Buy Miles vs Earning Miles: Which Strategy Is Better?

Frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts are always on the lookout for ways to maximize their airline rewards. One of the most popular loyalty programs in Europe is Flying Blue, the rewards program for Air France, KLM, and their SkyTeam partners. With Flying Blue, you can earn miles in multiple ways: by flying, using partner services, or even buying miles directly. But which strategy is better: buying miles or earning them through regular activity? In this 2026 guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each approach, so you can make the smartest decision for your travel goals.

Understanding Flying Blue Miles

Before diving into strategies, it’s important to understand how Flying Blue works. Flying Blue miles (also called Award Miles) are the currency of the program. They can be redeemed for:

• Flights with Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam partners
  
  
• Cabin upgrades (economy to premium or business)
  
  
• Extra baggage allowances
  
  
• Hotel stays, car rentals, and other partner services
  

Flying Blue also has a tier system (Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on Experience Points (XP) earned from flying. However, miles and XP are separate: you can earn or buy miles without affecting your tier.

Earning Flying Blue Miles

Earning miles the traditional way involves either flying with program airlines or partner activities like using credit cards or booking hotels. Let’s look at the main ways to earn.

1. Earning Miles Through Flights

Flying with Air France, KLM, or SkyTeam partners is the most direct way to accumulate miles. The number of miles earned depends on:

• Distance flown
  
  
• Fare class (premium tickets earn more)
  
  
• Flying Blue status level
  

Pros:

• Earn miles and XP simultaneously, helping you move up tiers
  
  
• No upfront purchase costs
  
  
• Miles earned are proportional to ticket price and distance
  

Cons:

• Expensive long-haul flights may yield fewer miles per dollar compared to buying during promotions
  
  
• Not ideal for travelers with irregular schedules
  

2. Earning Miles Through Partners

Flying Blue partners extend far beyond airlines. You can earn miles by:

• Booking hotels or car rentals
  
  
• Shopping with online retailers in the Flying Blue network
  
  
• Using Flying Blue co-branded credit cards
  

Pros:

• Accumulate miles without flying
  
  
• Some purchases give bonus miles promotions
  
  
• Good option for occasional travelers
  

Cons:

• Miles accumulation is slower
  
  
• Spending might be necessary to reach meaningful thresholds
  

3. Credit Card Programs

Several banks offer Flying Blue co-branded credit cards, allowing cardholders to earn miles for every purchase.

Pros:

• Earn miles daily through regular spending
  
  
• Sign-up bonuses can jumpstart your account
  
  
• Some cards offer extra perks like lounge access
  

Cons:

• Annual fees may apply
  
  
• You still need to redeem miles efficiently to maximize value
  

Buying Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue also allows members to buy miles directly through the MilesHub program. This can be appealing when you need just enough miles to book a reward flight or upgrade.

Pros:

• Quick way to top up your account for a specific redemption
  
  
• Useful for last-minute award bookings
  
  
• Sometimes cheaper than buying last-minute tickets in cash
  

Cons:

• Cost per mile can be higher than earning through flights or partners
  
  
• Not ideal as a primary strategy unless there’s a promotion
  
  
• Purchased miles may have expiration rules if the account is inactive
  

Comparing Buying vs Earning Miles

To decide which strategy is better, consider cost, convenience, flexibility, and redemption value.

When Buying Miles Makes Sense

Buying miles can be a smart choice under certain conditions:

1. You’re just short of a redemption
   

• If a flight costs 25,000 miles and you only have 23,000, buying the missing 2,000 miles can unlock your trip.
  
  

2. During a bonus promotion
   

• Flying Blue often runs promotions giving up to 50% extra miles when purchased. This improves the cost-to-value ratio.
  
  

3. For last-minute bookings
   

• Award seats can sell out fast. Buying miles allows you to secure the ticket rather than paying full cash fare.
  
  

4. High-value upgrades
   

• Using miles for business class upgrades from economy can offer excellent value compared to cash fares.
  

When Earning Miles Is Better

For long-term strategy, earning miles is generally superior:

1. Frequent travelers
   

• If you fly often, accumulating miles through flights and partners is free and adds XP for tier upgrades.
  
  

2. Budget-conscious travelers
   

• Earning miles naturally via flights, hotel bookings, and credit card spending avoids upfront purchase costs.
  
  

3. Building a larger balance
   

• For ambitious redemptions like intercontinental business or first-class trips, earning miles gradually provides more options.
  

Combining Strategies

Many savvy travelers use both approaches to maximize value:

• Earn miles through flights, partners, and credit cards regularly
  
  
• Buy miles strategically when you need a top-up for a specific award flight or upgrade
  

This hybrid strategy ensures you get the best of both worlds: a growing miles balance and flexibility for last-minute redemptions.

Tips for Maximizing Flying Blue Miles Value

1. Check promotions
    Flying Blue frequently offers discounts or bonuses on purchased miles. Buying during these periods improves value.
   
   
2. Plan redemptions in advance
    Award availability can be limited. Having a redemption plan allows smarter purchasing decisions.
   
   
3. Use miles for high-value flights
    Generally, long-haul business or first-class tickets offer better cents-per-mile value than short domestic flights.
   
   
4. Keep an eye on expiry rules
    Purchased miles may expire if there’s no account activity. Flying, earning, or redeeming ensures your miles remain valid.
   
   
5. Combine with partner programs
    Redeeming with SkyTeam partners or via hotel and car partners can maximize flexibility and value.
   

Buying vs Earning Flying Blue Miles

Buying miles is best for short-term needs: topping up for a specific award or taking advantage of promotions. It’s convenient, fast, and sometimes cost-effective if used wisely.

Earning miles through flights, partners, and credit cards is ideal for long-term strategy. It’s cheaper, builds your account steadily, and contributes to tier progression.For most travelers, a hybrid approach works best: earn regularly, and buy strategically to fill gaps. By understanding the benefits and limitations of each strategy, you can make Flying Blue miles work for you,turning loyalty points into unforgettable travel experiences.Whether you’re planning a short-haul weekend escape or a luxurious long-haul adventure, mastering the buy vs earn strategy ensures you always travel smarter.