What happened
From September 8, 2026, Flying Blue will keep today’s cheapest Air France and KLM mileage prices only on Light awards that generally cannot be changed or refunded. In the example given, a business award between the US and Europe is 60,000 miles plus $608 in taxes and fees as Light. Standard, closest to today’s award, costs 75,000 miles plus the same $608. Flex is 110,000 miles.
Economy and premium Light include no checked baggage. Business Light drops lounge access and one checked bag and is limited to O/Z fare classes. Light omits advance seat selection. Standard typically restores a checked bag and allows changes or refunds for a 70 euro fee. Flex includes free changes and refunds and can shift some long haul surcharges into miles.
Tickets issued before September 8 keep today’s rules even if later modified. Mixed Air France or KLM trips with a partner only offer Standard. Pure partner awards and La Première sit outside the new structure. Platinum and Ultimate members keep bags and free changes even on Light.
Book Air France and KLM awards before September 8, 2026 to keep current rules; after that, members without status should price Standard against Light.
- Starts
- Sep 8, 2026
- Numbers
- 60,000 miles: example U.S.–Europe business Light award
- $608: taxes and fees on that U.S.–Europe business award example
- 75,000 miles: example U.S.–Europe business Standard award
- 110,000 miles: example U.S.–Europe business Flex award
- 10,000 miles: example short-haul economy Light award (BER–BCN)
- 13,000 miles: example short-haul economy Standard award
- 17,000 miles: example short-haul economy Flex award
- 70 euros: Standard award change or refund fee
- 20% to 25%: estimated extra miles non-status members need for prior inclusions
- US$306: approximate cash reduction on long-haul Business Flex versus Light
- Takeaway
- Ticket Air France and KLM awards before September 8, 2026 to lock in current inclusions; after that, elites can still use Light while others should price Standard against Light instead of assuming the cheapest award still includes a bag and changes.