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
Mar 6, 2019, 9:08 am
#1906
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Btw Upgrade :
on a recent CDG/LIN, at on line check in time with my colleague, upgrade from coach to European business class was proposed to 69 EUR to my colleague (Platinum status). For the same ticket (issue in the same bucket fare , same travel agency), the upgrade was proposed to me at 349€ !
welcome in the ULTI world of privileges !
on a recent CDG/LIN, at on line check in time with my colleague, upgrade from coach to European business class was proposed to 69 EUR to my colleague (Platinum status). For the same ticket (issue in the same bucket fare , same travel agency), the upgrade was proposed to me at 349€ !
welcome in the ULTI world of privileges !
Do I need to write more? Probably not, as you all understood that I was the one to have a neighbour! I am already sad that when paying Business, I don’t have that free seat, but almost pissed that as Ultimate I still have a neighboor while other passengers have free seats (well, may be they was Ultimate, too, who knows!).
Mar 6, 2019, 9:12 am
#1907
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
I was definitely less lucky as a "still not active" ultimate member.
In Shanghai, the check-in clerk looked at my email and ignored it completely. I was invited to lounge 39 (typical for AF I guess), and it was small and a little depressing - I had a better feeling from the China Eastern lounge I visited last time when I flew with KLM.
During the flight, I asked to talk to the Chief Purser (I was sitting in W). When she arrived, I showed her the email and I asked her what would change during the flight for me when my status will be active.
She started to talk about how Platinum for Life and Platinums have a greater priority for upgrades at the gate, and she explicitly said she cannot did not have any power to upgrade me (something I never asked for) - in the end, she seemed to have no clue about what Ultimate is. Also, her english wasn't so good, so I didn't challenge her too much about it.
In Paris, I had to wait in the lounge at 2F-2 where the reserved Ultimate area is the depressing secluded room close to the toilets, so I didn't even try to ask to be invited there
In Shanghai, the check-in clerk looked at my email and ignored it completely. I was invited to lounge 39 (typical for AF I guess), and it was small and a little depressing - I had a better feeling from the China Eastern lounge I visited last time when I flew with KLM.
During the flight, I asked to talk to the Chief Purser (I was sitting in W). When she arrived, I showed her the email and I asked her what would change during the flight for me when my status will be active.
She started to talk about how Platinum for Life and Platinums have a greater priority for upgrades at the gate, and she explicitly said she cannot did not have any power to upgrade me (something I never asked for) - in the end, she seemed to have no clue about what Ultimate is. Also, her english wasn't so good, so I didn't challenge her too much about it.
In Paris, I had to wait in the lounge at 2F-2 where the reserved Ultimate area is the depressing secluded room close to the toilets, so I didn't even try to ask to be invited there
Mar 6, 2019, 11:24 am
#1908
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AFKL Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 369
Haha, welcome to the word of Ultimate; zero valuable benefit (even if some other friends in this forum can report some)! But it could be worse: with KL, you would even not have the dedicated area in the lounge, even not the one close to the toilets!
And I hope you are not surprised anymore about the English level of the AF crew!
And I hope you are not surprised anymore about the English level of the AF crew!
I liked it way more than the 2E-K lounge of AF where I've been cursed to stay way too frequently - for almost any aspect.
And I must have been lucky in all my previous long haul flights with AF - I have always had very nice chats with pursers and definitely no problems with broken english :/
Mar 14, 2019, 3:43 am
#1909
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Diamond / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,040
Have you guys got contacted by AF following the email received 2 weeks ago ?
On my side, still no news from them... while the new status should be officially "active" from April 1st...
On my side, still no news from them... while the new status should be officially "active" from April 1st...
Mar 14, 2019, 9:22 am
#1910
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Honest assessment
Let us not be too harsh here on the Ultimate program. After two years of hindsight, it is now clear that it is not, and probably never will be, what it was originally advertised for, namely a top-tier program that offers its members a world of privileges and recognition, with a Travel Assistant, who makes sure their bubble of tranquillity remains intact, and streamline their pathway through the airport. Many consider the program to be grossly insufficient probably because it was equally grossly oversold, but, perhaps even more so, because it is clearly not on par with top-tier programs of competing airlines. One of the most frustrating aspect of the Ultimate program, recurrently and copiously emphasized on this thread, is the strong imbalance between hubs, from a whole gamut of services at CDG, to virtually nothing at KLM. The recent stately affair between Air France and KLM confirmed what I had long suspected of a momentum of emancipation of the latter from the former, and an obstinate resistance to follow directives instilled by Paris. Whether or not we agree with it, there are strong cultural differences between the sister airlines, and, hence, very different views of what a top-tier program should be. That said, at CDG, the airport management and the lack of dedicated Air France staff have often conspired to break the bubble of tranquillity. In a matter of two years, I have experienced an entire spectrum of services, from the sublime to the ridiculous, with a car picking me up at Schengen terminal 2G and bringing me to international terminal 2E, where in the business lounge a breakfast was waiting for me, to standing in line forever, running in the long corridors of the terminals and nearly missing my flight. Outstations are a mixed bag as well, and it has been my impression that, from the US west coast to southeast Asia, the local contracted teams have their own agenda, offering a reproducible, impeccable, sometimes P-like service at some airports, and nearly nothing at others. Still, consistency on the ground is substantially greater than in the air, where members of the Ultimate program can enjoy a very distinctive service, or be utterly ignored. Distinctive service comes in different guises, from a personalized welcoming note, a glass of wine from the front of the aircraft, to an asynchronous meal service to optimize sleeping time. My personal experience is that, first, irrespective of the airline, the chief purser sets the tone and decides whether or not Ultimate passengers ought to be handled differently. Second, the perception of being offered a distinctive service will increase as one moves towards the front of the aircraft. In other words, an Ultimate passenger flying in Y or W is first and foremost an economy passenger, whereas an Ultimate passenger flying in J or P will be systematically seen as a high-contribution customer, for whom the crew may decide to go the extra mile. One might argue that in Y or W, there is very little room to go the extra mile anyway, while in P, the crew already goes the extra mile and attends to the every needs of their most fortunate passengers. Ask different Ultimate members whether it is worth being Ultimate, and you will get very discrepant answers. Flying a lot, albeit primarily in the lower classes of service, I have found valuable the possibility to upgrade myself through the Travel Assistant team, even though it has often been a fierce fight with Revenue Management and Pricing to relinquish a seat in J. Being prioritized for an upgrade to P whenever I had the good fortune to hold a ticket in J gave me the opportunity to experience La Premiere, the doors of which would have otherwise remained closed to me without the Ultimate program. The Travel Assistant team has also proven amazingly efficient in the event of severe flight disruptions and rebooked me on the spur of the moment, including on competing airlines. Sadly, it has also dropped the ball on me a number of times, reinforcing the impression of inconsistency and adding fuel to the fire of the detractors of the program. Still, in all fairness, I would consider that my frequent-flyer life has overall improved since the Ultimate program was launched, even though we are still a long way to a world of privileges and recognition. Whether I would fight tooth and nail to keep my status under the terms of the reinvented Flying Blue program is a separate issue.
Mar 14, 2019, 9:50 am
#1911
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 158
Mar 14, 2019, 3:33 pm
#1912
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,939
Let us not be too harsh here on the Ultimate program. After two years of hindsight, it is now clear that it is not, and probably never will be, what it was originally advertised for, namely a top-tier program that offers its members a world of privileges and recognition, with a Travel Assistant, who makes sure their bubble of tranquillity remains intact, and streamline their pathway through the airport. Many consider the program to be grossly insufficient probably because it was equally grossly oversold, but, perhaps even more so, because it is clearly not on par with top-tier programs of competing airlines. One of the most frustrating aspect of the Ultimate program, recurrently and copiously emphasized on this thread, is the strong imbalance between hubs, from a whole gamut of services at CDG, to virtually nothing at KLM. The recent stately affair between Air France and KLM confirmed what I had long suspected of a momentum of emancipation of the latter from the former, and an obstinate resistance to follow directives instilled by Paris. Whether or not we agree with it, there are strong cultural differences between the sister airlines, and, hence, very different views of what a top-tier program should be. That said, at CDG, the airport management and the lack of dedicated Air France staff have often conspired to break the bubble of tranquillity. In a matter of two years, I have experienced an entire spectrum of services, from the sublime to the ridiculous, with a car picking me up at Schengen terminal 2G and bringing me to international terminal 2E, where in the business lounge a breakfast was waiting for me, to standing in line forever, running in the long corridors of the terminals and nearly missing my flight. Outstations are a mixed bag as well, and it has been my impression that, from the US west coast to southeast Asia, the local contracted teams have their own agenda, offering a reproducible, impeccable, sometimes P-like service at some airports, and nearly nothing at others. Still, consistency on the ground is substantially greater than in the air, where members of the Ultimate program can enjoy a very distinctive service, or be utterly ignored. Distinctive service comes in different guises, from a personalized welcoming note, a glass of wine from the front of the aircraft, to an asynchronous meal service to optimize sleeping time. My personal experience is that, first, irrespective of the airline, the chief purser sets the tone and decides whether or not Ultimate passengers ought to be handled differently. Second, the perception of being offered a distinctive service will increase as one moves towards the front of the aircraft. In other words, an Ultimate passenger flying in Y or W is first and foremost an economy passenger, whereas an Ultimate passenger flying in J or P will be systematically seen as a high-contribution customer, for whom the crew may decide to go the extra mile. One might argue that in Y or W, there is very little room to go the extra mile anyway, while in P, the crew already goes the extra mile and attends to the every needs of their most fortunate passengers. Ask different Ultimate members whether it is worth being Ultimate, and you will get very discrepant answers. Flying a lot, albeit primarily in the lower classes of service, I have found valuable the possibility to upgrade myself through the Travel Assistant team, even though it has often been a fierce fight with Revenue Management and Pricing to relinquish a seat in J. Being prioritized for an upgrade to P whenever I had the good fortune to hold a ticket in J gave me the opportunity to experience La Premiere, the doors of which would have otherwise remained closed to me without the Ultimate program. The Travel Assistant team has also proven amazingly efficient in the event of severe flight disruptions and rebooked me on the spur of the moment, including on competing airlines. Sadly, it has also dropped the ball on me a number of times, reinforcing the impression of inconsistency and adding fuel to the fire of the detractors of the program. Still, in all fairness, I would consider that my frequent-flyer life has overall improved since the Ultimate program was launched, even though we are still a long way to a world of privileges and recognition. Whether I would fight tooth and nail to keep my status under the terms of the reinvented Flying Blue program is a separate issue.
(it was clearly not obvious at the early time I was there) so they cannot do it. And if she would have been advised in advance, she could have scheduled it 
. I told her that they know easily who is flying every day and so there shouldn't be any need for "advance booking" and previously they always provided the service. She looked puzzled and said that they never do that in IAD for Ultimate. She did not believe me when I told her that I passed 3 times in IAD since I was Ulti (this was the 4th) and got the escort service. Feel welcome...
Last edited by Goldorak; Mar 15, 2019 at 12:43 am
Mar 15, 2019, 3:46 am
#1913
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Fully agree with all your summary. And, talking about consistency, I was refused escort service from check-in to lounge at IAD, while it has always been provided before (although on request). The AF lady very politely told me they are short of staff (it was clearly not obvious at the early time I was there) so they cannot do it. And if she would have been advised in advance, she could have scheduled it . I told her that they know easily who is flying every day and so there shouldn't be any need for "advance booking" and previously they always provided the service. She looked puzzled and said that they never do that in IAD for Ultimate. She did not believe me when I told her that I passed 3 times in IAD since I was Ulti (this was the 4th) and got the escort service. Feel welcome...
(it was clearly not obvious at the early time I was there) so they cannot do it. And if she would have been advised in advance, she could have scheduled it . I told her that they know easily who is flying every day and so there shouldn't be any need for "advance booking" and previously they always provided the service. She looked puzzled and said that they never do that in IAD for Ultimate. She did not believe me when I told her that I passed 3 times in IAD since I was Ulti (this was the 4th) and got the escort service. Feel welcome...
Mar 15, 2019, 4:58 am
#1914
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 761
The recent stately affair between Air France and KLM confirmed what I had long suspected of a momentum of emancipation of the latter from the former, and an obstinate resistance to follow directives instilled by Paris. Whether or not we agree with it, there are strong cultural differences between the sister airlines, and, hence, very different views of what a top-tier program should be.
As I mentioned before, this is a matter of bad management and not cultural differences.
Mar 15, 2019, 7:23 am
#1915
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Mar 15, 2019, 7:55 am
#1916
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AFKL Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 369
Mar 15, 2019, 2:57 pm
#1918
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 761
You assume culture and not obeying orders are part of the lack of Ultimate services in AMS but it’s just speculation.
Mar 16, 2019, 3:10 pm
#1919
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
I of course disagree with your Manichean rhetoric of a bad AFKL management and of a flock without a good herder, which would be the answer to everything, but that it is beside the point. This thread is on the Ultimate program, and while you might be a very knowledgeable member of the latter, hovering in the high spheres of AFKL, I personally refrain from casting a stone at the program manager, who, based on my own perception and regular exchanges, does what he can to improve the product. Whether the improvement is more visible at certain airports than others, on certain flights than others, is a separate issue. I invite you to read "A field of lilies and tulips. Dutch and French cultures, the rich soil for Air France KLM group" written by Jerome Picard, an AF pilot. Call this book speculation if you please, but as far as this thread goes, and unless proven otherwise, it is still everyone's right to express an opinion, especially when it is supported by facts.