Falconflyer vs Flying Blue: which loyalty program wins?

We score Falconflyer and Flying Blue on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.

Verdict

Falconflyer is best for Anyone with Bahrain travel routine, while Flying Blue is best for Frequent flyers.

Skip Falconflyer if Anyone wanting wide global partner network, and skip Flying Blue if Anyone seeking elite status without flying.

Overall rating

	Falconflyer	Flying Blue
Overall rating	2.9 / 5	3.8 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Redemption	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Network	2.0 / 5	5.0 / 5
Ease of use	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Expiry	4.0 / 5	4.0 / 5

Earning structure

Falconflyer	Members earn Falconflyer Miles by flying Gulf Air (with class-of-service multipliers - Falcon Gold business class earns up to 250%) and on Etihad Airways operated flights (Falconflyer's primary partner airline). Tier bonus miles for higher tiers: Silver +25%, Gold +50%, Black +75%. Saudi-specific earning surfaces: every transaction on the stc pay app earns Falconflyer miles, and Mobily Neqaty points can be converted to Falconflyer miles. Members can also earn through hotel partners, car rental partners, and various other lifestyle partners. Loyalty Points are earned only on Gulf Air and Etihad-operated flights. Members can buy up to 50,000 miles per year at USD 25 per 1,000 miles. Family enrollment (up to 8 nominated family members) allows pooling 70% of regular mileage.
Flying Blue	Members earn Flying Blue Miles on flights with Air France, KLM, Transavia, Aircalin, Air Europa, Kenya Airways, TAROM, and the 19+ SkyTeam alliance partners including Saudia, Delta, Korean Air, China Eastern, Garuda, ITA Airways, China Southern, and Aeromexico. Earn rate by status: Explorer 4 Miles/Euro, Silver 6/Euro, Gold 7/Euro, Platinum 8/Euro, Ultimate 9/Euro. XP (Experience Points) for tier qualification are earned only on flights — Silver requires 100 XP, Gold +180 XP, Platinum +300 XP. XP earnings depend on distance and cabin class. Non-alliance partners include Japan Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, GOL, and Etihad. Hotel partner ALL Accor allows seamless earning across both programs. No Saudi bank issues a Flying Blue co-branded credit card.

Redemption structure

Falconflyer	Falconflyer Miles redeem for award flights and upgrades on Gulf Air, award flights on Etihad Airways (partner), excess baggage, lounge access, and seat upgrades at airports. Members can also transfer Falconflyer Miles to ALL Accor hotel points for global hotel stays. Family members can use miles for awards at 70% of regular mileage rates. Award flight changes incur fees: USD 40/6,000 miles (Blue), USD 20/3,000 miles (Silver/Gold), USD 10/1,000 miles (Black). Date changes are free for Gold and Black tiers. Etihad Airways redemptions must be made through the Gulf Air contact center (+973 17 37 37 37) rather than online. All taxes and surcharges apply on top of mile redemption.
Flying Blue	Miles redeem for award flights on Air France, KLM, all SkyTeam partners, and non-alliance partners (Japan Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, GOL, Etihad). Award pricing is moderately dynamic - less than US programs but more than Avios. Monthly Promo Rewards offer 25-50% discounts on selected award routes - a uniquely member-friendly feature. Members can also redeem for cabin upgrades (including World Business Class on long-haul KLM/Air France), seat upgrades, hotel stays (ALL Accor primarily), car rentals, and experiences. La Première (Air France First Class) redemptions are restricted to Platinum and Ultimate members. A 70 Euro change/cancellation fee applies to most awards; waived for Platinum and Ultimate.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	Falconflyer	Flying Blue
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	4	5
Top tier	Black	Ultimate
First-tier qualification	900 points	100 points
Point expiry	36 months	24 months inactivity (reset on earn)

Open in loyaup