Update: this doesn’t appear to actually be bookable. The website errors out. Phone agents can put space on hold, but it isn’t confirming into first when they do.
For several years Air France has limited first class award redemptions to:
- Members using their own Flying Blue miles
- Who had elite status in the Flying Blue program
- And made those members pay the double/triple miles price for the seats
There are a few exceptions to this, and back in 2013 they even included first class in their discounted promo awards briefly.
However Air France KLM Flying Blue implemented their new variable award pricing pricing scheme today. Some awards got more expensive, other awards got cheaper, but instead of being based on a hidden zone-based award chart pricing varies by route and is searchable in a calculator.
Along with this it seems that Air France first class awards have become bookable. They haven’t announced the change, given that it coincides with putting all seats on sale at some price I want to think this is something that will last.
Here’s Los Angeles – Paris, 200,000 miles one way:
Here’s New York JFK – Paris. Note that pricing varies by flight. Two flights are 200,000 miles, another flight is 350,000. And of course fuel surcharges and taxes apply:
Some people love Air France first class. I think their first class lounge in Paris is one of the world’s best. And it’s something most of us aren’t able to try on a regular basis because we simply don’t have elite status in their program.
I’m in an Uber, haven’t booked this myself, however if this change holds it just become a ton more accessible because of course American Express, Chase, and Citibank points all transfer to Air France KLM Flying Blue. Some will want to consider jumping on this right away of course.
(HT: SFO777)
Have you tried going further than the page you show? I can’t–each time I try to purchase a La Premiere seat I receive “Nous ne pouvons traiter votre demande en ligne actuellement à cause d’un problème technique. Veuillez reessayer plus tard.” I’ve tried various combinations of cities and dates with the same result. I wonder if you need status to proceed?
I’d have a hard time spending that many miles on A380 first class ex-USA. Flying out of CDG on a 777 is a different story.
Partially related, it seems as though Delta flights are not bookable after the change-over. I have been trying to book BRU-JFK in business and from August-November there is little to no Partner availability on expertflyer, even though yesterday before the change there was. I have to imagine it is a Delta-FB IT issue. The only days on EF that show O availability are when Delta shows mileage redemptions of 56,000.
I agree with Bill after trying myself and just spent half an hour on the phone with a Flying Blue agent who insists her system would not allow her to book Premiere for an Explorer member (when did AF follow Hyatt? Geez)
*We can not process your application online right now because of a technical problem. Please try again later.
Why would anyone spend 200,000 miles one way to Europe when you can go round trip for that . One way in first , one way in business using United. Are you telling me that Air France first is twice as good as anyone else. Not a chance that a better meal and some curtains make me spend 100,000 more miles than I need to one way. Then again… I probably get more excited about going to Europe in coach than you do when you go Business.
Looks problematic. From SFO777 at Flyertalk, whom Gary hat-tipped for the info:
“Not sure this is really bookable.
I just tried to put one on hold with a FB agent and my confirmation came back as Premium Economy. LOL”
So using my dad’s Air France Silver account, and transferring AMEX pts to his account by adding him an authorized user, I booked a Tel Aviv to Houston first class flight for 200,000 miles + $300 a few weeks ago. Now the same exact flight is 350,000 miles + $300. Well this just got a lot worse.
Rather then using 400k – 700K + $500 to book these awards, I think if you have a 1% cash back card you would do better as I have seen these tickets in the $4500-$7500 price range before with “wide open” availability.
It is always nice to see more availability to redeem our miles. But 700K + $500 points to fly return to Europe seems a little weak.
Another way to get a better fare on AF First Class is to book F in the direction you intend to travel and economy as a return, with the intent of throwing away the return. Cheaper than a one way in F.
How, specifically, can you combine business and economy in one ticket? This would be great if I could do that!
I just got this to work from AMS->CDG->IAD in August, first class for 200,000. It took calling FB