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 5, 2021, 1:27 pm
#3421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
"Good hygiene is and has always been our priority. We’ve taken extra measures when it comes to the cleaning and maintenance of our aircraft before you embark. Every day, our aircraft are thoroughly cleaned with approved disinfectants."
Hmm . . .
Johan
Hmm . . .
Johan
Mar 5, 2021, 1:47 pm
#3422
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
Here's what the Dutch government says:
"Blijf in Nederland. Ga niet op reis. Voor reizen buiten Nederland geldt: reis alleen bij ernstige familieomstandigheden of voor werk dat echt niet uitgesteld kan worden en waarbij fysieke aanwezigheid absoluut nodig is."
One would imagine that KL would not issue IPB tickets to those who do not meet the above criteria. But who knows, maybe all 11 were flying to attend a funeral, which of course meant they had to be upgraded, as it is so much easier to grieve in J.
Johan
"Blijf in Nederland. Ga niet op reis. Voor reizen buiten Nederland geldt: reis alleen bij ernstige familieomstandigheden of voor werk dat echt niet uitgesteld kan worden en waarbij fysieke aanwezigheid absoluut nodig is."
One would imagine that KL would not issue IPB tickets to those who do not meet the above criteria. But who knows, maybe all 11 were flying to attend a funeral, which of course meant they had to be upgraded, as it is so much easier to grieve in J.
Johan
Mar 8, 2021, 3:06 am
#3423
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 476
Ok... first Ultimate experience...... Jesus....
1) had to cancel my Curacao trip on April 1st... no problem at all... good and quickly done.
2) want my children to be "upgraded" to econ comfort on our trip to Madrid in May.... Ultimate clearly says family members benefit from your privileges... I even think up to 9 pax...
Well... yes sure... we can put them next to you, but cost xx euro....
I say, hey I am ultimate, so they can travel with me in comfort free of charge as I do...
No sir... only when a trip is booked on miles...
2 hours of debate, what a mess... still no solution.
If this is how it goes...
1) had to cancel my Curacao trip on April 1st... no problem at all... good and quickly done.
2) want my children to be "upgraded" to econ comfort on our trip to Madrid in May.... Ultimate clearly says family members benefit from your privileges... I even think up to 9 pax...
Well... yes sure... we can put them next to you, but cost xx euro....
I say, hey I am ultimate, so they can travel with me in comfort free of charge as I do...
No sir... only when a trip is booked on miles...
2 hours of debate, what a mess... still no solution.
If this is how it goes...
Mar 8, 2021, 5:36 am
#3424
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
Ok... first Ultimate experience...... Jesus....
1) had to cancel my Curacao trip on April 1st... no problem at all... good and quickly done.
2) want my children to be "upgraded" to econ comfort on our trip to Madrid in May.... Ultimate clearly says family members benefit from your privileges... I even think up to 9 pax...
Well... yes sure... we can put them next to you, but cost xx euro....
I say, hey I am ultimate, so they can travel with me in comfort free of charge as I do...
No sir... only when a trip is booked on miles...
2 hours of debate, what a mess... still no solution.
If this is how it goes...
1) had to cancel my Curacao trip on April 1st... no problem at all... good and quickly done.
2) want my children to be "upgraded" to econ comfort on our trip to Madrid in May.... Ultimate clearly says family members benefit from your privileges... I even think up to 9 pax...
Well... yes sure... we can put them next to you, but cost xx euro....
I say, hey I am ultimate, so they can travel with me in comfort free of charge as I do...
No sir... only when a trip is booked on miles...
2 hours of debate, what a mess... still no solution.
If this is how it goes...
It’s like the upgrade certificate: you have to read the exact terms and conditions, because if you read the booklet or website blabla your expectations are never met.
Mar 8, 2021, 5:40 am
#3425
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 476
Tja... seems I need to read the whole "contract".... no big deal... I make my partner Platinum as well and pay for the 2 kids... but still....
Last edited by PascalGie; Mar 8, 2021 at 10:56 am
Mar 9, 2021, 3:35 pm
#3427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,909
Mar 10, 2021, 1:44 am
#3428
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Paris, France
Programs: UA LT Gold, Air France Platinum Ulti, AA 4MM EXP, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 725
Received my box a week ago, all very elegant and sleek. However no trace of vouchers. How do they go about delivering those vouchers? Or are they waiting for the April 1st actual official beginning of Ulti status? Thanks for clarifying
Mar 10, 2021, 2:22 am
#3429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,909
There is no printed vouchers. You call the TA when you want to use them. I strongly recommend you to not book first on your own a ticket in Y and then call the TA to upgrade. Because you need to book in a proper Y fare (see wiki). Call them for the whole booking.
Mar 10, 2021, 2:54 pm
#3432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,909
Mar 16, 2021, 2:51 am
#3433
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
Last flight from SJO to CDG last sunday with my wife in J
Nice attention from chief purser, welcome on board and dinner expedited asap as requested in my preferences for night flights
2nd pillow given without asking
I had to get out of CDG very quickly as I had a meeting downtown Paris 1h after so I called TA whether it would be possible to get an escort while arriving in CDG as my last experiences were chaotic (or at least the Ulti priority lane at immigration). I got the usual feedback "we're gonna try but we don't think it will be possible, especially on sunday... blablabla".
Asked the chief purser if she could double check whether or not someone would be waiting for us in CDG. Just before landing, she received a feedback from ground teams that no one would be available as they did not have enough available people.
And surprise... when we disembarked we had an agent waiting for us that accompanied us until we were out ! We managed to be in taxi less than 15 min after boarding which made a biiiigggg difference
Excellent Ulti experience
Nice attention from chief purser, welcome on board and dinner expedited asap as requested in my preferences for night flights
2nd pillow given without asking
I had to get out of CDG very quickly as I had a meeting downtown Paris 1h after so I called TA whether it would be possible to get an escort while arriving in CDG as my last experiences were chaotic (or at least the Ulti priority lane at immigration). I got the usual feedback "we're gonna try but we don't think it will be possible, especially on sunday... blablabla".
Asked the chief purser if she could double check whether or not someone would be waiting for us in CDG. Just before landing, she received a feedback from ground teams that no one would be available as they did not have enough available people.
And surprise... when we disembarked we had an agent waiting for us that accompanied us until we were out ! We managed to be in taxi less than 15 min after boarding which made a biiiigggg difference
Excellent Ulti experience
Mar 16, 2021, 3:01 am
#3434
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,832
Last flight from SJO to CDG last sunday with my wife in J
Nice attention from chief purser, welcome on board and dinner expedited asap as requested in my preferences for night flights
2nd pillow given without asking
I had to get out of CDG very quickly as I had a meeting downtown Paris 1h after so I called TA whether it would be possible to get an escort while arriving in CDG as my last experiences were chaotic (or at least the Ulti priority lane at immigration). I got the usual feedback "we're gonna try but we don't think it will be possible, especially on sunday... blablabla".
Asked the chief purser if she could double check whether or not someone would be waiting for us in CDG. Just before landing, she received a feedback from ground teams that no one would be available as they did not have enough available people.
And surprise... when we disembarked we had an agent waiting for us that accompanied us until we were out ! We managed to be in taxi less than 15 min after boarding which made a biiiigggg difference
Excellent Ulti experience
Nice attention from chief purser, welcome on board and dinner expedited asap as requested in my preferences for night flights
2nd pillow given without asking
I had to get out of CDG very quickly as I had a meeting downtown Paris 1h after so I called TA whether it would be possible to get an escort while arriving in CDG as my last experiences were chaotic (or at least the Ulti priority lane at immigration). I got the usual feedback "we're gonna try but we don't think it will be possible, especially on sunday... blablabla".
Asked the chief purser if she could double check whether or not someone would be waiting for us in CDG. Just before landing, she received a feedback from ground teams that no one would be available as they did not have enough available people.
And surprise... when we disembarked we had an agent waiting for us that accompanied us until we were out ! We managed to be in taxi less than 15 min after boarding which made a biiiigggg difference
Excellent Ulti experience
However, I wouldn't call this an "excellent ULTI experience". It's a dismal ULTI experience, for two reasons: the inability to provide the expedited arrivals service/priority lane at immigration reliably; and the inability to give you certainty and peace of mind one way or the other. When I know that I'll be picked up I stop worrying and I maintain the rest of my schedule for the day. When I know that I won't be picked up then I put wheels in motion to change the schedule, just to get peace of mind that the new plan is feasible. But Air France doesn't get that mindset of providing ULTI services to take out the hassle of travel. They would think of this "it^s a nice surprise, isn't it?". Form over function. They just don't get it.
Mar 16, 2021, 7:14 am
#3435
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
I am glad for you that you managed to get out of the airport and to downtown Paris so quickly.
However, I wouldn't call this an "excellent ULTI experience". It's a dismal ULTI experience, for two reasons: the inability to provide the expedited arrivals service/priority lane at immigration reliably; and the inability to give you certainty and peace of mind one way or the other. When I know that I'll be picked up I stop worrying and I maintain the rest of my schedule for the day. When I know that I won't be picked up then I put wheels in motion to change the schedule, just to get peace of mind that the new plan is feasible. But Air France doesn't get that mindset of providing ULTI services to take out the hassle of travel. They would think of this "it^s a nice surprise, isn't it?". Form over function. They just don't get it.
However, I wouldn't call this an "excellent ULTI experience". It's a dismal ULTI experience, for two reasons: the inability to provide the expedited arrivals service/priority lane at immigration reliably; and the inability to give you certainty and peace of mind one way or the other. When I know that I'll be picked up I stop worrying and I maintain the rest of my schedule for the day. When I know that I won't be picked up then I put wheels in motion to change the schedule, just to get peace of mind that the new plan is feasible. But Air France doesn't get that mindset of providing ULTI services to take out the hassle of travel. They would think of this "it^s a nice surprise, isn't it?". Form over function. They just don't get it.
Especially that I was quite upset to receive a negative feedback from the chief purser.
However and considering my recent experiences, I was still very happy that they found a way to make sure I would be out of CDG very quickly