air france upgrade with miles

Everyone wants to have a better flight experience in spacious seats, with good food, and a better view. If you have already made your flight reservation or you are just planning your trip, Air France provides you with the chance to select a better seat every time. In this article, we will analyse the upgrade procedure and rules, as well as the Air France upgrade with miles regulations. 

Hence, let’s find out how, with a little bit of miles and some clicks, the flight experience can be transformed into a luxurious one.

What are the benefits of upgrading your Air France cabin?

The upgrade is not just for more legroom. It redefines the entire flying experience. While flying with Air France, you can upgrade with miles, and you can get many things without spending any money.

Here are some of the things you get when upgrading:

• Larger and more comfortable seats
• Better meals and better service
• Extra baggage allowance (depending on the type of upgrade)

• Access to departure lounges (for certain cabins)
• Priority boarding and check-in through SkyPriority
• Access to Wi-Fi when upgrading to La Première (First Class)
• A smoother, more premium travel experience

Upgrading means your trip starts off on a better note — even before takeoff.

How to upgrade Miles before check-in starts?

In case you hold a Blue membership and wish to enhance your tier by miles, the earliest moment you can do so is prior to the start of check-in. This will permit you to enter the category of "Reward Upgrades," which are easier to handle and sometimes even more accessible.

Here’s how you can upgrade Air France with miles, quickly:

• By Online

• Visit airfrance.com or klm.com
• Log in to your Flying Blue account
• Go to your booking and check the upgrade options

• By phone:

• If no upgrade shows online, contact Flying Blue Customer Service
• Any upgrades requested by phone are subject to availability

By upgrading your ticket early, you’ll get the chance to select a good seat and even secure a seat before it fills.

Can you upgrade at the last minute?

Yes, you can — and Air France offers flexible options for last-minute upgrades. Once check-in has opened and is allowed, you have various possibilities of getting an upgrade:

• Passengers can upgrade seats online via the website through the manage booking section. 
• You can also do it at the airport at the check-in counter or at the kiosk. 
• If you have any confusion or want human help, call the customer service. 
• If you are on board and there are free seats, you can ask the staff to upgrade. 

It is a confirmed upgrade against Miles, cash, or a combination; remember, the quantities available are limited, and conditions apply.

What cabins can you upgrade to?

Depending on what class you originally booked, you can move up through several cabin levels:

• Economy → Premium Economy
• Economy → Business
• Premium Economy → Business
• Business → La Première (First Class) — only for Platinum members on paid Business tickets

Reward tickets (tickets purchased with Miles) can only be upgraded once check-in has opened, and not all routes or flights offer every type of upgrade.

What are the rules on upgrade availability?

Not all passengers or flights qualify for an upgrade. Air France has clear rules on who can or cannot avail of this service.

You can’t upgrade if:

• You're on a waiting list
• You need medical assistance during the flight
• You're travelling with certain types of pets or bulky items
• You're an unaccompanied minor or travelling with an infant
• You’ve requested a special meal (your original choice may not be available in the upgraded cabin)

Also, upgrades are not available online for passengers with special booking requirements that require manual checks at the airport.

How does baggage allowance work after an upgrade?

When you upgrade with Miles Air France, your baggage allowance may change — but it depends on your full itinerary. This is the way it functions: 

• You will receive the baggage allowance of the new upgraded cabin for one flight segment. 
• For multiple flight segments:
  
  
• If the upgrade was on the longest leg, you get the upgraded allowance
• If you are upgrading on board, no excess baggage is applicable.

Please check the baggage allowance after confirmation of the upgrade, for better confirmation. 

How can you pay for an upgrade? 

Air France makes it flexible: 

• Cash: Credit/debit cards accepted online, at the airport, or through the call centre
• Miles: Available for Flying Blue members
• Miles + Cash: A mix of both, if you're a Flying Blue member

You pick whatever you think works best for you — especially if it's a last-minute decision.

What happens if Air France opts to cancel or change the upgrade?

While Air France does its best to honour every upgrade, some situations might affect it — especially operational issues or aircraft changes.

If you’re downgraded back to your original cabin, you’ll receive a refund for the upgrade cost, but not additional compensation under EU regulations.

Also:

• Upgrade is non-transferable and will be tied to your flight. 
• If you change the flight and that class is not available on that flight, you can get a refund. 
• In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a refund based on the fare option you upgraded to. 

You’ll get the refund in 7 working days. If it delays, you can call the airlines or fill out the form in the contact us section. 

Do you still earn Miles or XP after upgrading? 

Passengers can earn points on an upgrade, but there are some regulations: 

• You can earn the points on the original reservation you paid for and not on the one you used miles for. 

• If you paid for the upgrade with Miles, then you will earn additional Miles per euro spent — provided that the flight is operated by Air France.

So an upgrade makes your journey better, but does not increase your frequent flyer earnings exactly in the same way a full-fare premium ticket would.

Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade?

Upgrading with miles for an Air France flight is perhaps one of the very best ways to make a good trip great. So whether you are looking for comfort, perks, or just a quiet cabin, it is a worthy way to spend your Flying Blue Miles — as long as you know the rules. 

First, check the availability and then the airport upgrade options. Eventually, you could also turn to the flight attendant for an upgrade on board. With scheduling and knowing the right things, you can have a wonderful experience without spending a lot.