Flying Blue 2026 Devaluation
One of award travelers' favorite programs is Flying Blue. With plentiful award seats, tons of routes to/from the USA, great partner redemptions, lots of transfer bonuses, there's lots to love about the program. We didn't even mention the monthly promo awards, that make cheap award seats even cheaper when it works for you. That's why the Flying Blue 2026 devaluation stings quite a bit. Devaluations are inevitable, especially as credit card welcome offers go up and up and up. But this one hurts a bit more than most. Luckily, not all the news is bad, as we got some advance notice, but it is mostly bad news. Let's dive in.
The Benefit Changes
Beginning on September 8, 2026, the Flying Blue 2026 devaluation takes effect. At that time, award flights on Air France and KLM-operated flights (yes, no changes to partner awards!) are available in three pricing tiers. These tiers are: Light, Standard and Flex. Note that La Premiere First Class Fares are exempt from these changes, too. But what does this mean? First, let's look at the new benefits (or lack thereof) within each tier.
Economy Fares
| Checked Bags | Hand Bags | Changes | Refunds | Advanced Seats | SkyPriority | Lounge Access | |
| Light | None | 1, up to 12kg | None | None | Extra Cost | None | Extra Cost |
| Standard | 1, up to 23kg | 1, up to 12kg | €70 | €70 | Extra Cost | None | Extra Cost |
| Flex | 1, up to 23kg | 1, up to 12kg | Included | Included | Included | None | Extra Cost |
Premium (Comfort) Fares
| Checked Bags | Hand Bags | Changes | Refunds | Advanced Seats | SkyPriority | Lounge Access | |
| Light | None | 2, total 12kg | None | None | Extra Cost | Included | Extra Cost |
| Standard | 2, up to 23kg each | 2, total 12kg | €70 | €70 | Extra Cost | Included | Extra Cost |
| Flex | 2, up to 23kg each | 2, total 12kg | Included | Included | Included | Included | Extra Cost |
Business Fares
| Checked Bags | Hand Bags | Changes | Refunds | Advanced Seats | SkyPriority | Lounge Access | |
| Light (O/Z fares) | 1, up to 32kg | 2, total 18kg | None | None | Extra Cost | Included | Extra Cost |
| Standard | 2, up to 32kg each | 2, total 18kg | €70 | €70 | Extra Cost | Included | Included |
| Flex | 2, up to 32kg each | 2, total 18kg | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
What immediately jumps out here is the lack of most benefits on Light fares, that advance seats cost an additional fee in all classes unless you book a Flex fare, and the major devaluation to Light fares that now do not allow any changes or refunds. Prior to the implementation of the Flying Blue 2026 devaluation, any award tickets allowed changes and refunds for €70, so this is a major change.
It is worth noting that status benefits will override these changes and apply to all flights, so if you happen to have Flying Blue or Skyteam status that benefits you, these devaluations may not hurt quite as much.
Pricing Changes
The exact pricing changes in the Flying Blue 2026 devaluation are not yet completely known, since the changes have not been implemented. However, Flying Blue spoke to VFTW (and presumably OMAAT) and provided more insight into the changes. We are given two examples, one an intra-Europe fare and one a USA/Europe fare. These examples are:
- Berlin to Barcelona Economy:
- Light: 10,000 Miles + $70
- Standard: 13,000 Miles + $70
- Flex: 17,000 Miles + $70
- Paris to New York City in Business Class:
- Light: 60,000 Miles + $608.83
- Standard: 75,000 Miles + $608.83
- Flex: 110,000 Miles + $302.82
In these limited examples, we see a 25-30% price increase for Standard fares over Light fares. We also see a 70-83.33% price increase for Flex over Light. Interestingly enough, the taxes on a Flex fare between Paris and NYC go down over 50% over current taxes and fees. Lastly, we're told that the Light fares will only be available on what are current saver awards (e.g. 60,000 Mile awards from CDG-JFK).
Flying Blue 2026 Devaluation: ToP Thoughts
If you're a big fan of those 25,000-30,000 mile economy seats and the 60,000 mile business seats to/from Europe, this one hurts. Those saver awards are now coming with massive increases in taxes and fees and a major loss of flexibility. Should you decide to book Light fares after September 8, 2026, you cannot change or cancel your fares, get free advance seat assignments, or free lounge access in any class of service. Throw in higher taxes and fees on those fares and it is a double face slap. I think the sweet spot here, if there is one in a major devaluation, is booking Standard fares. In the Paris to NYC example, the fare will go up from current 60,000 miles to 75,000 miles, but it remains flexible, with changes and cancellations for €70, the historical rates to do so. I think Flex fares, with 70-83.33% higher prices over Light fares simply are too expensive to consider, especially for transatlantic flights.
What are your thoughts on the Flying Blue 2026 devaluation? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know.
