Flying Blue postpones higher SAF and donation XP rates to 1 December

Flying Blue, the loyalty programme of Air France-KLM, has delayed a sharp increase in the cost of earning elite status through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and charitable contributions. The new rate, which went live on 2 November 2026, will now start on 1 December 2026, with the previous rate restored from 4 November, according to One Mile at a Time.

What changed and what was reversed

Flying Blue members earn XP (experience points), which determine elite status, partly through SAF purchases and donations to environmental causes. Live and Let's Fly reports that, for cash SAF contributions, the cost rose on 2 November from €10 per XP to €15 per XP, a 50% increase, without advance notice.

Tiffany Funk, Head of Flying Blue, said in a statement quoted by both outlets: "We didn’t handle the rollout well, and the new rate went live with unclear messaging and without notice." She said the programme was "pressing pause". From 4 November, SAF and charitable contributions earn XP at the previous rate, and any contribution made since 2 November will be credited at the prior rate too.

The programme's position

Funk described the change as part of a continuous review of the elite programme and said it affects a small share of members. She also said that, even at €15 per XP, no programme in the market would recognise SAF contributions more generously than Flying Blue, including on award tickets.

One Mile at a Time notes that the main frustration was the rollout rather than the principle: the higher pricing appeared before the website was updated, leaving some members unsure whether it was a glitch. Its author argues that members are not entitled to a particular qualification rate, but that the page should be updated before such changes take effect.

Live and Let's Fly takes a more sceptical view of the scheme itself, calling it a revenue-generating measure with a sustainability message. It nonetheless credits Flying Blue for acknowledging the poor rollout and for protecting contributions made since 2 November. Both outlets stress that the delay postpones the devaluation rather than cancelling it.

What this means for travellers

• Until 30 November: SAF and charitable contributions should earn XP at the previous rate, which for cash SAF contributions was €10 per XP according to Live and Let's Fly.
• From 1 December 2026: the rate of €15 per XP applies, so reaching the same XP total through contributions will cost about 50% more.
• Contributions since 2 November: these will be credited at the prior rate, so no action appears to be needed for them.
• Planning: members who intended to top up their status with contributions have time to complete them at the old rate or to adjust by flying more or choosing another route to status.

The sources do not say whether the old rate applies to every type of contribution or whether further changes to the elite programme are planned. Members should check the Flying Blue website for the current terms before buying. Flying Blue is the loyalty scheme of Air France and KLM.

Sources: One Mile at a Time, Live and Let's Fly.