Sorry if this has already been covered. I have looked but can't find the specific answers for which I am looking. My understanding is that Ivory members must use their award miles within 20 months of obtaining them.
1. If an Ivory member makes a qualifying flight within the 20 months, are the previously obtained award miles (ie those ontained at the start of the 20 month period) extended?
2. As a Platinum member, is there a time limit on using my award miles?
Thanks.
1. If an Ivory member makes a qualifying flight within the 20 months, are the previously obtained award miles (ie those ontained at the start of the 20 month period) extended?
2. As a Platinum member, is there a time limit on using my award miles?
Thanks.
1. Yes, as long as you take 1 qualifying flight every 20 months, your miles are safe.
2. Not really, as long as you keep status. It's actually marketing hype to say you get more benefits as an Elite (unless you are Plat for life).
2a. Example: You qualify for platinum in 2009, thus having status in 2010. You don't take a single qualifying flight in 2010. Thus in 2011, you are Ivory. You get hit in full by the 20 month expiry limits (hitting you at the latest in Aug/Sep 2011).
2b. Example: You qualify for platinum in 2009, thus having status in 2010. In 2010, you take 1 qualifying flight. Thus in 2011, soft-landing to Gold. In 2011, you take 1 qualifying flight (let's say December). In 2012, soft-landing to Silver. If, in 2012, you don't take a flight, you would lose your miles in Aug/Sep 2013.
As you can see, yes, if you keep taking qualifying flights, your miles are extended ... but that's true whether you are elite or not. After all, unless you are Plat for life, you will need qualifying flights to keep your elite status.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
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Last edited by GenevaFlyer; Jun 8, 09 at 2:29 am.
Reason: Brobbel gave the short answer before me.
As you can see, yes, if you keep taking qualifying flights, your miles are extended ... but that's true whether you are elite or not. After all, unless you are Plat for life, you will need qualifying flights to keep your elite status.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Interestingly, in the replies to the newspaper article referred to in an earlier thread, one LTPE says his points have expired and that FB have told him 'they expire after 3 years'.
Interestingly, in the replies to the newspaper article referred to in an earlier thread, one LTPE says his points have expired and that FB have told him 'they expire after 3 years'.
Makes me wonder...
With FB, nothing would surprise me. I only excluded LTPE from my example as the case is not documented at all in the FB FAQs or the T&C's.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
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Miles to be recredited if flown before 30 Sept 2009
According to this document, if you have flown your last flight on or before 1 August 2007 and those miles have expired FB will recredit these miles if you fly before 30 September 2009.
According to this document, if you have flown your last flight on or before 1 August 2007 and those miles have expired FB will recredit these miles if you fly before 30 September 2009.
There must a lot of flyers complaining.
Yes, but so far these bad changes are largely sticking with little to no sign of AF-KL management being serious about rolling back these customer-unfriendly changes.
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This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
OK, so maybe it's just about the timing, but have folks noticed that the 'New Rules from April 1st" part of the FB website(s) has been taken down - as has that wonderful video of Big Herbert and the French actress lassie. We can but hope (and, in some cases, percevere).
--Henry
PS: Just today I did a UK-TATL via AMS, on a paid-up biz-class ticket as a Flying Blue Platinum (i.e. "most valued customer") and the only person on the enitire trip who even remarked on my 'status' was the lovely document-check lady at pre-boarding the NW/DL flight from Schiphol: first addressing me in Dutch, eliciting the (rather timid) response from me of "Alstublieft, sprecht U Engels?" ... then: "OK, so we'll speak English, but you're a Platinum Flyer (printed on BP), so I'm sure you can manage a little Dutch: Tot Ziens!"
OK, so maybe it's just about the timing, but have folks noticed that the 'New Rules from April 1st" part of the FB website(s) has been taken down - as has that wonderful video of Big Herbert and the French actress lassie. We can but hope (and, in some cases, percevere).
--Henry
When you go to the mileage summary page, there is now a link showing date of expiry (checked with a family member account). It simply omits that sentence for Elites it seems. So at leat the 20 months rule they seem to be making permanent (or as long as it takes them to change their website, which is very much the same).
Programs: AA Plat (4m+), NW GE, LH FT :-(, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 417
Quote:
Originally Posted by GUWonder
Yes, but so far these bad changes are largely sticking with little to no sign of AF-KL management being serious about rolling back these customer-unfriendly changes.
EXACTLY. AF/KL and for all intents and purposes DL as well have taken the position that air travel is a commodity for the most part. For the rest business travel is secured under contract. Which makes the programs more and more like ploys than rewards.
Any MBA (and I am one too) would love to have the trophy of turning a cost center into a profit center. THAT is their goal.
Time to think that the only way to enjoy luxury (however you define it) will be with cash. The more alliances the less competition........
So as I am getting ready to plan a trip to Canada, I'm looking at fares, and AF, unfortunately, shows up cheapest ...
So you go look at fare codes for the heck of it:
It's L and Q ...
You look at the rules:
On short haul (intra Europe), L is 25% earnings, Q is 50% earnings
On long haul, guess what, L is 50% earnings and Q is 25% ....
Talk about confusing your travelers ...
Anyway, I think I can add a little scenic detour and get a DL ticket, with an extra segment to earn me at least 50% miles. And maybe start my DL earnings ...
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
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So as I am getting ready to plan a trip to Canada, I'm looking at fares, and AF, unfortunately, shows up cheapest ...
So you go look at fare codes for the heck of it:
It's L and Q ...
You look at the rules:
On short haul (intra Europe), L is 25% earnings, Q is 50% earnings
On long haul, guess what, L is 50% earnings and Q is 25% ....
Talk about confusing your travelers ...
Anyway, I think I can add a little scenic detour and get a DL ticket, with an extra segment to earn me at least 50% miles. And maybe start my DL earnings ...
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
So this is what it's come to, now? Resorting to detours to earn 50% miles?!
*sigh*
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PNC aux portes; armement des toboggans; vérification de la porte opposée.
So this is what it's come to, now? Resorting to detours to earn 50% miles?!
*sigh*
Actually, I'm leaning towards starting to earn miles on DL instead and getting my 100% credited (although I'll be missing out on the elite bonus) ... since I still have my FB status for lounge access, I can see how that works out.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
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![The new rule book is here! The new rule book is here! [merged]](/forum/iconimages/flying-blue-air-france-klm/new-rule-book-here-new-rule-book-here-merged_ltr.gif)
... then: "OK, so we'll speak English, but you're a Platinum Flyer (printed on BP), so I'm sure you can manage a little Dutch: Tot Ziens!" 
