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
Sep 10, 2022, 1:19 am
#5297
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
So From entering the departure, going via SP till after security i would say 10-25 mins.
Has nothing to do with Ulti, just SP benefits.
Sep 10, 2022, 1:41 am
#5298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
So here’s my data point for BOS on KL. Check in was okayish, I was travelling with a plat who was asked to pay for his (1 piece) check in luggage. Took approx 10 minutes to resolve. Security was crowded. No escort offered. Asked for it, but they refused. Asked for it at another agent, also refused. They informed me that I could purchase TSA pre check if I was travelling often to the US.
Lounge is a zoo. Overcrowded and had to wait some time before seats came available. We were the last pax allowed to enter, after us they started refusing priority pass passengers. Long lines for drinks, food wasn’t restocked instantly, so I couldn’t get any hot items.
Lounge is a zoo. Overcrowded and had to wait some time before seats came available. We were the last pax allowed to enter, after us they started refusing priority pass passengers. Long lines for drinks, food wasn’t restocked instantly, so I couldn’t get any hot items.
Sep 10, 2022, 3:07 am
#5299
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,049
Sep 11, 2022, 2:52 am
#5300
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
I have my gripes with the ULTI program (no escort through security when you need it/JFK!!, no booking guarantee…), and the service level is „volatile“. Enough stories on this board about positive and negative experiences.
But this flight yesterday, I told my family and friends about it (I never talk to them about my flights, too many, and they don‘t care), so I think it also justifies mentioning on this board. Some things were just luck, others just over-the-top care and attention by AF staff.
This was an ORY-NCE, so bad luck for the NEO seats, but for the rest: luck that there was nobody in front of me at Accčs No. 1 lane at security to the C gates. Lounge, I walked in, used the machine to scan my BP - immediately the lounge staff jumped up „welcome, how nice to have you here today, let me accompany you to your dedicated space, can I take your bag, would you like me to get you something from the buffet, there is nothing special there anyway so you don‘t miss anything by not going yourself… shall we get you for an early boarding or you‘d rather board last…“. Wow. Wanted to board towards the end, and when 15 mins before scheduled departure I got nervous about them having forgotten me I started leaving the lounge, the lounge lady stood there already „I was going to get you in 2 minutes, there are still 35 people that haven‘t boarded, but I have called the gate that you‘d come last“. Wow, again.
But that was just the lounge. On the plane then: when I went to my seat 4A the CdC saw that there was a pax in the middle seat, she frayed her way through the few pax that were in the aisle to almost physically prevent me from sitting there „we‘ll find you a row for yourself“. I started feeling embarrassed, said that this wasn‘t necessary, a seat without a neighbour would be highly appreciated but no need to find a free row… she found me the window seat in row 6, saying the entire row was free, led me to the row, and when she saw that another pax had taken the aisle seat she almost kicked him out to his original seat. Being super embarrassed by now, I prevented that. Wow, number 3.
Then she brought the two blankets (substitute for pillows), the bottle of water and the three refreshing towels (they have a note that I like them) and the hand-written welcome card from my original seat to the new one. Then she apologised that there‘d only be a Madelaine on this flight, but one of the FAs wasn‘t feeling peckish and I could have a crew mail. Even more embarrassing. I declined, pretending to have lunched lavishly in the lounge (a blatant lie given the poor food offering in the lounge). Wow, number 4.
About 25 minutes into the flight she asked whether I enjoyed visiting the cockpit, which I happily did. Being a PPL myself the pilots were happy that they could talk a little more „technical talk“ and asked me to stay for the landing. Wonderful flight with view of the Provence, the entire Medigterranean coastline, the Alps on the left, St Tropez bay in front, Cannes, Cap d‘Antibes, the mountain silhouette of Corsica… amazing. Wow, number 5.
Upon arrival, I came out of the cockpit and they had taken my hand luggage from the overhead bin and my seat, put it in the galley in front with my blazer on a hanger, so that I wouldn‘t have to move against the stream of disembarking passengers. And since I made some comment about the warm weather she remembered my enthusiasm for the refreshment towels, and handed me 10 more. Wow, number 6.
NOt sure what had happened that day, whether I was designated „special pax of the day“, but it was impressive. Indeed just „nice to have“ (I still would trade this for escort through JFK security), but an „extremely nice to have“!!
Not for this board, but I started getting suspicious when afterwards I got the same more-than-normal VIP treatment by SIXT rental cars. Fine, I have their Diamond card, but still, carrying my luggage and the desk clerk coming all the way with me to the car and setting me up in an air-conditioned space and bringing water while they checked the car, giving me a nice upgrade… oh well, that compensates for some more tedious travel days.
But this flight yesterday, I told my family and friends about it (I never talk to them about my flights, too many, and they don‘t care), so I think it also justifies mentioning on this board. Some things were just luck, others just over-the-top care and attention by AF staff.
This was an ORY-NCE, so bad luck for the NEO seats, but for the rest: luck that there was nobody in front of me at Accčs No. 1 lane at security to the C gates. Lounge, I walked in, used the machine to scan my BP - immediately the lounge staff jumped up „welcome, how nice to have you here today, let me accompany you to your dedicated space, can I take your bag, would you like me to get you something from the buffet, there is nothing special there anyway so you don‘t miss anything by not going yourself… shall we get you for an early boarding or you‘d rather board last…“. Wow. Wanted to board towards the end, and when 15 mins before scheduled departure I got nervous about them having forgotten me I started leaving the lounge, the lounge lady stood there already „I was going to get you in 2 minutes, there are still 35 people that haven‘t boarded, but I have called the gate that you‘d come last“. Wow, again.
But that was just the lounge. On the plane then: when I went to my seat 4A the CdC saw that there was a pax in the middle seat, she frayed her way through the few pax that were in the aisle to almost physically prevent me from sitting there „we‘ll find you a row for yourself“. I started feeling embarrassed, said that this wasn‘t necessary, a seat without a neighbour would be highly appreciated but no need to find a free row… she found me the window seat in row 6, saying the entire row was free, led me to the row, and when she saw that another pax had taken the aisle seat she almost kicked him out to his original seat. Being super embarrassed by now, I prevented that. Wow, number 3.
Then she brought the two blankets (substitute for pillows), the bottle of water and the three refreshing towels (they have a note that I like them) and the hand-written welcome card from my original seat to the new one. Then she apologised that there‘d only be a Madelaine on this flight, but one of the FAs wasn‘t feeling peckish and I could have a crew mail. Even more embarrassing. I declined, pretending to have lunched lavishly in the lounge (a blatant lie given the poor food offering in the lounge). Wow, number 4.
About 25 minutes into the flight she asked whether I enjoyed visiting the cockpit, which I happily did. Being a PPL myself the pilots were happy that they could talk a little more „technical talk“ and asked me to stay for the landing. Wonderful flight with view of the Provence, the entire Medigterranean coastline, the Alps on the left, St Tropez bay in front, Cannes, Cap d‘Antibes, the mountain silhouette of Corsica… amazing. Wow, number 5.
Upon arrival, I came out of the cockpit and they had taken my hand luggage from the overhead bin and my seat, put it in the galley in front with my blazer on a hanger, so that I wouldn‘t have to move against the stream of disembarking passengers. And since I made some comment about the warm weather she remembered my enthusiasm for the refreshment towels, and handed me 10 more. Wow, number 6.
NOt sure what had happened that day, whether I was designated „special pax of the day“, but it was impressive. Indeed just „nice to have“ (I still would trade this for escort through JFK security), but an „extremely nice to have“!!
Not for this board, but I started getting suspicious when afterwards I got the same more-than-normal VIP treatment by SIXT rental cars. Fine, I have their Diamond card, but still, carrying my luggage and the desk clerk coming all the way with me to the car and setting me up in an air-conditioned space and bringing water while they checked the car, giving me a nice upgrade… oh well, that compensates for some more tedious travel days.
Sep 11, 2022, 3:40 am
#5301
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,424
Nice report. Glad you could get spoiled a bit with some over-the-top service 
Funnily enough, I found out that talking about the PPL with PNC or pilots often yields to a better service than being a frequent flyer, whatever the level.
Whenever the conversation steers to "flyer talk", I'm pretty sure that service will be as good as when I used to fly non-revenue.
Go figure what it means for priorities and the way airlines (not limited to AF) handle business...
Whenever the conversation steers to "flyer talk", I'm pretty sure that service will be as good as when I used to fly non-revenue.
Go figure what it means for priorities and the way airlines (not limited to AF) handle business...
Last edited by maalloc; Sep 11, 2022 at 6:28 am
Sep 11, 2022, 10:17 am
#5302
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Norway & Brazil
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 610
I shouldn’t have to ask this question, but with ulti at AMS you never know..
Any recent experiences bringing ulti family members through priority security at AMS?
I have read that the priority security entrance is heavily policed at the moment, with non-pro BP being sent away. If i am not mistaken, ulti family members BP only mention ULTF?
Thank you for any insight on this.
Any recent experiences bringing ulti family members through priority security at AMS?
I have read that the priority security entrance is heavily policed at the moment, with non-pro BP being sent away. If i am not mistaken, ulti family members BP only mention ULTF?
Thank you for any insight on this.
Last edited by Arpoador; Nov 16, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Sep 11, 2022, 9:54 pm
#5303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Excellent report San Gottardo . Kudos to AF for having provided such a great service on the entire chain.
. Kudos to AF for having provided such a great service on the entire chain.
Sep 11, 2022, 9:56 pm
#5304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
They need to have SkyP on their BP, otherwise they will be refused. Your registered Ulti travel companions are supposed to have SP benefits when they are travelling with you, but it's not the case with several recent experiences. You may ask at checkin counter.
Sep 12, 2022, 2:56 am
#5305
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Norway & Brazil
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 610
Thank you, Goldorak. Incredible that this is not automatic. I will report back.
Sep 13, 2022, 8:29 am
#5306
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,051
I have my gripes with the ULTI program (no escort through security when you need it/JFK!!, no booking guarantee…), and the service level is „volatile“. Enough stories on this board about positive and negative experiences.
But this flight yesterday, I told my family and friends about it (I never talk to them about my flights, too many, and they don‘t care), so I think it also justifies mentioning on this board. Some things were just luck, others just over-the-top care and attention by AF staff.
...
Not for this board, but I started getting suspicious when afterwards I got the same more-than-normal VIP treatment by SIXT rental cars. Fine, I have their Diamond card, but still, carrying my luggage and the desk clerk coming all the way with me to the car and setting me up in an air-conditioned space and bringing water while they checked the car, giving me a nice upgrade… oh well, that compensates for some more tedious travel days.
But this flight yesterday, I told my family and friends about it (I never talk to them about my flights, too many, and they don‘t care), so I think it also justifies mentioning on this board. Some things were just luck, others just over-the-top care and attention by AF staff.
...
Not for this board, but I started getting suspicious when afterwards I got the same more-than-normal VIP treatment by SIXT rental cars. Fine, I have their Diamond card, but still, carrying my luggage and the desk clerk coming all the way with me to the car and setting me up in an air-conditioned space and bringing water while they checked the car, giving me a nice upgrade… oh well, that compensates for some more tedious travel days.
Sep 14, 2022, 12:27 pm
#5307
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
My 4 last flights: 2x 0.0 on KLM, 1 x blanket on KLM flight, 1 x offering of champagne On AF econ flight.
Sep 15, 2022, 2:16 am
#5308
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
OT but something must be in the air. My last three hotel stays (minus the all-inclusive package holiday), I was upgraded all three times, once to a high floor "business room" with excellent views, once to a suite, and once to an executive floor room with the preferred view again. All from a relatively cheap base rate as well.
Sep 16, 2022, 8:10 am
#5309
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
Last experience in GVA
I was flying LX in F from GRU to CDG via ZRH
My ZRH - CDG got canceled (thanks to the strike) and got re-routed through GVA.
My last leg GVA - CDG was operated by AF
Nice welcome at the lounge with dedicated space reserved (they were waiting for me).
I got asked whether I wanted to board first or last and escort from lounge to gate proactively offered
I was flying LX in F from GRU to CDG via ZRH
My ZRH - CDG got canceled (thanks to the strike
) and got re-routed through GVA. My last leg GVA - CDG was operated by AF
Nice welcome at the lounge with dedicated space reserved (they were waiting for me).
I got asked whether I wanted to board first or last and escort from lounge to gate proactively offered
Sep 17, 2022, 3:51 pm
#5310
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Ultimate arrival service at ORD
If someone on this thread has already reported on this topic, I apologize in advance to everyone for missing the post. For a few years now, the Ultimate service at ORD has been, to say the least, and compared to so many other outstations, pristine. It has been so, however, for outbound flights to AMS and CDG. Not for inbound ones. The Ultimate service includes a full escort from check-in to the lounge, with expedited passport check and body scanner, cutting all lines with an agent in cahoot with the TSAs. I should note in passing that for the past couple of years or so, AF and KLM PAXs have been handled by Samsic, a third-party service company that does a superb job in Chicago. They have now taken the Ultimate service to the next level on inbound flights, meeting the PAXs at the jet bridge, escorting them all the way to the exit, cutting lines at border control, saving hours of painful wait on busy days, waiting with them at the carousel for their baggage to be delivered, and finally cutting lines again at the customs before the exit door. Two thumbs up on a great service, which we would like to see at every outstations.
Macaron54
PS/ Last, but not least, for the ORD aficionados, the DL lounge at terminal 5 will finally open its door on October 10. Rumor has it that DL spared no expense, and comes with an amazing lounge, with showers and rest areas. It was supposed to open this month, but labor shortage put everything behind schedule.
Macaron54
PS/ Last, but not least, for the ORD aficionados, the DL lounge at terminal 5 will finally open its door on October 10. Rumor has it that DL spared no expense, and comes with an amazing lounge, with showers and rest areas. It was supposed to open this month, but labor shortage put everything behind schedule.