Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
From paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, there are endless opportunities to book travel at a discount.
However, few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
These deals regularly appear on the Flying Blue website and offer discounts on flights to and from select cities or region pairs. All discounts are only bookable through the end of the month, and there’s a set travel window.
This month, we’re seeing economy flights from the U.S. to Europe for as little as 11,250 Flying Blue miles plus applicable taxes and fees, which can be easily transferred from various transferable points programs. Even better, this month marks the return of business-class deals from North America, which start at just 27,500 miles one-way from Montreal.
The deal
Airlines: Air France and KLM.
Routes: Economy awards to and from Europe and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS); premium economy awards to and from Europe and Mexico City International Airport (MEX); and business-class awards to and from Europe and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).
Cost: Varies by airport. Economy awards start at 11,250 miles each way, premium economy from 30,000 miles and business-class awards from 27,500 miles.
Dates: Travel from Dec. 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023.
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Promo Rewards between North America and Europe
You’ll find business-class deals from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Europe, with awards starting at just 27,500 miles one-way. This is an excellent deal and may be worth positioning to and from Montreal if you live in the Midwest or along the East Coast. You can find deals to and from several European destinations, such as Lisbon, Portugal.
You can also fly from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Europe in business class for as little as 41,250 miles one-way. This is a great deal compared to normal Flying Blue award pricing, though it’s not nearly as good as flights from Montreal.
Meanwhile, you’ll find economy awards to Europe from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) for as little as 11,250, 15,750 and 18,375 miles, respectively. Prices will vary based on when you fly and where in Europe you fly to.
Finally, the airline is also offering discounted premium economy tickets from Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Europe, which start at 30,000 miles per person.
You must book these Promo Rewards tickets by Dec. 31, but they are valid for travel through May 31, 2023. You can change these award tickets for 50 euros per person ($52.63, at the time of writing).
Related: The best ways to get to Europe using points and miles
How to book
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 red search button.
Montreal had fairly good availability in February at the lowest Promo Reward price. You’ll sometimes find that connecting flights require fewer miles than nonstop flights.
If you plan to transfer points to book this award, find award space first and then transfer your points, as you never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.
Related: When should I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?
Earning Flying Blue miles
Fortunately, it’s easy to boost your Flying Blue balance since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies.
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott 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 instantly. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. In other words, credit card points are your best bet if you’re hoping to book right away.
Related: Use Flying Blue miles to fly to Hawaii for just 35,000 miles round-trip
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to 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 on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Premier Card (3 points per dollar on air travel), the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel), the American Express Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel).
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque and Kyle Olsen.
