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
Mar 8, 2018, 3:47 pm
#1111
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
I completely copy this : the Apron (internally A bus-gates) for AMS are a hassle.
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!
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!
Fully agree that a limo service when arriving / departing from 2G in CDG (for connection) would be highly appreciated. Same at B terminal in AMS.
Never seen a C Class bus in MUC (are you sure???), but always benefit about my private 750 BMW or Porsche Panamera as HON.
Too early to tell you about KL and CityHopper, as I only have one return flight behind me (total 4 flights). But out of these 4 flights, only one welcomed me personally: a B737 towards AMS. In all other flights (B737 / E190), nada!
Mar 8, 2018, 3:49 pm
#1112
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Wow, congrats! I never managed that <25mn or so!!! And I would say 30mn in AMS!
Mar 8, 2018, 4:50 pm
#1113
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,075
Even LO does this in WAW. Really I think this should be standard for both boarding and arrival.
Mar 8, 2018, 10:49 pm
#1114
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Au contraire. Some Club2000 Ultimates do benefit from this service normally reserved to P customers. I know it for a fact from my ground-staff contact, who actually handles the BSDs at CDG, the big pooh-bahs (e.g., CEOs of luxury brands, if you get the gist) who bring high revenues to the airline, and which AF has to indulge with this sort of dedicated service. We are (I am for sure 
) small potatoes by comparison, and can, thus, walk and take the bus between terminals. They, on the contrary, cannot, lest breaking a little sweat, or worse, messing up their expensive shoes.
) small potatoes by comparison, and can, thus, walk and take the bus between terminals. They, on the contrary, cannot, lest breaking a little sweat, or worse, messing up their expensive shoes.
Mar 8, 2018, 11:00 pm
#1116
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
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...
. We have come a long way since the cattle corrals with red velvet ropes. The private spaces with an open bar at CDG s3 and s4 lounges are very comfortable, quiet and functional (whether and when we will have anything equivalent at AMS or any outstation belongs to science-fiction). The only drawback is that you have to go to the jungle of the common space to dish up and bring your food back. What you are hinting at is the P-lounge, which is clearly beyond boundaries. There, it is virtually Michelin-star cuisine from the Ducasse team. If you behave nicely , they might just offer you an upgrade with the whole enchilada, as they did for me at the turn of the year.Macaron54
Mar 8, 2018, 11:04 pm
#1117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,935
Thanks. Was that once or several occasions ? Not a single time for me despite passing through ATL may be 12 times since I am Ulti.
I had that once (service provided by DL for AF) in MSP. But that was only once (passed through MSP again after this and got nothing.
I had that once (service provided by DL for AF) in MSP. But that was only once (passed through MSP again after this and got nothing.
Mar 9, 2018, 1:37 am
#1118
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Mar 9, 2018, 1:48 am
#1119
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,648
That is not always the case (as far as I'm concerned i.e. direct experience, it tends to work better on arrival in Warsaw, where chances of docking straight on to a gate are virtually next-to-nil). I wouldn't stretch as far as labelling it hit-and-miss but...
G
G
Mar 9, 2018, 1:50 am
#1120
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
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?
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?
What would be interesting is how they really handle IRROPS. I was stranded in NYC because of the snow storm, all AF flights cancelled. They send me a message telling me that mine had been cancelled and that they'd contact me to let me know when I'd be traveling instead. I nevertheless called the Plat line, put myself on various waitlists for all flights the following day. None could be confirmed, so I had the uncertainty about if and when AF would take me back. I already changed all my weekly plan to spend a night more in NYC when my assistant rings and says "our travel agent got you a seat on an AF flight operated by DL out of JFK to LHR tonight, and then onward to Paris. We can use your existing ticket for the JFK-CDG nonstop". Which meant leaving on the original day, and arriving a mere 2.5 hours later in Paris than originally planned. So why couldn't AF do that? And: would they have done that to an ULTI?
Which brings me back to another point that is great about both SEN and HON status: booking guarantee.In the NYC case I was on waitlist on the AF flight, and all inventory was zeroed out. My next call was to LH, where all inventory was zeroed out as well, but thanks to the 24H booking guarantee I had a confirmed booking immediately for the flight of my choice the next day. I ended up not taking it because I preferred leaving on the day I had originally planned to leave, be it on DL. But still, booking guarantee is extremely valuable, we had a discusison here about this - and I just wanted to bring it up as it's not one of the things you have on your "things I like about HON" list. For me it's extremely valuable as I often change plans at short notice.
Mar 9, 2018, 1:58 am
#1121
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,051
ULTI benefits on medium haul flights
Hi,
i would like to raise the point that most of posts are related to long haul flights.
As ULTI member travelling numerous times within Europe, the level of reconnaissance is quite low or close to zero.In most of the cases you get no reco by crew members in the plane.
The number of times you are not parked at the airbridge it’s quite high. As ULTI member we expect a dedicated car or bus to join the terminal .
The single advantage I see is the access to the 4 square meters reserved area at some CDG lounge (forget it at other European AF/KL lounges.
i would like to raise the point that most of posts are related to long haul flights.
As ULTI member travelling numerous times within Europe, the level of reconnaissance is quite low or close to zero.In most of the cases you get no reco by crew members in the plane.
The number of times you are not parked at the airbridge it’s quite high. As ULTI member we expect a dedicated car or bus to join the terminal .
The single advantage I see is the access to the 4 square meters reserved area at some CDG lounge (forget it at other European AF/KL lounges.
That’s quite few benefits for weekly loyal customers travelling within europe .
Mar 9, 2018, 3:42 am
#1122
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 313
" I'll have to disappoint you: that is not an ULTI exclusive. As I had written somewhere upthread even PFLs get that, since about summer/autumn (September?) of last year. Chit-chat from the CDC, they know your name, etc. Yesterday, I boarded a medium haul flight, went towards my seat and one of the FAs (not even sure it was the CDC, but could have been) saw me put things in the overhead above row 2, he approached "Mr. San Gottardo, can I help you stow your luggage". Very nice touch - but as you see, this happens to a non-ULTI."
Even worse news: I have had similar experiences on most AF flights since September, as a humble Plat whose first full year has only just begun...it doesn't mean much at the time but you start to miss it when it doesn't happen!
Even worse news: I have had similar experiences on most AF flights since September, as a humble Plat whose first full year has only just begun...it doesn't mean much at the time but you start to miss it when it doesn't happen!
Mar 9, 2018, 5:28 am
#1123
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
Great ulti experience in CPT: escort from checkin to the lounge and then to the aircraft for preboarding without asking.
Arrival in CDG 2E: no escort for immigration and as usual all of the about 10 shiny paraf out of order. ADP is ŕ disgrace.
Arrival in CDG 2E: no escort for immigration and as usual all of the about 10 shiny paraf out of order. ADP is ŕ disgrace.
Mar 9, 2018, 8:59 am
#1124
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
" I'll have to disappoint you: that is not an ULTI exclusive. As I had written somewhere upthread even PFLs get that, since about summer/autumn (September?) of last year. Chit-chat from the CDC, they know your name, etc. Yesterday, I boarded a medium haul flight, went towards my seat and one of the FAs (not even sure it was the CDC, but could have been) saw me put things in the overhead above row 2, he approached "Mr. San Gottardo, can I help you stow your luggage". Very nice touch - but as you see, this happens to a non-ULTI."
Even worse news: I have had similar experiences on most AF flights since September, as a humble Plat whose first full year has only just begun...it doesn't mean much at the time but you start to miss it when it doesn't happen!
Even worse news: I have had similar experiences on most AF flights since September, as a humble Plat whose first full year has only just begun...it doesn't mean much at the time but you start to miss it when it doesn't happen!
You usually only hear your name on long haul flights in business Class, when the waitress comes to get your food order after take off. But that’s independent from your status.
At the same time, once again, I didn’t miss that “service” which on the other side I systematically get on all LH flight right after boarding.
Mar 9, 2018, 11:00 am
#1125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Personally, I couldn't care less. It is one aspect of the in-flight service I can do without.
Johan