2020 has been a challenging year to say the least. We hope 2021 will bring you everything you're looking for and more. While we wait for the horizon to clear, we are extending the measures we put in place last year. Indeed, we are committed to staying in touch and helping eligible members to retain all their benefits by providing a wide range of support. So keep an eye on this page:
As an extension of our previous measures, we will now prevent all Miles of our Explorer members from expiring until 31 December 2021.
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How are my Miles affected by Flying Blue's latest COVID-19 measures?
In April 2020, we announced and implemented immediate measures to prevent Miles from expiring until the end of 2020. To this day, the situation remains uncertain. Therefore, we have decided to extend those measures by another 12 months. If you are an Explorer member, all your Miles will remain valid until the end of December 2021.
Where can I see that the validity of my Miles has been extended until the end of 2021?
As an Explorer member, you can find the updated validity date of your Miles in your Flying Blue account.
Will the validity of my Miles be extended until the end of 2021?
If you are a Silver, Gold or Platinum member your Miles are valid for life. Are you an Explorer member with Miles expiring between December 2020 and November 2021? Then we will extend the validity of your Miles to December 2021. Miles with a validity date of January 2022 and beyond are not impacted by this measure.
Good news: you keep all your advantages! As an extension of our previous measures, we renew the levels of all our Elite members with a qualification period between now and December 2021.
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Will I keep my current level in my next qualification period?
In case your qualification period ends between now and December 2021, you will keep your current level even if you do not reach the XP objective. Some examples:
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
When will I see that my level has been renewed?
On the first day of your new qualification period, you can see in your Flying Blue account that your current level has been renewed. In your activity overview you will see “XP offered by Flying Blue” with the number of XP that have been credited to reach the XP objective (if applicable), and “Counter offset” with the XP objective of your level deducted from your counter. The validity date of your digital card will be updated at the end of your current tier validity period.
I want to upgrade to a higher level. Will I also benefit from your COVID-19 measures?
Our measures enable Elite members to maintain their current level. If you were able to travel and you are on the way to a higher level, we rewarded you with double Miles and double XP from July until December 2020. The surplus XP measure may also help you in reaching a higher level.
Will I keep my current XP balance in my next qualification period?
We will automatically offset the number of XP needed to maintain or upgrade a level. Any surplus XP will remain on your account. Some examples:
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
→ The surplus XP measure applies in addition to this measure. Please see the specific Q&A for more info.
What will happen to my years counting towards Platinum for life?
If you keep your current Platinum level during your next qualification period based on our special measures, that membership year will count towards the 10 consecutive years needed to qualify for Platinum for life. For example:
As an extension of our previous measure, we will automatically top up the surplus XP for Elite members with a qualification period between now and December 2021, if it’s lower than last year. That way, you hold on to all your XP and don’t miss out on maintaining or boosting your status. The surplus XP support will be added within a month after the start of your new qualification period.
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What does “surplus XP support” mean?
At the start of your new qualification period, we compare your number of surplus XP with the number you had at the start of the previous qualification period. If your current number of surplus XP is lower, we will automatically credit XP to your counter to match the surplus XP you had at the start of your previous qualification period. See the examples at the end of these Q&A for more information.
What are surplus XP?
At the end of your qualification period after maintaining your level, your XP counter will be offset by the XP objective of the corresponding level. Any XP gained above the level threshold are called surplus XP and are kept on your XP counter for the next qualification period. This way, your surplus XP give you a head start for maintaining your level in the next period.
Flying Blue is one of the few loyalty programmes to offer the benefit of keeping your XP into the next period after the counter offset. Most loyalty programmes reset the counter to zero at the end of the qualification period by default.
Why are we protecting your surplus XP?
Our Elite members have indicated that surplus XP is a very much appreciated and distinguishing feature of our programme. We know many members are happy with the opportunity to keep their extra XP for the new qualification period, building up a buffer of surplus XP. In the current situation, our members have shared concerns that their surplus XP will diminish due to limited opportunities to travel and gain XP. By protecting surplus XP, we support our loyal customers and enable them to keep their surplus XP which they often have built up over many years.
Will I benefit from surplus XP support?
You will benefit from surplus XP support in case:
Some examples:
A Silver member with a qualification period ending in April 2021:
A Gold member with a qualification period ending in April 2021:
A Platinum member with a qualification period ending in April 2021:
When and how will you inform me if I benefit from this measure?
If you have opted-in to receive communication about programme information, we will inform you via e-mail within a month after your last qualification period ended. In addition, you can then also find the update in your online activity overview.
How can I benefit from surplus XP support?
As an eligible Flying Blue member, you do not have to do anything to benefit from surplus XP support. We will automatically take care of that. Within the first month of your new qualification period, we will add the XP to match your previous number of surplus XP. You can see the credited XP in your activity overview under this description: “surplus XP support”.
When and how will I see the surplus XP support in my account?
Within the first month of your new qualification period, we will credit the XP to ensure your surplus is the same as the period before. When checking the activity overview in your Flying Blue account, you will see the credited XP under this description: “surplus XP support”.
How can I check my surplus XP from the previous qualification period?
You can check your surplus XP in your online account. It is listed as a separate activity, called “Surplus XP available on the XP counter”.
Which members benefit from surplus XP support?
If you are a Silver, Gold or Platinum member and your qualification period ends between now and December 2021, you may benefit from protected surplus XP. Explorer members do not have surplus XP.
Examples surplus XP support
Note: examples are based on Platinum members, but the same logic also applies to Silver and Gold.
Platinum member A
Qualification end date December 2019:
XP counter: 900 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 600 XP
Qualification end date December 2020:
XP counter: 800 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 500 XP
Surplus XP support: 100 XP
Qualification end date December 2021:
XP counter: 700 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 400 XP
Surplus XP support: 200 XP
Platinum member B
Qualification end date December 2019:
XP counter: 350 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 50 XP
Qualification end date December 2020:
XP counter: 320 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 20 XP
Surplus XP support: 30 XP
Qualification end date December 2021:
XP counter: 160 XP
Plus 140 XP offered by Flying Blue to maintain Platinum
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 0 XP
Surplus XP support: 50 XP
Platinum member C
Qualification end date December 2019:
XP counter: 350 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 50 XP
Qualification end date December 2020:
XP counter: 220 XP
Plus 80 XP offered by Flying Blue to maintain Platinum
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 0 XP
Surplus XP support: 50 XP
Qualification end date December 2021:
XP counter: 340 XP
Counter offset: 300 XP
Surplus: 40 XP
Surplus XP support: 10 XP
Due to the uncertainty surrounding travel in this period, we want to give you peace of mind and flexibility when booking your travel. For this reason, reward tickets are changeable without a fee and refundable from now on.
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I want to rebook my reward flight. Can I do that without having to pay a change fee?
You can rebook your reward ticket or Promo reward ticket without having to pay a change fee under the following circumstances:
Original ticket conditions apply for rebooking other reward tickets and Promo reward tickets.
I want to rebook my reward flight. Can I change the destination and/or date?
If you want to rebook your reward flight or Promo reward flight, you can change travel date, destination or both for tickets that fall under the circumstances mentioned in the previous question.
Contact customer service to rebook your flight.
I want to rebook my reward flight. How is it done?
Contact our customer service to rebook your flight.
I want to cancel my reward flight. Can I do so without having to pay a cancellation fee? Will I get a refund?
You can cancel your reward ticket or Promo reward ticket without having to pay a cancellation fee under the following circumstances:
Both Miles and cash will be credited. Please note that ticketing fees are non-refundable. Original ticket conditions apply for cancelling other reward tickets and Promo reward tickets. Contact customer service to cancel your flight.
I want to cancel my reward flight. How is it done?
Contact our customer service to cancel your flight.
My reward flight has been cancelled. Will I get a refund?
Please contact the airline to learn more about the possibilities for a refund.
My reward flight has been cancelled. Can I rebook my flight?
Please contact the airline to learn more about the rebooking possibilities.
What happens if I don't have the result of the mandatory PCR test in time?
In case you did not receive the result of your mandatory PCR test in time, you cannot board your flight and your travel needs to be postponed. When rebooking your flight in the same cabin class, the fare difference between different booking classes is waived if:
Please contact Flying Blue customer service for more information.