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
Oct 19, 2018, 11:41 am
#1636
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
Oct 20, 2018, 2:49 am
#1637
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Whenever I was at risk of missing my connection, the Travel Assistant team would arrange a meet & greet service. This service comes very useful especially when the aircraft is parked far from the terminal. On Sunday, I was a bit more comfortable, with a solid 30-minute in the lounge. I had asked for assistance just in case hell broke loose somewhere between the two flights, as such things tend to happen at CDG. Luckily, the AF staff on the ground was available and kindly offered me the motorized escort from CDG 2G to 2E. Definitely two thumbs up.
They really need to learn about the service provided by their competitors then...
I always understood that my desappointment with my Ultimate Experience is because of flying KLM and not AF, but reading all these posts and making my own experience in the past couple of months when flying AF (nothing in Orly, no attention to HongKong etc...), I really don’t see that the Ultimate service provided but AF is good either... For sure very slightly better than KLM, but still ridiculous compared to some others.
Will do a further experience with AF today, flying to 2G first and then from 2E to Asia. I have « only » 1h10 of connection time which is of course manageable if everything goes right and rushing a bit... Wait and see if by miracle somebody is waiting for me at 2G!
Oct 20, 2018, 3:50 am
#1638
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Hi Macaron54, you mean you give them a call to arrange that service? Seriously, you need to contact them to get what should be a regular service?!?
They really need to learn about the service provided by their competitors then...
I always understood that my desappointment with my Ultimate Experience is because of flying KLM and not AF, but reading all these posts and making my own experience in the past couple of months when flying AF (nothing in Orly, no attention to HongKong etc...), I really don’t see that the Ultimate service provided but AF is good either... For sure very slightly better than KLM, but still ridiculous compared to some others.
Will do a further experience with AF today, flying to 2G first and then from 2E to Asia. I have « only » 1h10 of connection time which is of course manageable if everything goes right and rushing a bit... Wait and see if by miracle somebody is waiting for me at 2G!
They really need to learn about the service provided by their competitors then...
I always understood that my desappointment with my Ultimate Experience is because of flying KLM and not AF, but reading all these posts and making my own experience in the past couple of months when flying AF (nothing in Orly, no attention to HongKong etc...), I really don’t see that the Ultimate service provided but AF is good either... For sure very slightly better than KLM, but still ridiculous compared to some others.
Will do a further experience with AF today, flying to 2G first and then from 2E to Asia. I have « only » 1h10 of connection time which is of course manageable if everything goes right and rushing a bit... Wait and see if by miracle somebody is waiting for me at 2G!
I landed early this morning at AMS after a long-haul from ICN. You know my reluctance to fly KLM, but under the present circumstances, my alternatives were to say the least limited (I just don't like the AF daytime flight). I was baffled by the quality of the service aboard -- a surprisingly awesome Ultimate experience. As soon as I entered the J cabin, I was immediately greeted by the purser and ushered to my seat. Something that never happened hitherto, I was asked whether I had any particular request. Excellent, expeditious meal service. Minimalist PAs. I slept reasonably well. Again, very nice, efficient pre-landing breakfast service, and a smile when I left the aircraft. Both the cabin and the chief pursers were affable and considerate.
At AMS's Crown Lounge, earlier this morning, it was a completely different story. No smile, no greetings, no proactive offer, but nothing we are not already well familiarized with. One wonders whether the lounge agents and the pursers on the flight from ICN work for the same airline. Note that on the following commuter flight I was completely ignored, which is fine by me, but also underscores double standards within the same airline.
Oct 20, 2018, 4:38 am
#1639
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
As somehow expected (!) zero service at arrival at 2G for me.
25 minutes delayed on the first flight, I actually landed at 2G at the time I have to board at 2E.
The stewardess came to me on the first flight to Paris to tell me that due to the delay, I will need to run to 2E (she got a telex to advise me). Means Paris is able to send a telex to a plane, but not to an escort to pick me up when they know that I am in a rush.
Once again, this ULTIMATE program is a joke.
Macaron54, I don’t know how you manage to get all of the benefits you are reporting regularly. I have flown 1400XP since January and cannot report anything similar!
25 minutes delayed on the first flight, I actually landed at 2G at the time I have to board at 2E.
The stewardess came to me on the first flight to Paris to tell me that due to the delay, I will need to run to 2E (she got a telex to advise me). Means Paris is able to send a telex to a plane, but not to an escort to pick me up when they know that I am in a rush.
Once again, this ULTIMATE program is a joke.
Macaron54, I don’t know how you manage to get all of the benefits you are reporting regularly. I have flown 1400XP since January and cannot report anything similar!
Oct 20, 2018, 5:11 am
#1640
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Quick post from the plane; after waiting a good 5 minutes for the bus to 2E + 5 minutes ride, I already heard my name when entering the terminal 2E (Last call for Mr Pamplona), and M45 is a quite long way to run...
Anyway, I managed it and that’s the most important. Even if sweating on my seat now!
No Hello Mr Pamplona till now at the gate / while boarding / on my seat (and I sincerely don’t need it), but jut want to mention once again that FOR ME, either KL nor AF offers anything to Ultimates. Purely ZERO benefit.
PS: of course I had no time to « enjoy » the ridiculous 5m2 reserved area for Ultimate in the lounge, which may represent a benefit in case the lounge would be packed.
Need to OFF now.
Anyway, I managed it and that’s the most important. Even if sweating on my seat now!
No Hello Mr Pamplona till now at the gate / while boarding / on my seat (and I sincerely don’t need it), but jut want to mention once again that FOR ME, either KL nor AF offers anything to Ultimates. Purely ZERO benefit.
PS: of course I had no time to « enjoy » the ridiculous 5m2 reserved area for Ultimate in the lounge, which may represent a benefit in case the lounge would be packed.
Need to OFF now.
Oct 20, 2018, 5:17 am
#1641
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
Quick post from the plane; after waiting a good 5 minutes for the bus to 2E + 5 minutes ride, I already heard my name when entering the terminal 2E (Last call for Mr Pamplona), and M45 is a quite long way to run...
Anyway, I managed it and that’s the most important. Even if sweating on my seat now!
No Hello Mr Pamplona till now at the gate / while boarding / on my seat (and I sincerely don’t need it), but jut want to mention once again that FOR ME, either KL nor AF offers anything to Ultimates. Purely ZERO benefit.
PS: of course I had no time to « enjoy » the ridiculous 5m2 reserved area for Ultimate in the lounge, which may represent a benefit in case the lounge would be packed.
Need to OFF now.
Anyway, I managed it and that’s the most important. Even if sweating on my seat now!
No Hello Mr Pamplona till now at the gate / while boarding / on my seat (and I sincerely don’t need it), but jut want to mention once again that FOR ME, either KL nor AF offers anything to Ultimates. Purely ZERO benefit.
PS: of course I had no time to « enjoy » the ridiculous 5m2 reserved area for Ultimate in the lounge, which may represent a benefit in case the lounge would be packed.
Need to OFF now.
Oct 20, 2018, 5:56 am
#1642
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 33
Hello, Pamplona. Yes, that would be correct -- I sent an e-mail to the Travel Assistant team about a week before the flight. Even when one does it, there is never a guarantee that someone on the ground will be available (or, for that matter, that a car will be available).
I landed early this morning at AMS after a long-haul from ICN. You know my reluctance to fly KLM, but under the present circumstances, my alternatives were to say the least limited (I just don't like the AF daytime flight). I was baffled by the quality of the service aboard -- a surprisingly awesome Ultimate experience. As soon as I entered the J cabin, I was immediately greeted by the purser and ushered to my seat. Something that never happened hitherto, I was asked whether I had any particular request. Excellent, expeditious meal service. Minimalist PAs. I slept reasonably well. Again, very nice, efficient pre-landing breakfast service, and a smile when I left the aircraft. Both the cabin and the chief pursers were affable and considerate.
At AMS's Crown Lounge, earlier this morning, it was a completely different story. No smile, no greetings, no proactive offer, but nothing we are not already well familiarized with. One wonders whether the lounge agents and the pursers on the flight from ICN work for the same airline. Note that on the following commuter flight I was completely ignored, which is fine by me, but also underscores double standards within the same airline.
I landed early this morning at AMS after a long-haul from ICN. You know my reluctance to fly KLM, but under the present circumstances, my alternatives were to say the least limited (I just don't like the AF daytime flight). I was baffled by the quality of the service aboard -- a surprisingly awesome Ultimate experience. As soon as I entered the J cabin, I was immediately greeted by the purser and ushered to my seat. Something that never happened hitherto, I was asked whether I had any particular request. Excellent, expeditious meal service. Minimalist PAs. I slept reasonably well. Again, very nice, efficient pre-landing breakfast service, and a smile when I left the aircraft. Both the cabin and the chief pursers were affable and considerate.
At AMS's Crown Lounge, earlier this morning, it was a completely different story. No smile, no greetings, no proactive offer, but nothing we are not already well familiarized with. One wonders whether the lounge agents and the pursers on the flight from ICN work for the same airline. Note that on the following commuter flight I was completely ignored, which is fine by me, but also underscores double standards within the same airline.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:03 am
#1643
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
Those last posts show one of the numerous area where Ulti needs to improve. It was advertised to us that the TA team is "constantly checking on us" to proactively find solutions in case of irrops or risk of (expedited clearance of immigration/security, transfer by car, rebooking, etc). But it often fails on this as we are informed before them of delays and cancellations and they are very rarely organizing spontaneous car transfers, or even when you contact them.
When I have a short connection, I call them a few days before; but they always ask you to call again on the day of travel in case the things get worse. We shouldn't have to do that as it's not always feasible (e.g. a long-haul flight leaving the gate on-time but siting on the ground forever before take-off for whatever reason). One time (last year), I made my connection 2F to 2G thanks to a car transfer (due to delay of incoming plane). But recently in august, despite I advised them of a 55 min connection 2F to 2E which turned into a 45 min one, there was no one in sight to expedite my transfer and I was on my own.
When I have a short connection, I call them a few days before; but they always ask you to call again on the day of travel in case the things get worse. We shouldn't have to do that as it's not always feasible (e.g. a long-haul flight leaving the gate on-time but siting on the ground forever before take-off for whatever reason). One time (last year), I made my connection 2F to 2G thanks to a car transfer (due to delay of incoming plane). But recently in august, despite I advised them of a 55 min connection 2F to 2E which turned into a 45 min one, there was no one in sight to expedite my transfer and I was on my own.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:08 am
#1644
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
. Joke apart, while it is true that lately, my Ultimate experience has been, for short of a better epithet, positive, there are countless instances where the service on the ground, at CDG, was close to nonexistent. Not in the lounges, where everyone has always been super nice to me, but during transfer between the Schengen and international terminals. Just like anyone else, I have taken the bus and walked far more often than I have been offered a motorized escort. Then, reading some of the posts, I realized that maybe I was not calling enough upon the assistance of the Travel Assistant team. I refrain from harassing them with unceasing requests, but whenever I have a good reason to ask for help, I do it without hesitation.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:11 am
#1645
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Which lounge? AMS or INC? Ultimates will get a "positive treatment" at the Crown Lounge when pigs fly.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:22 am
#1646
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Those last posts show one of the numerous area where Ulti needs to improve. It was advertised to us that the TA team is "constantly checking on us" to proactively find solutions in case of irrops or risk of (expedited clearance of immigration/security, transfer by car, rebooking, etc). But it often fails on this as we are informed before them of delays and cancellations and they are very rarely organizing spontaneous car transfers, or even when you contact them.
When I have a short connection, I call them a few days before; but they always ask you to call again on the day of travel in case the things get worse. We shouldn't have to do that as it's not always feasible (e.g. a long-haul flight leaving the gate on-time but siting on the ground forever before take-off for whatever reason). One time (last year), I made my connection 2F to 2G thanks to a car transfer (due to delay of incoming plane). But recently in august, despite I advised them of a 55 min connection 2F to 2E which turned into a 45 min one, there was no one in sight to expedite my transfer and I was on my own.
When I have a short connection, I call them a few days before; but they always ask you to call again on the day of travel in case the things get worse. We shouldn't have to do that as it's not always feasible (e.g. a long-haul flight leaving the gate on-time but siting on the ground forever before take-off for whatever reason). One time (last year), I made my connection 2F to 2G thanks to a car transfer (due to delay of incoming plane). But recently in august, despite I advised them of a 55 min connection 2F to 2E which turned into a 45 min one, there was no one in sight to expedite my transfer and I was on my own.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:30 am
#1647
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
One time (last year), I made my connection 2F to 2G thanks to a car transfer (due to delay of incoming plane). But recently in august, despite I advised them of a 55 min connection 2F to 2E which turned into a 45 min one, there was no one in sight to expedite my transfer and I was on my own.
.
Oct 20, 2018, 8:43 am
#1648
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 33
Oct 20, 2018, 9:30 am
#1649
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
I am going to ask a very blunt question, so, please, everyone, do not get p..ssed at me. Could it conceivably be that there is a sh...t list, featuring the most demanding among us? I know for a fact that ingrate whiners are frowned upon, notably by the ground staff. I have personally given up on complaining, as I see nothing tangible being accomplished from bitterness and recrimination. I found, however, that constructive criticism for betterment of the Ultimate service goes a long way. Does that make sense?
I think it is very important, apart the respect that is of course due to them, to report them also the positive experiences. And to remember that, when something goes bad or not as good as it should be, it is not always their fault or usually not their fault.
Oct 20, 2018, 9:58 am
#1650
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
