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In September, Air France/KLM Flying Blue changed their lowest priced awards into “light” awards.
Here’s how that looks now.
A Standard Economy flight from JFK to Tel Aviv was 35K miles, but now that buys a Light Economy fare which includes no checked bags, no free seat selection, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 45K miles for Standard Economy, which includes a free checked bag, seat selection at checkin, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 100K miles for Flex Economy, it will save $145 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
A Standard Premium Economy flight from JFK to Tel Aviv was 60K miles, but now that buys a Light Premium Economy fare which includes no checked bags, no SkyPriority, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 80K miles for Standard Premium Economy, which includes 2 free checked bags, SkyPriority, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 170K miles for Flex Premium Economy, it will save $270 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
A Standard Business flight from JFK to Tel Aviv was 90K miles, but now that buys a Light Business fare which includes 1 checked bag, no lounge access, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 120K miles for Standard Business, which includes 2 free checked bags, lounge access, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 190K miles for Flex Business, it will save $425 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
An Economy Promo Award from JFK to Paris was 18,750 miles, but now that buys a Light Economy Promo fare which includes no checked bags, no free seat selection, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 22.5K miles for Standard Economy Promo, which includes a free checked bag, seat selection at checkin, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 50K miles for Flex Economy, it will save $95 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
When there’s no Promo Award available, a Standard Economy flight from JFK to Paris was 25K miles, but now that buys a Light Economy fare which includes no checked bags, no free seat selection, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 30K miles for Standard Economy, which includes a free checked bag, seat selection at checkin, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 50K miles for Flex Economy, it will save $95 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
A Premium Economy Promo Award from Montreal to Paris was 30K miles, but now that buys a Light Premium Economy Promo fare which includes no checked bags, no SkyPriority, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 37.5K miles for Standard Premium Economy Promo, which includes 2 free checked bags, SkyPriority, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 85K miles for Flex Premium Economy, it will save $185 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
When there’s no Promo Award available, a Premium Economy Award from Montreal to Paris was 40K miles, but now that buys a Light Premium Economy Promo fare which includes no checked bags, no SkyPriority, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 50K miles for Standard Premium Economy, which includes 2 free checked bags, SkyPriority, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 85K miles for Flex Premium Economy, it will save $185 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
A Business Promo Award from Paris to JFK was 45K miles, but now that buys a Light Business Promo fare which includes 1 checked bag, no lounge access, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 56,250 miles for Standard Business Promo, which includes 2 free checked bags, lounge access, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 110K miles for Flex Business, it will save $300 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
When there’s no Promo Award available, a Business Award from Paris to JFK was 60K miles, but now that buys a Light Business fare which includes 1 checked bag, no lounge access, and doesn’t allow for changes or refunds. It now costs 75K miles for Standard Business, which includes 2 free checked bags, lounge access, and refunds or changes for 70 Euros. If you redeem 110K miles for Flex Business, it will save $300 in taxes, include free seat selection at booking, and have free refunds and changes:
In short, it now costs 20-33% more miles to get a Flying Blue award with the same benefits as before.
That’s painful, but it’s certainly not the worst devaluation that we’ve seen.
The good news is that these light awards only apply to flights on Air France or KLM, partner awards on airlines like Delta or El Al are not affected.
If you have SkyTeam or Flying Blue status, you can avoid some of the restrictions. You can earn Delta and SkyTeam status just by having some Delta cards, so there can be some value to be had there.
Flying Blue Silver elites and higher and SkyTeam elites like Delta Silver and higher will still receive checked bags and seat assignments, even on light fares. Flying Blue Gold elites and higher and SkyTeam Elite Plus members like Delta Gold and higher will still get lounge access, even on light fares. Flying Blue Platinum elites and higher will still get free changes and refunds, even on light fares.
I just don’t like the idea of basic awards, we’ll have to wait and see how long airlines like Alaska, American, and United can avoid the race to the bottom, as for now, they don’t sell basic awards.
Devaluations like this are exactly why I try not to store miles in airline programs, even if there’s a mileage transfer bonus. Better off storing them with banks and transferring them to airlines and hotel programs on demand. Earn and burn is the name of the game!
What do you think of this devaluation?
