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Back online: Air France and KLM award seats are bookable again through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Aug. 19, 2024
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3 min read
Air France:KLM business class seats_CHenderson_6
Back online: Air France and KLM award seats are bookable again through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
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Points and miles enthusiasts were dismayed last month when a system issue at Virgin Atlantic Flying Club caused Air France-KLM Flying Blue partner award flights to become unavailable on Virgin Atlantic's site. Thankfully, the glitch seems to have been addressed because Flying Blue flights are showing up again, meaning you can once more use your Virgin points to book flights operated by Air France and KLM.

Here are a few of the award tickets we’ve found and how you can take advantage of them.

How and when to book Flying Blue awards with Virgin Atlantic points

Air France Boeing 777-300ER Delta
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

We now see plenty of Air France- and KLM-operated flights bookable with Virgin points on the Flying Club website. For instance, you could fly from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Munich Airport (MUC) in December to see the Christmas markets for 16,000 Virgin points and $145.

Related: Is Air France premium economy worth it to Europe?

VIRGINATLANTIC.COM

Short-haul flights within Europe are a great use of Virgin points.

A KLM flight from Belfast International Airport (BFS) to KLM's hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) costs 5,625 miles and $63 if booking through Air France-KLM's own Flying Blue program — but you could book the same flight for only 4,000 points and 49 British pounds ($63) through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Business class is an even better deal at 8,000 points through Flying Club, compared to 15,000 miles through Flying Blue.

VIRGINATLANTIC.COM

For a February flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), the economy ticket costs fewer points through Virgin's Flying Club, but the business-class ticket is cheaper when booked via Air France-KLM's Flying Blue program.

Related: How points and miles made my son's Paris travel dreams come true

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If you have a stockpile of Virgin points, Flying Club award tickets are certainly a redemption worth considering, whether you want to fly Virgin Atlantic or a partner airline like Air France or KLM.

But if you plan to use a transferable points currency that transfers to both Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, like Chase Ultimate Rewards, check all three sites before booking — you may save a few points, miles or dollars.

Also, check our list of current transfer bonuses to see if any programs offer bonus points when you transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

Related: Save big on fees: Why Flying Blue is the new best way to book Virgin Atlantic award tickets

Bottom line

Now that Flying Blue awards are bookable through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club again, points and miles enthusiasts have even more options for booking award travel.

Remember, you don't need a stockpile of Virgin points to explore this redemption route. You can transfer points to Virgin from all the major transferable currencies: American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.