever is the Air France KLM Visa Signature card, whose sign-up bonus alone includes the 100 XP needed for Silver.

Written and reviewed by the Points Plug team. Last reviewed .

Redeemable miles versus XP

What you spend

Miles

The balance that books award flights, upgrades and other rewards. See how to earn them and what they are worth.

What counts toward status

Experience Points

A separate counter that decides your tier. You cannot spend it on flights or rewards.

Miles are what you spend on Reward Tickets, upgrades and extras. XP only decide your level: they cannot be redeemed, and they are counted separately from your Miles balance. A few routes connect the two, most usefully contributing to sustainable aviation fuel, which earns 1 XP per 2,000 Miles or per €10.

The two are calculated differently. On Air France, KLM and Transavia flights, Miles are earned per euro spent, and the rate rises with status. XP are fixed per flight by cabin and distance band, so a cheap and an expensive ticket in the same cabin on the same route earn the same XP.

Worked example: a Gold member and an Explorer each fly New York to Paris and back on Air France in Economy, paying €1,000. New York to Paris falls in the 3,500 to 5,000-mile band, which earns 10 XP each way in Economy, so both earn 20 XP. Their Miles differ: the Explorer earns 4,000 at 4 per euro and the Gold member 7,000 at 7 per euro. The same trip in Business would earn 60 XP (30 each way) whatever the fare.

Reward Tickets earn neither Miles nor XP (article 2.4 of the terms), so a trip booked with Miles does nothing for your level.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue tiers and what each one takes

TierTo qualifyBonus milesAlliance tier
Silver100 XP+50% on Air France, KLM and Transavia (6 Miles per euro); +20% on SkyTeam and other partnersNone
Gold180 XP+75% on Air France, KLM and Transavia (7 Miles per euro); +30% on SkyTeam and other partnersNone
Platinum300 XP+100% on Air France, KLM and Transavia (8 Miles per euro); +40% on SkyTeam and other partnersNone
Flying Blue Ultimate900 UXP+125% on Air France, KLM and Transavia (9 Miles per euro); +50% on SkyTeam and other partnersNone

Your first 12-month qualification period starts when you earn your first Mile or XP. When you reach a level, the XP it needs are deducted and a new 12-month period begins at that level. To keep a level you earn its XP again (100 for Silver, 180 for Gold, 300 for Platinum) within each qualification period.

Benefits of each Air France-KLM Flying Blue tier

Silver

Earn 100 XP within a 12-month qualification period on Air France, KLM or SkyTeam partner flights, the co-brand card or SAF contributions.

  • One extra free checked bag on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam flights.
  • Free standard seat selection, with some paid seat options free from 24 hours before departure.
  • Priority check-in and bag drop.
  • No lounge access at this level.

Gold

Earn 180 XP within a qualification period after reaching Silver, and 180 XP a year to keep it.

  • Air France, KLM and SkyTeam lounges worldwide with one guest on the same flight.
  • SkyPriority check-in, bag drop, security lanes and boarding on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam flights.
  • One extra free checked bag on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam flights.
  • Free standard seats, with some paid seat options free from 72 hours before departure.

Platinum

Earn 300 XP within a qualification period after reaching Gold, and 300 XP a year to keep it.

  • Two extra free checked bags on Air France and KLM, one on other SkyTeam airlines.
  • Any seat free from the time of booking.
  • Air France, KLM and SkyTeam lounges with one guest on the same flight, and children as well.
  • SkyPriority throughout the airport.
  • The Platinum Service Line, with assistance 24 hours a day.

Flying Blue Ultimate

Earn 900 UXP. UXP come only from Air France and KLM flights, so SkyTeam partner flights and the credit card do not count.

  • Four complimentary one-cabin upgrade vouchers each membership year.
  • A Flying Blue Platinum card to give to one travel companion.
  • Air France and KLM lounges worldwide with up to eight guests.
  • SkyPriority extended to travelling companions.
  • Two extra free checked bags on Air France and KLM, and any seat free from booking.
  • A dedicated Ultimate Assistant around the clock.
  • A Hertz Platinum card.

How flights earn XP

  • XP are earned on every eligible Air France, KLM and SkyTeam partner flight. The amount depends on the cabin and the distance band, not on the fare, with one exception: on medium-haul flights Economy earns 2 XP on Basic fares, 5 XP on Light and Standard and 7 XP on Flex.
  • XP per one-way flight (Economy, Premium, Business, La Première): domestic 2, 4, 6, 10; medium-haul under 2,000 miles 5, 10, 15, 25; long-haul 2,000 to 3,500 miles 8, 16, 24, 40; 3,500 to 5,000 miles 10, 20, 30, 50; over 5,000 miles 12, 24, 36, 60.
  • In practice, Silver (100 XP) takes five transatlantic round trips in Economy in the 3,500 to 5,000-mile band, or two in Business. Keeping Platinum (300 XP a year) takes five such round trips in Business, but climbing from Explorer takes 580 XP in all, because the XP for Silver and Gold are deducted as you pass each level.
  • UXP, the currency for Ultimate, come only from Air France and KLM flights. A member can therefore reach Platinum largely on Delta and other SkyTeam flights but needs Air France and KLM flying for Ultimate.
  • Outside flying, XP come from co-brand cards (see below) and from sustainable aviation fuel contributions at 1 XP per €10 or per 2,000 Miles.

How many miles each tier earns

  • On Air France, KLM and Transavia flights Explorer members earn 4 Miles per euro, Silver 6, Gold 7, Platinum 8 and Ultimate 9. See our Flying Blue earning guide for what counts as the fare.
  • On SkyTeam and other partner airlines Silver members earn 20% more Miles than Explorer, Gold 30%, Platinum 40% and Ultimate 50%.
  • Reward Tickets earn no Miles and no XP.

Upgrades for Air France-KLM Flying Blue elites

  • Flying Blue has no complimentary space-available upgrades for Silver, Gold or Platinum. Ultimate members get four one-cabin upgrade vouchers a year; everyone else upgrades with Miles or cash.
  • Upgrades with Miles can be chosen when booking or later under My Trip. The terms require a confirmed, issued ticket and allow a single one-cabin upgrade per flight per passenger (articles 3.2.15 and 3.2.16). Costs vary by route; see the Flying Blue award chart.
  • Air France also sells last-minute upgrades from check-in onward, online, in the app, at kiosks, at the counter or on board: Economy to Premium or Business, Premium to Business, and Business to La Première. Flying Blue members can pay in Miles or Miles plus cash, and the price is refunded if the upgrade is not awarded. The flight still earns Miles and XP on the original booking class, and upgrades bought on board exclude lounge access and the higher baggage allowance.

Credit cards that help with Air France-KLM Flying Blue status

  • The US Air France KLM Visa Signature card, issued by Bank of America with a US$89 annual fee, offers 70,000 bonus Miles plus 100 XP after US$3,000 of purchases in the first 90 days. Those 100 XP reach Silver on their own.
  • Each account anniversary it adds 20 XP, rising to 100 XP or 160 XP in total after qualifying purchases (Air France's page does not state the spend thresholds), plus 5,000 Miles after US$50 of spend. It earns 3 Miles per US$1 on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam purchases, dining and rent paid through Bilt (up to US$50,000 a year), and 1.5 Miles elsewhere.
  • In Europe, KLM says Air France KLM American Express cards also earn XP every year, with the amount depending on the card type.
  • Card XP count toward Silver, Gold and Platinum but not toward Ultimate, which counts only UXP from Air France and KLM flights.
  • Points transferred into Flying Blue from bank programmes arrive as Miles. Air France lists flights, the co-brand card and SAF contributions as the ways to earn XP, so transfers will not raise your level; see transfer partners.

Fees, sign-up bonuses and every other benefit are compared in the Air France-KLM Flying Blue credit cards guide.

Other ways to get Air France-KLM Flying Blue status

Sustainable aviation fuel contributions

Contributing to SAF earns 1 XP per €10, or per 2,000 Miles if you pay with Miles. Beyond flying and the co-brand card, it is the one published way to turn money or Miles into XP.

Ultimate companion card

Ultimate members receive a Flying Blue Platinum card for one travel companion. No other level can gift or nominate status.

Status match

Flying Blue runs paid status matches with StatusMatch.com for elites of other airlines: Silver, Gold or Platinum for 12 months, one match per person, with a decision within three business days. The US offer (Silver US$99, Gold US$199) has ended; at the time of review it was open only to residents of select markets such as Greece, Latin America and Israel. To keep matched status you must requalify on XP.

Keeping Air France-KLM Flying Blue status

  • Each qualification period you need your level's XP again: 100 for Silver, 180 for Gold, 300 for Platinum. Miss it and you drop one level (Platinum to Gold, Gold to Silver), not straight to Explorer.
  • Surplus XP carry forward. When you move up or requalify, the XP needed are deducted and up to 300 surplus XP roll into the next period, enough for one extra year of Platinum.
  • Miles expiry applies only to Explorer members: article 1.2.9 of the Flying Blue terms in force since 4 May 2026 keeps their Miles for 24 months from the last earn activity, and each earn activity extends the whole balance by another 24 months. Elite members never lose Miles to expiry, and neither do holders of an eligible co-branded card, Flying Blue Extra subscribers or members under 18. See do airline miles expire.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue status: FAQ

How many XP do I need for Flying Blue Gold?
180 XP within a 12-month qualification period after reaching Silver at 100 XP. Keeping Gold takes 180 XP a year, and missing it drops you to Silver.
Do Delta flights earn Flying Blue XP?
Yes. XP are earned on Air France, KLM and SkyTeam partner flights, including Delta, and elites earn 20% to 50% more Miles on partners. Delta flights do not earn UXP toward Ultimate.
Can I get Flying Blue Silver with a credit card?
Yes. The US Air France KLM Visa Signature sign-up bonus includes 100 XP, which is the Silver threshold. The card then adds 20 XP each anniversary and up to 160 XP a year with qualifying spend.
Do Flying Blue XP roll over?
Yes, up to 300 surplus XP carry into the next qualification period after the XP for your level are deducted. That is enough to cover one further year of Platinum.
What is Flying Blue Ultimate?
The top published level, earned with 900 UXP from Air France and KLM flights only. It adds four upgrade vouchers a year, a Platinum card for a companion, lounge access for up to eight companions and a dedicated assistant.
Does Flying Blue offer a status match?
Sometimes, by market. Flying Blue sells 12-month matches to Silver, Gold or Platinum through StatusMatch.com, one per person. The US offer at US$99 for Silver and US$199 for Gold has ended, and at the time of review only residents of a few markets could apply.
Do Flying Blue Reward Tickets earn XP?
No. The terms exclude Reward Tickets from both Miles and XP, so only paid flights move you toward a level.

Sources

More on Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Status in other SkyTeam programs