Flights to Europe starting at 15K miles: Check out Flying Blue’s May Promo Rewards

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

When booking discounted travel, numerous opportunities are available, ranging from paid ticket sales to redemption promotions. 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 from just 15,000 miles. This represents a significant discount compared to the amounts other loyalty programs typically charge for similar award tickets. If you’re planning a trip to or from one of those cities, this could be an exceptional deal worth considering.

What is Flying Blue’s May award promotion?

Airlines: Air France and KLM
Routes: Economy awards for short-haul and medium-haul flights between various European cities; economy long-haul flights between Europe and North America, including Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis and Quebec City; premium economy long-haul flights between Europe and Mexico
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
Travel dates: Travel from May 1 through Oct. 31
Book by: May 31

An Air France Airbus A350 — NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY

Promo Rewards between North America and Europe

Right now, you can snag a one-way economy ticket for just 15,000 miles to Europe from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Remember our tip to easily search prices month by month.

For example, LA to Amsterdam has some promo availability sprinkled throughout the summer months, but you’ll find the majority in October. It’s best to be flexible when searching for promo award availability.

If you’re looking to be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics this summer, you can snag an economy ticket in July for just 15,000 miles, with open award availability.

Remember, Flying Blue also 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 Paris or 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.

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.

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
Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on air travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 5 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3 points per dollar spent on 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℠; 2 points per dollar spent on travel purchases
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees): 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases, 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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