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
Aug 20, 2017, 8:48 am
#691
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: AMS/LYS
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 130
Aug 20, 2017, 9:40 am
#692
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
But that's not a hard perk and not an Ultimate promise. What you are referring to here as discussed in informal discussions between AF and some of its customers (FTers, clients referents, etc). It is not a hard perk until it is part of what FB officially describes as an Ultimate perk on its formal documentation and that you can hold them accountable to.
I take your point about your finding the travel concierge useful. I can only say that my Ulti friends do not and do not see it as any better than, say, the GGL line.
I take your point about your finding the travel concierge useful. I can only say that my Ulti friends do not and do not see it as any better than, say, the GGL line.
complimentary upgrades should most definitely be a hard perk, just like anywhere else at this level of PAX commitment for the airline. If they are not, what do we have left? Let us recap —
- TA service. Worked for me most of the time for disrupted journeys and paid upgrades.
- Expedited security and immigration clearance. Sometimes.
- Reserved seat in lounges. Only at AF venues, and not always so.
- On-board recognition. Sometimes. From nothingness to going the extra mile with P-cabin goodies.
- Inter-terminal (limo) escort. Once in a blue moon. Nearly never.
- Escort to the gate and pre-boarding. Once in a blue moon. Nearly never.
Would it be out of line to say that it is a bit meager for the mandatory 360kmiles per 2-year period? I would not be so adamant about upgrades, were all the other services be top-notch and offered proactively. That, quite unfortunately, is not the case, as we have read it time and time again on this thread.
Cheers,
Macaron54
Aug 20, 2017, 9:50 am
#693
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
Would it be out of line to say that it is a bit meager for the mandatory 360kmiles per 2-year period? I would not be so adamant about upgrades, were all the other services be top-notch and offered proactively. That, quite unfortunately, is not the case, as we have read it time and time again on this thread.
Macaron54
Aug 20, 2017, 10:57 am
#694
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
And so do other airlines. A little printout (not the full A4 format one) clipped to the drinks trolley which has pax names sorted by seat number, and it's easy to address people by their name. Whilst I am personally perfectly indifferent whether I receive that "recognition" I cannot see what should be so difficult to about it from an operational point of view. Has more to do with attitude of the crew.
Last edited by San Gottardo; Aug 20, 2017 at 11:10 am
Aug 20, 2017, 3:33 pm
#695
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,539
Hello, orbitmic,
complimentary upgrades should most definitely be a hard perk, just like anywhere else at this level of PAX commitment for the airline. If they are not, what do we have left? Let us recap —
Would it be out of line to say that it is a bit meager for the mandatory 360kmiles per 2-year period? I would not be so adamant about upgrades, were all the other services be top-notch and offered proactively. That, quite unfortunately, is not the case, as we have read it time and time again on this thread.
Cheers,
Macaron54
complimentary upgrades should most definitely be a hard perk, just like anywhere else at this level of PAX commitment for the airline. If they are not, what do we have left? Let us recap —
- TA service. Worked for me most of the time for disrupted journeys and paid upgrades.
- Expedited security and immigration clearance. Sometimes.
- Reserved seat in lounges. Only at AF venues, and not always so.
- On-board recognition. Sometimes. From nothingness to going the extra mile with P-cabin goodies.
- Inter-terminal (limo) escort. Once in a blue moon. Nearly never.
- Escort to the gate and pre-boarding. Once in a blue moon. Nearly never.
Would it be out of line to say that it is a bit meager for the mandatory 360kmiles per 2-year period? I would not be so adamant about upgrades, were all the other services be top-notch and offered proactively. That, quite unfortunately, is not the case, as we have read it time and time again on this thread.
Cheers,
Macaron54
Aug 22, 2017, 1:17 am
#696
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 1,319
My father Senior Guggenheimer is one of the 80 Ulti's in the Netherlands and came to visit me in BKK when I was hospitalised. He could only get a last minute economy ticket and ended up on a middle seat. A complaining dutch lady before him was upgraded to the last remaining business class seat. My father asked the purser why she got upgraded and got a sort of 'there is a reason but we will not tell you' answer. 5 minutes later the purser came back and offered my father a complimentary upgrade. The lady was later back in Y. He was then recognised and a million excuses where made. So it does work sometimes. The Lady was probably a IPB'er.
I am just a normal Platinum Elite for life (who made it in time when 100% was still normal in Economy before the drop to 25%) and I am hardly ever greeted on international flights. I have never had it intra Europe.
I am just a normal Platinum Elite for life (who made it in time when 100% was still normal in Economy before the drop to 25%) and I am hardly ever greeted on international flights. I have never had it intra Europe.
Aug 25, 2017, 3:33 am
#697
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MUC/AMS
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 57
My father Senior Guggenheimer is one of the 80 Ulti's in the Netherlands and came to visit me in BKK when I was hospitalised. He could only get a last minute economy ticket and ended up on a middle seat. A complaining dutch lady before him was upgraded to the last remaining business class seat. My father asked the purser why she got upgraded and got a sort of 'there is a reason but we will not tell you' answer. 5 minutes later the purser came back and offered my father a complimentary upgrade. The lady was later back in Y. He was then recognised and a million excuses where made. So it does work sometimes. The Lady was probably a IPB'er.
I am just a normal Platinum Elite for life (who made it in time when 100% was still normal in Economy before the drop to 25%) and I am hardly ever greeted on international flights. I have never had it intra Europe.
I am just a normal Platinum Elite for life (who made it in time when 100% was still normal in Economy before the drop to 25%) and I am hardly ever greeted on international flights. I have never had it intra Europe.
Article in Dutch only
http://zakenreis.nl/luchtvaart/klm-i...beste-klanten/
Aug 25, 2017, 4:21 am
#698
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 1,319
This article states that there are 140 Ulti's in the BeNeLux and around 900 in France. Interesting to read that there around 31.000 'normal' Platinum members in the BeNeLux.
Article in Dutch only
http://zakenreis.nl/luchtvaart/klm-i...beste-klanten/
Article in Dutch only
http://zakenreis.nl/luchtvaart/klm-i...beste-klanten/
My father enjoyed the party they gave when the card was given out. But as he retired now just before he will not have any benefit of the card as he does not want to fly for years to come as he actually does not like flying.
Aug 25, 2017, 8:11 am
#699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Aug 26, 2017, 2:04 pm
#700
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
I am happy to report that MRS proposes escort through security and pre-boarding (if you wish) to Ultimate pax ^
Aug 27, 2017, 5:57 am
#701
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
MRS preboarding/escort
Goldorak,
I do confirm, but I had to ask my TA to book.
Is it automatic now ?
Fyi I was escorted by the station manger.
Rgds
I do confirm, but I had to ask my TA to book.
Is it automatic now ?
Fyi I was escorted by the station manger.
Rgds
Last edited by chris635; Aug 27, 2017 at 6:49 am Reason: Typo
Aug 27, 2017, 6:13 am
#702
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
Ultimate consistency quest
Continuing on the consistency benefits, here follow my Ultimate experience of the week :
- CDG Assistance/Preboarding : Very good, no queue at passport check, reserved zone at 2L lounge. Even if for opup I wasn't able to confirm P upgrade with the TA, pre boarding assistant told me he would have been able to do something but the seat availabe was with technical issue so no food on board for it, I gave up. But ^
- CDG-NRT : Very good recognition and service. I even was told "The P wine cellar is open for you all the flight long" ^
- NRT: Assistance at arrival, average thus no passport shortcut. Benefit reduced, but service/attention were Ok. ^
- HND : Full assistance a airport. They took my carry-on during all transit at Aiport to lounge and out of lounge. ^
- HND-CDG : Very good service and recognition (selection of hot dish in advance etc ... ) ^
- CDG : no assistance and nobody at passport queue. Due to evenig arrival ?
In conclusion not yet full consistency, but a lot of efforts from actors.
- CDG Assistance/Preboarding : Very good, no queue at passport check, reserved zone at 2L lounge. Even if for opup I wasn't able to confirm P upgrade with the TA, pre boarding assistant told me he would have been able to do something but the seat availabe was with technical issue so no food on board for it, I gave up. But ^
- CDG-NRT : Very good recognition and service. I even was told "The P wine cellar is open for you all the flight long" ^
- NRT: Assistance at arrival, average thus no passport shortcut. Benefit reduced, but service/attention were Ok. ^
- HND : Full assistance a airport. They took my carry-on during all transit at Aiport to lounge and out of lounge. ^
- HND-CDG : Very good service and recognition (selection of hot dish in advance etc ... ) ^
- CDG : no assistance and nobody at passport queue. Due to evenig arrival ?
In conclusion not yet full consistency, but a lot of efforts from actors.
Aug 27, 2017, 6:40 am
#703
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,049
Continuing on the consistency benefits, here follow my Ultimate experience of the week :
- CDG Assistance/Preboarding : Very good, no queue at passport check, reserved zone at 2L lounge. Even if for opup I wasn't able to confirm P upgrade with the TA, pre boarding assistant told me he would have been able to do something but the seat availabe was with technical issue so no food on board for it, I gave up. But ^
- CDG-NRT : Very good recognition and service. I even was told "The P wine cellar is open for you all the flight long" ^
- NRT: Assistance at arrival, average thus no passport shortcut. Benefit reduced, but service/attention were Ok. ^
- HND : Full assistance a airport. They took my carry-on during all transit at Aiport to lounge and out of lounge. ^
- HND-CDG : Very good service and recognition (selection of hot dish in advance etc ... ) ^
- CDG : no assistance and nobody at passport queue. Due to evenig arrival ?
In conclusion not yet full consistency, but a lot of efforts from actors.
- CDG Assistance/Preboarding : Very good, no queue at passport check, reserved zone at 2L lounge. Even if for opup I wasn't able to confirm P upgrade with the TA, pre boarding assistant told me he would have been able to do something but the seat availabe was with technical issue so no food on board for it, I gave up. But ^
- CDG-NRT : Very good recognition and service. I even was told "The P wine cellar is open for you all the flight long" ^
- NRT: Assistance at arrival, average thus no passport shortcut. Benefit reduced, but service/attention were Ok. ^
- HND : Full assistance a airport. They took my carry-on during all transit at Aiport to lounge and out of lounge. ^
- HND-CDG : Very good service and recognition (selection of hot dish in advance etc ... ) ^
- CDG : no assistance and nobody at passport queue. Due to evenig arrival ?
In conclusion not yet full consistency, but a lot of efforts from actors.
Hi guys . What do you call an "opup" ?