May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
Last edit by: San Gottardo
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: pre-boarding upon request.
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
- ICN : no special treatment to report.
- 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 8, 2024, 12:30 am
#7142
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 494
May 8, 2024, 2:00 am
#7143
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,068
Was at 2F this week. Had 2 luggages to check-in.
SP PAX were directed to the SP lane and ALL Business PAX where directed to the left ie to the sole ULTI counter.
This is a ridiculous situation !!!
what was supposed to be a fast track lane becomes now a regular lane with a long waiting time.
As around 6 PAX were already waiting, I went back to the entrance and did complaint to the AF agent.
He acknowledged it was not great as ULTI experience and he proactively escort me to the front line.
Finally all good but it would be good to avoid this situation.
SP PAX were directed to the SP lane and ALL Business PAX where directed to the left ie to the sole ULTI counter.
This is a ridiculous situation !!!
what was supposed to be a fast track lane becomes now a regular lane with a long waiting time.
As around 6 PAX were already waiting, I went back to the entrance and did complaint to the AF agent.
He acknowledged it was not great as ULTI experience and he proactively escort me to the front line.
Finally all good but it would be good to avoid this situation.
May 8, 2024, 2:04 am
#7144
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: France
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 16
About the possibility for an Ultimate to upgrade from business class to La Premiere w
Hello everyone,
Last month I booked a business class trip in December including LAX-CDG and asked the TA about the opportunity to upgrade to P with miles, as the 4 seats were available. The TA said yes, its possible after a price adjustment of your business class ticket and adding some thousands of miles, but the problem was the P seats were not open yet to upgrade with flying blue miles : I was asking too early.
The TA told I should come back some weeks of months later and closer to December to try again. I am pretty sure the seats will be booked or not open to miles upgrade anymore. So the chance to upgrade looks close to zero, especially on the LAX-CDG route.
Did anyone experience that ?
Any advice to facilitate the upgrade to P?
Thanks
Last month I booked a business class trip in December including LAX-CDG and asked the TA about the opportunity to upgrade to P with miles, as the 4 seats were available. The TA said yes, its possible after a price adjustment of your business class ticket and adding some thousands of miles, but the problem was the P seats were not open yet to upgrade with flying blue miles : I was asking too early.
The TA told I should come back some weeks of months later and closer to December to try again. I am pretty sure the seats will be booked or not open to miles upgrade anymore. So the chance to upgrade looks close to zero, especially on the LAX-CDG route.
Did anyone experience that ?
Any advice to facilitate the upgrade to P?
Thanks
May 8, 2024, 4:09 am
#7145
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,068
Hello everyone,
Last month I booked a business class trip in December including LAX-CDG and asked the TA about the opportunity to upgrade to P with miles, as the 4 seats were available. The TA said yes, its possible after a price adjustment of your business class ticket and adding some thousands of miles, but the problem was the P seats were not open yet to upgrade with flying blue miles : I was asking too early.
The TA told I should come back some weeks of months later and closer to December to try again. I am pretty sure the seats will be booked or not open to miles upgrade anymore. So the chance to upgrade looks close to zero, especially on the LAX-CDG route.
Did anyone experience that ?
Any advice to facilitate the upgrade to P?
Thanks
Last month I booked a business class trip in December including LAX-CDG and asked the TA about the opportunity to upgrade to P with miles, as the 4 seats were available. The TA said yes, its possible after a price adjustment of your business class ticket and adding some thousands of miles, but the problem was the P seats were not open yet to upgrade with flying blue miles : I was asking too early.
The TA told I should come back some weeks of months later and closer to December to try again. I am pretty sure the seats will be booked or not open to miles upgrade anymore. So the chance to upgrade looks close to zero, especially on the LAX-CDG route.
Did anyone experience that ?
Any advice to facilitate the upgrade to P?
Thanks
If you are targeting a flight with only P bucket fare available at that time, you cannot buy an award ticket.
please note that some PAX met difficulties to buy an award in LP even if F bucket fare was available for regular paid tickets. It seems that on some flights, LP award availability is inferior to regular paid tickets for F bucket class.
side comment : please use an other thread for non ULTI related topics
May 8, 2024, 4:15 am
#7146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 22,159
Was at 2F this week. Had 2 luggages to check-in.
SP PAX were directed to the SP lane and ALL Business PAX where directed to the left ie to the sole ULTI counter.
This is a ridiculous situation !!!
what was supposed to be a fast track lane becomes now a regular lane with a long waiting time.
As around 6 PAX were already waiting, I went back to the entrance and did complaint to the AF agent.
He acknowledged it was not great as ULTI experience and he proactively escort me to the front line.
Finally all good but it would be good to avoid this situation.
SP PAX were directed to the SP lane and ALL Business PAX where directed to the left ie to the sole ULTI counter.
This is a ridiculous situation !!!
what was supposed to be a fast track lane becomes now a regular lane with a long waiting time.
As around 6 PAX were already waiting, I went back to the entrance and did complaint to the AF agent.
He acknowledged it was not great as ULTI experience and he proactively escort me to the front line.
Finally all good but it would be good to avoid this situation.
May 8, 2024, 4:40 am
#7147
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: France
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 16
The eligible booking class for awards is F.
If you are targeting a flight with only P bucket fare available at that time, you cannot buy an award ticket.
please note that some PAX met difficulties to buy an award in LP even if F bucket fare was available for regular paid tickets. It seems that on some flights, LP award availability is inferior to regular paid tickets for F bucket class.
side comment : please use an other thread for non ULTI related topics
If you are targeting a flight with only P bucket fare available at that time, you cannot buy an award ticket.
please note that some PAX met difficulties to buy an award in LP even if F bucket fare was available for regular paid tickets. It seems that on some flights, LP award availability is inferior to regular paid tickets for F bucket class.
side comment : please use an other thread for non ULTI related topics
May 8, 2024, 4:43 am
#7148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 22,159
your best bet would be to expect a reasonable paid upgrade offer at OLCI. But it's a gamble of course.
May 9, 2024, 7:51 am
#7149
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Norway & Brazil
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 612
Yesterday a very typical KLM Legacy flight (AMS-NCE on a 737);
1) 40 mins delay due to a flight computer issue typical for KLM nowadays with the maintenance issues.
2) The crew was a perfect showcase legacy crew: during the delay on the ground and during the flight the 2 attendances were 90% busy with chatting to the 2 non-paying KLM pax (of course in C). Even sitting and hanging over the seats and laughing, picture taking etc really strange to see
Unfortunately they did not pay any attention to regular paying pax and 0 to the Ulti on board such a pity, but it shows the sick culture and attitude of the legacy crews. Customer service is something that has died some time ago at KLM. Only Cityhopper seems to be different.
And then they make a big hype (even top mgt attention blabla) that are now able to put sneakers under their uniforms (which to me looks so bad but thats another stort).
Maybe the mgt should fly a bit more incognito and see what the airline has become.
One will never see this on Asian or ME carriers maybe once; and then the cabin crew gets fired.
1) 40 mins delay due to a flight computer issue typical for KLM nowadays with the maintenance issues.
2) The crew was a perfect showcase legacy crew: during the delay on the ground and during the flight the 2 attendances were 90% busy with chatting to the 2 non-paying KLM pax (of course in C). Even sitting and hanging over the seats and laughing, picture taking etc really strange to see
Unfortunately they did not pay any attention to regular paying pax and 0 to the Ulti on board such a pity, but it shows the sick culture and attitude of the legacy crews. Customer service is something that has died some time ago at KLM. Only Cityhopper seems to be different.
And then they make a big hype (even top mgt attention blabla) that are now able to put sneakers under their uniforms (which to me looks so bad but thats another stort).
Maybe the mgt should fly a bit more incognito and see what the airline has become.
One will never see this on Asian or ME carriers maybe once; and then the cabin crew gets fired.
Upgraded on the outbound and excellent service throughout the flight.
On the return, J was full. Written welcome note, and preferences (water and pillow) waiting on my seat. And a chilled Cava in the seat pocket in front of me. Excellent service throughout the flight again.
May 9, 2024, 11:52 am
#7150
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 654
PascalGie
And I did AMS-NCE some days ago with my kids and my 2 yr old daughter, who got very scared after seeing a picture of me at the last Ulti event at E&M in AMS where I pose in front of a 787 with the nose opened for maintenance. So I had to walk with her to the cockpit to ask the pilots whether the nose was securely closed. They chatted with her and reassured her that all was fine. On our way out after landing, the captain was waiting for my daughter in the cockpit door and waved her goodbye. Once in the gate, where we could still see the plane, the captain opened his window to wave her goodbye and pointed at the airplane nose to ensure once more everything was fine.
Great experience to see the captain waving from his cockpit window.
During the flight we've got a J meal when seated in Y, so my kids 'could eat some veggies'.
This was on KLC.
I just did a NCE rt on Mainline. Completely different experience than yours.
Upgraded on the outbound and excellent service throughout the flight.
On the return, J was full. Written welcome note, and preferences (water and pillow) waiting on my seat. And a chilled Cava in the seat pocket in front of me. Excellent service throughout the flight again.
Upgraded on the outbound and excellent service throughout the flight.
On the return, J was full. Written welcome note, and preferences (water and pillow) waiting on my seat. And a chilled Cava in the seat pocket in front of me. Excellent service throughout the flight again.
Great experience to see the captain waving from his cockpit window.
During the flight we've got a J meal when seated in Y, so my kids 'could eat some veggies'.
This was on KLC.
May 9, 2024, 12:24 pm
#7151
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: FB Ultimate and PFL & ALL Accor Diamond
Posts: 494
PascalGie
And I did AMS-NCE some days ago with my kids and my 2 yr old daughter, who got very scared after seeing a picture of me at the last Ulti event at E&M in AMS where I pose in front of a 787 with the nose opened for maintenance. So I had to walk with her to the cockpit to ask the pilots whether the nose was securely closed. They chatted with her and reassured her that all was fine. On our way out after landing, the captain was waiting for my daughter in the cockpit door and waved her goodbye. Once in the gate, where we could still see the plane, the captain opened his window to wave her goodbye and pointed at the airplane nose to ensure once more everything was fine.
Great experience to see the captain waving from his cockpit window.
During the flight we've got a J meal when seated in Y, so my kids 'could eat some veggies'.
This was on KLC.
And I did AMS-NCE some days ago with my kids and my 2 yr old daughter, who got very scared after seeing a picture of me at the last Ulti event at E&M in AMS where I pose in front of a 787 with the nose opened for maintenance. So I had to walk with her to the cockpit to ask the pilots whether the nose was securely closed. They chatted with her and reassured her that all was fine. On our way out after landing, the captain was waiting for my daughter in the cockpit door and waved her goodbye. Once in the gate, where we could still see the plane, the captain opened his window to wave her goodbye and pointed at the airplane nose to ensure once more everything was fine.
Great experience to see the captain waving from his cockpit window.
During the flight we've got a J meal when seated in Y, so my kids 'could eat some veggies'.
This was on KLC.
May 9, 2024, 9:45 pm
#7152
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,861
Maybe KLC should take over KLM. Wouldnt be a first, Tyrolean has taken over Austrian and Swiss is basically the former Crossair. With quite a lot of the former mainline staff leaving. (Of course afterwards LH Group ruined the new Austrian and is just giving the final kicks into the guts of LX to beat out any leftovers of quality and pride).
Sorry for the off-topic.
On topic, anyone interested in what its like to be a wheelchair ULTI? Not pretty you can imagine, though as much blame goes to ADP as to AF. Happy to report in case someone cares (I presume most of us here are lucky enough not to require any such assistance permanently, but it may be a one-off as for me following an accident).
Sorry for the off-topic.
On topic, anyone interested in what its like to be a wheelchair ULTI? Not pretty you can imagine, though as much blame goes to ADP as to AF. Happy to report in case someone cares (I presume most of us here are lucky enough not to require any such assistance permanently, but it may be a one-off as for me following an accident).
May 10, 2024, 2:28 am
#7153
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,068
Maybe KLC should take over KLM. Wouldnt be a first, Tyrolean has taken over Austrian and Swiss is basically the former Crossair. With quite a lot of the former mainline staff leaving. (Of course afterwards LH Group ruined the new Austrian and is just giving the final kicks into the guts of LX to beat out any leftovers of quality and pride).
Sorry for the off-topic.
On topic, anyone interested in what its like to be a wheelchair ULTI? Not pretty you can imagine, though as much blame goes to ADP as to AF. Happy to report in case someone cares (I presume most of us here are lucky enough not to require any such assistance permanently, but it may be a one-off as for me following an accident).
Sorry for the off-topic.
On topic, anyone interested in what its like to be a wheelchair ULTI? Not pretty you can imagine, though as much blame goes to ADP as to AF. Happy to report in case someone cares (I presume most of us here are lucky enough not to require any such assistance permanently, but it may be a one-off as for me following an accident).
May 12, 2024, 5:22 am
#7154
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: BRE
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, Vistara Gold, Accor/IHG Platinum, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 504
Since KL mainline gets brought up often, I thought I'd post my experience from having a flight every day of the last 4 days. Two KLC, and two mainline short-haul. It's been a while I've had to do a trip intra-Europe, and so I flew Y after quite a long time. Justifying J fares within Europe is just not possible in my mind, and the upgrades offered for short-haul at €199 or so are also not something I'm willing to pay, especially when KLC doesn't even give a neighbor free seat. So for this trip I had bought an extra seat, and even with that paid the ticket was significantly cheaper than J, but I had free seats all through next to me.
BRE-AMS on KLC. Excellent flight. The purser had pillows, blankets and bottles of sparkling water (as per my preferences) prepped for me and my wife on our seats. We were very warmly welcomed by him, given a bottle of orange juice from J (another preference for flights where there is welcome drink). He made nice chit-chat about our trip and destination. Checked up on us a few times during the flight. Instead of the cookie, we were given the J sandwich bags. All in all, even though we were behind the curtain, it was basically J service. I wish I'd asked for his name, because he deserved an extra compliment; I try to do this each time, but being an early morning flight I fell asleep and forgot.
AMS-VIE on KL mainline. Overall, a pretty good flight. Got to experience the fishbowl in AMS; no blue or red light, so walked up to the desk and the dragon was happy to take us to the fishbowl. I was actually quite impressed, it is a nice space. There is a variety of seating, good coffee machine, and a fridge with drinks. The space here is actually much nicer than the Lounge 52 one, and while they don't have la carte menus like at CDG, this is a huge improvement in the AMS lounge experience. I used to go to the Privium lounge before, and I can firmly say that I'll be using this more often now. On board, nothing special. I kind of expected nothing considering that it was a KL mainline short-haul flight, but after take off the purser did come by to welcome us on board. My preferences were proactively known during drink service, and they checked up a few times. Not as good as KLC, or what I've experienced on long-haul KL in the last months, but still, a big step up from nothing.
VIE-AMS on KL mainline. As soon as there was a gap in the first set of passengers, the purser came over to our seats to welcome us by name. The aircraft was boiling hot since the APU wasn't on, and it was a warm day, so without asking he had brought with him a bottle of chilled juice for both me and my wife. There was also a handwritten card he brought along with a welcome note on it. We were seated right behind J, and were given the drinks and the personal welcome before J, which turned a lot of heads around us. Hope he won't get in trouble for this, but the juice was highly appreciated given the heat. After take-off, once again my secondary drink choice (they didn't have the first) was offered up quickly. The purser checked up on us a couple of times during the flight. Significantly better experience than on AMS-VIE, especially given that we flew Y.
AMS-BRE on KLC. Since I had an extra seat, and wanted to move further up the seating chart so my wife would also have an empty seat next to her, I went to the SkyPriority area at check-in. The Ulti desk was manned, and empty, despite there being lots of people in the SP area. Changing seats was not possible via the check-in desk, but the lady made 2-3 calls and got it done. I appreciate this effort. This was another early morning flight, but no pillows and blankets (as is in my preferences). But as soon as the first group was on-board, the purser came by with bottles of water and a warm welcome. We were proactively offered coffees before take-off. All in all, pretty good as well.
Overall, KL mainline did more than I expected and one VIE-AMS even met everything I'd expect of them. It feels like KL is starting to put effort into Ulti recognition, which I appreciate. Of course, it seems on long-haul J they are a bit more attentive, but given that this was my first Y experience with KL as Ulti, I came away feeling quite happy with it too.
BRE-AMS on KLC. Excellent flight. The purser had pillows, blankets and bottles of sparkling water (as per my preferences) prepped for me and my wife on our seats. We were very warmly welcomed by him, given a bottle of orange juice from J (another preference for flights where there is welcome drink). He made nice chit-chat about our trip and destination. Checked up on us a few times during the flight. Instead of the cookie, we were given the J sandwich bags. All in all, even though we were behind the curtain, it was basically J service. I wish I'd asked for his name, because he deserved an extra compliment; I try to do this each time, but being an early morning flight I fell asleep and forgot.
AMS-VIE on KL mainline. Overall, a pretty good flight. Got to experience the fishbowl in AMS; no blue or red light, so walked up to the desk and the dragon was happy to take us to the fishbowl. I was actually quite impressed, it is a nice space. There is a variety of seating, good coffee machine, and a fridge with drinks. The space here is actually much nicer than the Lounge 52 one, and while they don't have la carte menus like at CDG, this is a huge improvement in the AMS lounge experience. I used to go to the Privium lounge before, and I can firmly say that I'll be using this more often now. On board, nothing special. I kind of expected nothing considering that it was a KL mainline short-haul flight, but after take off the purser did come by to welcome us on board. My preferences were proactively known during drink service, and they checked up a few times. Not as good as KLC, or what I've experienced on long-haul KL in the last months, but still, a big step up from nothing.
VIE-AMS on KL mainline. As soon as there was a gap in the first set of passengers, the purser came over to our seats to welcome us by name. The aircraft was boiling hot since the APU wasn't on, and it was a warm day, so without asking he had brought with him a bottle of chilled juice for both me and my wife. There was also a handwritten card he brought along with a welcome note on it. We were seated right behind J, and were given the drinks and the personal welcome before J, which turned a lot of heads around us. Hope he won't get in trouble for this, but the juice was highly appreciated given the heat. After take-off, once again my secondary drink choice (they didn't have the first) was offered up quickly. The purser checked up on us a couple of times during the flight. Significantly better experience than on AMS-VIE, especially given that we flew Y.
AMS-BRE on KLC. Since I had an extra seat, and wanted to move further up the seating chart so my wife would also have an empty seat next to her, I went to the SkyPriority area at check-in. The Ulti desk was manned, and empty, despite there being lots of people in the SP area. Changing seats was not possible via the check-in desk, but the lady made 2-3 calls and got it done. I appreciate this effort. This was another early morning flight, but no pillows and blankets (as is in my preferences). But as soon as the first group was on-board, the purser came by with bottles of water and a warm welcome. We were proactively offered coffees before take-off. All in all, pretty good as well.
Overall, KL mainline did more than I expected and one VIE-AMS even met everything I'd expect of them. It feels like KL is starting to put effort into Ulti recognition, which I appreciate. Of course, it seems on long-haul J they are a bit more attentive, but given that this was my first Y experience with KL as Ulti, I came away feeling quite happy with it too.
Last edited by sehgalanuj; May 12, 2024 at 5:38 am
May 15, 2024, 12:06 pm
#7155
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,337
Not me, but today on my flight from AMS-DUB with KLC, there was this guy (white haired, not sure if FT'er 
) who was Ultimate seated back in EC - just opposite my row (surprised not in J). Already noticed him in the Ulti area of Lounge52. He did get
- pre boarding (by bus so not much benefit)
- when the purser handed out the water bottles to J, they did hand him one and mentioned if he needs anything else, feel free to approach them
- no other special treatment throughout the flight (I had expected that they might offer him a J-WandersBox). He did go for the bread (which I did not).
- outside of the initial contact, none after that
Noticed that he was also Lufthansa Senator.
Cheers!
) who was Ultimate seated back in EC - just opposite my row (surprised not in J). Already noticed him in the Ulti area of Lounge52. He did get- pre boarding (by bus so not much benefit)
- when the purser handed out the water bottles to J, they did hand him one and mentioned if he needs anything else, feel free to approach them
- no other special treatment throughout the flight (I had expected that they might offer him a J-WandersBox). He did go for the bread (which I did not).
- outside of the initial contact, none after that
Noticed that he was also Lufthansa Senator.
Cheers!