Sometimes it pays to use miles for European short-haul business, however underwhelming the product is, if the mileage requirements are reasonable.
I booked two KLM awards in late May and early June for travel this month, but you do have to check which program you redeem from to get the best deal.
Amsterdam – Venice
Air France – KLM Flying Blue
The evening flight from Amsterdam to Venice has economy available at 10,000 miles and business at 25,000 + $97.50.
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Delta has access to business class award inventory from both Air France and KLM.
SAS EuroBonus
SAS sells the same evening KLM flight for 48,000 miles in business.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin has very attractive pricing for KLM business class that is priced at just 8,000 miles + actual taxes/fees.
Venice – Amsterdam – Barcelona
Air France – KLM Flying Blue
KLM here wants 39,000 miles for the evening flight from Venice to Barcelona via Amsterdam.
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
The same evening flights that KLM wants 39,000 miles for are available at 25,000 via Delta.
SAS EuroBonus
Nothing reasonable here.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin again has the best pricing, and nothing else even comes close.
I like the reasonable fees and extremely reasonable mileage requirement.
My Previous Awards for 2026:
Award Success! JAL First Class Osaka – Haneda – Bangkok!
Award Success! Emirates Dubai – Tokyo To Replace Canceled Etihad Award
Award Success! Emirates Dubai – Johannesburg In Business But From Which Program?
Award Success! South African Airways Johannesburg – Sao Paulo (Last Minute!)
Award Success! GOL Salvador da Bahia (SSA) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
Award Success! Last Minute Emirates Business Rio de Janeiro – Dubai But From Which Program?
Avianca Awards Success! MEX-SAL-MGA & MGA-MEX (Via SAL) But From Which Program?
Award Success!! British Airways Sao Paulo – London – Malta With Gold Upgrade Voucher!
Turkish Airlines Award Success! Tallinn – Istanbul – Dubai In Business But From Which Program?
Emirates Business Class Dubai – Auckland Award Success But From Which Program?
Award Success! Auckland – Melbourne In Business – But From Which Program?
Award Success! Fiji Airways Sydney – Nadi – Tokyo In Business But From Which Program?
STARLUX Osaka – Taipei – Hong Kong Business Awards Success! (Can You Guess From Which Program?)
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong – Bangkok Business Class Award Success!! (But From Which Program?)
Singapore Airlines Business Class Bangkok – Singapore – Jakarta Award Success!
My Points & Miles Goals for 2026:
My Loyalty Check-Up: Taking Stock of Miles and Points For 2026
Conclusion
Sometimes the partner award inventory aligns better than the in-house one, as KLM’s case proves.
Most of my Virgin Atlantic miles have been there for 15 to 20 years, mostly earned through various Hilton and Hyatt promotions.
And yes. The KLM euro business is not really worth redeeming for, but I am happy to pay 8K miles one-way with no scam fees.