Right now, American Express has dropped a compelling offer: a bonus on transferring Membership Rewards to Flying Blue (the Air France–KLM frequent flyer program). If you’ve got Amex points and eyes on Europe or partner airlines, this is worth a look.
Here’s what to know, how to use it smartly, and when it might make sense for you.
What’s the Deal?
- Amex is currently offering a 20% bonus when you transfer your Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue miles. In effect, for every 1,000 MR points you send, you’ll receive 1,200 Flying Blue miles.
- The bonus is available through October 31, 2025 (subject to change).
- Normally, Amex MRs transfer on a 1:1 basis to Flying Blue, so this extra boost can meaningfully increase your mileage balance.
- Flying Blue has dynamic award pricing across Europe, its partner network, and Air France / KLM flights, so your miles may go farther — especially when leveraged right.
Why This Bonus Can Be Valuable
1. You’re stretching your points further
That extra 20% turns 100,000 MR points into 120,000 Flying Blue miles — giving you a bigger “pot” to work with for awards, upgrades, or partner redemption.
2. Access to strong route and partner opportunities
Flying Blue is a partner to many airlines (beyond just Air France / KLM) and can open interesting routes, especially to Europe, Africa, and beyond. If you were already considering using Flying Blue, this bonus is a nice incentive.
3. Ability to top up just enough to hit an award
If you’re just shy of the required miles for a flight, using this bonus window can help you bridge the gap without over-committing points.
4. Relatively low risk / cost to take advantage
You only “lose” if Flying Blue devalues or you transfer too early without a clear redemption plan. But with proper planning, the bonus is a free upside.
What to Watch Out For / Risks
- Don’t transfer speculatively. Bonuses are great, but programs can devalue or change rules. Only transfer when you have a redemption in mind or confidence in how you’ll use the miles. (As enthusiasts often warn: avoid moving points unless you need them.)
- Dynamic pricing means variability. Flying Blue awards fluctuate. The bonus helps, but on expensive award pricing it might not always yield huge savings.
- Transfer times matter. While many transfers post quickly, sometimes delays or system quirks occur. If you’re booking time-sensitive awards, plan accordingly.
- Bonus windows are finite. Don’t wait too long; the bonus ends October 31, 2025 (unless extended).
- Check eligibility and pairing. Make sure your Amex account is enrolled correctly, check whether your account is targeted for bonuses, and verify that your Flying Blue account is active and in good standing.
How to Use This Bonus Strategically
Here’s a quick game plan for getting the most out of the bonus:
- Audit your current balances
See how many Amex Membership Rewards points you have, and how many Flying Blue miles you need for a desired award. - Find a high-value redemption
Look for flights or partner awards that offer outsized value per mile (e.g. Europe routes, premium cabin flights, or partner airline opportunities). - Transfer just enough (or a bit more)
Don’t overshoot by a huge margin. If you need 90,000 Flying Blue miles, transfer 75,000 MR and get 90,000 miles (with 20% bonus) instead of transferring 100,000. - Lock in the award
Once the miles hit, book your flight — don’t let the miles sit unused for too long. - Monitor for bonus extensions or partner announcements
Those could create even more value (or alternatives).
Sample Scenario
Let’s say you have 50,000 Amex MR and find a Flying Blue award flight you want costs 58,000 miles. Normally, you’d fall short by 8,000. But with this 20% bonus:
- You transfer 48,400 MR → yields 58,080 Flying Blue miles
- Boom — you just cleared your target without overspending points.
- Use the remaining MR for something else.
Bottom Line
If you’ve got Amex Membership Rewards points sitting idle and you’re open to flying routes via Air France / KLM or their partners, this 20% transfer bonus to Flying Blue is an attractive chance to stretch your points further. Just make sure you have a redemption in mind (or close), don’t overshare your stash, and move quickly before the window closes.
Want me to build a comparison with current transfer bonuses to other airline programs, or estimate value per mile toward specific routes?
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