Help others (or the environment) and receive XP points: the Flying Blue initiative is really interesting
How can frequent travelers be made aware of the environmental impact of air travel? In Flying Blue, a loyalty program of [...]
KLM
Air France
SkyTeam
How can frequent travelers be made aware of the environmental impact of air travel? In Flying Blue, Air France and KLM's loyalty program., they have found a painless solution. Companies are constantly trying to break down the "footprint" that each passenger leaves in the air, the path chosen is unique in aviation and we are confident it can be successful.
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Certainly a key role is played by next-generation aircraft, such as the A350. Reducing the use of plastic and paper on board, focusing against food waste and zeroing the carbon footprint through various campaigns.
Some of the steps are simple, such as eliminating the physical loyalty cards in favor of virtual ones, reducing the number of paper letters sent by regular mail. These actions have enabled the Franco-Dutch company to save 5.8 tons of paper and 15 tons of plastic per year. Or the choice to give an eco friendly beauty kit as a gift.
Other steps, however, are significantly more onerous, such as The grounding of the most polluting aircraft. Then there are many innovative ideas: from planting trees To the choice of greener fuel.
XP in exchange for sustainable fuel or good deeds
The idea launched in recent weeks involves. Rewarding group frequent flyers with XP points, that is, the points needed to obtain/renew status in the loyalty program.
- starting March 9, 2022, for donations to charities that support good causes, such as providing quality education, preserving marine life or reducing poverty, 1 XP point will be recognized for every 2000 FB points spent.
- Under the programs Air France's Trip and Tree and KLM's CO2ZERO, as of June 9, 2022, you will receive 1 XP point for every 2000 FB points spent
- Starting June 9, 2022, XP can be earned if you decide to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help Air France and KLM achieve a better energy mix, reduce their CO2 footprint and move closer to their decarbonization goals.
On balance, one could aim to achieve status, flying in basic economy, but paying some extra for sustainable fuel. Definitely an opportunity for those who need a handful of XP to obtain or renew status and is near the end of the accumulation period. Doing so helps save the planet and saves the card with its benefits.
Questions and Answers
1. Where can I donate Miles to charities?
Members can donate Miles here (https://www.flyingblue.com/en/mileshub/donate/charities). Whenever you choose to donate Miles to a charity, the amount you select is automatically transferred from your account to the NGO in question.
Miles donations provide valuable support to help charities purchase airline tickets that serve multiple purposes, such as airlifting sick children in need of surgeries they unfortunately cannot undergo in or near the areas where they live (Médecins sans Frontières/Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque).
2. What sustainable options can I currently purchase with my Miles?
Currently, Miles can only be used for the reforestation option. You can pay via the Air France and KLM websites and during check-in. The option is called "Environment" on airfrance.com or "CO2ZERO" on klm.com and can be found in the My Booking and My Trip section next to other extra options. On the product page, you have a choice of four options that include and combine reforestation and SAF.
Starting in January 2022, one can voluntarily contribute to the purchase of additional SAF by paying cash. Later in 2022, you will also be able to use Miles to pay for other options, such as SAF and those that combine SAF contribution and reforestation.
3. Which choice is more sustainable: contributing to sustainable aviation fuel or offsetting CO2 by planting trees?
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the most effective option for achieving change in the aviation sector, as it can reduce emissions by at least 75% over the entire product life cycle. Reforestation has an indirect effect because it is an action outside the aviation sector. Therefore, contributing to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel is the best choice to make flying more sustainable.
SAF is a clean substitute for fossil kerosene. It is produced from sustainable resources, such as bio-based waste oils (e.g., used cooking oil). Due to the different sources, the sustainable fuel is cleaner, reduces emissions, and has lower emissions of fine particles. The SAF used by Air France and KLM is certified, completely safe, and does not compete with food and agriculture.
With reforestation, customers pay a small fee to compensate (partially) for the flight's impact on the environment. This does not affect the direct emissions of the flight itself, but helps plant trees that reabsorb the CO2 emitted by the flight.
If you opt for the reforestation option with KLM's CO2ZERO program, you will contribute to the "CO2OL Tropical Mix" reforestation initiative in Panama. The quality of selected projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions is certified by Gold Standard. KLM receives no share of the donation, which is entirely used to restore forests and promote sustainable development.
AF's Trip and Tree is a program established by Air France with the association A Tree for You that offers Air France customers the opportunity to make a donation to support a reforestation project. Trip and Tree projects are based on a rigorous selection process for which a scientific committee is in charge. They must meet multiple benefits, such as supporting local communities, protecting biodiversity, regulating water cycles and enriching soils.
4. What benefits do I derive from my informed choices about the use of Miles?
You will be rewarded with XP (Experience Points) for donating Miles to charities. Starting June 9, 2022, you will be able to earn XP for voluntary contributions to SAF purchases and reforestation projects, regardless of whether you pay with Miles or cash. As with tickets and most paid options, you will earn Miles for every euro spent. More innovative ways to earn XP by making sustainable choices will follow.
5. I don't fly like I used to. How can XP for sustainable choices help me maintain my level?
In addition to the standard or special XP promotions for flying (such as retaining your excess XP at the beginning of a new qualifying period, the double XP bonus from July to December 2021, or the 50%'s XP bonus from January to June 2022), making sustainable choices now also gives you additional opportunities to earn XP without having to fly. From March 2022, XP is also earned for donating Miles to partner NGOs (1 XP for every 2000 Miles spent). Starting June 9, 2022, XP will also be earned for voluntarily contributing to SAF and reforestation projects.
