Flying Blue Introduces 3-Tier Award Pricing
Interesting news from Flying Blue...
Starting September 8, the joint Air France/KLM program will be overhauling how it prices award tickets.
All award searches will begin to show 3 fare options - Light, Standard, and Flex - each carrying a different price in miles and different benefits.
Image Credit: Flying Blue
For example, Business Light keeps a low price in miles - but it strips out a lot along the way, including no changes or refunds, no advance seat selection, and no complimentary lounge access.
Business Standard costs slightly more in miles - but it includes an additional checked bag, has lounge access, and is changeable or refundable for a fee.
Business Flex costs the most in miles - but it also includes the most benefits, such as free changes and cancellations, seat selection, and notably lower taxes and fees.
So with these changes, you can still fly in business class for 60,000 Flying Blue miles from the US to Europe - but, you'll have to sacrifice certain benefits at that Business Light level for that pricing.
In other words, a devaluation - you're getting less stuff for the same award pricing as before.
Similar changes will also be going into effect for economy and premium economy award pricing.
However, Flying Blue and SkyTeam elite members will still be able to keep their usual baggage, seating, and lounge benefits, even on Light bookings - so if you have status, then these changes will not affect you as much.
Awards booked before September 8 will also be grandfathered in under the current rules - and partner airline redemptions aren't affected by any of this.
But bottom line here: try to book through Flying Blue before September 8 if you can because that will lock in today's pricing and today's benefits without these changes.
To read more, check out this article here.
