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 28, 2022, 1:07 pm
#5341
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Norway & Brazil
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 610
CDG-AGA
No problem getting an escort through passport control at 2E, and it was needed as the regular and priority queue looked horrendous. The new executive menu at the lounge was a very welcome addition and i had very attentive crew onboard. Preferences (water bottle & pillow) on the seat.
AGA-CDG
Since you cant depart AGA without a physical boarding pass, i had to go to the check in counter. At the SkyPriority line i was met by what i assume was the station manager who was expecting me and greeted me by name. I assume he saw the ulti tags.
There was some queue for SkyPriority, so the station manager took my passport and went to check me inn so I didn’t have to stand in line. I was then escorted through security and passport control to the lounge. At the lounge i was invited to board first or last and escorted to the plane. Onboard, very attentive crew.
No problem getting an escort through passport control at 2E, and it was needed as the regular and priority queue looked horrendous. The new executive menu at the lounge was a very welcome addition and i had very attentive crew onboard. Preferences (water bottle & pillow) on the seat.
AGA-CDG
Since you cant depart AGA without a physical boarding pass, i had to go to the check in counter. At the SkyPriority line i was met by what i assume was the station manager who was expecting me and greeted me by name. I assume he saw the ulti tags.
There was some queue for SkyPriority, so the station manager took my passport and went to check me inn so I didn’t have to stand in line. I was then escorted through security and passport control to the lounge. At the lounge i was invited to board first or last and escorted to the plane. Onboard, very attentive crew.
Sep 28, 2022, 2:39 pm
#5342
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
CDG-AGA
No problem getting an escort through passport control at 2E, and it was needed as the regular and priority queue looked horrendous. The new executive menu at the lounge was a very welcome addition and i had very attentive crew onboard. Preferences (water bottle & pillow) on the seat.
AGA-CDG
Since you cant depart AGA without a physical boarding pass, i had to go to the check in counter. At the SkyPriority line i was met by what i assume was the station manager who was expecting me and greeted me by name. I assume he saw the ulti tags.
There was some queue for SkyPriority, so the station manager took my passport and went to check me inn so I didn’t have to stand in line. I was then escorted through security and passport control to the lounge. At the lounge i was invited to board first or last and escorted to the plane. Onboard, very attentive crew.
No problem getting an escort through passport control at 2E, and it was needed as the regular and priority queue looked horrendous. The new executive menu at the lounge was a very welcome addition and i had very attentive crew onboard. Preferences (water bottle & pillow) on the seat.
AGA-CDG
Since you cant depart AGA without a physical boarding pass, i had to go to the check in counter. At the SkyPriority line i was met by what i assume was the station manager who was expecting me and greeted me by name. I assume he saw the ulti tags.
There was some queue for SkyPriority, so the station manager took my passport and went to check me inn so I didn’t have to stand in line. I was then escorted through security and passport control to the lounge. At the lounge i was invited to board first or last and escorted to the plane. Onboard, very attentive crew.
Would you mind updating the wiki, please ?
Sep 28, 2022, 3:04 pm
#5343
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
Departing NCE I've tried to use the dedicated ulti line there (left lane in Skypriority area). Showed my luggage tag, got refused and was directed to the end of the Skypriority line (some 25-ish people, 20min wait).
Explain me the sense of having a dedicated ulti line (with a red carpet, hardcopy sign and tv screen all indicating 'ulti') if you're refusing ultis there?
Explain me the sense of having a dedicated ulti line (with a red carpet, hardcopy sign and tv screen all indicating 'ulti') if you're refusing ultis there?
Sep 28, 2022, 3:08 pm
#5344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Departing NCE I've tried to use the dedicated ulti line there (left lane in Skypriority area). Showed my luggage tag, got refused and was directed to the end of the Skypriority line (some 25-ish people, 20min wait).
Explain me the sense of having a dedicated ulti line (with a red carpet, hardcopy sign and tv screen all indicating 'ulti') if you're refusing ultis there?
Explain me the sense of having a dedicated ulti line (with a red carpet, hardcopy sign and tv screen all indicating 'ulti') if you're refusing ultis there?
You should write to the TA.
Sep 28, 2022, 3:22 pm
#5345
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,623
What is it with the use of the letter A, or a, on that menu in Post #5337?? It makes it almost unreadable, in French as well as English. Maybe it represents how undercooked the food is. I wouldn't want to risk salmon tartare before getting on a plane, although I'm into risking all other sorts of things! Like wine and grappa!
Sep 28, 2022, 3:34 pm
#5346
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
Sep 28, 2022, 11:18 pm
#5347
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,049
You should indeed report it
Sep 29, 2022, 4:28 am
#5348
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NCE
Programs: FB Ultimate - BA EC - LH M&M - Accor All Gold
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by arjen05 View Post
Definitely manned, yes. There was no other ulti in line and they were just helping Skypriority pax from the regular line (one person merged in right in front of me), that's all.
Definitely manned, yes. There was no other ulti in line and they were just helping Skypriority pax from the regular line (one person merged in right in front of me), that's all.
You should indeed report it
SkyPriority line was also completely full and the first pax in line tried to go before me (I wouldn't have said anything because I was just arriving) but the agent told him to stay in the line, asked me whether I was ULTI or First, I said ULTI, and she asked me to come to her counter (not the ULTI one).
Sep 29, 2022, 1:13 pm
#5349
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,424
Something going on with Ulti line?
Following up on the recent Ulti line mishaps.
Today on a feeder flight to AMS, because of the fog and the 3h+ delays, the check-in agent told me I might not make my long haul connection.
Because it was a once-a-week long haul flight afterwards, it seemed like a pretty big deal... but the agent casually told me that "connection was not granted and I could be rebooked on a later flight".
Fair enough. But when arriving airside, I saw the previous feeder flight still at the gate with a 3h+ delay. Of course I jumped on the phone to ask if I could be put on it, whatever the conditions... and the agent told me it would be "for my own convenience", at the price of a last-minute ticket repricing (hahaha.).
I of course hung up and went straight to the gate. When explaining the situation, gate agents could not believe this and said with an eyeroll "Ah oui, la ligne Ultimate..." 2 minutes later, I was switched on the previous flight with an op-up to J. Made the connection with plenty of time.
So it seems ground agents are starting to feel the need to make up for Ulti line mis-trained agents. Once again, they saved the day
Today on a feeder flight to AMS, because of the fog and the 3h+ delays, the check-in agent told me I might not make my long haul connection.
Because it was a once-a-week long haul flight afterwards, it seemed like a pretty big deal... but the agent casually told me that "connection was not granted and I could be rebooked on a later flight".
Fair enough. But when arriving airside, I saw the previous feeder flight still at the gate with a 3h+ delay. Of course I jumped on the phone to ask if I could be put on it, whatever the conditions... and the agent told me it would be "for my own convenience", at the price of a last-minute ticket repricing (hahaha.).
I of course hung up and went straight to the gate. When explaining the situation, gate agents could not believe this and said with an eyeroll "Ah oui, la ligne Ultimate..." 2 minutes later, I was switched on the previous flight with an op-up to J. Made the connection with plenty of time.
So it seems ground agents are starting to feel the need to make up for Ulti line mis-trained agents. Once again, they saved the day
Sep 29, 2022, 1:24 pm
#5350
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
But when arriving airside, I saw the previous feeder flight still at the gate with a 3h+ delay. Of course I jumped on the phone to ask if I could be put on it, whatever the conditions... and the agent told me it would be "for my own convenience", at the price of a last-minute ticket repricing (hahaha.).
Sep 29, 2022, 1:28 pm
#5351
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
On all my recent flights, the Ulti attentions and service at CDG checkin counters, in the CDG lounge and on board flights was truly excellent. That doesn’t change the intrinsic weaknesses of the program but AF staff are really making efforts with Ulti and this is really appreciable.
Sep 29, 2022, 1:29 pm
#5352
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,424
I will never understand how they can keep giving such stupid answers in those circumstances. You are not going to AMS final destination and trying to take an earlier flight for free, but you are connecting in AMS and just trying to increase your chance to make the connection and avoid unnecessary expenses for the airline in case of misconnection. What does it cost them to give you an empty seat in the previous flight ? This goes really beyond logic.
So the easiest way out was to nicely hang up and take the matter on my own hands.
Sep 29, 2022, 5:50 pm
#5353
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: PAR, TYO, SEL, SIN, SYD
Programs: AF/KLM Platinum Ultimate, VA Velocity Platinum, ALL Platinum
Posts: 716
Imagine how speechless I get when I hang up and get reticketed at the gate, just to receive a voice message from the same ulti agent saying I have been confirmed on the new flight and to enjoy my flight.
Oct 2, 2022, 9:40 am
#5354
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
Long haul flight out and to CDG
Please find below my recent UTLI experience :
1/ Under J fare and unique UTLI in business, i have been by-passed by two pilot friend or colleague for op-up just at check-in closure = did it happen to you already ? are Airfrance employee eligible for opup to P also (I think forbidden) ?
2/ At arrival CDG 2E, ADP personal directed me to the last line on the left at the end of this line there was either wheelchair line or P line, I sleected P line and was bypassed disrespectfully by P passenger meet and assist agent like an explorer FB member ! Are we eligible to P line when not accompained by agent ?
Let's say I had better UTLI experiences .....
1/ Under J fare and unique UTLI in business, i have been by-passed by two pilot friend or colleague for op-up just at check-in closure = did it happen to you already ? are Airfrance employee eligible for opup to P also (I think forbidden) ?
2/ At arrival CDG 2E, ADP personal directed me to the last line on the left at the end of this line there was either wheelchair line or P line, I sleected P line and was bypassed disrespectfully by P passenger meet and assist agent like an explorer FB member ! Are we eligible to P line when not accompained by agent ?
Let's say I had better UTLI experiences .....
Last edited by chris635; Oct 2, 2022 at 9:44 am Reason: image & typo correction
Oct 2, 2022, 10:05 am
#5355
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 267
I did try to explain to the agent what right to care would cost them for a 7-day stay at AMS waiting for the next flight, or the cost of rebooking to a non-skyteam airline. It was like taking gibberish to them. They couldn't even understand what I was talking about.
So the easiest way out was to nicely hang up and take the matter on my own hands.
So the easiest way out was to nicely hang up and take the matter on my own hands.
Nothing like that ever happened to me. Over the last year, there were situations with all sorts of IRROPs and the Ulti Team always took care proactively, reprotection outside AFKL/Skyteam was offered as well when they were not able to get me there on the same day/within a day.When my travel plans justified, I sometimes declined and preferred to wait for a day since e.g. many *A airlines can be pretty bad apples in terms of quality, which I didn't want to experience on a long haul flight.
Fwiw, I am looked after by the Dutch Ulti Team. I think that's by default for overseas residents...