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
Apr 2, 2019, 8:56 am
#1966
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: AF/KL FB Platinum For Life Ultimate, LH Senator, BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 9
Flew to SIN today, connected in CDG. Landed more than one hour before departure in CDG, so no special transfer from 2G to 2E. Lost my luggage and nothing special on board. Booked and flew in J, no special P offers. Purser and FA did their normal friendly taking care off, same as last week when it was still PFL.
Apr 2, 2019, 2:53 pm
#1967
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Flew to SIN today, connected in CDG. Landed more than one hour before departure in CDG, so no special transfer from 2G to 2E. Lost my luggage and nothing special on board. Booked and flew in J, no special P offers. Purser and FA did their normal friendly taking care off, same as last week when it was still PFL.
.Your comment suggests one question though: While we keep complaining on this thread that we do not get the service that we deserve as Ultimates, and that would make this top-tier level distinct from other, lower status levels, we seldom verbalize what we really want. So, on this flight to SIN, what should have been done to give you the impression that the crew went the extra mile for you? As an aside, on LH what extra benefits will a HON Circle flying in J receive, compared to a Senator, and on DL, a 360 versus a Diamond?
Apr 2, 2019, 3:17 pm
#1968
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
Fully agree that it would make sense to clearly state what we would require to feel "special".
To me the most important would be to get a systematic escort from check-in to the plane and same through customs at arrival (P service with car waiting at the gate would be paradise
I would save a lot of time that I could spend with my wife rather than waiting at the airport. Travelling around 75 flights a year, that would be a very nice benefit
Then, systematic upgrade depending of course on availability (we could exclude J to P).
but it wouldn't cost more to AF to upgrade plat Ulti after boarding instead of having empty seats in J or W... even though we're not on the same loyalty program type, Accor is doing it and it's working quite well
Knowing that to become Ulti, that already means a lot of W, J or P tickets paid...
To me the most important would be to get a systematic escort from check-in to the plane and same through customs at arrival (P service with car waiting at the gate would be paradise
I would save a lot of time that I could spend with my wife rather than waiting at the airport. Travelling around 75 flights a year, that would be a very nice benefit
Then, systematic upgrade depending of course on availability (we could exclude J to P).
but it wouldn't cost more to AF to upgrade plat Ulti after boarding instead of having empty seats in J or W... even though we're not on the same loyalty program type, Accor is doing it and it's working quite well
Knowing that to become Ulti, that already means a lot of W, J or P tickets paid...
Apr 3, 2019, 12:46 am
#1969
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,051
Fully agree that it would make sense to clearly state what we would require to feel "special".
To me the most important would be to get a systematic escort from check-in to the plane and same through customs at arrival (P service with car waiting at the gate would be paradise
I would save a lot of time that I could spend with my wife rather than waiting at the airport. Travelling around 75 flights a year, that would be a very nice benefit
Then, systematic upgrade depending of course on availability (we could exclude J to P).
but it wouldn't cost more to AF to upgrade plat Ulti after boarding instead of having empty seats in J or W... even though we're not on the same loyalty program type, Accor is doing it and it's working quite well
Knowing that to become Ulti, that already means a lot of W, J or P tickets paid...
To me the most important would be to get a systematic escort from check-in to the plane and same through customs at arrival (P service with car waiting at the gate would be paradise
I would save a lot of time that I could spend with my wife rather than waiting at the airport. Travelling around 75 flights a year, that would be a very nice benefit
Then, systematic upgrade depending of course on availability (we could exclude J to P).
but it wouldn't cost more to AF to upgrade plat Ulti after boarding instead of having empty seats in J or W... even though we're not on the same loyalty program type, Accor is doing it and it's working quite well
Knowing that to become Ulti, that already means a lot of W, J or P tickets paid...
For 2 years ago as I was PFL and traveling with a colleague (Gold status), he has been upgraded and I remained in coach (same bucket fare booked by our coroporate travel agency).
So guys, despite our highest loyalty tag, we should keep it mind that the company considers us like fishes hanging at a hook. From that perspective, it’s quite logic from a marketing perspective that they focus lower tier PAX ...
Apr 3, 2019, 3:32 am
#1970
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
Just as a sake of reminder, AF prefers targeting Gold customers or less loyal customers. As a matter of fact, paid upgrades are still much cheaper for them at OLCI (even for same fare booking class) .
For 2 years ago as I was PFL and traveling with a colleague (Gold status), he has been upgraded and I remained in coach (same bucket fare booked by our coroporate travel agency).
So guys, despite our highest loyalty tag, we should keep it mind that the company considers us like fishes hanging at a hook. From that perspective, it’s quite logic from a marketing perspective that they focus lower tier PAX ...
But coming back to my suggestion, once the boarding is finished and there are still remaining seats in higher travel class, it would not change much to AF to upgrade their best customers
Apr 3, 2019, 4:14 am
#1972
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
And they do, on a case by case basis, as it happened to me recently on a transatlantic flight. It is clearly at the chief purser's discretion to invite you to the front of the aircraft. Please, note that a number of flight attendants sympathize with the way frequent flyers are treated these days (in particular, the imbalance between the meager amount of miles we accrue and the outlandish amount of miles that dynamic pricing imposes for upgrades), and show obvious reluctance to announce the gazillion of miles that is sometimes required to fly in J. That said, as we have already hammered it on this thread, freebees are more an exception than a general rule.
Apr 3, 2019, 4:18 am
#1973
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
Except that empty seats after boarding is completed are on a regular basis offered to employees travelling in Y and not FF.
Apr 7, 2019, 6:00 pm
#1975
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
Nice experience from CDG to YYZ today
Had a nice welcome at check-in and got escorted through passport check.
Considering the airport was crowded, it saved me at least 15/20 minutes.
Went to the dedicated space in lounge in hall L
Despite the fact that there is no window, I like it there and its super quiet while the lounge was crowded.
No attention at all during the flight (J cabin) and no word from the flight attendant.
No question about how went the flight or anything... was a little bit surprised as usually, they do it ! However, the flight was OK, as usual, so not much to say
Where it becomes interesting is that, while everybody was waiting to get out the plane, I got called by the chief pursuer (announcement from the speakers) to get out first... very discreet... 😂
while I did not request anything to TA, I got an escort through customs, luggage delivery up to my taxi ! I saved at least 45 minutes as the airport was packed 😉
Very nice attention and definitely time saving so if I could receive this service for all my flights, that would be perfect !
Had a nice welcome at check-in and got escorted through passport check.
Considering the airport was crowded, it saved me at least 15/20 minutes.
Went to the dedicated space in lounge in hall L
Despite the fact that there is no window, I like it there and its super quiet while the lounge was crowded.
No attention at all during the flight (J cabin) and no word from the flight attendant.
No question about how went the flight or anything... was a little bit surprised as usually, they do it ! However, the flight was OK, as usual, so not much to say
Where it becomes interesting is that, while everybody was waiting to get out the plane, I got called by the chief pursuer (announcement from the speakers) to get out first... very discreet... 😂
while I did not request anything to TA, I got an escort through customs, luggage delivery up to my taxi ! I saved at least 45 minutes as the airport was packed 😉
Very nice attention and definitely time saving so if I could receive this service for all my flights, that would be perfect !
Apr 7, 2019, 9:13 pm
#1976
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Still, a nice account, matmatlr, and an illustration of the Ultimate program being able to surprise you the most when you expect it the less (and vice versa
).
Apr 8, 2019, 12:16 am
#1977
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
Systematic LH upgrades from Y to J is exactly what airlines wish to avoid for obvious business reasons. If one expects to be upgraded most of the times (most flights are not fully booked in J), then that is a strong incentive to buy Y (or PE) tickets rather than J. Even if the upgrade itself costs nothing for AF.
On the other hand staff/family/friends is a different story.
On the other hand staff/family/friends is a different story.
Apr 8, 2019, 12:57 am
#1978
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Systematic LH upgrades from Y to J is exactly what airlines wish to avoid for obvious business reasons. If one expects to be upgraded most of the times (most flights are not fully booked in J), then that is a strong incentive to buy Y (or PE) tickets rather than J. Even if the upgrade itself costs nothing for AF.
On the other hand staff/family/friends is a different story.
On the other hand staff/family/friends is a different story.
Corporate booking would represent the vast majority of C customer base, wouldn't it?
If paying oneself and can afford C who would be foolish enough to risk misery by booking Y, since upgrade cannot be guaranteed.
So this argument does not stand.
There may be a few gamblers who can afford C and chose to risk flying in discomfort, but there are far many more who cannot book C but can chose their carrier in Y.
Apr 8, 2019, 1:03 am
#1979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,940
I have to say that I get a lot of extra attentions on-board AF flights (and also on my single KL flight since beginning of the year) both medium- and long-hauls. It is more and more systematic, although not on 100% of flights. I was also escorted upon arrival in BKK to my connecting flight, and this was helpful knowing that all AF flights to BKK arrive minimum 45 min late, even if they depart CDG on-time because of a much longer route needed to avoid the still closed Pakistani airspace.
Apr 8, 2019, 3:50 am
#1980
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,568
If company policy is C for LH flights, who would be foolish enough to book Y in the hope of upgrade?
Corporate booking would represent the vast majority of C customer base, wouldn't it?
If paying oneself and can afford C who would be foolish enough to risk misery by booking Y, since upgrade cannot be guaranteed.
So this argument does not stand.
There may be a few gamblers who can afford C and chose to risk flying in discomfort, but there are far many more who cannot book C but can chose their carrier in Y.
Corporate booking would represent the vast majority of C customer base, wouldn't it?
If paying oneself and can afford C who would be foolish enough to risk misery by booking Y, since upgrade cannot be guaranteed.
So this argument does not stand.
There may be a few gamblers who can afford C and chose to risk flying in discomfort, but there are far many more who cannot book C but can chose their carrier in Y.
But in my experience, even in big corporations (not the State ones), individual units often manage their own travel budget and care about how much they spend. Smaller companies and individuals certainly do.
The issue raised was not who should get priority in case of an opup from Y/PE to J was needed, but whether an Ulti should be automatically moved to an empty J seat, even if Y/PE was not full.The argument that I stated was mentioned at an AF DO that I attended years ago. The point made by AF management was that if you want to fly in J then buy J or use your miles.