American Express Offers 25% Bonus on Flying Blue Point Transfers

American Express has launched a limited-time promotion offering a 25% bonus when cardholders transfer their Membership Rewards points to the Flying Blue loyalty program, which serves as the joint frequent flyer scheme for Air France and KLM. This promotion, active through October 31, 2026, effectively lowers the cost of award travel across the airlines' extensive global networks and their SkyTeam partner carriers. By increasing the purchasing power of existing points, travellers can secure premium cabin seats or long-haul economy tickets for significantly fewer points than standard redemption rates.

This move is part of a broader trend in 2026 where loyalty programs are utilizing transfer bonuses to drive engagement and clear out point liabilities. Because Flying Blue utilizes dynamic pricing for its award tickets, the 25% bonus provides a strategic buffer against potential price fluctuations. It allows savvy travellers to bridge the gap between their current balance and the requirements for high-value redemptions, such as business class flights between North America and Europe or Asia.

This promotion is specifically beneficial for American Express Membership Rewards cardholders who have accumulated significant point balances. It is particularly relevant for travellers planning international trips for late 2026 or throughout 2027 who are looking to maximize the value of their points for premium cabin travel.

Makutet expects that transfer bonuses will remain a primary tool for airlines to incentivize bookings during the shoulder season as they look to stabilize load factors. We anticipate that as fuel costs remain volatile, airlines will continue to rely on these loyalty partnerships to maintain high-margin revenue streams from credit card issuers.