Air France-KLM's Flying Blue has once again been crowned the best airline loyalty programme in Europe and worldwide, according to a new ranking by the award travel search platform Point.me. The scheme, which serves the Franco-Dutch airline group, scored 88.8 out of 100, ahead of global rivals such as United MileagePlus and Air Canada Aeroplan.
Point.me evaluated more than 30 frequent flyer schemes, focusing on three key areas: the value of points (earning ease, redemption rates, partner opportunities), the ease of using points (award availability, redemption experience, award holds), and what happens when plans change (customer service, change fees). The platform's team explained their approach: “Most travellers have a destination in mind, dates they can't easily change and a points balance they've spent years building. What matters is whether they can find a seat and actually book it, at a price that feels right, without having to become an expert.”
European programmes in the global top ten
Flying Blue was praised for its all-round performance: members can earn miles easily through a wide network of partners, and spending them on available seats is straightforward. The programme also accepts every major transferable currency, making it flexible for travellers who collect points through credit cards or hotel programmes.
Two other European schemes made the global top ten. The British Airways Club, which uses the Avios currency, slipped from sixth to eighth place with a score of 71.3. Its strengths include easy earning through Avios and a minimum award-seat guarantee on long-haul flights, but it was let down by higher Avios prices and surcharges this year.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, based in the UK, ranked ninth with 70.0 points, down from fourth last year. The programme earned praise for its low saver prices, award holds on Virgin flights, and its acceptance of transferable currencies.
Other European programmes that made the list include Aer Lingus AerClub (65.6), Iberia Club (65.0), Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (64.4), Finnair Plus (60.0), Aegean Miles+Bonus (58.1), Lufthansa Miles & More (55.0), TAP Miles&Go (53.8), and SAS Eurobonus (50.0).
The rankings come as airlines increasingly bet on premium cabins to offset rising fuel costs, a trend that may affect how loyalty programmes reward their most valuable customers. For travellers, the key takeaway is that not all schemes are equal: some offer better value for short-haul European hops, while others shine on long-haul redemptions.
If you're new to the world of frequent flyer miles, our guide to making European programmes work for you can help you decide which one to focus on. And if you're planning a ski trip, you might be interested in Europe's most affordable ski resorts, many of which are in France.
For those who prefer to fly outside Europe, the global top ten also includes Qatar Airways Privilege Club (72.5), JetBlue TrueBlue (72.2), and American Airlines AAdvantage (80.6). But for European travellers, the message is clear: Flying Blue remains the benchmark.
