Flying Blue for Germans 2026: Earning Miles, Value & Promo Rewards With AMEX
Flying Blue guide for Germany 2026: transfer AMEX MR at 5:4 (from 625 points, up to 1 business day), Promo Rewards with up to 25% off on the first of every month, real sample prices (Europe from 7,500 miles, New York from 18,750 miles one-way), what a Flying Blue mile is worth and when Air France/KLM beat Miles & More.
Status:
Quick answer: Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program of Air France, KLM and Transavia, and German collectors reach it via AMEX Membership Rewards at 5:4 (from 625 points, transfer usually within the same business day). The leverage is in the Promo Rewards: on the first of every month, Flying Blue lists award flights with up to 25% off. As of September 2026, European routes start at 7,500 miles one-way in Economy, Europe–New York from 18,750 miles in Economy and 30,000 in Premium Economy, Asian destinations like Singapore or Osaka from 22,500 miles. Connecting flights from Germany via Paris or Amsterdam are included in long-haul promos. This guide shows how to earn, what a mile is worth and when Flying Blue beats Miles & More.
German mile collectors think of Miles & More almost automatically when it comes to award flights. Yet Flying Blue is a program right on the doorstep that, since Lufthansa switched to dynamic pricing, is often cheaper and more predictable, because it publishes fixed discount offers every month. And unlike Miles & More, Flying Blue is a direct transfer partner of AMEX Membership Rewards, at the best rate AMEX offers in Germany at all.
As of 5 September 2026: Transfer rate and minimum come from amex.de, the Promo Reward prices from flyingblue.com. Promo Rewards change monthly, the prices quoted apply to bookings in September 2026 for travel until 28 February 2027.
What Is Flying Blue?
Flying Blue is the joint frequent flyer program of Air France, KLM and Transavia with more than 30 million members. It belongs to the SkyTeam alliance, so award flights are also bookable on Delta, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and other SkyTeam carriers. Relevant for Germans: Air France and KLM fly from almost every German airport to Paris and Amsterdam, and from there onto the entire long-haul network.
| Property | Flying Blue |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Air France, KLM, Transavia + SkyTeam partners |
| Hubs | Paris CDG, Amsterdam AMS |
| Pricing model | dynamic, with monthly Promo Rewards |
| AMEX transfer (DE) | 5:4, from 625 MR, up to 1 business day |
| Award flights | bookable one-way, for anyone |
| Taxes and fees | paid separately, cannot be covered with miles |
| Miles/XP on award flights | none |
For beginners: If you are still weighing up which points currency suits you, the free guide explains the three points worlds and the best free cards in one PDF, before you commit a single AMEX point.
How to Earn Flying Blue Miles in Germany
Route 1: AMEX Membership Rewards (the main route)
Flying Blue is one of the four partners to which AMEX in Germany transfers at the best ratio of 5:4 (alongside British Airways, Iberia and SAS). In concrete terms:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Ratio | 5 MR = 4 Flying Blue miles |
| Minimum transfer | 625 MR (= 500 miles) |
| Transfer time | up to 1 business day |
| 100,000 MR become | 80,000 Flying Blue miles |
By comparison: Miles & More is not a direct AMEX partner in Germany. The detour via PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 point = 1 mile) destroys two thirds of the value. Anyone who wants to turn AMEX points into Star Alliance or SkyTeam flights is far better off with Flying Blue at 5:4. All rates are in the transfer partner overview.
The points come from the AMEX Platinum* (85,000 MR welcome bonus) or the AMEX Gold* (50,000 MR). The Platinum bonus alone becomes 68,000 Flying Blue miles, enough for two Economy long-hauls or one Premium Economy long-haul plus return at promo prices.
Route 2: Flights with Air France and KLM
On paid tickets you earn miles based on the fare, plus XP (Experience Points) for status. Worth it as a side effect, too slow as a strategy.
Route 3: Revolut RevPoints
Flying Blue is one of the programs into which Revolut RevPoints can be transferred. How Revolut works as a third points world alongside AMEX and Miles & More is the subject of its own chapter in the Premium Handbook.
Promo Rewards: The Real Reason for Flying Blue
On the first of every month, Flying Blue publishes a new list of award flights with up to 25% off. The offers apply to bookings in the current month and travel in the following months (in September 2026: travel until 28 February 2027). Important for Germans: on long-haul promos, the connecting flights within Europe via Paris or Amsterdam are included, so you start in Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin at the promo price.
Promo Rewards September 2026 (selection, one-way, from-prices)
| Route | Class | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam–Berlin, Paris–Stockholm, Amsterdam–Prague | Economy | 7,500 |
| Paris–Barcelona, Paris–Milan, Amsterdam–Istanbul | Business | 18,750 |
| Europe–New York, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Montreal | Economy | 18,750 |
| Europe–Singapore, Osaka, Cape Town | Economy | 22,500 |
| Europe–New York, San Francisco, Boston, Vancouver | Premium Economy | 30,000 |
| Europe–Shanghai | Premium Economy | 37,500 |
| Europe–Minneapolis, Mexico City | Business | 45,000 |
| Europe–Beijing, Bangkok, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago | Business | 63,750 |
| Europe–Papeete (Tahiti) | Business | 90,000 |
The September 2026 promo awards on flyingblue.com, screenshots 2026.
Worked example: Frankfurt–New York in Premium Economy for 30,000 miles one-way equals 37,500 AMEX points. Taxes and fees come on top, and on North America routes Flying Blue keeps them moderate. With Miles & More, the same class costs 85,000 miles round-trip according to the award table, i.e. 42,500 per direction, and those are not directly reachable via AMEX.
Subscribers to Flying Blue Extra (a paid add-on) see additional promos marked “Extra Exclusif”. For occasional bookers the subscription is not worth it, the public promos are enough.
How to use Promo Rewards properly
- On the 1st of the month, check the promo page on flyingblue.com (destination, class, travel period)
- Search availability on airfrance.com or klm.com under “Pay with Miles” before transferring AMEX points
- Transfer only once the flight is available. The transfer usually takes hours, but availability is limited
- Book and pay the taxes by card
Pro tip: How to monitor award availability automatically instead of searching every morning yourself is shown in the guide on seats.aero and Claude Code. Flying Blue is one of the sources covered there.
What Is a Flying Blue Mile Worth?
Outside the promos, Flying Blue prices are dynamic. Our miles calculator works with real saver minimums from award availability (as of June 2026, round-trip from Europe):
| Destination | Economy | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 20,000 | – | 40,000 |
| North America | 40,000 | 80,000 | 120,000 |
| Middle East | 38,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| Southeast Asia | 60,000 | 100,000 | 165,000 |
| South America | 60,000 | 100,000 | 160,000 |
With a promo (up to 25% off) the values sit correspondingly lower. For a Premium Economy long-haul costing €800 to €1,200, 30,000 miles are worth around 2.5 to 4 cents per mile. Converted to AMEX (5:4): 2 to 3 cents per MR point. That is far more than the 0.5 cents from “pay with points”. How to calculate the value yourself is in the mile value guide.
Flying Blue vs. Miles & More: When to Use Which?
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| You mainly earn AMEX MR | Flying Blue (5:4 direct, M&M not reachable) |
| You fly Lufthansa often and want status | Miles & More (Points, lounges, upgrades) |
| Long-haul North America in Premium Economy | Flying Blue (promo from 30,000 one-way) |
| Short-notice flexibility, one-way, travelers without their own account | Flying Blue (award flights bookable for anyone) |
| First Class | Miles & More (La Première only for Flying Blue Platinum/Ultimate) |
| Nonstop from Frankfurt/Munich | Miles & More (Flying Blue always goes via Paris/Amsterdam) |
The best strategy is not a decision but a combination: Miles & More miles via the M&M credit cards* and PAYBACK, Flying Blue via AMEX. Why both pots should run in parallel is explained in the AMEX vs. Miles & More comparison.
The Rules You Need to Know
- Award flights cost taxes and fees on top. With Air France and KLM on long-haul well below what Lufthansa charges, but not zero.
- No miles and no XP on award flights.
- La Première (Air France First Class) is only bookable for Platinum and Ultimate members, with one seat per flight.
- Transavia accepts miles directly on transavia.com (display prices in miles).
- Mile expiry: According to program rules, Flying Blue miles remain valid as long as your account is active. If you have not taken a mile-earning flight in more than two years, check the current expiry rule in the Flying Blue FAQ before transferring large amounts of AMEX points.
- Transfers are final. AMEX points cannot be pulled back. So: check availability first, then transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer AMEX points to Flying Blue?
Yes, in Germany at a ratio of 5:4 from 625 Membership Rewards points. The transfer takes up to one business day. Flying Blue shares the best AMEX rate with British Airways, Iberia and SAS.
What are Flying Blue Promo Rewards?
Monthly changing award flights with up to 25% off the mileage price. New offers appear on the 1st of every month on flyingblue.com and apply to bookings in the current month.
How many Flying Blue miles do I need for New York?
With a Promo Reward from 18,750 miles one-way in Economy and from 30,000 in Premium Economy (September 2026). Without a promo, the cheapest prices are around 20,000 (Economy) to 60,000 (Business) per direction.
Can I fly from Frankfurt with Flying Blue miles?
Yes. Air France and KLM fly from the major German airports to Paris and Amsterdam. On long-haul promos the feeder is included, so the promo price applies from Germany.
Are Flying Blue miles worth more than Miles & More miles?
It depends on the redemption. On Promo Rewards for Premium Economy and Business long-hauls, Flying Blue miles reach 2.5 to 4 cents. Miles & More is similar on good Business Class redemptions but less predictable since dynamic pricing. The decisive difference: Flying Blue is directly reachable via AMEX, Miles & More is not.
Is there currently an AMEX transfer bonus to Flying Blue?
No (as of 5 September 2026). The only active AMEX transfer bonus in Germany runs until 31 October 2026 to Marriott Bonvoy. Flying Blue bonuses have existed in the past and are announced on amex.de.
Can I book Flying Blue award flights for other people?
Yes. Award flights can be booked for anyone, the traveler does not need their own Flying Blue account.
Do Flying Blue miles expire?
Flying Blue ties validity to account activity. Check the current rule in the Flying Blue FAQ before transferring large amounts of AMEX points, and as a rule only transfer once a specific flight is available.
Conclusion
For German AMEX collectors, Flying Blue is what Miles & More is for Lufthansa frequent flyers: the natural home for the points. The 5:4 rate is the best AMEX offers in Germany, the Promo Rewards deliver predictable discounts every month, and the feeders from Germany are included. Anyone who has so far used AMEX points only for vouchers or “pay with points” gets four to six times as much out of them via Flying Blue.
Further reading:
- AMEX Transfer Partners Germany 2026 - All 14 partners with rates and minimums
- Redeeming AMEX Points - Value table for every transfer partner
- Booking an Award Flight: Guide - Step by step to the award booking
- Booking Business Class With Miles - Mile values and saving tips
- Mile Value Calculator - What a mile is really worth
Which card combination delivers the most AMEX points per year and how to split them between Flying Blue, Avios and Miles & More is in the MEILENKÖNIG Premium Handbook.
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