Flights to Europe starting at 15K miles: Check out Flying Blue’s September Promo Rewards
Editor's Note
Numerous opportunities, ranging from paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, are available when booking discounted travel. However, one of the most reliable deals is the monthly Promo Rewards offered by Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
These monthly exclusive discounts are on the Flying Blue website; they apply to flights to and from specific cities or regions for booking until the end of each month. They also apply to a specified travel window.
This month, there are enticing offers for one-way economy flights to various European cities starting at just 15,000 miles. This represents a significant discount compared to the amounts other loyalty programs typically charge for similar award tickets. If you are planning a trip to or from one of those cities, this could be an exceptional deal worth considering.
What is Flying Blue's September award promotion?
Airlines: Air France and KLM
Routes: Economy awards for short-haul and medium-haul flights between various European cities, plus economy awards for long-haul flights between Europe and North American cities like New York City; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Montreal; and Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: Short- and medium-haul economy awards start at 5,625 miles; long-haul economy awards start at 15,000 miles; long-haul premium economy awards start at 26,250 miles; long-haul business-class awards start at 37,500 miles
Travel dates: Sept. 30, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025
Book by: Sept. 30, 2024
Promo Rewards between North America and Europe
Right now, you can snag a one-way economy ticket to Europe from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Dulles International Airport (IAD) near D.C., Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Ottawa International Airport (YOW) for just 15,000 miles. Remember our tip to easily search prices month by month.
The premium and business-class promotional prices for this month are only available to and from Montreal and Ottawa.
Keep in mind that Flying Blue lets you add a free stopover on your connection(s). For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Paris, spend a few days in Amsterdam and then travel to your final destination for no additional miles. To book a ticket with a stopover, you'll need to call Flying Blue at 800-375-8723.
Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles
How to book Flying Blue Promo Rewards flights
Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the "Book with Miles" button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the "Search flights" button.
Now, select the flight you'd like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your reservation.
If you plan to transfer points to book this award, you should find award space first. Then, place your ticket on hold and transfer your points. You never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.
How to earn Flying Blue miles
Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs.
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn't the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, though Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.
Additionally, Capital One is currently offering a 20% transfer bonus through Sept. 29. So, when you transfer 1,000 Capital One miles by Sept. 29, you'll get 1,200 Flying Blue miles.
Maximize your purchase
Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.
Some of the best cards include:
- The Platinum Card? from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve?: 5 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel? and 3 points per dollar spent on other travel
- American Express? Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
- Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card (see rates and fees): 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar spent on other travel
Bottom line
Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs. Since you can reserve these tickets on the Air France or KLM website, they're simple for anyone to book.
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