Old May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
- 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.
- CDG 2F :
  • 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
- CDG 2G :
  • Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
  • Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG in connection : expedited transfer, possibly involving limo transfer, can be arranged upon request in case of short or endangered connection. Rarely provided spontaneously (need to call the TA, but acceptance is never guaranteed).

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)
- AJA: no special treatment to report
- 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), possible to benefit from the "night service" on all flights and not only the 2 last ones ex-JFK (update 09/2023 : no more night service in JFK lounge). Some kind of priority at the La Prairie spa (after P pax).
- 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)
Print Wikipost

Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status

Old May 30, 2023, 2:09 pm
  #6001  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by Ben Lipsey
Nothing has changed ,the agent was misinformed - my apologies about that. Trust me, I was the one who fought to put in place this line on departure and arrival at 2E, I won't give it up easily
Thanks Ben for confirming this.
This is really good news. It is really sad that AF staff confirmed their statement to police officer and to the frustrated agents in charge of disabled people assistance. And it is even more sad to get in writings the same answer from Ultimate team who are supposed to be the most knowledgeable people about this program. Are you the one capable to correct this bad info to the appropriate level in AF and FB?
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Tro78 is offline  
Old May 31, 2023, 7:43 am
  #6002  
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Europe
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 67
Just saw this info:

in English: From June 1, 2023, Air France will offer its La Premičre and Business Flying Blue Ultimate customers all-new Porsche hybrid vehicles for their airport journeys.
The 29 Porsches will ensure customer journeys on the runway between the airport lounge and the door of their aircraft, during a short connection between two flights or on the airport platform to connect hotels near the terminals.

Didn't see an official announcement though?
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vic.d is offline  
Old May 31, 2023, 8:43 am
  #6003  
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 95
Originally Posted by vic.d
Just saw this info: https://twitter.com/airplusnews/stat...36173356105730

in English: From June 1, 2023, Air France will offer its La Premičre and Business Flying Blue Ultimate customers all-new Porsche hybrid vehicles for their airport journeys.
The 29 Porsches will ensure customer journeys on the runway between the airport lounge and the door of their aircraft, during a short connection between two flights or on the airport platform to connect hotels near the terminals.

Didn't see an official announcement though?
A little bird told me this was a mistake (at least the part concerning Ultis travelling in J), but let's give the last word to Ben Lipsey
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Clio_Rouge is offline  
Old May 31, 2023, 9:21 am
  #6004  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Diamond / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,039
Originally Posted by Clio_Rouge
A little bird told me this was a mistake (at least the part concerning Ultis travelling in J), but let's give the last word to Ben Lipsey
I, unfortunately, think the same.
It would be a huge improvement that would by itself make me stick to AF if it was proposed systematically to help us skip the train / bus.
And it would be consistent with what LH is offering in FRA for years now

Let's wait for a final confirmation
matmatlr is offline  
Old May 31, 2023, 11:25 am
  #6005  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by Clio_Rouge
A little bird told me this was a mistake (at least the part concerning Ultis travelling in J), but let's give the last word to Ben Lipsey
it seems the Tweet has been deleted ….
Bullspread is offline  
Old May 31, 2023, 11:41 am
  #6006  
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,392
It probably would in practice be: J Ultis on short connections depending on how much demand from LP flyers there is, viz. "a pleasant surprise, not something one should absolutely count on".
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hhdl is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:04 am
  #6007  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
It would be a great benefit and improvement if Ulti could benefit from car transfers in case of connection or remote parking for plane. A regular car would be fine. I sincerely don’t care about the Porsche for a 5 min drive.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:09 am
  #6008  
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
Coming back to our favorite topic : immigration lane at CDG…
Arrival 2E Tuesday morning : immigration room was almost totally packed. I used the Ulti lane unmanned as usual. But there was something like 40 pax ahead of me . Some PMR of course but also other non escorted pax (eligible or not, I don’t know) and crews were also coming constantly. Only one PAF booth was used for this lane. So, it took forever
on the 1st picture, you can see what was ahead of me in the Ulti lane. On the 2nd picture, a view of immigration room


Goldorak is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:15 am
  #6009  
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Posts: 1,593
And of course no one to regulate and say who can be in the eligible lane ?
flyertalker00143 is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:16 am
  #6010  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Diamond / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,039
Originally Posted by hhdl
It probably would in practice be: J Ultis on short connections depending on how much demand from LP flyers there is, viz. "a pleasant surprise, not something one should absolutely count on".
I can confirm it happened to me several times and I did not receive any ground support.
I even experienced cases where Ulti TA confirmed me an escort on arrival in CDG for a very tight transfer and no one was there.
LP staff forgot me twice as well
I asked once an exception to get a car transfer as the plane was parked in G and I had an important conf call so I wanted to work from the lounge as much as possible. It got refused so I had to take the bus and lost almost 45 min; just after boarding was completed, Alain Ducasse that was on the same flight and with me at the lounge got dropped by car

Originally Posted by Goldorak
It would be a great benefit and improvement if Ulti could benefit from car transfers in case of connection or remote parking for plane. A regular car would be fine. I sincerely don’t care about the Porsche for a 5 min drive.
Definitely
matmatlr is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:19 am
  #6011  
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Diamond / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,039
Originally Posted by Goldorak
Coming back to our favorite topic : immigration lane at CDG…
Arrival 2E Tuesday morning : immigration room was almost totally packed. I used the Ulti lane unmanned as usual. But there was something like 40 pax ahead of me . Some PMR of course but also other non escorted pax (eligible or not, I don’t know) and crews were also coming constantly. Only one PAF booth was used for this lane. So, it took forever
on the 1st picture, you can see what was ahead of me in the Ulti lane. On the 2nd picture, a view of immigration room
One of the main reason that pushes me to fly next monday to MEX with LH
I know that transfer in FRA will be smooth and both departure & arrival in 2A will be much better than arrival on 2E.
On top of that, P ticket is cheaper by 30% compared to AF
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matmatlr is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 2:50 am
  #6012  
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Frankly, you arrive in SIN, BKK or any other airport, you have agents to enforce discipline towards security checks or immigration lanes. You get to CDG, it's a zoo
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Old Jun 1, 2023, 3:08 am
  #6013  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,001
Originally Posted by matmatlr
One of the main reason that pushes me to fly next monday to MEX with LH
I know that transfer in FRA will be smooth and both departure & arrival in 2A will be much better than arrival on 2E.
On top of that, P ticket is cheaper by 30% compared to AF
2A?

As far as I know, Lufthansa is back to Terminal 1.
Fabo.sk is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 3:08 am
  #6014  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS, BRU, POA
Programs: Skyteam E+ (FB PfL), Latam Black, LH MM, Iberia plus, HH: Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy: Plat
Posts: 1,117
Originally Posted by Goldorak
It would be a great benefit and improvement if Ulti could benefit from car transfers in case of connection or remote parking for plane. A regular car would be fine. I sincerely don’t care about the Porsche for a 5 min drive.
During summer time, a Mehari would be nice, actually.
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wuzziduzziman is offline  
Old Jun 1, 2023, 3:32 am
  #6015  
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 95
Originally Posted by hhdl
It probably would in practice be: J Ultis on short connections depending on how much demand from LP flyers there is, viz. "a pleasant surprise, not something one should absolutely count on".
This, tbh, already happens (i was granted it twice last summer)
Clio_Rouge is offline  

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