Flying Blue (Air France & KLM) - What is your understanding of this Flying Blue rule?

On Air France's website you can find every rule there is for accumulation of miles. However, some of the rules are not clearly discernible. For example, the section where mileage earned with "other airline partners" is described.

http://www.airfrance.com.br/X02/pt/local/voyageurfrequent/flyingblue/fblue_gagner_aeriens.htm?BV_SessionID=09kar0mht_Xp hpUi2lcwieJ&BV_EngineID=140ufodr5

Take Gol, a Brazilian airline partner, for example. Check out the rules for earning FB miles flying with Gol. What do you make of the comments column on the right, where it says "minimum earned: 750 miles".

I personally understand what it says: that the minimum you earn is 750 miles, no matter what class you're paying for. To me, that means that percentages start applying for flights longer than 750 miles. I see that as a way of encouraging people to make business with that airline.

Am I right? Comments welcome.

normaly 750 miles should be the minimum miles for economy class.

Hi arrozcomfeijao,

These issues are discussed in various places in this forum.

First, the AF and KL sites are inconsistent in regard to miles gained from various partners. It has been argued that the KL site is the more accurate of the two, but I would not rely on it. Phone FB and ask.

Second, any so-called 'minimum' for miles that is stated is not necessarily a minimum in the normal sense of the word. There will be a disclaimer somewhere that states the rules vary according to fare class. That is, it is a minimum if you are in the fare class to which that minimum applies :confused:
Again, you would need to phone FB and ask.

Confused? You will be ... (sorry, from one of my favourite TV programmes from many years ago - fun points given for anyone who knows it). :)

Hi all,

While confusing, the percentages will be used .. however, for short flights, the miles accrued will be calculated at 750 * percentage.

Thus, for a cheap GVA - AMS, I earn 187 miles (25% of 750 miles).

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

Second, any so-called 'minimum' for miles that is stated is not necessarily a minimum in the normal sense of the word. There will be a disclaimer somewhere that states the rules vary according to fare class. That is, it is a minimum if you are in the fare class to which that minimum applies :confused:

Exactly :
- the minimum of 750 is 25% of 750 i.e. 187
- the minimum of 500 (for domestic flights) is 25% of 500 i.e. 125

Confused? You will be ... (sorry, from one of my favourite TV programmes from many years ago - fun points given for anyone wh knows it). :)

Can fun points be exchanged for FB miles? Wasn't there a guy called Birt who had some major issues with his sandwiches? Don't miss the next episode of ...
... ... Ha!

-- Henry

Can fun points be exchanged for FB miles? Wasn't there a guy called Birt who had some major issues with his sandwiches? Don't miss the next episode of ...
... ... Ha!

-- Henry

Well spotted Henry! Fun points to you. ^

Now if only we could exchange miles eh? :)

On a less serious note, and to try to be accurate (and make sure I have got it correct), I get the following information from here:
http://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/travel_information/flight_booking/fare_information/index.htm?
Flights within Europe 25% in V, N and E.
Intercontinental flights 25% in V and T.

But ... there is a disclaimer:
http://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/flying_blue/programme/how/index.htm#2
There is a minimum of 500 Classic Award and Level Miles on most tickets for domestic flights. On most tickets for international flights, we offer you a minimum of 750 Classic Award and Level Miles. Award tickets, Air Miles tickets and other similar tickets are not eligible for Miles. Tickets in some booking classes may earn fewer or no Miles. My emphasis.

My understanding is that there are some flights with some partners for which no miles at all are gained. In particular, the OP mentioned Gol, which I believe is not a Skyteam partner.

For Gol, the AF site states:
25% in P, E and U for an individual public fare included in the program with G3 flight number.
Non eligible booking classes : A, N, G, Z, X, I, R, B, P, O, Z. (sic)

For Gol, the KL site states:
25% in P and E on all GOL-operated flights with a G3 prefix.

I would not assume even 25% and would suggest that it would be wise to check before booking.

For Gol, the AF site states:
25% in P, E and U for an individual public fare included in the program with G3 flight number.
Non eligible booking classes : A, N, G, Z, X, I, R, B, P, O, Z. (sic)

I would not assume even 25% and would suggest that it would be wise to check before booking.

very typical of Flying Blue here, P is in both lists - 25% and non-elgible

And ...
You will earn at least 750 Flying Blue Miles on all scheduled flights operated by GOL ... Tickets in some classes may earn fewer or no Miles

As far as I can see the two statements cannot co-exist logically, which I think brings us back to the point the OP was making. But we know what the FB/AF/KL sites are like and we would be shocked if it were all consisiten, clear and logical.

For older hands it is a matter of experience and working through the challenges. I think it can be very off-putting for new or potential customers, and that is not very clever of AF/KL in the current economic climate.

As far as I can see the two statements cannot co-exist logically.

Have you ever seen a logical thing in FB communication?

Flying Blue rules improve, hence you will earn less miles than before

etc...

Hi brian,

... For older hands it is a matter of experience and working through the challenges. I think it can be very off-putting for new or potential customers, and that is not very clever of AF/KL in the current economic climate.

I think it comes down to "Expect less, and you will be less disappointed".

For example:
"While you might earn a minimum of 750 miles, this may be less if your fare class is listed here, and even less if your fare is one of the listed exclusions."

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer