Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Free stopovers on award tickets coming soon

It's rare, but very valuable, to have free or low-cost stopovers. You can enjoy two destinations for the price of one if you stay on a one-way award.

Alaska Airlines is a well-known example. It is possible to book an award ticket from New York to San Diego via Seattle without having to pay for an additional ticket. This feature has been used for extended stays in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Europe on the way to South Africa.

It is one of the main reasons that Air Canada's Aeroplan is one of Nick's favorite award programs.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue is going to give away free stopovers on award tickets. It sounds like free stopovers will be available on any one-way award flight, regardless of price.

Quick Thoughts

Flying Blue is one of the most promiscuous transfer partners out there as it participates in 1-1 transfers with all of the major currency pairs. It can be an incredibly useful program.

It's hubs are in Paris and Amsterdam, so they can be used as free stops on the way to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and beyond. It would be possible to travel further away on your "stopover" because the cities are well- connected with cheap flights and trains.

I don't know if free stopovers will be allowed on partner awards or just those that are on Air France and/or KLM metal. Awards on partners are usually covered by an airline's policy. If that is the case, having access to free stopovers on the entire SkyTeam alliance would be wonderful.

I don't know if awards booked with the Flying Blue Promo Awards will be eligible for free stopvers. The promo awards can offer great value between the US and Europe.

It looks incredibly positive and we will be eagerly awaiting more news. Stay on top of the situation.

One mile at a time.