All about Flying Blue and my favorite cards
A Family-Friendly Guide to KLM/Flying Blue: Unlocking Affordable Travel with Points
If you want to travel with your family without breaking the bank, you've probably heard about the magic of using credit card points. One of my favorite frequent flyer programs for family travel is KLM's Flying Blue, which partners with both KLM and Air France. Not only do they offer competitive award flight prices, but they also make family adventures across Europe and beyond far more accessible. The best part? You can transfer points from all four major banks—American Express, Chase, Citi, and Capital One—straight into your Flying Blue account, making this a powerful option for moms looking to stretch their travel dollars.
Let’s dive into why KLM/Flying Blue is such a great choice and how you can maximize it with some of my favorite cards from these banks.
Why Choose KLM/Flying Blue for Family Travel?
If you're dreaming of a European getaway or even a more exotic destination with your kids, KLM/Flying Blue can offer some of the best award flight options. The program is part of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes airlines like Delta and Air France, giving you plenty of opportunities to book flights on partner airlines when flying to or within Europe.
Here’s what I love about the Flying Blue program:
- Family-Friendly Award Availability: Unlike some frequent flyer programs, Flying Blue tends to have more award availability, even for multiple passengers on the same flight. This is essential for large families like mine—finding enough seats for all of us can be a challenge, but I’ve had great luck with Flying Blue.
- Monthly Promo Rewards: Every month, Flying Blue releases Promo Rewards—discounted award tickets that can save you even more miles. These are perfect for families looking to travel off-peak or are flexible with their dates and destinations. For example, I’ve seen flights to Europe for 25% or even 50% fewer miles!
- Stopovers: Flying Blue allows one stopover on one-way flights, which means you can explore two destinations for the price of one award ticket. Imagine stopping in Paris for a few days on your way to Amsterdam—your kids get to experience two amazing cities on one trip!
The Best Credit Cards to Transfer Points to Flying Blue
Now, let's talk about how to get those miles quickly. Several major credit card programs allow you to transfer your points directly into your Flying Blue account, which is a game changer for moms who are juggling family expenses and still want to earn travel rewards.
American Express Membership Rewards Cards
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressThis is one of my favorite cards because of the generous welcome offer and the extra points earned on flights. Plus, it comes with perks like lounge access, which makes travel days with kids a bit more comfortable.
American Express® Gold CardEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, and 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year. Terms apply.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardThis is my go-to for beginner travelers (moms, if you don’t have this card, it’s time to get on board!). The bonus categories for dining and travel earn double points, which is super helpful when you're already spending on family trips and dining out.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 3x points on travel and dining, plus it comes with premium perks like Priority Pass lounge access (perfect for when the kids need a place to stretch out at the airport) and an annual travel credit. It's a bit more premium, but for families who travel frequently, it’s worth it.
Capital One Cards
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit CardThe Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for families looking for an easy way to earn travel points on everyday purchases. It earns 2x miles on every purchase and makes it simple to transfer those miles to Flying Blue, perfect for planning your next family adventure.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardThe Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who want luxury perks. It offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One. For families planning bigger trips, these rewards can add up quickly and make travel even more accessible.
Citi ThankYou® Points Cards
Citi ThankYou points also transfer to Flying Blue, giving you even more flexibility in how you earn and redeem points for your family vacations. While I don't have affiliate links for Citi cards at the moment, they are still a valuable tool in your points-earning strategy.
How to Transfer Points to Flying Blue
Once you have points from one of the above cards, it’s super easy to transfer them to Flying Blue. Here’s a quick rundown of how to do it:
- Log into your credit card rewards account (whether it's American Express, Chase, Capital One, or Citi).
- Go to the points transfer section of the website.
- Select Flying Blue as the transfer partner.
- Enter your Flying Blue membership number (make sure you have an account with Flying Blue first!).
- Choose how many points to transfer and submit.
Once you’ve transferred your points, they typically arrive in your Flying Blue account within a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on the provider.
Tips for Booking with Flying Blue
- Look for Promo Rewards: Always check the Promo Rewards page before booking. You never know when you’ll find a steal for flights to Europe or other destinations.
- Transfer Points Strategically: Don’t transfer points until you’ve confirmed that there’s award availability for your trip. Award seats can go quickly, so I always recommend checking first, then transferring.
- Book One-Way Flights Separately: Sometimes it can be cheaper to book one-way awards with Flying Blue instead of round trips, especially if you’re looking for flexibility with your family’s travel dates.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a mom looking to make travel more affordable, Flying Blue is a fantastic option. By transferring points from your favorite credit cards, you can unlock amazing family trips and create lasting memories without blowing your budget. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring Europe with your kids or just want a stress-free getaway, using Flying Blue miles can make that dream a reality.
So, what are you waiting for? Start earning points with one of the cards I mentioned above, and soon enough, you and your family could be jetting off on your next adventure!
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
