Fly to Europe From 12,250 Miles + Taxes With Flying Blue Promo Awards
Last month some (negative) changes were made to the Air France/KLM frequent flyer program, Flying Blue. In fact, my favorite coverage of the new program was an article by Richard Kerr in which he basically just tries to explain the program in screenshots as there was no apparent rhyme or reason to when or why things price the way they do. However, don't write the program off just because it is wonky. Flying Blue is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and the Citi ThankYou program, so it is very relevant for pretty much all of us with rewards credit cards.
Additionally. Flying Blue offers monthly promo awards where select cities and cabins are available at up to 50% off the regular award price.
This month's promo award caught my eye because Houston is on the list at 50% off the regular Flying Blue award price in economy, as is Washington Dulles. These discounts are valid for travel from August 31 - October 30, 2018, as long as you book before July 30, 2018. Based on my searches, this drops the award price down to 14,500 miles + $68 in taxes/fees one-way Houston to Paris on Air France and 12,250 miles + $68 in taxes/ fees from Houston to Amsterdam on KLM. From Washington Dulles, I found the same prices to Amsterdam on KLM and slightly lower prices on Air France to Paris at 13,750 miles + $68 in taxes.
Being able to fly from Houston to Europe nonstop for 12,250 miles + about $68 in taxes thanks to the promo award is very good all by itself, but something else caught my eye when I was doing test searches from Houston to Paris on Air France.
While economy awards are only 14,500 miles plus taxes, I was perhaps even more impressed that business class awards from Houston to Paris are only 66,500 + $218 in taxes/fees. This price isn't earth shattering, but it is quite fair and I haven't heard anyone mention these decently priced business class awards still being available after the recent changes made by Flying Blue. The good news is that they are still out there! I found the same prices and availability on the return, so you could go round trip from Houston to Paris for 133,000 miles that you can transfer in from Chase, Citi, and Amex, plus the taxes and fees.
If economy suits your needs from Houston or Dulles, then hop on this 50% off award sale before it ends on July 30, 2018.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
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- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
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Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
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- Terms Apply.
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