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
May 20, 2023, 7:40 am
#5971
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 2,424
That's true for CDG fast lanes, pre-boarding, Ultimate counters, escorts at outstations... Basically 90% of the status' tangible perks.
They just come and go. We learn about them here or while chatting with AF staff, sometimes they are proactively offered, sometimes we have to ask for them, sometimes we have to beg for them (with random luck).
Then you realise none of them are official. So of course the company can bail at any time.
Is it legal? Of course. Is that a good idea, business-wise? Not so sure...
May 21, 2023, 9:16 am
#5972
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
JUST FYI
Last thu I was refused the ‘private area’ at the lounge in Nice…
Normally there is no problem when I ask (they never offer). I fly there app. 3 x per month, but this time a rude and loud NO.
Seems this a not a hard benefit, but as most other benefits a ‘human kindness’.
Last thu I was refused the ‘private area’ at the lounge in Nice…
Normally there is no problem when I ask (they never offer). I fly there app. 3 x per month, but this time a rude and loud NO.
Seems this a not a hard benefit, but as most other benefits a ‘human kindness’.
May 21, 2023, 11:55 am
#5973
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Crown lounge again a zoo…
Only the most dirty and damaged chairs are free.
Anyway, the lady at the desk saw me trying to find a free chair and came to offer me to open up the smoking lounge.
Nice gesture. She also said she asked many times to make dedicated Ulti space…. No surprise; she got the ‘we are working on it’ answer as well…
Lets go to Turin. Good thing its KL City hopper…;-)
Only the most dirty and damaged chairs are free.
Anyway, the lady at the desk saw me trying to find a free chair and came to offer me to open up the smoking lounge.
Nice gesture. She also said she asked many times to make dedicated Ulti space…. No surprise; she got the ‘we are working on it’ answer as well…
Lets go to Turin. Good thing its KL City hopper…;-)
May 21, 2023, 12:00 pm
#5974
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
Crown lounge again a zoo…
Only the most dirty and damaged chairs are free.
Anyway, the lady at the desk saw me trying to find a free chair and came to offer me to open up the smoking lounge.
Nice gesture. She also said she asked many times to make dedicated Ulti space…. No surprise; she got the ‘we are working on it’ answer as well…
Lets go to Turin. Good thing its KL City hopper…;-)
Only the most dirty and damaged chairs are free.
Anyway, the lady at the desk saw me trying to find a free chair and came to offer me to open up the smoking lounge.
Nice gesture. She also said she asked many times to make dedicated Ulti space…. No surprise; she got the ‘we are working on it’ answer as well…
Lets go to Turin. Good thing its KL City hopper…;-)
But they still offer entrance for 37 EUR today. So they are making money on our discomfort.
This is getting completely into a third world zoo… on purpose!
May 21, 2023, 12:01 pm
#5975
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 477
Couldn't agree more.
That's true for CDG fast lanes, pre-boarding, Ultimate counters, escorts at outstations... Basically 90% of the status' tangible perks.
They just come and go. We learn about them here or while chatting with AF staff, sometimes they are proactively offered, sometimes we have to ask for them, sometimes we have to beg for them (with random luck).
Then you realise none of them are official. So of course the company can bail at any time.
Is it legal? Of course. Is that a good idea, business-wise? Not so sure...
That's true for CDG fast lanes, pre-boarding, Ultimate counters, escorts at outstations... Basically 90% of the status' tangible perks.
They just come and go. We learn about them here or while chatting with AF staff, sometimes they are proactively offered, sometimes we have to ask for them, sometimes we have to beg for them (with random luck).
Then you realise none of them are official. So of course the company can bail at any time.
Is it legal? Of course. Is that a good idea, business-wise? Not so sure...
Is it legal? Well… actually one can argue we ‘buy’ the status by giving AFKLM revenue (sort of payment) and they offer better service to us.
So it’s sort of a business arrangement / commitment.
Guess AFKLM made the wording on the benefits in a way that there can not be any claim towards them, but would be cool to have a legal / lawyer view… Any lawyers amongst the Ulti’s guys here? ;-)
May 21, 2023, 12:06 pm
#5976
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,051
JUST FYI
Last thu I was refused the ‘private area’ at the lounge in Nice…
Normally there is no problem when I ask (they never offer). I fly there app. 3 x per month, but this time a rude and loud NO.
Seems this a not a hard benefit, but as most other benefits a ‘human kindness’.
Last thu I was refused the ‘private area’ at the lounge in Nice…
Normally there is no problem when I ask (they never offer). I fly there app. 3 x per month, but this time a rude and loud NO.
Seems this a not a hard benefit, but as most other benefits a ‘human kindness’.
I’ve never been proposed the small P area behind the counter .
That been said I always find a seat in the main area, even if dedicated space would be wishful at this AF key premium station .
May 21, 2023, 3:56 pm
#5977
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
PascalGie
Also a frequent NCE traveler, they never proposed the dedicated private area. I thought it was for La Première. I also never asked for it, same experience as Bullspread , usually easy to find a seat (sometimes in the far back). The way the seats are positioned makes it easy for people to "use" 4 seats with 2 pax traveling and luggage / jackets spread around empty seats, but usually seats available, also on busy times.
I was very disappointed, however, by the mess at MRS recently. I have an annual parking subscription for P3/7 but it has been unusually hard to find a parking space there. It took me over 30 minutes to find a spot a week ago. Both P3 and P7 were closed for travelers, only employees were allowed to park there. Apparently there is loads of contruction going on around P3. The queue to only enter P1 was approximately 20+ cars waiting there. At at given moment I found a place far away at the upper deck of P3, super inconvenient for AF Hall B, but at least I found a place. Addressed it to the ulti desk in 1B and they acknowledged the issue and told me they've had many complaints
Luckily the ATC strikes at MRS make it hard to miss a flight nowadays.
I was very disappointed, however, by the mess at MRS recently. I have an annual parking subscription for P3/7 but it has been unusually hard to find a parking space there. It took me over 30 minutes to find a spot a week ago. Both P3 and P7 were closed for travelers, only employees were allowed to park there. Apparently there is loads of contruction going on around P3. The queue to only enter P1 was approximately 20+ cars waiting there. At at given moment I found a place far away at the upper deck of P3, super inconvenient for AF Hall B, but at least I found a place. Addressed it to the ulti desk in 1B and they acknowledged the issue and told me they've had many complaints
Luckily the ATC strikes at MRS make it hard to miss a flight nowadays.
May 22, 2023, 6:15 am
#5979
Flying Blue Director
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
Just as a datapoint: I traveled through 2E just 2 weeks before you, departing and arriving. There was seamless ULTI assistance on departure (really helpful, saved lots of time) and at arrival a few days later I could use the ULTI lane without any issues. (I then sneaked over to the PARAFE as there were more people ahead of me in the manned priority lane than were in the PARAFE lane)
Two possibilities:
1) Situation has changed on May 1st for good, and what AF tells us is true
2) Nobody really knows, nobody really cares, and so what you‘re being told may or may not be the real situation
But I agree, the arrival lane at 2E is one of the most precious benefits. I guess I would even rank it #1, very closely followed by escort at departure at 2E. Those two things make a difference in saving time. (Separately I debate with myself whether the Ulti service line is up there as super benefit. On the one they are really good, on the other hand, 90% of my calls to them only happen because their website/mobile app fails. There are only about 4-5 situations per year where I‘d really need the Ulti line).
Please anyone arriving at 2E update us and maybe also update the Wiki. It makes such a big difference to so many people.
Two possibilities:
1) Situation has changed on May 1st for good, and what AF tells us is true
2) Nobody really knows, nobody really cares, and so what you‘re being told may or may not be the real situation
But I agree, the arrival lane at 2E is one of the most precious benefits. I guess I would even rank it #1, very closely followed by escort at departure at 2E. Those two things make a difference in saving time. (Separately I debate with myself whether the Ulti service line is up there as super benefit. On the one they are really good, on the other hand, 90% of my calls to them only happen because their website/mobile app fails. There are only about 4-5 situations per year where I‘d really need the Ulti line).
Please anyone arriving at 2E update us and maybe also update the Wiki. It makes such a big difference to so many people.
May 22, 2023, 7:22 am
#5980
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
AMS and KLM is far below par (since years only deteriorating) and a dissatisfier, not to say a disgrace not worth any euro to be spent to reach/keep ULTI.
Last edited by travelbits; May 22, 2023 at 7:40 am
May 22, 2023, 8:28 am
#5981
Flying Blue Director
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
Ben, please do allow a very dutch/direct question: will there be any fighting to get AMS/KL to some kind of normal standard, or do you see yourself only as CDG/AF enabler?
AMS and KLM is far below par (since years only deteriorating) and a dissatisfier, not to say a disgrace not worth any euro to be spent to reach/keep ULTI.
AMS and KLM is far below par (since years only deteriorating) and a dissatisfier, not to say a disgrace not worth any euro to be spent to reach/keep ULTI.
Regarding other areas, I certainly relay the messages to the KL CX team who make continuous efforts to improve where possible (note the new Ultimate check-in desk and the new Ultimate corner in the non-Schengen lounge; the former smoking area in the Schengen lounge will also soon open as an Ultimate area but there are current issues sourcing furniture). Continuous training is also offered to KL (and AF) crews, both onboard and in-flight to ensure they are aware of the importance of our Ultimate customers. But that's not to say I don't acknowledge many of the comments and experiences shared here regarding AMS; while I can't comment on everything for various reasons, I can tell you that we (FB) are doing all we can to ensure the message is communicated to the relevant stakeholders so as to improve where possible.
May 22, 2023, 8:48 am
#5982
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
I wouldn't say we're only focusing on AF/CDG. The challenge we have at AMS compared to CDG, specifically regarding fast track, is that the rules differ in each country, and KL is much more limited in what it can do at AMS vis-a-vis security and the border (e.g. KL staff cannot escort beyond security or the Marechaussee in AMS, not helped since Schiphol offers a competing paid-product, Privium).
Regarding other areas, I certainly relay the messages to the KL CX team who make continuous efforts to improve where possible (note the new Ultimate check-in desk and the new Ultimate corner in the non-Schengen lounge; the former smoking area in the Schengen lounge will also soon open as an Ultimate area but there are current issues sourcing furniture). Continuous training is also offered to KL (and AF) crews, both onboard and in-flight to ensure they are aware of the importance of our Ultimate customers. But that's not to say I don't acknowledge many of the comments and experiences shared here regarding AMS; while I can't comment on everything for various reasons, I can tell you that we (FB) are doing all we can to ensure the message is communicated to the relevant stakeholders so as to improve where possible.
Regarding other areas, I certainly relay the messages to the KL CX team who make continuous efforts to improve where possible (note the new Ultimate check-in desk and the new Ultimate corner in the non-Schengen lounge; the former smoking area in the Schengen lounge will also soon open as an Ultimate area but there are current issues sourcing furniture). Continuous training is also offered to KL (and AF) crews, both onboard and in-flight to ensure they are aware of the importance of our Ultimate customers. But that's not to say I don't acknowledge many of the comments and experiences shared here regarding AMS; while I can't comment on everything for various reasons, I can tell you that we (FB) are doing all we can to ensure the message is communicated to the relevant stakeholders so as to improve where possible.
- Schengen smoking corner is uninhibited since 3 years
- the lounge litterally falls apart (chairs, toilets, showers)
- two (tiny) tables reserved at non-Schengen is under par compared to CDG
- champagne in the lounge has to be paid for
- no dutch newspapers, wodden cutlery, salads as Europe business class food and tiny food portions in Interconty in Business as far as the flight product is comcerned…
.. we all could make the list way longer (see all the comments above)..
The issue is deeper than a bottleleck on furniture - we feel the burden, do not like it as solutions for all the above are possible, if really wanted.
We feel cheated, overpromised and taken as fools - and we will and do already take money to competition.
Currently planes are fully loaded, so our pain will not show financially, but it will not always stay like this.
May 22, 2023, 9:43 am
#5983
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
The question then becomes: what shall we do when confronting an ADP agent who says the line does not exist? Potentially supported by an Air France agent who confirms that? Shall we get out this forum post? Can we refer them to anyone? Is there something we can show, maybe even something "official" from both Air France AND ADP?
Bravo for sticking around here.
May 22, 2023, 3:49 pm
#5984
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
Thank you Ben for your responses here, and I am happy to confirm that my morning arrival in 2E using the Ulti lane was OK : sign is still there, lane is unmanned, but I just went in and nobody said anything. I was on the other side in 2 min. This benefit is priceless : the arrival passport control area was packed.
And I can confirm what I said in some other posts about Ulti recognition on-board by AF staff : they do really great in the immense majority of cases.
And I can confirm what I said in some other posts about Ulti recognition on-board by AF staff : they do really great in the immense majority of cases.
May 22, 2023, 7:57 pm
#5985
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,674
Since we have someone from AF actually monitoring this thread to care for their ulties, I'd like to suggest regularly looking at some others like:
Catering updates 2021
Here just today you have someone who flew KL J for the first time, and will probably not do again due to the apalling catering.
Sorry for the slight OT, but I'm sure this will benefit ulties more than anyone, as well as help you retain them, if something can be done about the wanderboxes.
Catering updates 2021
Here just today you have someone who flew KL J for the first time, and will probably not do again due to the apalling catering.
Sorry for the slight OT, but I'm sure this will benefit ulties more than anyone, as well as help you retain them, if something can be done about the wanderboxes.