May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
Last edit by: Goldorak
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE
Main facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB. It may be added to Club 2000 – Skipper status.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring 1 from W to J, or 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with still only one voucher used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of 2 vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights).
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY app.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Reserved area in the Schengen lounge (need to ask staff at long entrance). Pre-boarding sometimes granted at the gate.
Paris CDG
Paris ORY
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- AJA: no special treatment to reportMain facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB. It may be added to Club 2000 – Skipper status.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring 1 from W to J, or 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with still only one voucher used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of 2 vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights).
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY app.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Reserved area in the Schengen lounge (need to ask staff at long entrance). Pre-boarding sometimes granted at the gate.
Paris CDG
- CDG 2E:
- Departure : Escort from check-in to immigration in the morning (super fast track). Reserved space at K/L/M lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding
- Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign.
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone (on the left of terminal). Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding. Escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line).
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
Paris ORY
- Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- BES: no special treatment to report
- BIQ: no special treatment to report
- BOD: pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- CDG: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- LYS: Escort from lounge to plane when flying from B gates provided upon request . Preboarding with escort to the plane consistently provided.
- MPL: pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed (AF agent comes to the contract lounge to meet the Ultimate guest)
- MRS: no special treatment to report
- NCE: Reserved area in Infinity lounge (inconsistently provided : seems to be provided only when lounge crowded). Pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed.
- NTE: no special treatment to report
- ORY: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- PUF: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- RNS: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- TLS: Escort from check in to lounge inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding consistently provided
Germany
- BER: no special treatment to report
- DUS: no special treatment to report
- FRA: no special treatment to report
- HAM: no special treatment to report
- HAJ: No special treatment to report.
- MUC: Reserved area in the lounge, escort from lounge to plane with pre-boarding proposed.
- STR: reserved area in the lounge, pre-boarding
Greece
- ATH: no special treatment to report
- HER: no special treatment to report
- JTR: no special treatment to report
Hungary
- BUD: escort through security from check-in to lounge proposed
Ireland
- DUB: no special treatment to report
Italy
- BLQ: escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- BRI: no special treatment to report
- CTA: no special treatment to report
- FCO: no special treatment to report
- FLR: no special treatment to report
- LIN: no special treatment to report
- MXP: pre-boarding granted by request
- VCE: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane (not always consistently proposed)
- NAP: no special treatment to report
Netherlands
- AMS: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
Norway
- OSL: no special treatment to report
- TRF: no special treatment to report
- KRS: no special treatment to report
- SVG: no special treatment to report
Poland
- WAW: no special treatment to report
- KRK: no special treatment to report
- GDN: no special treatment to report
Portugal
- LIS: pre-boarding proposed upon request
Russia
- SVO: no special treatment to report
- LED: no special treatment to report
Spain
- AGP: no special treatment to report
- BCN: no special treatment to report
- MAD: no special treatment to report
- PMI: no special treatment to report
- SVQ: no special treatment to report
- TFS: no special treatment to report
- VLC: no special treatment to report
Sweden
- ARN: no special treatment to report
- GOT: no special treatment to report
Switzerland
- GVA: pre-boarding upon request. Reserved area in the lounge
- ZRH: no special treatment
United Kingdom
- ABZ: no special treatment to report
- EDI: no special treatment to report
- LHR: no special treatment to report
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
- YUL: Escort from check-in to lounge upon request. Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane
- YYZ: escort on arrival through immigration, consistently offered. / Escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to airplane
- YQB: escort from check-in to lounge proposed
- YVR: no special treatment to report
USA
- ATL: no special treatment to report (in connection)
- BOS: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding, all consistently provided mostly spontaneously, sometimes upon request. A separate room in the AF lounge is also proposed.
- DTW: no special treatment to report (starting from DTW or in connection)
- IAD: escort through security from check-in to lounge upon request, but inconsistently provided. Reserved area at the lounge.
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only / terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs),
- JFK (KL only / terminal 4) : no special treatments to report.
- LAX: no special treatment to report
- ORD: On arrival, escort through immigration (not consistently provided). On departure, escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane (pre-boarding)
- MSP: no special treatment to report, except one case of special DL Elite VIP treatment with expedited immigration and Porsche transfer to/from lounge (not a regular benefit to expect)
- SEA: pre-boarding with escort to plane
- SFO: reserved area in lounge
Mexico
- MEX (Terminal 1): escort through security to lounge with access to dedicated space. Ride from lounge to gate. Sometimes escort on arrival
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
- BOG: no special treatment to report
- LIM: escort to lounge, provided spontaneously
- GIG: Pre-boarding upon request.
- GRU: escort in case of short connection upon request, inconsistently provided; as of 02/2024 pre-boarding offered at check-in and provided by gate-staff (inconsistently provided).
- SCL: as of 03/2024 escort to lounge offered at departure check-in, pick-up from lounge and pre-boarding done
- EZE: escort to lounge with special crew lane for immigration provided spontaneously
ASIA / PACIFIC
- BKK: escort through security from check-in to lounge, upon request but inconsistently proposed. In connection : escort in case of short connection (better to request it before departure).
- BLR: escort from lounge to gate, pre-boarding provided
- BOM : escort from plane to immigration, and from checkin to the lounge
- DEL: as of 01/2024 escort upon arrival; proactive pre-departure call to arrange terminal entry via VIP entrance and escort to gate for pre-boarding (if lounge used, offered to pick up for pre-boarding)
- HKG: no special treatment to report.
- HND: Arrival : new 09/2023 = escort through immigration. Departure : escort from check-in desk to private (crew) security, proposed spontaneously
- KIX: Arrival : escort through immigration, wait at baggage claim. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge All proposed spontaneously
- SIN: no special treatment to report
CARIBBEAN & INDIAN OCEAN
- CUR: no special treatment to report, there is no (sky)priority lane for security or immigration, but escort/short track is available for 100 $.
- HAV: at departure, escort from check in counters until security checks. Pre-boarding offered. No escort at arrival. No reserved space in Lounge.
- FDF: No reserved space in Lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate.
- MRU: escort on arrival through immigration. Unknown for departures (no data point)
- PTP: Reserved table in lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge with escort from lounge to plane.
- RUN: Pre-boarding proposed at check-in and in the lounge, with escort from lounge to plane. Reserved seats in lounge
- SXM: Escort for incoming transit pax (from/to AF flight) through passport controls and security, pre-boarding pro-actively offered for AF departure
MIDDLE EAST
- AUH : no special treatment to report
- BEY: no special treatment to report
- DXB: escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to plane, all upon request, consistently provided. Access to the Ahlan lounge (normally reserved for P pax) instead of Skyteam lounge.
- JED: no special treatment to report
- RUH: no special treatment to report
- IST: no special treatment to report
AFRICA
- AGA: escort from check in to lounge and from lounge to aircraft, provided spontaneously
- CAI: no special treatment to report
- CMN: escort on arrival through immigration (not always consistently provided)
- CPT: escort from counter to lounge, provided spontaneously
- JNB: escort from counter to lounge (no fast track at immigration), provided spontaneously
- LOS: no special treatment to report
- RAK: escort on arrival, upon request (not provided on departure)
- RBA: on departure : escort to lounge and to plane, provided spontaneously.
- TUN: escort on arrival through immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status
May 6, 2017, 7:28 am
#436
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
As an outsider, I have a question.How is this PA service supposed to work? I understood that status members were introduced to their personal assistant, which sounded very much like a dedicated person in a dedicated team. I obviously understand that these people cannot work 24 hours a day during seven days a week, and but I thought that then there would be a rotations within the dedicated team.
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
May 6, 2017, 8:15 am
#437
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
As an outsider, I have a question.How is this PA service supposed to work? I understood that status members were introduced to their personal assistant, which sounded very much like a dedicated person in a dedicated team. I obviously understand that these people cannot work 24 hours a day during seven days a week, and but I thought that then there would be a rotations within the dedicated team.
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
May 6, 2017, 9:43 am
#438
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
As an outsider, I have a question.How is this PA service supposed to work? I understood that status members were introduced to their personal assistant, which sounded very much like a dedicated person in a dedicated team. I obviously understand that these people cannot work 24 hours a day during seven days a week, and but I thought that then there would be a rotations within the dedicated team.
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
So how does it work? Do ULTIs hava a number to call a specific person? Or they call the ULTI team and speak to whoever picks up the phone?
And is the team a dedicated ULTI team that only works for ULTIs, and then it's the Plat team that picks up when the ULTI team has gone home? Or is it that there are some people (with special training?) that are embedded in the Plat team, that deal in priority with ULTIs but also with Plats when the workload is low for ULTIs?
And you are guessing correctly, there are 'specialised' Plat line staff members, trained for ULTI. I know they use that internally as well for 'career opportunities' as good FB helpdesk staff could promote to Plat and further to ULTI which creates a momentum in the overall staff recognition...
May 7, 2017, 3:37 pm
#439
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Two comments/info tonight
- I was looking at the Ultimate booklet today and re-saw what I link below. Translation for our non-French speaking friends here :
"Spend your time by saving time : the airport and its long waiting lines...to avoid them, your travel assistant in liaison with our ground staff will help you to have a smooth way through the airport. And when your family is travelling with you, they have the same benefit as you.
Completely misleading, isn't it ?
- I was looking at the Ultimate booklet today and re-saw what I link below. Translation for our non-French speaking friends here :
"Spend your time by saving time : the airport and its long waiting lines...to avoid them, your travel assistant in liaison with our ground staff will help you to have a smooth way through the airport. And when your family is travelling with you, they have the same benefit as you.
Completely misleading, isn't it ?
Translation :
Access to maximal level of priority.
Your Platinum for life Ultimate card is your absolute laissez-passer. It distinguishes you from other FB members, grants you the highest possible priority level and facilitate your journey;
A strong affluence ? We are anticipating it and do our best ever to escort you until your boarding gate and facilitate your access on-board.
Wonderful marketing blabla on the paper
May 7, 2017, 5:59 pm
#440
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
It says plenty of things, but nothing that commits them or actually explains what they really will do. "You are important" - sure, but what kind of actions or treatment does that translate to? "We anticipate strong affluence" - so what, if your (=the airline's) anticipation doesn't change anything for me (=the passenger). "We do our best" - but it says nowhere what the best is that they can do, which basically leaves them the freedom to do nothing and say it isn't possible. Vague, uncommitting, unaccountable, fluff.
The language reminds me of people giving speeches at the Louvre: many good-sounding words, but intangible and meaningless (not that I am unhappy about the chap being where he is, I surely would not have preferred the opposite - it's just a comment on the language).
The language reminds me of people giving speeches at the Louvre: many good-sounding words, but intangible and meaningless (not that I am unhappy about the chap being where he is, I surely would not have preferred the opposite - it's just a comment on the language).
May 8, 2017, 6:13 pm
#442
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Line cutting in the most unexpected place, Saturday night at CDG 2E/K lounge. Long line to take a shower. Apparently the Ultimate Platinum status helps... It won't do any good with immigration, nor security check, but will boost you up to get you the next available shower 
.
.
May 8, 2017, 11:23 pm
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Line cutting in the most unexpected place, Saturday night at CDG 2E/K lounge. Long line to take a shower. Apparently the Ultimate Platinum status helps... It won't do any good with immigration, nor security check, but will boost you up to get you the next available shower .
.Indeed, unexpected place and time for having a long line ! This might be also an effect of L lounge being closed. Stay clean and fresh with Ultimate 
May 12, 2017, 6:11 am
#445
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Not even a reserved space today (early afternoon) at the 2F1 lounge 
Agent response : sorry but not enough space, too many people, please report the problem.
yes but I spend my time doing that, without effect so far.
Agent response : sorry but not enough space, too many people, please report the problem.
yes but I spend my time doing that, without effect so far.
May 12, 2017, 8:34 am
#446
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
What a strange reply from the agent. I thought that the reserved seats were intended for busy moments with not enough space and too many people!
May 12, 2017, 10:27 am
#447
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
yes, strange. She accompanied me to find a seat until she found the single seat available on the upper floor. But then, I went to the toilets downstairs and saw that it was less busy and more pleasant (as always) and so I moved there and the place filled up quickly. So obviously she didn't want to go downstairs while she surely knew it was quieter.
May 12, 2017, 11:20 pm
#448
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Report on XMN to CDG via CAN last night
If you fly a lot within China, you know that obscene delays at PVG (MU) and CAN (CZ) are not unusual (this is a euphemism, as they are sadly rather common). The same pathetic excuses are generally given to the aggravated PAXs — either a typhoon or air control, or both (which was the case last night at XMN). Still, the weather was fine and other flights heading for CAN, like those of the local MF, were leaving on time, or nearly so. I had a 3:50' layover in CAN prior to my AF flight. We left XMN with a staggering 3:10' delay. On board, I asked the chief purser to call the ground staff to help facilitate transfer between the domestic and international terminals. One important detail here is that both MU and CZ are notorious for parking their airplanes miles away from the terminals, which requires endless bus rides to reach them. When we finally parked, I had exactly 32' before the official departure of my AF flight. The CZ staff waiting on the tarmac, in charge of the five business class PAXs (I was flying Y), had no clue what the chief purser meant, but she took me nonetheless in the minivan that drove to the domestic arrivals. There, an AFKL person was waiting for me and we started to run through corridors and escalators to reach the indoor 9-seater golf carts connecting terminals. More running to the security check via an express line, and to immigration through another express line. And each time, the AFKL staff asked (begged would be more accurate) the people in front of me to let me go first. At the gate, another AFKL person (in all likelihood, the station manager) was waiting for me and ushered me to a little car, since the AF aircraft was parked away from the terminal. When I finally entered the 777, the crew was just about ready to close the door. I was warmly greeted by the chief purser who showed me to my seat, carrying my baggage and stowing it in the overhead bin (this has never happened to me before). A glass of champagne and an oshi-bori later, we were taxiing towards the runway. So, here is the real question — Did the Ultimate Platinum status have anything to do with my catching my flight on time, or would AFKL (and its CAN team) have done the same for any other PAX, regardless of status?
If you fly a lot within China, you know that obscene delays at PVG (MU) and CAN (CZ) are not unusual (this is a euphemism, as they are sadly rather common). The same pathetic excuses are generally given to the aggravated PAXs — either a typhoon or air control, or both (which was the case last night at XMN). Still, the weather was fine and other flights heading for CAN, like those of the local MF, were leaving on time, or nearly so. I had a 3:50' layover in CAN prior to my AF flight. We left XMN with a staggering 3:10' delay. On board, I asked the chief purser to call the ground staff to help facilitate transfer between the domestic and international terminals. One important detail here is that both MU and CZ are notorious for parking their airplanes miles away from the terminals, which requires endless bus rides to reach them. When we finally parked, I had exactly 32' before the official departure of my AF flight. The CZ staff waiting on the tarmac, in charge of the five business class PAXs (I was flying Y), had no clue what the chief purser meant, but she took me nonetheless in the minivan that drove to the domestic arrivals. There, an AFKL person was waiting for me and we started to run through corridors and escalators to reach the indoor 9-seater golf carts connecting terminals. More running to the security check via an express line, and to immigration through another express line. And each time, the AFKL staff asked (begged would be more accurate) the people in front of me to let me go first. At the gate, another AFKL person (in all likelihood, the station manager) was waiting for me and ushered me to a little car, since the AF aircraft was parked away from the terminal. When I finally entered the 777, the crew was just about ready to close the door. I was warmly greeted by the chief purser who showed me to my seat, carrying my baggage and stowing it in the overhead bin (this has never happened to me before). A glass of champagne and an oshi-bori later, we were taxiing towards the runway. So, here is the real question — Did the Ultimate Platinum status have anything to do with my catching my flight on time, or would AFKL (and its CAN team) have done the same for any other PAX, regardless of status?
May 13, 2017, 1:26 am
#449
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Report on XMN to CDG via CAN last night
PS/ At CDG this morning, an agent was waiting for me by the door of the aircraft. At immigration, we took the outermost line on the left-hand side, ordinarily reserved for F PAXs. Within minutes we were done whilst PAXs in the Sky Priority line were waiting patiently for their turn. He then escorted me to the 2C lounge. Overall fast and smooth process, and a nice and illuminating chat with the AF agent.
May 13, 2017, 3:09 am
#450
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Sounds like a fantastic story ^^ and exactly the kind of thing I thought would be the norm for ULTIs, rather than just an exception. Shows that they can, now it all comes down to i) do they also *want* ii) do always, not just sometimes iii) have enough people to deliver the service consistently. I hope they also get the positive feedback, which then encourages them to provide the service more consistently, making the program more attractive