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Flying Blue SAF status: why earning XP with fuel contributions now costs 50% more
Platinum through SAF alone now costs €4,500, up from €3,000, and the change took effect without notice.
The new SAF rate
Flying Blue members now spend 50% more for each XP they earn through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contributions, which makes elite status more expensive for anyone who uses this route. [1] The change took effect without notice to members. [1]
This piece explains the new rate, what it costs at each tier and what it means if you use SAF contributions to top up your status.
How SAF contributions earn XP
During booking of an Air France or KLM flight, members can pay extra to fund SAF and reduce the emissions tied to their travel. [1] In return, they earn XP, which is described as the sole metric that matters for Flying Blue elite status. [1]
Flying Blue status is earned and maintained based on XP earned during a 12-month qualification period. [1]
The rate change and the end of rounding
Members previously earned 1 XP for every €10 ($11.20) contributed. [1] Under the new rate, €15 ($16.80) is required to earn 1 XP. [1]
Flying Blue also no longer rounds XP on SAF contributions, a change first noticed by One Mile at a Time. [1] A €14 SAF contribution on a short-haul economy flight now earns no XP, and a €28 contribution earns just 1 XP. [1]
Members who make smaller contributions across several flights will pay even more to reach tiers, because the rounding benefit is gone. [1]
What each tier costs through SAF alone
Silver requires 100 XP, Gold requires 180 XP and Platinum requires 300 XP. [1] Top-tier Ultimate status requires 900 XP. [1]
Reaching Silver through SAF contributions alone now costs €1,500, up from €1,000. [1] Gold now costs €2,700, up from €1,800. [1] Platinum now costs €4,500, up from €3,000. [1]
Each time a member moves up a tier, that tier's XP requirement is deducted from the balance. [1] As a result, getting from the introductory Explorer tier to Platinum takes 580 XP in total. [1]
Other recent Flying Blue changes
Platinum members can no longer assign front row business class suites at no extra cost and now have to pay for them. [2] Flying Blue also devalued miles after the introduction of Light fares, so customers must pay more to get the same inclusions. [2]
The cost of La Premiere first class awards has increased massively, even though they are limited to Platinum members and above. [2]
What it means for you
Many members have used SAF contributions to close the gap near the end of a qualification period, reaching a desired tier without taking more flights. [1] If you do this, each XP now costs €15 instead of €10. [2]
If you split your contributions across several flights, you will pay even more, because contributions below €15 earn no XP. [1]
SAF is not the only way to earn XP. [2] You can earn one XP per 2,000 miles contributed toward a variety of environmental projects. [2] If you are a U.S.-based member, you can also earn XP through the Air France KLM Visa Signature credit card. [1]
Sources
- Earning XP With Flying Blue Just Got Harder — Upgraded Points
- Ouch: Flying Blue Makes Earning XPs Through SAF 50% More Expensive — One Mile at a Time
Written from the sources above and checked twice before publishing. How we work · Report an error
