JuniorVoyager

For those that want to do mileage runs, an easy list of destinations is to take (former) flyingblue petroleum destinations in northern Europe. Most are served by cityhoppr once or twice a day and are in super small airports in the middle of nowhere, perfect for a same plane turnaround.
RIght now might not be the best time because of the restrictions of course but also because KLM has reduced frequencies to these destinations. But if you ever plan on doing future runs, these can be a viable alternative when the usual suspects such as BLL and LPI are cost prohibitive.

Concerto

What sort of routes are these, then? I can think of the following:

ABZ Aberdeen
HUY Humberside
NWI Norwich
AES Ĺlesund
TRD Trondheim
BGO Bergen
SVG Stavanger

And there's TRF Torp, of course.

fifty_two

see for nothern europe

• Denmark: Aalborg, Billund, Copenhagen
• Norway: Ĺlesund, Bergen, Oslo-Gardermoen, Oslo-Sandefjord, Stavanger, Kristiansand
• UK: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Teesside

more details here = https://www.flyingblue.pl/en/petroleum

NickB

Some of these destinations (MAN, CPH, LON) have never worked. The question is less one of whether these are petroleum destinations but more one of whether these are destinations which were served exclusively or mainly by KLM/KLC and not by AF. GLA is an exception as AF fares from GLA have usually allowed routing via AMS. In the UK, it has mainly been NWI, MME, HUY, GLA and, IIRC, CWL that allowed such routings (possibly NCL too, I can't remember for sure). Many of these don't seem to work now, though. KL has diminished frequencies and, on top of that, AF also seems to have reduced the number of KL flights to the UK on which it puts an AF code, reducing the scope for suitable connections.

As regards the Scandinavian destinations, all of the ones you mention other than CPH are in principle suitable.

JuniorVoyager

Sorry I couldn't reply because of the message cap.

Indeed by Northern Europe I was specifically referring to Scandanavian destinations such as Aalborg or Alesund. That being said, as NickB as mentioned GLA also works relatively well, so do a few other secondary destinations in the UK such as Teesside I believe. The problem right now is that many of these destinations have very reduced frequencies so it might not be as easy as usual. That being said once things get back to normal (god knows when) they will be places to keep in mind.

Also, many of these destinations also work as departure points for cheap J deals (book in O though I believe).

NickB

Given that the subject matter is mileage/XP runs, I had assumed that we were talking primarily of cheap business class deals indeed, rather than economy, as the latter are not especially exciting. Yes, AF O fares are the aim. IME, however, it is not that common to be able to book entirely in O, More often than not, one direction is in O and the other in Z, at least when booked on AF websites (easier to find O in both directions when booking with OTAs but many will be wary of booking with OTAs in the current climate).

BTW, welcome to FT, JuniorVoyager.

Concerto

I got O-class in both directions for my upcoming trip from HAJ to GVA. I booked directly with Air France and I hope I will be able to make my trip. Not sure what transiting France is going to be like at the moment.

EDIT - well, looking at it tonight, my booking has been turned to confetti with cancelled flights and reroutings. The return to Hannover has been routed through both CDG and AMS without my intervention, but the outbound is totally scuppered.

Concerto

My ticket is a total bouillabaisse. Have received about 30 notifications of cancellations and rebookings and cancellations again. And rebookings. Looks like I will have to go for a refund or voucher, in the hope that AFKL survive this crisis. I think we are totally stuffed for travel until Christmas at least. So much for trying to make use of the double XP promotion.

IstKong

AF will survive "whatever it takes". For the joint-venture with KLM, nobody knows

Regarding the double XP promo, I am not seeing them not extending it further in 2021, or at least lower the qualification requirements.

maalloc

In an ideal world they would do that. If 2020 gives us any reference point, they won't.
Instead, they will credit you on your birthday a number of XP equal to (half your XP on Jan 1st 2019) + (half your XP on Jan 1st, 2020) - (your XP renewal threshold / the number of years as a FB member) + (the sum of the last 4 digits of your FB Amex). This, of course, will only apply if your FB anniversary date is on Dec 31st. Otherwise, please consult Annex A.

IstKong

I'm not sure why we are still obsessed with status (me included), because for most of us, travel will unfortunately remain very low for the next years.

So the perks won't be that useful.

Even if you can travel to one of the few open destinations : Fast track in empty airports ? Closed lounges ?

Maybe that's because we are still dreaming of the world before Covid-19...

Concerto

I agree with this, use this double XPs thing now because it won't come back. It would make sense to lower requalification thresholds though. And I expect there'll be some offers to drive bookings, if this Corona thing starts to calm down.

SkyteamEP

The only reason I'm semi-obsessed is to remain platinum long enough to reach Platinum For Life.

747jetter

Exactly and for those who love flying and have enough time (no family, remoted jobs...) won't be that hard to keep the status with two crazy itineraries and some positioning flights even the lounges will be closed and there won't be enough fun on empty fast track because of people waiting 30 seconds longer then I do.

offvoice

[IronyOn]Wait.. you’re saying you don’t fancy getting those 30 additional seconds fast track gives you? Might be on the wrong forum then 😂[IronyOff]

speaking of which, fast track at CDG 2E was closed both for PIF and PAF two days ago (late afternoon)