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
Nov 11, 2017, 4:31 pm
#871
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
The program is at best a hit or miss, which has taken many of us on an emotional roller-coaster, with the most amazing, but also the lousiest, aggravating service on board and on the ground. It never ceases to amaze me that while the program is still unstable, in a herky-jerky motion, the Flying Blue management unabashedly revamps the program and demands a higher amount of miles to reach the Ultimate level (when one could legitimately argue that 360kmiles/2-year-cycle is already a major rip off for what one gets in return).Macaron54
I tend not to raise complains on individual incidences, but try to make management understand that they have (significant) flaws in their set-up. Leading a rather big organisation myself I know that mistakes are part of doing business, so I was patient.
Neither miles (I trust we all have plenty) nor upgrades (I always sit in the highest class available) would mean any remendy for me. I simply want them to deliver what they have promised. Nothing more, but for sure not nothing less, as it is so little already.
On the other hand, am I personally fed up with snappy, self centered (mostly old, hence change reluctant) staff that just does not do what they are supposed to do. How low can it go to deny an ULTI passenger a waterbottle whilst one waits sitting in the plane for 20 mins? It's a real personal lowlight.
I guess all our hyper frequent travellers here just want promised quality, consistently delivered with no (negative) surprises. What we however got is a dissatisfactory, compared to other airlines low yielding benefits ULTI program and revamp of Flying Blue program with no significant progres in that respect.
Last edited by travelbits; Nov 12, 2017 at 5:24 am
Nov 12, 2017, 12:48 pm
#872
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,939
Having had some time during the weekend, I did some calculations regarding my Ulti earnings and how I am standing for an eventual requalification with the new FB rules, and the result was quite interesting 
.
As you know, Ulti qualifying miles/flights are earned exclusively on AF/KL/A5 flights and on April 1st, they will convert our status miles earned since 01/01/17 to XPs with 1000 status miles = 5 XPs.
Between January and end November, I will have roughly accumulated 202K Ultimate status miles which will be translated into 1010 XPs (202 x 5).
But, using my 2017 Ultimate qualifying flights listing (and travel class), I have also simulated the XP earning as per the new earning rules (2 XPs for a domestic flight in Y, 5 XPs for a medium-haul in Y, 15 XPs for a medium haul in J, etc) and the result was...1010 XPs
Of course this is an unexpected coincidence, but I found that quite funny but also somewhat reassuring about a kind of equivalence between the old and the new systems. I know my personal situation might be different from yours. And I would be curious to know about the other Ulti fellows here if you do your own simulation.
.As you know, Ulti qualifying miles/flights are earned exclusively on AF/KL/A5 flights and on April 1st, they will convert our status miles earned since 01/01/17 to XPs with 1000 status miles = 5 XPs.
Between January and end November, I will have roughly accumulated 202K Ultimate status miles which will be translated into 1010 XPs (202 x 5).
But, using my 2017 Ultimate qualifying flights listing (and travel class), I have also simulated the XP earning as per the new earning rules (2 XPs for a domestic flight in Y, 5 XPs for a medium-haul in Y, 15 XPs for a medium haul in J, etc) and the result was...1010 XPs
Of course this is an unexpected coincidence, but I found that quite funny but also somewhat reassuring about a kind of equivalence between the old and the new systems. I know my personal situation might be different from yours. And I would be curious to know about the other Ulti fellows here if you do your own simulation.
Nov 12, 2017, 1:17 pm
#873
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
Of course this is an unexpected coincidence, but I found that quite funny but also somewhat reassuring about a kind of equivalence between the old and the new systems. I know my personal situation might be different from yours. And I would be curious to know about the other Ulti fellows here if you do your own simulation.
And actually, with the (little) benefits a status brings the only tangible is the award miles which now are less than before.
PS: I get 331XPs less when the /1000*5 over the level miles convertion takes place vs applying the new XPs per flight retrowise.
Last edited by travelbits; Nov 12, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Nov 12, 2017, 1:21 pm
#874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,939
Nov 25, 2017, 4:59 pm
#875
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
Want to hear something remarkable?
Last week there were labour actions in the KLM Schiphol lounge (again) - lounge staff was on strike as they are about to be partly outsourced. Part of such a strike is that the incumbent (on-strike) staff is replaced by ad-hoc externals (in blue uniforms).
And guess what: one gets greeted by name, offered whether they can bring something to drink and even greeted when leaving the lounge.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
Last week there were labour actions in the KLM Schiphol lounge (again) - lounge staff was on strike as they are about to be partly outsourced. Part of such a strike is that the incumbent (on-strike) staff is replaced by ad-hoc externals (in blue uniforms).
And guess what: one gets greeted by name, offered whether they can bring something to drink and even greeted when leaving the lounge.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
Nov 26, 2017, 2:24 am
#876
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Up in the air
Programs: LH HON, BA LT Gold, AFKL ULTI, WOH Lifetime Globalist, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 385
How long does it take?
Since I reached out to you guys recently on advice I have collected another 60K FB level miles over the threshold and as of today I have 430K level miles since January 2016 only on AF. I did not hear anything form AF yet, so contacted the Platinum service line and they wrote to me "Dear Mr MumbaiDan, yes you have achieved the required level of miles, but your account needs to be reviewed by the ULTI team. They will approach you as soon as they have reviewed the situation. Please get back to us if you have not heard anything by Mid December. Thank you for you patience. Kind Regards, FB Plat Service Line"
This is pathetic! Anyone has a contact for me to speed this up (per pm, I would appreciate). Thanks!
This is pathetic! Anyone has a contact for me to speed this up (per pm, I would appreciate). Thanks!
Nov 26, 2017, 2:53 am
#877
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,939
And guess what: one gets greeted by name, offered whether they can bring something to drink and even greeted when leaving the lounge.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
Since I reached out to you guys recently on advice I have collected another 60K FB level miles over the threshold and as of today I have 430K level miles since January 2016 only on AF. I did not hear anything form AF yet, so contacted the Platinum service line and they wrote to me "Dear Mr MumbaiDan, yes you have achieved the required level of miles, but your account needs to be reviewed by the ULTI team. They will approach you as soon as they have reviewed the situation. Please get back to us if you have not heard anything by Mid December. Thank you for you patience. Kind Regards, FB Plat Service Line"
How long ago was your contact with the Platinum line ? I have to say I have no idea if they grant the Ulti status during the year (when the 360K threshold is attained) or only in january of the following year.
Nov 26, 2017, 5:39 am
#878
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
Since I reached out to you guys recently on advice I have collected another 60K FB level miles over the threshold and as of today I have 430K level miles since January 2016 only on AF. I did not hear anything form AF yet, so contacted the Platinum service line and they wrote to me "Dear Mr MumbaiDan, yes you have achieved the required level of miles, but your account needs to be reviewed by the ULTI team. They will approach you as soon as they have reviewed the situation. Please get back to us if you have not heard anything by Mid December. Thank you for you patience. Kind Regards, FB Plat Service Line"
This is pathetic! Anyone has a contact for me to speed this up (per pm, I would appreciate). Thanks!
This is pathetic! Anyone has a contact for me to speed this up (per pm, I would appreciate). Thanks!
Pls keep us informed.
Thanks.
Last edited by breton1fr; Nov 26, 2017 at 11:15 am
Nov 26, 2017, 12:59 pm
#879
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Want to hear something remarkable?
Last week there were labour actions in the KLM Schiphol lounge (again) - lounge staff was on strike as they are about to be partly outsourced. Part of such a strike is that the incumbent (on-strike) staff is replaced by ad-hoc externals (in blue uniforms).
And guess what: one gets greeted by name, offered whether they can bring something to drink and even greeted when leaving the lounge.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
Last week there were labour actions in the KLM Schiphol lounge (again) - lounge staff was on strike as they are about to be partly outsourced. Part of such a strike is that the incumbent (on-strike) staff is replaced by ad-hoc externals (in blue uniforms).
And guess what: one gets greeted by name, offered whether they can bring something to drink and even greeted when leaving the lounge.
Which makes me believe that there are some kind of procedures after all - however bluntly ignored by KLM own staff and only enforced by new (external) one.
It would be almost laughable if it were not so pathetic. It also confirms my contention that we are way better off with a third-party staff than with the AF or KL pure-breed personnel. At ORD, based on a rather respectable statistics, there is never a hitch. Top service from check-in to (pre)boarding. And all of this with a smile, and bereft of lame excuses -- we are understaffed... sorry; arrange your own escort! The take-home message is pretty straightforward. And meanwhile we are still waiting for the AF top management to approve an upgrade-coupon mechanism for Ultimate's. The more I think about it, the more it seems that 2017 was year zero for the Ultimate program, and we were its guinea pigs.
Macaron54
Nov 26, 2017, 2:36 pm
#880
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
They hate it, other than for F&F.
During the early 90's, I used to fly UA a lot (RTW 4 times a year).
I was given international upgrade certificates which meant I almost always flew from LAX/SFO to SYD in First despite holding a biz ticket.
When the occasion arose, I bought a First class ticket to be sure that my boss and I would be in F.
It never crossed my mind to look for another airline.
AF is averse (or blind?) to this business common sense.
Nov 26, 2017, 3:12 pm
#881
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Macaron54
Nov 27, 2017, 12:01 am
#882
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: FB LTPE, BAEC GGL, EK Blue, SK Gold, Marriott Amb+LTT, IHG Diamond Amb, Accorhotels Silver
Posts: 1,960
carnarvon, everything tends to prove that you are right. Yet, it remains unclear to me where this cultural loathing stems from. Let us speculate for the time being that it is probably below AF (and KL to some extent) to do things like everyone else in the air transportation industry. We are in desperate need for hard perks, and upgrade certificates could very well fit the bill. Instead of that, we are being offered services that blow to our face half of the time. And since none of us is yet completely negative about the program (there is always one super nice experience to keep us somewhat optimistic), there is no fundamental reason nor urgency to implement profound changes for the better good. Rest assured, however, that some Ultimate's get all that has been promised and more (e.g., systematic escort), as a CDG ground staff told me recently off the record. There are evidently top-revenue makers of a different breed that the airline cannot afford to piss off with a half-baked program full of inconsistencies.
Nov 27, 2017, 12:49 am
#883
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 367
When doing the pro-forma calculus on the new FB program I noticed one point as well: I have swapped already 50k of revenue away from AF/KL this year compared to earlier years (and those are only my personal ones, not the ones from my own company or the ones I am managing). I hope they are aware that every non-delivery or constraint on usage of their program does have a direct impact on their top & bottom line.
Nov 27, 2017, 1:02 am
#884
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Corporatism prevent or slow down change, a deep sense of entitlement on the part of the ruling elite mean they will fight to death to keep their privileges.
Regarding upgrades, AF staff see us pax as competitors and neither AF nor the country France accept competition.
Last edited by carnarvon; Nov 27, 2017 at 9:32 am
Nov 27, 2017, 1:05 am
#885
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Quite likely as well "This coupon can only be used to upgrade from Y to W and W to C". They have to keep F seats free for the captain's wife.