The new rule book is here! The new rule book is here! [merged]
Jan 9, 2009, 3:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Gold · A3 Gold · DL Gold · VY apologist
Posts: 8,545
The new rule book is here! The new rule book is here! [merged]
...and we're nobody! (apologize to those who don't catch the old movie reference)
People, I have seen the changes with my own eyes. There's a little bit good, and a whole lotta bad.
Brace yourselves. Here's a preview:
The good:
- New award bucket reserved for elites (no idea about availability, though it says "on certain flights") with a 15% miles surcharge - i.e., 115% of a "classic" award
- Access to certain "extra legroom seats" for elites touted as a new benefit on both AF and KL (dunno if this is different from Seat Choice or not)
The bad:
- No more F awards unless you're elite
- COS bonus in business class going to a 125-150-175% amount based on booking class (Z gets screwed here)
- Reduced mileage earning on most economy fares - only B and S earn 100%, others are on a 25-50-75 scale
- F awards skyrocketing in price (the example I saw was 400,000 miles for CDG-PEK return)
Changes effective 1 April
People, I have seen the changes with my own eyes. There's a little bit good, and a whole lotta bad.
Brace yourselves. Here's a preview:
The good:
- New award bucket reserved for elites (no idea about availability, though it says "on certain flights") with a 15% miles surcharge - i.e., 115% of a "classic" award
- Access to certain "extra legroom seats" for elites touted as a new benefit on both AF and KL (dunno if this is different from Seat Choice or not)
The bad:
- No more F awards unless you're elite
- COS bonus in business class going to a 125-150-175% amount based on booking class (Z gets screwed here)
- Reduced mileage earning on most economy fares - only B and S earn 100%, others are on a 25-50-75 scale
- F awards skyrocketing in price (the example I saw was 400,000 miles for CDG-PEK return)
Changes effective 1 April
Jan 9, 2009, 4:02 am
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: A3/Gold, BA/Gold + other less precious metals
Posts: 2,641
Jan 9, 2009, 4:04 am
#3
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,400
Jan 9, 2009, 4:06 am
#4
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Paris
Programs: M&M SEN, Flying Blue Platinum, Executive Club nobody, Hilton Gold, Sol Melia MAS Gold
Posts: 172
This is not good at all.
I hope that they will not get rid of the 200% milage medium haul for tempo challenge.
I wish they would give more than 100% of status miles for full fare long haul temp tix...but i guess they want us to feel lucky to even have 100%
I hope that they will not get rid of the 200% milage medium haul for tempo challenge.
I wish they would give more than 100% of status miles for full fare long haul temp tix...but i guess they want us to feel lucky to even have 100%
Jan 9, 2009, 4:09 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
A new rule book, which is not available to most of us, taking effect in just over 11 weeks - can they be serious?
I made my April booking under the old rules. Will it be protected? Er, excuse me -
I made my April booking under the old rules. Will it be protected? Er, excuse me -
Jan 9, 2009, 4:14 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SXB
Programs: FB Silver, BA Silver, BD Gold rememberer, IHG Diamond Royal Ambassador, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,581
Unless they want to really improve their onboard product in the same vein of the improvements made to the ground service at CDG, which could certainly be a good thing, but it would really need to be exceptionnal to justify this price. And probably not the best year to pull it off...
Jan 9, 2009, 4:24 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
Programs: EI AerClub Concierge, EK Gold, BA Gold, BD Gold (Retired), HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,923
Jan 9, 2009, 5:13 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: MileagePlus GS
Posts: 361
If these developments are true and the implementation of the reduction of Level Miles based on fare class goes into effect in April I cannot wait to see how AF/KL attempt to market it as:
*A new enhancement to the FB program;
*Something our most cherished customers have been wanting;
*A simpler earning structure providing the reliability/clarity we are so well known for;
*The succesor of our world wide successfull Seat Choice launch, providing the customer with the option of paying for more service, as in this case 100% Level Miles.
*Our customers want the ability to chose, and now we offer a transparent price and level mile structure to suit your flying needs.
My biggest surprise is that this "enhancement" has not come sooner.
Let the exodus begin!
*A new enhancement to the FB program;
*Something our most cherished customers have been wanting;
*A simpler earning structure providing the reliability/clarity we are so well known for;
*The succesor of our world wide successfull Seat Choice launch, providing the customer with the option of paying for more service, as in this case 100% Level Miles.
*Our customers want the ability to chose, and now we offer a transparent price and level mile structure to suit your flying needs.
My biggest surprise is that this "enhancement" has not come sooner.
Let the exodus begin!
Jan 9, 2009, 5:17 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat ; A3 Gold ; HH Gold ; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 2,375
For F, it depends if the A class totally disappears or if it is not bookable for "normal price" awards. If one cannot book normal F award, it could mean that F can be flown with paid tickets or as upgrade from J, which is not that bad: regular J passengers, that bring revenues, have more chances to use their miles for upgrade. If however the A bucket totally disappears, it means that there is no chance to fly F reasonable ( = without paying for F).
Jan 9, 2009, 5:36 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,404
Originally Posted by alanw
Reduced mileage earning on most economy fares - only B and S earn 100%, others are on a 25-50-75 scale
Don't think there is much point about changing to another program, KLM/AF will most probably adjust their levels there as well.
Jan 9, 2009, 5:43 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: MileagePlus GS
Posts: 361
Hop over to Star Alliance or One World. AMS/CDG are two centrally located airports and just about every major player flies through these two hubs.
Maybe LH or CO?
Maybe BA or AA?
It might not be the most logistically comfortable choice, an increase in connecting flights for example, but maybe not.
I would prefer to switch planes in any other airport in the world as long as I never have to set foot in CDG.
Maybe LH or CO?
Maybe BA or AA?
It might not be the most logistically comfortable choice, an increase in connecting flights for example, but maybe not.
I would prefer to switch planes in any other airport in the world as long as I never have to set foot in CDG.
Jan 9, 2009, 5:47 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat ; A3 Gold ; HH Gold ; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 2,375
it is published on FB website now, including this:
J classic award will require 2 times the miles of a Y classic award... it used to be 50% more.
but of course, the changes are there to reward more AF most loyal customers:
they don't reward them more, they reward them less lesser than the others!
http://www.flyingbluenews.com/news/2..._evoluent.html
Les barèmes des primes aériennes reflètent également mieux les tarifs et la souplesse du billet. Ainsi, le nombre de Miles-Prime nécessaires pour une prime dépendra du niveau de flexibilité ou de services que vous recherchez. Par exemple, une Prime Classic en Classe Affaires requerra deux fois plus de Miles-Prime qu’une Prime Classic en Classe Economique.
but of course, the changes are there to reward more AF most loyal customers:
Le programme de fidélité aérien Flying Blue s’attache à récompenser ses clients actifs
http://www.flyingbluenews.com/news/2..._evoluent.html
Jan 9, 2009, 5:55 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: *G, used to be with TK but left due to their corruption and political ties
Posts: 4,404
If these developments are true and the implementation of the reduction of Level Miles based on fare class goes into effect in April I cannot wait to see how AF/KL attempt to market it as:
*A new enhancement to the FB program;
*Something our most cherished customers have been wanting;
*A simpler earning structure providing the reliability/clarity we are so well known for;
*The succesor of our world wide successfull Seat Choice launch, providing the customer with the option of paying for more service, as in this case 100% Level Miles.
*Our customers want the ability to chose, and now we offer a transparent price and level mile structure to suit your flying needs.
My biggest surprise is that this "enhancement" has not come sooner.
Let the exodus begin!
*A new enhancement to the FB program;
*Something our most cherished customers have been wanting;
*A simpler earning structure providing the reliability/clarity we are so well known for;
*The succesor of our world wide successfull Seat Choice launch, providing the customer with the option of paying for more service, as in this case 100% Level Miles.
*Our customers want the ability to chose, and now we offer a transparent price and level mile structure to suit your flying needs.
My biggest surprise is that this "enhancement" has not come sooner.
Let the exodus begin!
*a better connection is made between the fare paid, the ticket conditions and the number of Miles earned
*The redemption scheme now also better reflects fares and the flexibility of the ticket
*Flying Blue is determined to offer you a range of advantages
*easy access and attractive offers for every traveller
*rediscover all your advantages
They also link to an interview with the management regarding these changes, but of course the link does not work (http://www.flyingbluenews.com/ref/c590e5/).