It got better, though it's the... wrong forum: I applied on-line for EU261 compensation and 10 minutes later (yes, 10 minutes, I'm not exaggerating) I got an email from AF approving my application. Even nicer, they offered cash, 150€ more than what I thought (400€). In retrospect, it was perhaps rather stupid of mine to let my Flying Blue PE status run out on year 8 (two years before lifetime) then concentrating on *A flights. Anyway, as Ian Fleming said "you only live twice".