What happened
Flying Blue replaced its single award fare with Light, Standard or Flex tickets on September 8, 2026. LoyaltyLobby measures the change as a 20% to 25% miles increase for members without elite status. Awards issued before that date stay under the old rules.
Light comes with little included. Standard adds some comfort. Flex covers more benefits and can settle eligible fees in miles. Members without elite status no longer get award flexibility unless they book Flex. Platinum, Platinum for Life or Ultimate members still receive two free bags on every tier. Those accounts also keep advance seats and can change or cancel without a fee. Silver members still receive a free checked bag. Gold members keep SkyPriority and lounge access.
LoyaltyLobby's long-haul searches showed $300 extra on Johannesburg to London unless Business Flex was chosen. U.S. long-haul awards also added $300. A São Paulo to Dubai search had a smaller cash add-on because Brazil bans junk fees. Light and Standard long-haul awards often carry those cash fees. Some U.S. cities showed almost no premium-cabin award space on Air France or KLM.
Do not transfer miles until a Flying Blue award is already priced with acceptable cash fees and change rules.
- Starts
- Sep 8, 2026
- Numbers
- 20% to 25%: miles devaluation for non-elite members
- $300: junk fee on a Johannesburg–London award unless Business Flex
- $300: junk fee on U.S. long-haul awards
- $300: typical extra fees on most long-haul awards
- Who qualifies
- All new Flying Blue reward bookings; Platinum, Platinum for Life and Ultimate keep Light-fare bags, seats and fee-free changes, while Silver and Gold keep bag and SkyPriority perks.
- Takeaway
- Recheck Flying Blue award prices before transferring miles, and budget extra miles, cash fees or elite status if you need bags, seats or the ability to cancel.