Spending Flying Club Miles on AF-KLM
 

Does anyone know when we will be able to spend our flying club miles on AF-KLM? I'm looking at booking next year's holiday and am hoping I can save on the surcharges by using them out of Europe/ go somewhere outside of Virgin's route network.

Why AF? You'd still have hefty surcharges to pay in all likelihood. Yes you save APD, but it is easy to spend the savings just in positioning flights/accommodation

Why not any of the other partners offered by VS?

APD alone is not justification for an ex-EU, even in business class.

In reality it is the combination of a significantly lower base fare, combined with the APD saving which makes the all-in fare saving worth the risk, hassle and positioning costs

Most likely next year before they launch AFKL rewards. Been heavily delayed due to VGLC divesture and then because DL soon go in a quite period while they wrap up the year. Very, very surprised if anything is launched this year.

Yes, it is continually slipping. I was told September (in July), then November (in September) - not sure where it is now. I saw Oli Byers the other week at the Flybe management conference and he was non-committal.

VGLC official launch in next March so it may end up going along with that I suppose.

Looks like they've settled on next Thursday: https://corporate.virginatlantic.com...-launched.html

Oh good, now I can avoid APD by connecting KL/AF ;)

The real devil here is YQ/YR. Your wallet will appreciate avoiding that even more...

The ones charged by VS aren't exactly less.

Just looked at some of the routes, HKG-AMS cost 112k in J, and most intra cost 4k in Y and 8 to 10k in J.

Somewhat related, SFO-LHR Upper booked via KLM, 72K plus $200 taxes. 5500 less miles and $4-500 less than booking with Virgin.

Very good overview here https://www.headforpoints.com/

Have any particular ‘sweet spots’ need identified yet? I’m guessing they are likely to be with KLM rather than AF. Jamaica and N.Africa seem the obvious ones thus far.

Looks like VS doesn't have the same access to the space as AF/KLM. Found space through ExpertFlyer and on AF/KLM but cannot book on VS site. Also what is odd is that if I search for IAD-CDG and CDG-NCE flights were available but not when searching IAD-NCE. Agent on the phone noted there must be a bug in the system somewhere as they should be able to sell the ticket as one and not charge two separate awards.

Early teething problems, hopefully