Old May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Goldorak
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE

Main facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB. It may be added to Club 2000 – Skipper status.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning

XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).

To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main

Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.

Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring 1 from W to J, or 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with still only one voucher used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of 2 vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights).
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.

Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :

AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)

Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)

Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C

KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C

Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.

Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY app.

Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.

Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.

Please complete/edit this list as needed.

AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Reserved area in the Schengen lounge (need to ask staff at long entrance). Pre-boarding sometimes granted at the gate.

Paris CDG
- CDG 2E:
  • Departure : Escort from check-in to immigration in the morning (super fast track). Reserved space at K/L/M lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding
  • Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign.
- CDG 2F :
  • Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone (on the left of terminal). Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding. Escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line).
  • Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG 2G :
  • Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
  • Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG in connection : expedited transfer, possibly involving limo transfer, can be arranged upon request in case of short or endangered connection. Rarely provided spontaneously (need to call the TA, but acceptance is never guaranteed).

Paris ORY
  • Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
  • Arrival : no special treatment to report

EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report

Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)

Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.

Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report

France (non-hubs)
- AJA: no special treatment to report
- BES: no special treatment to report
- BIQ: no special treatment to report
- BOD: pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- CDG: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- LYS: Escort from lounge to plane when flying from B gates provided upon request . Preboarding with escort to the plane consistently provided.
- MPL: pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed (AF agent comes to the contract lounge to meet the Ultimate guest)
- MRS: no special treatment to report
- NCE: Reserved area in Infinity lounge (inconsistently provided : seems to be provided only when lounge crowded). Pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed.
- NTE: no special treatment to report
- ORY: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- PUF: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- RNS: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- TLS: Escort from check in to lounge inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding consistently provided

Germany
- BER: no special treatment to report
- DUS: no special treatment to report
- FRA: no special treatment to report
- HAM: no special treatment to report
- HAJ: No special treatment to report.
- MUC: Reserved area in the lounge, escort from lounge to plane with pre-boarding proposed.
- STR: reserved area in the lounge, pre-boarding

Greece
- ATH: no special treatment to report
- HER: no special treatment to report
- JTR: no special treatment to report

Hungary
- BUD: escort through security from check-in to lounge proposed

Ireland
- DUB: no special treatment to report

Italy
- BLQ: escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- BRI: no special treatment to report
- CTA: no special treatment to report
- FCO: no special treatment to report
- FLR: no special treatment to report
- LIN: no special treatment to report
- MXP: pre-boarding granted by request
- VCE: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane (not always consistently proposed)
- NAP: no special treatment to report

Netherlands
- AMS: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".

Norway
- OSL: no special treatment to report
- TRF: no special treatment to report
- KRS: no special treatment to report
- SVG: no special treatment to report

Poland
- WAW: no special treatment to report
- KRK: no special treatment to report
- GDN: no special treatment to report

Portugal
- LIS: pre-boarding proposed upon request

Russia
- SVO: no special treatment to report
- LED: no special treatment to report

Spain
- AGP: no special treatment to report
- BCN: no special treatment to report
- MAD: no special treatment to report
- PMI: no special treatment to report
- SVQ: no special treatment to report
- TFS: no special treatment to report
- VLC: no special treatment to report

Sweden
- ARN: no special treatment to report
- GOT: no special treatment to report

Switzerland
- GVA: pre-boarding upon request. Reserved area in the lounge
- ZRH: no special treatment

United Kingdom
- ABZ: no special treatment to report
- EDI: no special treatment to report
- LHR: no special treatment to report

NORTH AMERICA
Canada
- YUL: Escort from check-in to lounge upon request. Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane
- YYZ: escort on arrival through immigration, consistently offered. / Escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to airplane
- YQB: escort from check-in to lounge proposed
- YVR: no special treatment to report

USA
- ATL: no special treatment to report (in connection)
- BOS: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding, all consistently provided mostly spontaneously, sometimes upon request. A separate room in the AF lounge is also proposed.
- DTW: no special treatment to report (starting from DTW or in connection)
- IAD: escort through security from check-in to lounge upon request, but inconsistently provided. Reserved area at the lounge.
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only / terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs), possible to benefit from the "night service" on all flights and not only the 2 last ones ex-JFK (update 09/2023 : no more night service in JFK lounge). Some kind of priority at the La Prairie spa (after P pax).
- JFK (KL only / terminal 4) : no special treatments to report.
- LAX: no special treatment to report
- ORD: On arrival, escort through immigration (not consistently provided). On departure, escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane (pre-boarding)
- MSP: no special treatment to report, except one case of special DL Elite VIP treatment with expedited immigration and Porsche transfer to/from lounge (not a regular benefit to expect)
- SEA: pre-boarding with escort to plane
- SFO: reserved area in lounge

Mexico
- MEX (Terminal 1): escort through security to lounge with access to dedicated space. Ride from lounge to gate. Sometimes escort on arrival

CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
- BOG: no special treatment to report
- LIM: escort to lounge, provided spontaneously
- GIG: Pre-boarding upon request.
- GRU: escort in case of short connection upon request, inconsistently provided; as of 02/2024 pre-boarding offered at check-in and provided by gate-staff (inconsistently provided).
- SCL: as of 03/2024 escort to lounge offered at departure check-in, pick-up from lounge and pre-boarding done
- EZE: escort to lounge with special crew lane for immigration provided spontaneously

ASIA / PACIFIC
- BKK: escort through security from check-in to lounge, upon request but inconsistently proposed. In connection : escort in case of short connection (better to request it before departure).
- BLR: escort from lounge to gate, pre-boarding provided
- BOM : escort from plane to immigration, and from checkin to the lounge
- DEL: as of 01/2024 escort upon arrival; proactive pre-departure call to arrange terminal entry via VIP entrance and escort to gate for pre-boarding (if lounge used, offered to pick up for pre-boarding)
- HKG: no special treatment to report.
- HND: Arrival : new 09/2023 = escort through immigration. Departure : escort from check-in desk to private (crew) security, proposed spontaneously
- KIX: Arrival : escort through immigration, wait at baggage claim. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge All proposed spontaneously
- SIN: no special treatment to report

CARIBBEAN & INDIAN OCEAN
- CUR: no special treatment to report, there is no (sky)priority lane for security or immigration, but escort/short track is available for 100 $.
- HAV: at departure, escort from check in counters until security checks. Pre-boarding offered. No escort at arrival. No reserved space in Lounge.
- FDF: No reserved space in Lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate.
- MRU: escort on arrival through immigration. Unknown for departures (no data point)
- PTP: Reserved table in lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge with escort from lounge to plane.
- RUN: Pre-boarding proposed at check-in and in the lounge, with escort from lounge to plane. Reserved seats in lounge
- SXM: Escort for incoming transit pax (from/to AF flight) through passport controls and security, pre-boarding pro-actively offered for AF departure

MIDDLE EAST
- AUH : no special treatment to report
- BEY: no special treatment to report
- DXB: escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to plane, all upon request, consistently provided. Access to the Ahlan lounge (normally reserved for P pax) instead of Skyteam lounge.
- JED: no special treatment to report
- RUH: no special treatment to report
- IST: no special treatment to report

AFRICA
- AGA: escort from check in to lounge and from lounge to aircraft, provided spontaneously
- CAI: no special treatment to report
- CMN: escort on arrival through immigration (not always consistently provided)
- CPT: escort from counter to lounge, provided spontaneously
- JNB: escort from counter to lounge (no fast track at immigration), provided spontaneously
- LOS: no special treatment to report
- RAK: escort on arrival, upon request (not provided on departure)
- RBA: on departure : escort to lounge and to plane, provided spontaneously.
- TUN: escort on arrival through immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
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Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status

Old Jan 31, 2018, 1:38 pm
  #1021  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
Survey

Originally Posted by Bullspread
maybe as well a sign of willingness to improve something : I received this week a call from Air France for a 20mn survey all around the benefits and general opinion I have about it 1 year after its implementation
let see if it moves in the right direction
I was also surveyed this week 30 min by FB France, same kind of questions....
But I was nit confirmed for short term modification but mid term one's (months)
Rgds
chris635 is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2018, 7:59 pm
  #1022  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: FB Platinum, SM Diamond
Posts: 645
Originally Posted by Goldorak
Hi everyone
a long awaited new Ultimate benefit is being implemented in CDG as of now (or possibly from Feb 1st) : pre-boarding.
Ulti pax will be able to pre-board (after UM and handicapped persons, but before SkyP boarding).
I am curious to see if this will be "extend" to Diamond Medallion... (it is already this with Delta).
I fly YUL-AMS-PVG in 2 weeks, (and return PVG-CDG-YUL the week after). I will see the result...
FBplatinum is offline  
Old Jan 31, 2018, 11:43 pm
  #1023  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
Originally Posted by FBplatinum
I am curious to see if this will be "extend" to Diamond Medallion... (it is already this with Delta).
I fly YUL-AMS-PVG in 2 weeks, (and return PVG-CDG-YUL the week after). I will see the result...
you can try but I doubt it.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 3:40 am
  #1024  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
Originally Posted by FBplatinum
I am curious to see if this will be "extend" to Diamond Medallion... (it is already this with Delta).
I fly YUL-AMS-PVG in 2 weeks, (and return PVG-CDG-YUL the week after). I will see the result...
Very unlikely, do get FB Ulti's pre-boarding when flying Delta ( Boarding zone "Prem")? Delta's equivalent for Ultis are 360° members, not Diamonds.
Goldorak and wuzziduzziman like this.
BER Flyer is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 11:39 am
  #1025  
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Posts: 21,904
It’s been announced today that AF and KL will now be participating to TSApre program, so a new nice benefit they could provide to Ultimate members is to waive the application fee, as some US airlines are doing for their top tier members.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 11:43 am
  #1026  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,832
^
Originally Posted by Goldorak
It’s been announced today that AF and KL will now be participating to TSApre program, so a new nice benefit they could provide to Ultimate members is to waive the application fee, as some US airlines are doing for their top tier members.
^^^^^

No more need to buy a bogus ticket on LH to use TSAPre at JFK T1

By the way, will this also mean that French nationals will be able to apply for Global Entry?


San Gottardo is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 12:47 pm
  #1027  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
Just out of couriousity: Any Ultis here which have flown on DL boardgingpasses? How is this status there regconized? Which boarding group: Prem or Sky?
BER Flyer is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 1:18 pm
  #1028  
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Originally Posted by Goldorak
It’s been announced today that AF and KL will now be participating to TSApre program, so a new nice benefit they could provide to Ultimate members is to waive the application fee, as some US airlines are doing for their top tier members.


I'm neither, but when flying participating airlines I always get TSA Pre✓® anyway. For free, without asking.

Johan




Last edited by johan rebel; Feb 1, 2018 at 1:39 pm
johan rebel is offline  
Old Feb 1, 2018, 2:58 pm
  #1029  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
By the way, will this also mean that French nationals will be able to apply for Global Entry?
Still not as per Global Entry website.

Originally Posted by BER Flyer
Just out of couriousity: Any Ultis here which have flown on DL boardgingpasses? How is this status there regconized? Which boarding group: Prem or Sky?
Ulti doesn’t give you anything special when flying DL. You have Prem if you fly F, you have Sky if you fly Y.
Goldorak is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 8:01 am
  #1030  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,044
Hi ,
Any feedback on this new and first week of pre-boarding for ulti members ?
Bullspread is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 10:32 am
  #1031  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Posts: 7,832
Not only. Also for vetted citizens of a number of countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Argentina, Colombia, India, and a couple of others who are *not* permanent residents. Would have been possible that it'd be extended to French citizens as well.
San Gottardo is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 12:42 pm
  #1032  
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Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Not only. Also for vetted citizens of a number of countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Argentina, Colombia, India, and a couple of others who are *not* permanent residents. Would have been possible that it'd be extended to French citizens as well.
Interesting.


Both the TSA and DHS websites say the same "U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents."


As opposed to GE, Nexus and Sentri, there's no mention of any other eligible categories for TSA Pre✓®.


Yes, TSA Pre✓® is part and parcel of the other three Trusted Traveler programs, but with Nexus and Sentri it is still restricted to U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents, with the addition of Canadian citizens in the case of Nexus.


Johan


Johan
johan rebel is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 1:04 pm
  #1033  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
Originally Posted by San Gottardo
Not only. Also for vetted citizens of a number of countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Argentina, Colombia, India, and a couple of others who are *not* permanent residents. Would have been possible that it'd be extended to French citizens as well.
You got it NEARLY correct. The TSA Pre programm is only open to enrollment for US citizens - but you can be included in that program via Global Entry. So if you're from a GE eligible country and approved for GE you get your KTN ( know traveller number ) which will be part of every future booking and transmitted with the details to the TSA to be PreCheck approved. This german citizen is using GE for about 6 years and have been PreChecked for every single flight since then as long as it was possible ( not using terminals were there is no PreCheck ). It saved me DAYS of my life not waiting in line....
BER Flyer is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 1:57 pm
  #1034  
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Join Date: Oct 2000
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Originally Posted by BER Flyer
This german citizen is using GE for about 6 years and have been PreChecked for every single flight since then as long as it was possible.
And, just to reiterate, you do not have to be a member of any Trusted Traveler program to enjoy TSA Pre✓® benefits. Based on criteria unknown to me, I always get it, as long as I fly on a participating airline.


Johan
johan rebel is offline  
Old Feb 2, 2018, 7:38 pm
  #1035  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Le Club, Hilton HHonors, Hertz Gold Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 476
Originally Posted by Goldorak
It’s been announced today that AF and KL will now be participating to TSApre program, so a new nice benefit they could provide to Ultimate members is to waive the application fee, as some US airlines are doing for their top tier members.
I imagine very few Ultis are meeting the eligibility criteria for TSApre application (US National or permanent resident), so I don't really see the point for AF/KL to offer this.
SkyteamEP is offline  

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