Flying Blue transfer partners let you move your Air France-KLM miles to other airlines and hotel programs, often at better redemption rates than booking directly through Air France or KLM.
When you transfer miles to a partner, you lose them from your Flying Blue account permanently — the transfer cannot be reversed. Most transfers arrive within 24 to 72 hours. The value you get depends entirely on which partner you choose and what you're trying to book, so comparing the mile cost of your specific flight or hotel stay across multiple partners before transferring is the only way to know if you're getting a good deal.
Air France-KLM publishes the full list of transfer partners on the Flying Blue website, organized by airline, hotel chain, and other categories. The list changes occasionally, so check the current roster before you commit your miles.
Key Takeaways
- Flying Blue transfers to partner airlines and hotels are permanent and cannot be undone, so confirm the redemption rate for your specific booking before you transfer.
- Most transfers complete within 24 to 72 hours, but you should initiate the transfer at least a week before you need the miles to account for processing time and partner account setup.
- Partner airlines often charge fewer miles for the same flight than Air France or KLM does, but the savings vary by route, cabin, and season.
- You must have an active account with the partner airline or hotel chain before you can receive a transfer; creating the account takes a few minutes but adds time to the overall process.
Which airlines and hotels accept Flying Blue transfers
Air France-KLM maintains partnerships with roughly 15 to 20 airline partners, though the exact number and roster shift over time. The major partners include airlines in the oneworld alliance (such as American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific), SkyTeam members (Delta, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines), and independent carriers. Hotel partners include major chains like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards.
The transfer ratio is typically 1 Flying Blue mile = 1 mile at the partner program, though some partners offer bonus transfers during promotional periods — for example, transferring 10,000 Flying Blue miles might earn you 12,000 partner miles. These promotions are time-limited and advertised on the Flying Blue website.
Check the current partner list directly on the Flying Blue website before you plan your redemption, because partnerships end and new ones begin without notice. A partner you used last year may no longer accept transfers, or a new partner may have launched with better redemption rates for your route.
How to set up a partner account before transferring
You cannot transfer miles to a partner airline or hotel unless you already have an active account with that partner. If you don't have one, create it before you initiate the transfer. Most airline frequent flyer programs let you open an account online in 5 to 10 minutes using an email address and a password.
When you create the partner account, write down your frequent flyer number when ready — you will need it to complete the transfer. Some partners email the number to you; others display it on screen only once. Losing this number means the transfer may be delayed or sent to the wrong account.
If you already have a partner account, log in and confirm your frequent flyer number is correct and your account is in good standing. Transfers sometimes fail silently if the account number is wrong or if the account has been closed due to inactivity.
Steps to transfer Flying Blue miles to a partner
Log into your Flying Blue account on the Air France-KLM website. Navigate to the "Transfer Miles" or "Redeem" section — the exact label varies, but it is usually in the main menu under account or rewards options. Select the partner airline or hotel chain you want to transfer to from the list.
Enter the number of miles you want to transfer. The website will show you the transfer ratio (usually 1:1) and any bonus that applies. Confirm the amount and proceed. You will then be asked to enter your partner frequent flyer number. Double-check this number against your partner account — a single digit wrong sends the miles to the wrong account or causes the transfer to fail.
Review the transfer summary. Once you confirm, the miles are deducted from your Flying Blue account when ready. The partner program usually receives them within 24 to 72 hours, though some partners post miles within a few hours. You can track the transfer status in your Flying Blue account under "Transfer History" or a similar section.
When transfers take longer than expected
Most transfers complete within three days, but delays happen. System outages, account verification issues, or a typo in your partner frequent flyer number can slow things down. If your miles have not appeared in your partner account after 72 hours, log into your Flying Blue account and check the transfer status.
If the status shows "Pending" or "Processing," wait another 24 to 48 hours. If it shows "Completed" but the miles are not in your partner account, contact the partner airline's customer service with your transfer confirmation number from Flying Blue. Do not contact Air France-KLM first — the partner program controls the final step of crediting the miles to your account.
If the transfer shows an error status, contact Air France-KLM customer service when ready. Provide your Flying Blue account number, the partner you transferred to, the amount, and the date of the transfer. They can investigate whether the miles were sent and help reroute them if something went wrong.
Comparing redemption rates across partners
The same flight or hotel stay often costs different numbers of miles at different partners. Before you transfer, search for your specific booking on at least two or three partner programs and compare the mile cost to what Air France or KLM charges directly.
For example, a round-trip flight from New York to Paris might cost 60,000 Flying Blue miles on Air France, but only 50,000 American Airlines miles or 55,000 British Airways miles when booked through those partners. The difference is real and can be substantial, especially on premium cabins and long-haul routes. However, some routes are cheaper on Air France directly, so there is no universal rule — you have to check your specific trip.
Write down the mile cost at each partner before you transfer. Once the miles arrive in your partner account, you can book with confidence knowing you made the comparison.
Transfers during account closures or suspensions
If your Flying Blue account is suspended or closed, you cannot transfer miles until the account is reactivated. Account suspensions usually result from inactivity (no miles earned or redeemed for a set period, typically 36 months) or a violation of program rules.
If your account is inactive, you may be able to reactivate it by earning or redeeming miles, or by contacting Air France-KLM customer service. Reactivation can take a few days, so plan ahead if you know your account is at risk of closing.
If your account has been closed due to fraud or a policy violation, you will need to resolve the issue with Air France-KLM before any transfers are possible. This process is handled on a case-by-case basis and may require documentation or a formal appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles back from a partner to Flying Blue?
No. Transfers are one-way only — once miles leave your Flying Blue account and arrive at a partner program, they belong to that partner and cannot be moved back. This is why confirming your redemption plan before transferring is so important.
Do I have to transfer all my miles at once?
No. You can transfer any amount, in any increment, as long as you meet the partner's minimum transfer threshold (usually 1,000 to 5,000 miles). You can make multiple transfers to the same partner or to different partners over time.
What happens if I transfer miles but don't use them?
Partner frequent flyer programs have their own expiration policies, which are separate from Flying Blue's rules. Some partners expire miles after 18 to 24 months of inactivity, while others have no expiration. Check the partner program's terms before you transfer, and keep your partner account active by earning or redeeming miles periodically.
Are there taxes or fees on transfers?
No. Air France-KLM does not charge a fee to transfer miles to partners. However, some partners may charge a fee to receive a transfer, though this is rare. Check the partner program's website or terms before you transfer if you want to confirm.
Can I transfer miles on behalf of someone else?
No. You can only transfer miles from your own Flying Blue account to a partner account in your own name. Transfers to another person's account are not permitted by Air France-KLM or most partner programs.