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 3, 2022, 12:47 pm
#4711
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan
Apr 3, 2022, 12:55 pm
#4712
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Painfull to see.... they should remember paying customers are paying their salaries (not the "klm we are so fantastic royal blue family") and the whole nation (all taxpayers) keeps klm out of chapter 11....
instead pilots want to rediscuss salaris... morons without sense of reality.
Apr 4, 2022, 10:44 am
#4714
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Apr 4, 2022, 2:02 pm
#4715
Join Date: Oct 2021
Programs: AF Ultimate, LH Senator, BA Silver; MB Titanium, HH Diamond; Starbucks Gold
Posts: 55
Dear Ulti crowd,
Will be joining you shortly and need to make a decision whether I will settle with just Plat LT in the long run or whether I will go for an Ulti renewal. While the AF experience has been second to one during "sunny days" and even during some issues at CDG when the problem was handled directly by AF staff, the following has been quite subpar compared to my *A (mostly LH, LO) experience - would Ulti improve any of this?
Mishandled luggage - pretty much a 100 % rate on <60 min connections at CDG; even happened on a direct flight from AMS and in situations where the mobile app was explicitly stating the bag was with me on the same flight. Destroyed baggage happened too, but AF paid for a new one, so no issues there.
I am aware luggage is not handled by the airline directly, but none of this has ever happened with *A during regular weekly travel over several years.
Customer support (phone) Plat line has recently been hard to reach (45+ mins with no answer etc.) and of little help in regards to anything but the most basic by-the-book cases (such as issuing a covid voucher) - they either promised to investigate and get back to me (which they did not) or just straight out told they could not help and wished me good luck. This is in quite a stark contrast with LH who have always promptly said what they can guarantee and do on a best-effort basis (and proceeded to do it) - in fact, I have never encountered a situation where they refused to help.
Non-airline airport staff I know this should be unrelated to the airline, but somehow, I have, as a Plat flying in business, had several experiences of really rude check-in staff forcing completely bogus requirements on me - such as an attempt to refuse check-in due to entirely made up covid requirements for my home countries, insistence on physical certificates for countries accepting QR codes etc. Once again, this has never happened with *A (do, for example, LH insist on better training/QA with their contractors?).
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Will be joining you shortly and need to make a decision whether I will settle with just Plat LT in the long run or whether I will go for an Ulti renewal. While the AF experience has been second to one during "sunny days" and even during some issues at CDG when the problem was handled directly by AF staff, the following has been quite subpar compared to my *A (mostly LH, LO) experience - would Ulti improve any of this?
Mishandled luggage - pretty much a 100 % rate on <60 min connections at CDG; even happened on a direct flight from AMS and in situations where the mobile app was explicitly stating the bag was with me on the same flight. Destroyed baggage happened too, but AF paid for a new one, so no issues there.
I am aware luggage is not handled by the airline directly, but none of this has ever happened with *A during regular weekly travel over several years.Customer support (phone) Plat line has recently been hard to reach (45+ mins with no answer etc.) and of little help in regards to anything but the most basic by-the-book cases (such as issuing a covid voucher) - they either promised to investigate and get back to me (which they did not) or just straight out told they could not help and wished me good luck. This is in quite a stark contrast with LH who have always promptly said what they can guarantee and do on a best-effort basis (and proceeded to do it) - in fact, I have never encountered a situation where they refused to help.
Non-airline airport staff I know this should be unrelated to the airline, but somehow, I have, as a Plat flying in business, had several experiences of really rude check-in staff forcing completely bogus requirements on me - such as an attempt to refuse check-in due to entirely made up covid requirements for my home countries, insistence on physical certificates for countries accepting QR codes etc. Once again, this has never happened with *A (do, for example, LH insist on better training/QA with their contractors?).
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Apr 4, 2022, 2:10 pm
#4716
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Dear Ulti crowd,
Will be joining you shortly and need to make a decision whether I will settle with just Plat LT in the long run or whether I will go for an Ulti renewal. While the AF experience has been second to one during "sunny days" and even during some issues at CDG when the problem was handled directly by AF staff, the following has been quite subpar compared to my *A (mostly LH, LO) experience - would Ulti improve any of this?
Mishandled luggage - pretty much a 100 % rate on <60 min connections at CDG; even happened on a direct flight from AMS and in situations where the mobile app was explicitly stating the bag was with me on the same flight. Destroyed baggage happened too, but AF paid for a new one, so no issues there. I am aware luggage is not handled by the airline directly, but none of this has ever happened with *A during regular weekly travel over several years.
Customer support (phone) Plat line has recently been hard to reach (45+ mins with no answer etc.) and of little help in regards to anything but the most basic by-the-book cases (such as issuing a covid voucher) - they either promised to investigate and get back to me (which they did not) or just straight out told they could not help and wished me good luck. This is in quite a stark contrast with LH who have always promptly said what they can guarantee and do on a best-effort basis (and proceeded to do it) - in fact, I have never encountered a situation where they refused to help.
Non-airline airport staff I know this should be unrelated to the airline, but somehow, I have, as a Plat flying in business, had several experiences of really rude check-in staff forcing completely bogus requirements on me - such as an attempt to refuse check-in due to entirely made up covid requirements for my home countries, insistence on physical certificates for countries accepting QR codes etc. Once again, this has never happened with *A (do, for example, LH insist on better training/QA with their contractors?).
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Will be joining you shortly and need to make a decision whether I will settle with just Plat LT in the long run or whether I will go for an Ulti renewal. While the AF experience has been second to one during "sunny days" and even during some issues at CDG when the problem was handled directly by AF staff, the following has been quite subpar compared to my *A (mostly LH, LO) experience - would Ulti improve any of this?
Mishandled luggage - pretty much a 100 % rate on <60 min connections at CDG; even happened on a direct flight from AMS and in situations where the mobile app was explicitly stating the bag was with me on the same flight. Destroyed baggage happened too, but AF paid for a new one, so no issues there.
I am aware luggage is not handled by the airline directly, but none of this has ever happened with *A during regular weekly travel over several years.Customer support (phone) Plat line has recently been hard to reach (45+ mins with no answer etc.) and of little help in regards to anything but the most basic by-the-book cases (such as issuing a covid voucher) - they either promised to investigate and get back to me (which they did not) or just straight out told they could not help and wished me good luck. This is in quite a stark contrast with LH who have always promptly said what they can guarantee and do on a best-effort basis (and proceeded to do it) - in fact, I have never encountered a situation where they refused to help.
Non-airline airport staff I know this should be unrelated to the airline, but somehow, I have, as a Plat flying in business, had several experiences of really rude check-in staff forcing completely bogus requirements on me - such as an attempt to refuse check-in due to entirely made up covid requirements for my home countries, insistence on physical certificates for countries accepting QR codes etc. Once again, this has never happened with *A (do, for example, LH insist on better training/QA with their contractors?).
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
By reading you will get a sense if u want to make the extra mile (uhhhh uxp) or not...
Apr 4, 2022, 2:31 pm
#4717
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 267
When I got to my seat, the Purser came and introduced her & her colleagues. Bottle of water and the question if I would like to have anything. Constantly addressing me by name (all crew I interacted with). Kept an eye on my glass/cup to keep it filled. Did not eat the Wanders & Greta meal. Service overall was very nice. When disembarking, "thank you Mr Feederflight for flying with us". That was a kind of weird experience on a KL Mainline flight 
Purser was also wondering where all the KL branded table- and silverware went to and why they keep offering that cardboard stuff.
Ironically, the following AF segment was the opposite. The CdC realized somewhere halfway through the flight and after looking at the iPad that he has some pax on board he maybe shoud say "Hi" to. That was then a bit awkward. But the flight was full to capacity and boarding was a zoo, with 20/20 in Business and the service provided was excellent, including PDB, water bottle, drinks refill and coffee service.
Purser was also wondering where all the KL branded table- and silverware went to and why they keep offering that cardboard stuff.Ironically, the following AF segment was the opposite. The CdC realized somewhere halfway through the flight and after looking at the iPad that he has some pax on board he maybe shoud say "Hi" to. That was then a bit awkward. But the flight was full to capacity and boarding was a zoo, with 20/20 in Business and the service provided was excellent, including PDB, water bottle, drinks refill and coffee service.
Apr 4, 2022, 5:55 pm
#4718
Join Date: Oct 2021
Programs: AF Ultimate, LH Senator, BA Silver; MB Titanium, HH Diamond; Starbucks Gold
Posts: 55
Apr 4, 2022, 11:37 pm
#4719
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Apr 4, 2022, 11:38 pm
#4720
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
When I got to my seat, the Purser came and introduced her & her colleagues. Bottle of water and the question if I would like to have anything. Constantly addressing me by name (all crew I interacted with). Kept an eye on my glass/cup to keep it filled. Did not eat the Wanders & Greta meal. Service overall was very nice. When disembarking, "thank you Mr Feederflight for flying with us". That was a kind of weird experience on a KL Mainline flight Purser was also wondering where all the KL branded table- and silverware went to and why they keep offering that cardboard stuff.
Ironically, the following AF segment was the opposite. The CdC realized somewhere halfway through the flight and after looking at the iPad that he has some pax on board he maybe shoud say "Hi" to. That was then a bit awkward. But the flight was full to capacity and boarding was a zoo, with 20/20 in Business and the service provided was excellent, including PDB, water bottle, drinks refill and coffee service.
Purser was also wondering where all the KL branded table- and silverware went to and why they keep offering that cardboard stuff.Ironically, the following AF segment was the opposite. The CdC realized somewhere halfway through the flight and after looking at the iPad that he has some pax on board he maybe shoud say "Hi" to. That was then a bit awkward. But the flight was full to capacity and boarding was a zoo, with 20/20 in Business and the service provided was excellent, including PDB, water bottle, drinks refill and coffee service.
Apr 5, 2022, 1:25 am
#4721
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
In J again.
In DXB, escort from checkin to 1st class lounge, and then from lounge to the plane's door.
On board, warm welcome. My TV screen did not work. I was offered to move to a different seat with my daughter but I declined since I intended to sleep.
After takeoff, invited in the cockpit with my daughter. Nice 20 min with the captain and pilot.
30 min before landing, invited in the cockpit again for landing in CDG. 1st time for me.
Incredible that in a roundtrip we could go 3 times in the cockpit. My daughter was super happy, and so was I.
Arriving in CDG 2EM, 1st ADP agent declined the fast track. The 2nd accepted. Glad she did given the probably 1 hour waiting time in SP for immigration.
So, this roundtrip was probably the best I ever had. AF did more that I could reasonably expect for an Ulti.
Not sure if the AF guidelines for Ulti were improved. It is probably more to the credit of the crews.
AdP still has significant progress to make.
Apr 5, 2022, 1:30 am
#4722
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
Flew yesterday from CDG to MAD in J
Strong ground service in 2F as usual with nice welcome in the lounge and pre-boarding. Security clearing was quick
Absolutely nothing, nada, rien on board ! No welcome, no water bottle, no recognition at all
(Not so) funny thing before take off... I got told to unplug my phone for take off (my bad I forgot) which is normal... BUT the chief purser just plugged his phone to the seat next to me a 2 minutes later just before we took off
I asked them before desembarking if their Ipad was mentioning I was Ulti
Chief Purser : Yes it's specified, why ?
Me : Because I got no recognition whatsoever, preferences not applied, no welcome... so I'm surprised
Chief Purser : I don't get it, we offered you dinner & drink
Me : Forget about it
Strong ground service in 2F as usual with nice welcome in the lounge and pre-boarding. Security clearing was quick
Absolutely nothing, nada, rien on board ! No welcome, no water bottle, no recognition at all
(Not so) funny thing before take off... I got told to unplug my phone for take off (my bad I forgot) which is normal... BUT the chief purser just plugged his phone to the seat next to me a 2 minutes later just before we took off
I asked them before desembarking if their Ipad was mentioning I was Ulti
Chief Purser : Yes it's specified, why ?
Me : Because I got no recognition whatsoever, preferences not applied, no welcome... so I'm surprised
Chief Purser : I don't get it, we offered you dinner & drink
Me : Forget about it
Apr 5, 2022, 3:08 am
#4724
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,054
Dear Ulti crowd,
...
Mishandled luggage - ...
Customer support (phone) ...
Non-airline airport staff ...
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
...
Mishandled luggage - ...
Customer support (phone) ...
Non-airline airport staff ...
My guess is that maybe the call waiting line would be reduced (but the call would still be picked by the same team) and the rest would not be impacted, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Of the ones you mention, only the phone will get better, the TA team is one of the few things that gets reasonably consistently good reviews.
Luggage will stay the same and non-airline staff will hardly know or care what Ultimate is, except maybe in local airports in France where they might happen to have a local Ulti.
Apr 5, 2022, 4:25 am
#4725
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Ultimate, HHonors Diamond, Mariott Titanium, IHG Diamond/R Ambassador, Hertz Platinium
Posts: 21
Flew yesterday from CDG to MAD in J
Strong ground service in 2F as usual with nice welcome in the lounge and pre-boarding. Security clearing was quick
Absolutely nothing, nada, rien on board ! No welcome, no water bottle, no recognition at all
(Not so) funny thing before take off... I got told to unplug my phone for take off (my bad I forgot) which is normal... BUT the chief purser just plugged his phone to the seat next to me a 2 minutes later just before we took off
I asked them before desembarking if their Ipad was mentioning I was Ulti
Chief Purser : Yes it's specified, why ?
Me : Because I got no recognition whatsoever, preferences not applied, no welcome... so I'm surprised
Chief Purser : I don't get it, we offered you dinner & drink
Me : Forget about it
Strong ground service in 2F as usual with nice welcome in the lounge and pre-boarding. Security clearing was quick
Absolutely nothing, nada, rien on board ! No welcome, no water bottle, no recognition at all
(Not so) funny thing before take off... I got told to unplug my phone for take off (my bad I forgot) which is normal... BUT the chief purser just plugged his phone to the seat next to me a 2 minutes later just before we took off
I asked them before desembarking if their Ipad was mentioning I was Ulti
Chief Purser : Yes it's specified, why ?
Me : Because I got no recognition whatsoever, preferences not applied, no welcome... so I'm surprised
Chief Purser : I don't get it, we offered you dinner & drink
Me : Forget about it
Sometimes they recognize your ultimate status and other times you're just another customer.It's a shame.