Old May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
- 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.
- CDG 2F :
  • 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
- CDG 2G :
  • Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
  • Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG in connection : expedited transfer, possibly involving limo transfer, can be arranged upon request in case of short or endangered connection. Rarely provided spontaneously (need to call the TA, but acceptance is never guaranteed).

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)
- AJA: no special treatment to report
- 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), possible to benefit from the "night service" on all flights and not only the 2 last ones ex-JFK (update 09/2023 : no more night service in JFK lounge). Some kind of priority at the La Prairie spa (after P pax).
- 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)
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Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status

Old Jun 22, 2020, 5:02 am
  #2911  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond,Avis President, Hertz President Club
Posts: 137
Hi All,

Coming back from MRS yesterday afternoon, the Chef de Cabine told us that the health protocole on board they have been following will change from the 30th of June. Also, the public health emergency status will be lifted at the middle of July, meaning that there are chances the service on board come more or less back.

Let's wait and see.

Kind regards,

Alex
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Old Jun 22, 2020, 1:55 pm
  #2912  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 21,890
Originally Posted by matmatlr

What's the difference between serving water or wine/champagne ?

I understand they might adapt some stuff but no food at all in J makes me think this is more a way to save cost rather than Covid related measures...
You don't need to convince me
But may be I was not clear enough : the point is not what is the difference between serving water and champagne. The point is that there is no service at all, even water. But I know that they have water on board, so if you want water, I am sure they will be pleased to serve you some
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Old Jun 24, 2020, 11:38 am
  #2913  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,044
900 UXP booked today on my account 👍😉
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Old Jun 24, 2020, 11:57 am
  #2914  
 
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: 1,039
Originally Posted by Bullspread
900 UXP booked today on my account 👍😉
Same here

I was flying this afternoon from CDG to BCN in J
Ground service was good and SP line was working very well (the airport was not crowded).
very good welcome at the lounge and was directed to the Ulti zone.
Pre-boarding was granted

Boarding took almost 1 hour with absolutely no special attention from attendants.

I confirm you get nothing, even in J, and you almost need to beg to get water ! Shame on AF on that !
however, it was still good to be flying again
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Old Jun 24, 2020, 11:59 pm
  #2915  
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900 UXP bonus has arrived too
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Old Jun 25, 2020, 3:44 am
  #2916  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 45
If I've understood well, it's only the case for Ultimate members. As a Platinum for Life member, the deadline (31-12-2020) has not been postponed
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Old Jun 25, 2020, 6:14 am
  #2917  
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 642
Originally Posted by sscaf001
If I've understood well, it's only the case for Ultimate members. As a Platinum for Life member, the deadline (31-12-2020) has not been postponed
The deadline to reach platinum for eternity?
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Old Jun 25, 2020, 10:14 am
  #2918  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by Goldorak
900 UXP bonus has arrived too
+1. 😀
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Old Jun 25, 2020, 11:39 am
  #2919  
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Originally Posted by sscaf001
If I've understood well, it's only the case for Ultimate members. As a Platinum for Life member, the deadline (31-12-2020) has not been postponed
Do you mean to become Ultimate based on 2019-2020 UXP earning ? If yes, no communication about that AFAIK, but do not hesitate to write to FB to explain your case. It would seem fair to me to grant Ultimate based on 2019-2020-2021 earning.
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Old Jun 26, 2020, 12:03 pm
  #2920  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,044
My flight experience these days as ULTI Pax :
i had to check a luggage at SP counter. Waiting time quite long as only 1 counter available. Once checked I’ve been proposed to be escorted to skip queue ; answered positively as queue quite long at “Acces No1”. I went on my own from security to the lounge.
Nice welcome at 2F lounge. Not crowded and I arrived there only 5mn before boarding time so I refused separated area for ULTI.
Boarding zones back to normal process i.e Zone 1-2 boarding first.
Nice welcome word from Chief purser. I got questioned by him if I had some remarks to escalate to “concierge team”. He had my profile displayed on his I-pad . He warned me and apologized about “modified” onboard service as AF has to stick to OMS guidelines which is a bit Bullshxxit as some other EU carriers still serve food and beverage and Transavia does it as well.
No food , no drinks . Crew stayed behind the curtains the vast majority of the time.
warm “au revoir” and thx from Chief purser.
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Old Jun 26, 2020, 12:27 pm
  #2921  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
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Posts: 1,039
Just landed in CDG from BCN in J

Very warm welcome by CP and she thanked me for being a loyal customer.
J cabin was almost empty, only 2 other pax

Starting from today, they now serve some snacks and drinks (except champagne and wine) for short haul in J (still no service in Y)
Snacks are salty or sweet (cashew nuts we generally have in long haul in J) better than nothing...
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Old Jun 26, 2020, 4:06 pm
  #2922  
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Originally Posted by matmatlr
Just landed in CDG from BCN in J

Very warm welcome by CP and she thanked me for being a loyal customer.
J cabin was almost empty, only 2 other pax

Starting from today, they now serve some snacks and drinks (except champagne and wine) for short haul in J (still no service in Y)
Snacks are salty or sweet (cashew nuts we generally have in long haul in J) better than nothing...
Funny again the differences between flights the same day. Flew AF medium-haul today from CDG. Flight packed Y and J (3 rows). Drink service (non-alcoholic only) in both Y and J. No food / no snack even in J. FA told me full service back to normal on 10/07.
All staff (ground, lounge, FA) are super nice and happy to fly again and see customers.
The “chef avion” (RZA) of my today’s flight told me that, for medium-haul, the load factors are quite good. No idea for long-haul but this is still hugely impacted by closed borders.
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Old Jun 27, 2020, 12:58 am
  #2923  
gkl
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Posts: 530
same experience as Goldorak also from my CDG-TXL flight yesterday afternoon. Drink service in J and Y., no snack.
Terminal 2F was busy. Flights (AMS-CDG last week and CDG-TXL yesterday were full).
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Old Jun 27, 2020, 2:07 am
  #2924  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Can somebody say a bit more about escorting through security ? I am less concerned about the warm welcome or the explanation about why they don’t serve food and drinks, but standing in line security is something I would like to reduce to a minimum.

When you say you checked in at an SP counter which counter in which terminal was that? Am I Right in presuming it was terminal 2F, the counters in area 2/3, right next to the sky priority-only security checkpoint?

I understand that some people were escorted, others not? Does it make sense to ask for it, or will they stare at me in bewilderment and think of me of some overentitled idiot?
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Old Jun 27, 2020, 2:23 am
  #2925  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
When you say you checked in at an SP counter which counter in which terminal was that? Am I Right in presuming it was terminal 2F, the counters in area 2/3, right next to the sky priority-only security checkpoint?
Yes, 2F. SP checkin counters are indeed on the left next to the dedicated SP security checkpoint. But this SP security checkpoint is still closed. Only the main central one is open. They have a SP lane but which is a compete joke as before, because of ADP incompetence.

Originally Posted by San Gottardo
I understand that some people were escorted, others not? Does it make sense to ask for it, or will they stare at me in bewilderment and think of me of some overentitled idiot?
Before Covid, I have never been escorted through security (it was always refused). My experience “post restrictions” is very limited. Last week, I checked a bag and nothing was proposed and I didn’t ask. Yesterday, no bag to check, somI went through directly without stopping at counter.
You can definitely ask !
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