Every month, Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program releases promotional award tickets at 25-50% off regular pricing. These “Promo Rewards” are some of the best deals in the points world — if you know how to find them.
What Are Flying Blue Promo Awards?
On the first of each month, Flying Blue publishes a list of discounted routes. These promos typically offer:
- 25-50% off standard award pricing
- Business and Economy options
- Valid for 1-2 months of travel
- Limited availability (first come, first served)
Example: Paris to New York business class normally costs 72,000 miles. During a promo, it might drop to 36,000-45,000 miles.
How to Find Promo Awards
Step 1: Check the Flying Blue Website
On the 1st of each month, visit: flyingblue.com → Spend → Promo Rewards
The list shows all discounted routes, miles required, and travel dates.
Step 2: Set Up Alerts
- Email alerts — Sign up for Flying Blue emails
- Twitter/X — Follow @FlyingBlue for announcements
- Points blogs — TPG, OMAAT, and others cover monthly promos
Step 3: Search Immediately
Promo awards are limited. The best deals disappear within hours or days. When you see a route you want:
- Search availability on flyingblue.com
- Have your transfer points ready
- Book fast
Transfer Partners
You can transfer points to Flying Blue from:
| Program | Ratio | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
| Amex Membership Rewards | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Capital One | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Citi ThankYou | 1:1 | 24-48 hours |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Instant |
Pro Tip: Have points in a program with instant transfers (Chase or Bilt) so you can book promos quickly.
Best Promo Routes
Transatlantic (US ↔ Europe)
| Route | Normal Price | Promo Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC → Paris (J) | 72,000 | 36,000-45,000 | 38-50% |
| LAX → Amsterdam (J) | 80,000 | 40,000-50,000 | 38-50% |
| US → Europe (Y) | 30,000 | 15,000-20,000 | 33-50% |
Europe Within
| Route | Normal Price | Promo Price |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe (Y) | 10,000 | 5,000-7,500 |
| Intra-Europe (J) | 20,000 | 10,000-15,000 |
Other Regions
- Africa — Often deeply discounted
- Middle East — Good availability
- Asia — Occasional promos via partners
Booking Strategy
Before the 1st
- Check your points balance — Know how many Flying Blue miles you have
- Have transfer points ready — In Chase, Amex, or Bilt
- Know your target routes — What cities interest you?
On Promo Day
- Check the list immediately — Morning of the 1st
- Search availability — Don’t assume availability exists
- Transfer points — Only after confirming seats
- Book instantly — Promo seats disappear fast
After Booking
- Flying Blue awards are refundable for a fee (varies by status)
- You can often change dates for a fee
- Print/save confirmation — Just in case
Real Example
February 2026 Promo: New York JFK → Paris CDG
- Normal Business Class: 72,000 miles one-way
- Promo Price: 40,000 miles one-way
- Savings: 32,000 miles (44% off)
How I’d book it:
- See promo on Feb 1
- Search for dates in March-April
- Find availability on March 15
- Transfer 40,000 Chase → Flying Blue (instant)
- Book immediately
- Pay ~$200 in taxes
Total cost: 40,000 points + $200 for a $3,500 business class flight = 8.25¢ per point
Tips for Success
Be Flexible
Promo awards have limited dates. The more flexible you are:
- On specific dates
- On departure airports
- On destinations
…the better your chances of finding availability.
Book Connecting Flights Separately
Sometimes the promo applies to specific routes (e.g., Paris → NYC) but not connections. You might need to:
- Book a separate flight to Paris
- Use the promo for the transatlantic leg
- Book onward travel separately
Stack with Transfer Bonuses
If there’s a transfer bonus to Flying Blue active, the value multiplies:
- 30% transfer bonus + 40% promo discount = huge value
- Check our Transfer Bonuses page
Consider Partner Airlines
Flying Blue promos sometimes include partner flights:
- KLM — Same program, Amsterdam hub
- SkyTeam partners — Delta, Korean Air, etc.
Taxes and Fees
Flying Blue charges reasonable fees:
- US originating: $100-200 one-way (business)
- Europe originating: €100-200 one-way
- No fuel surcharges from US
This is much better than British Airways (which charges $500+ in surcharges).
When Promos Don’t Make Sense
Skip the promo if:
- Availability is bad — No seats on your dates
- Cash prices are low — Sometimes flights are cheap
- You’re forcing a trip — Don’t book just because it’s a deal
Promos are great, but only if you actually want to take the trip.
Monthly Calendar
| Month | Promo Released | Typical Travel Dates |
|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 1 | Feb-Mar |
| February | Feb 1 | Mar-Apr |
| March | Mar 1 | Apr-May |
| April | Apr 1 | May-Jun |
| And so on… |
Mark your calendar for the 1st of each month!
Bottom Line
Flying Blue Promo Awards are one of the most reliable ways to get outsized value from transferable points. 25-50% off business class to Europe? Yes please.
The key is being prepared, acting fast, and having flexibility in your travel plans.
Set a calendar reminder for the 1st of each month. Your next discounted business class flight is waiting.
Related reads:
- Transfer Partners Explained
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide
- Amex Membership Rewards Guide
- How to Fly First Class (Almost) Free
Scored a great Flying Blue promo? Share your deal in the comments!
💬 Comments
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