Last edit by: sehgalanuj
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE
Main facts
Ultimate is not a status in FB but a tag on Platinum / Platinum for life / Club 2000 Skipper existing status.
While regular 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
New 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). Note that we had several reports in 2022 showing that SP benefits are not granted in practice to travel companions.
- 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, upgrade 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 apps.
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. Otherwise no special treatment to report, apart pre-boarding sometimes granted Shame on KL !!!
Paris CDG- CDG 2C :
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 not a status in FB but a tag on Platinum / Platinum for life / Club 2000 Skipper existing status.
While regular 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
New 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). Note that we had several reports in 2022 showing that SP benefits are not granted in practice to travel companions.
- 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, upgrade 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 apps.
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. Otherwise no special treatment to report, apart pre-boarding sometimes granted Shame on KL !!!
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 Escort confirmed to be provided as of October 2nd 2023
- Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign. On occasions, ADP staff refuse entry despite show of ULTI boarding pass/status card. Lane confirmed functioning as of October 5th, 2023 (unmanned line)
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone. 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). Escort confirmed to be provided as of October 5th, 2023
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
Arrival lounge : higher priority for a shower(Note : 2C arrival lounge definitely closed)
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" for most recent update
- 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" for most recent update
- 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
- UIP: no special treatment to report
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" for most recent update
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 + extra attentions from staff (table reserved for night service, etc)
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only/terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs),
- 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 Porshe 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
- SCL:
- 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 (escort through security from check-in to lounge is now systematically refused, while provided during the 2 first years of Ulti)
- HND: Arrival : new 09/2023 = escort through immigration. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge, 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 though immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status
#1096
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
Ultimate "good" stations
Based on the inconsistency of programs benefits I found interesting to share best location for Ultimate passenger, mines are :
- GIG = always escort for arrival with no queue passport check
- PEK = always escort for arrival
- ATL
- MRS = station manager took care of my pre boarding personally and was very glad to do for "high revenue" customer
- NCE
I will not share the list of the station where improvment is needed, thus objective is to leverage service/benefits with good examples location that valuate the program
Rgds
- GIG = always escort for arrival with no queue passport check
- PEK = always escort for arrival
- ATL
- MRS = station manager took care of my pre boarding personally and was very glad to do for "high revenue" customer
- NCE
I will not share the list of the station where improvment is needed, thus objective is to leverage service/benefits with good examples location that valuate the program
Rgds
#1097
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 364
I several tried to "challenge" customer service/TA based on HON benefit or other program , here below you will found the answer in french (i let google translate help you), that do not deserve any comments :
"Cher Monsieur X ,
Nous avons bien reu votre demande de clarification sur les bnfices 360 Delta et Hon Lufthansa.
Nous n'avons pas d'informations sur le programme offert par d'autres Compagnies ariennes. Je vous envoie un lien pour des informations de 360 Delta (trouv via Google.com).
https://thepointsguy.com/2016/06/top-perks-delta-360/
Bien cordialement,
Y
Service Client"
Rgds
"Cher Monsieur X ,
Nous avons bien reu votre demande de clarification sur les bnfices 360 Delta et Hon Lufthansa.
Nous n'avons pas d'informations sur le programme offert par d'autres Compagnies ariennes. Je vous envoie un lien pour des informations de 360 Delta (trouv via Google.com).
https://thepointsguy.com/2016/06/top-perks-delta-360/
Bien cordialement,
Y
Service Client"
Rgds
Hell yes, indeed they have no information, neither do they have any clue...
#1098
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: ST E+, *G, some hotel gold...
Posts: 7,825
Not sure how to calculate that, but for me it was in 2017 (if my calendar is still actual) following return flights: 5 times HKG (via FRA or AMS), 2 times SIN (all via FRA), 3 times TPE (all via AMS), 1 time BKK (via FRA), 2 times INC (via FRA) and 1 time KUL (via AMS). 1 flight to SFO (via FRA) and 1 flight to DEL (via AMS). Too many flights within Europe (via FRA or AMS) to be listed. Seems that both, Business Class and the short connecting flight to AMS, CDG or FRA help a lot to reach higher qualifying points.
Both showed earning of about 40k miles per return.
Of course in reality one would probably have a lot more different flights, as you do. Then thinking if a connecting business flight through AMS would give you 1500 miles times two, that's 6000 a return. You wouldn't even need to fly once a week on averate for Ulti, and that's just Europe. In reality I think 95+% of Ultis is definitely in between and most if not all the 5-% is people who just take a La Premiere flight to somewhere every couple months.
I don't know if that will be enough or otherwise how deep you would have to go. KLM seems to be sometimes resistant to norms coming in from the French side, for better or worse.
#1099
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
Based on the inconsistency of programs benefits I found interesting to share best location for Ultimate passenger, mines are :
- GIG = always escort for arrival with no queue passport check
- PEK = always escort for arrival
- ATL
- MRS = station manager took care of my pre boarding personally and was very glad to do for "high revenue" customer
- NCE
- GIG = always escort for arrival with no queue passport check
- PEK = always escort for arrival
- ATL
- MRS = station manager took care of my pre boarding personally and was very glad to do for "high revenue" customer
- NCE
I fly through ATL a lot (always connecting) and never had any special service (like an escort from plane to plane to plane to lounge, etc).
To this list, I am adding my list of trusted stations : VCE, MPL (but not consistent), IAD, BOS, DXB.
I believe you should. We never hesitated in the past in this thread to name a station with bad service. It put some pressure on them. For me the worst has been repeatedly JFK and the well-known AMS.
#1100
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
Originally Posted by travelbits;[url=tel:29496727
29496727]One the one hand is is an absolute joke to answer your request to mirror their offering with a link is this ; on the other hand it speaks for itself that they 'do not have information about partner programs'.
Hell yes, indeed they have no information, neither do they have any clue...
Hell yes, indeed they have no information, neither do they have any clue...
Then, to get a sense for how it works in reality and how members feel about it, there are a couple of good threads on Flyertalk and on VFT (surely there is someone at FB who can read German or at least use Google translator).
Also, I have given them copious input on HON during the design phase of ULTI. The questions they asked lead me to believe that they were focusing on the wrong things (confirmed by the ULTI program when it was launched). And I hope for them that they have spoken to some other HONs as well. And now they even have Pamplona who is both ULTI and HON, I hope somebody finds an hour to talk to you and get your comparison.
I find their answer we dont know about others, but you can google yourself a sign of ignorance (we dont know about others) and arrogant (just google it). Ignorance and arrogance, very much the old-style AF.
#1101
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 59
I fully agree that benefits should be officially documented; this would also give less freedom to the AF/KL employees and subcontractors around the world to do what they want, as per their own perception of better service.
As explained above, my first trip with AF/KL since I am Ulti didn't provide ANY benefit (really zero change to previous Platinum benefits), and even reading the last few pages of posts on this forum, if the benefit is only to get a glass of DomPerignon from First Class instead of a glass of Moet&Chandon from Business Class (which would even not be the case, as KL has no First class), I am sorry to say that I miss the point. By the way, I also never get a drink from LH First Class when traveling as HON in Business Class. Who cares about that???
To be frank, not sure if I am willing to spend an hour talking with someone about my expectations, knowing that they are not filling them anyway... As obviously, my wished benefits (again: limousine service when landing at outside parking position + more confidential lounge) are not on their working list...
As explained above, my first trip with AF/KL since I am Ulti didn't provide ANY benefit (really zero change to previous Platinum benefits), and even reading the last few pages of posts on this forum, if the benefit is only to get a glass of DomPerignon from First Class instead of a glass of Moet&Chandon from Business Class (which would even not be the case, as KL has no First class), I am sorry to say that I miss the point. By the way, I also never get a drink from LH First Class when traveling as HON in Business Class. Who cares about that???
To be frank, not sure if I am willing to spend an hour talking with someone about my expectations, knowing that they are not filling them anyway... As obviously, my wished benefits (again: limousine service when landing at outside parking position + more confidential lounge) are not on their working list...
#1102
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
To be frank, not sure if I am willing to spend an hour talking with someone about my expectations, knowing that they are not filling them anyway... As obviously, my wished benefits (again: limousine service when landing at outside parking position + more confidential lounge) are not on their working list...
The simpler solution would obviously be to just send them the HON benefits of something from the US programs and say "This is what I want".
#1103
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 59
Just back from my first return trip as Ultimate passenger on KL metal, with stop-over in AMS again.
Same as on the inbound journey, still nothing better to report compared to previous Platinum benefits during check-in, X-ray, lounge, boarding, catering, disembarkink, transfer, boarding, BUT, haha, on the connecting flight, an hostess came to me, with a smiling Good afternoon Mr XXX, how are you today?
Wow, I am so happy that I reached the Ultimate level... That will make my frequent traveller life much more enjoyable now...
As an example today, what I missed the most -compared to an arrival in FRA or MUC as LH HON- is the limousine service. We parked in AMS at an oustanding position (terminal B) and I departed from another oustanding position in Terminal B again. I had 45 minutes connection time between landing (luckily on time) and departure; that’s really short when you board the bus as first passenger (being sitted in raw 1), need to wait for the last passenger to board the bus, drive all the way to the central terminal, and walk all the way back to B... Of course that’s all feasible, but this is exactly the comfort provided by LH to people who are doing that 2-3 times a week! No need to run in airports anymore.
Next trial on Monday again, with KL again (and again via AMS); hope to get another smiling Bonjour from a steward / hostess at least... Haha!
Same as on the inbound journey, still nothing better to report compared to previous Platinum benefits during check-in, X-ray, lounge, boarding, catering, disembarkink, transfer, boarding, BUT, haha, on the connecting flight, an hostess came to me, with a smiling Good afternoon Mr XXX, how are you today?
Wow, I am so happy that I reached the Ultimate level... That will make my frequent traveller life much more enjoyable now...
As an example today, what I missed the most -compared to an arrival in FRA or MUC as LH HON- is the limousine service. We parked in AMS at an oustanding position (terminal B) and I departed from another oustanding position in Terminal B again. I had 45 minutes connection time between landing (luckily on time) and departure; that’s really short when you board the bus as first passenger (being sitted in raw 1), need to wait for the last passenger to board the bus, drive all the way to the central terminal, and walk all the way back to B... Of course that’s all feasible, but this is exactly the comfort provided by LH to people who are doing that 2-3 times a week! No need to run in airports anymore.
Next trial on Monday again, with KL again (and again via AMS); hope to get another smiling Bonjour from a steward / hostess at least... Haha!
#1104
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
To be frank, not sure if I am willing to spend an hour talking with someone about my expectations, knowing that they are not filling them anyway... As obviously, my wished benefits (again: limousine service when landing at outside parking position + more confidential lounge) are not on their working list...
Pamplona,
just to correct your assessment, the "more confidential lounge" is already implemented, at least at CDG. This is true at the s3 (L) and s4 (M) lounges, where a private space has been designed for us. Not just a little corral where we are parked like cattle, as was the case when the FB Ultimate was launched, but a private room with an open bar. Of course, this kind of dedicated space only exists at CDG nothing at all at AMS, not even a red velvety rope to park us away from the riffraff .
As for the limo service, they jumped the gun at the dawn of the program, and had it offered, though not for long, as the ground staff bitterly complained about it . Given the logistics at CDG (number of Jaguars, staff availability), you will not get anything, unless you are a super duper Club 2000 Ultimate, in which case someone (dragging their feet) will pick you up, escort you through security, and usher you to the lounge. I just got it confirmed this morning by one of the lounge leaders at CDG. And again, if it does not exist at CDG, it certainly won't happen in any foreseeable future at AMS .
Cheers,
Macaron54
#1105
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 364
We parked in AMS at an oustanding position (terminal B) and I departed from another oustanding position in Terminal B again. I had 45 minutes connection time between landing (luckily on time) and departure; that’s really short when you board the bus as first passenger (being sitted in raw 1), ..
Two things do help at AMS B gates: First, if it happens to be an uneven gate number B or an even but higher than 20 and a multiple of 4 (I am not kidding!) then the plane is at the gate - that helps me in estimating connection time needed. Secondly, when leaving the plane sit in the back of the bus, that shaves of a few seconds as well when heading into the main terminal via the revolving doors.
And of course if one needs tot transfer at CDG to the G terminal, a limo service would be needed indeed.
What I have noticed is that BA (LHR) and LH (MUC) use a smaller first bus (or a dedicted C class bus) when planes are bussed. So, not even for super-elites, just for C class.
Pamplona, I would be interested if you see a difference between KLM and KLM Cityhopper re ULTI - Cityhopper uses the smaller E190 E175 planes, KLM the 737 (within Europe).
CHeers!
#1106
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
And it ain't going to happen anytime soon, as was restated to me this morning. On the other hand, it took me, door to door, less than 10 minutes this morning, at 7am, to go from 2E-K to 2G, including having my baggage X-ray'ed, which could be much worse.
Macaron54
#1107
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
BA seems to be going in the right direction on this matter: https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/new...rvice-heathrow
#1108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
The limo transfer service is offered to Ulti when a connection is endangered. I reported one nice experience in this thread when I was connecting in CDG from TXL (2F) to RNS (2G), on 2 separate tickets and due to a big delay of the TXL flight my connection was less than 30 min. The limo was waiting for me at the foot of the plane in 2F and I was in my RNS-bound flight less than 10 min after disembarking ^
#1109
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paris,FR
Programs: AF/KL FBPFL Ultimate, IHG Spire, HERTZ 5 stars
Posts: 82
Could you detail what kind of service you had in NCE and ATL ? And in ATL, were you connecting or O/D ?
I believe you should. We never hesitated in the past in this thread to name a station with bad service. It put some pressure on them. For me the worst has been repeatedly JFK and the well-known AMS.
I believe you should. We never hesitated in the past in this thread to name a station with bad service. It put some pressure on them. For me the worst has been repeatedly JFK and the well-known AMS.
ATL = I got escort through passport from plane
Worst locations are :
HND = escort refusal, no specific attention at boarding
GRU = escort refusal * 3
STR = no specific attention at lounge
Rgds
#1110
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 59
Pamplona,
just to correct your assessment, the "more confidential lounge" is already implemented, at least at CDG. This is true at the s3 (L) and s4 (M) lounges, where a private space has been designed for us. Not just a little corral where we are parked like cattle, as was the case when the FB Ultimate was launched, but a private room with an open bar. Of course, this kind of dedicated space only exists at CDG nothing at all at AMS, not even a red velvety rope to park us away from the riffraff .
As for the limo service, they jumped the gun at the dawn of the program, and had it offered, though not for long, as the ground staff bitterly complained about it . Given the logistics at CDG (number of Jaguars, staff availability), you will not get anything, unless you are a super duper Club 2000 Ultimate, in which case someone (dragging their feet) will pick you up, escort you through security, and usher you to the lounge. I just got it confirmed this morning by one of the lounge leaders at CDG. And again, if it does not exist at CDG, it certainly won't happen in any foreseeable future at AMS .
Cheers,
Macaron54
And a private room with an open bar sounds anyway ridiculous compared to what I get at FRA and MUC: a real first class experience, with a real gourmet restaurant in the lounge (not self service, but served by waiters, etc...). For sure not a Michelin star restaurant, but quite impressive for an airport; with a real menu and a selection of several appetizers / main courses / desserts, etc etc etc...