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
Aug 27, 2018, 3:25 am
#1412
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AFKL Platinum/Club 2000, UA Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 79
I suppose that you're calling the TA to ticket itineraries with specific flights/stopover that do not appear on the website. In that case if you tell the agent they're generally willing (at least from experience with the Platinum Line) to waive the fees.
Aug 27, 2018, 5:57 am
#1413
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
That is odd. Does this fee appear explicitly on your invoice? I went through the TA team to book a couple of flights, and the airfare was on par with that found on line. Must be a clerical error. 35 euros per ticket is simply outlandish.
Aug 27, 2018, 6:06 am
#1414
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Operational upgrades to P are not uncommon for Ultimates. Suffice to be on the right route at the right time. Altea will do the rest. Over a one-year period, I have been opup'ed thrice on an Asian route. It is always fun to see a ticket popping out of the machine at the gate, saying "New seat", especially when you least expect it
.
Aug 27, 2018, 1:21 pm
#1415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,918
Operational upgrades to P are not uncommon for Ultimates. Suffice to be on the right route at the right time. Altea will do the rest. Over a one-year period, I have been opup'ed thrice on an Asian route. It is always fun to see a ticket popping out of the machine at the gate, saying "New seat", especially when you least expect it .
.
, because for me, it's the 1st op-up to P since I am Ultimate. And I can tell you they had other opportunities during the last 18 months with a couple of flights having P and J being fully booked/overbooked. My complaint after the summer chaos may have played a role as well.
Aug 31, 2018, 4:47 am
#1416
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,834
A question to you ULTIs: how loyal are you to AFKL? When given a choice between them and competitors, do they get nearly all of your flying business? Are you open and pick other airlines because you don't care about getting more into bed (more XPs, feeling more at home, etc) with AFKL? Did you make ULTI by accident?
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Aug 31, 2018, 5:43 am
#1417
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Platinum, Eurostar carte blanche...
Posts: 22
I asked TA about roll-over of ULTI XP: she confirmed that there will not be roll over in order to preserve some exclusivity and "avoid ULTI going from 1k something members to 3k or 4k"...
Aug 31, 2018, 5:45 am
#1418
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Platinum, Eurostar carte blanche...
Posts: 22
A question to you ULTIs: how loyal are you to AFKL? When given a choice between them and competitors, do they get nearly all of your flying business? Are you open and pick other airlines because you don't care about getting more into bed (more XPs, feeling more at home, etc) with AFKL? Did you make ULTI by accident?
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Aug 31, 2018, 9:54 am
#1419
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
A question to you ULTIs: how loyal are you to AFKL? When given a choice between them and competitors, do they get nearly all of your flying business? Are you open and pick other airlines because you don't care about getting more into bed (more XPs, feeling more at home, etc) with AFKL? Did you make ULTI by accident?
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
In all likelihood the Ultimate/Club2000 that you met has already reached the 1,800 UXP threshold guaranteeing renewal of his status. The absence of UXP rollover is not the best incentive to ensure the loyalty of the airline's top-tier customers, but I would imagine that the program management thought about it when they made this decision
.
Sep 1, 2018, 11:11 am
#1420
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
A question to you ULTIs: how loyal are you to AFKL? When given a choice between them and competitors, do they get nearly all of your flying business? Are you open and pick other airlines because you don't care about getting more into bed (more XPs, feeling more at home, etc) with AFKL? Did you make ULTI by accident?
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
Reason I am asking is that on Tuesday morning there was a chap sitting a row in front of me on an LX flight CDG-ZRH, he was Club 2000 Ultimate according to his luggage tag. He exited in Zurich, so not connecting to another destination that AFKL woulnd't serve maybe. However, he could have taken an AF flight at exactly the same time - so he wasn't on LX for better schedule either. So I started wondering about the loyalty of ULTIs.
The only reason for me to fly AFKL is KLM’s flown destinations: they are strong at second / third tier airports in Scandinavia and good in China, too (Chengdu, Xiamen, Taipei). With CityHopper, I am connected from my home airport to AMS 3 to 4 times a day.
When flying East Europe and more popular destinations in Asia, I usually go for LH group (LH, LX, sometimes OS).
AF is almost black listed to me. I cannot afford to be stuck in Paris 3-4 times a year because the pilots, or the cabin crew, or the ground staff, or the catering company or the air trafic controller or whom ever else is striking.
XPs (or what ever miles is provided in other companies) is not considered when booking. First priotity for me is to get a matching flight schedule with as less connections as possible. When I have several choices, I go for LH Group for the perfect service provided to HON members.
ULTI should simply NOT be a target to no one! As reported in the previous 95 pages of this forum, their is no advantage to get ULTI (specially when flying KL).
So, you could also see me very often on Star Alliance flights, even being ULTI!
Sep 1, 2018, 12:59 pm
#1421
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Let's not be completely negative and ingrate here. While it is true that there is a glaring (and unacceptable) imbalance in terms of service at AMS and CDG, and that the perks and freebees are clearly not on par with similar top-tier programs, e.g., DL's Diamond/360 and LH's HON circle, as Ultimates, we are on top of the upgrade list in case of opup's, and many of us have been indulged to fly in P once or twice per year.
Last edited by Macaron54; Sep 1, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Sep 1, 2018, 1:51 pm
#1423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,918
A question to you ULTIs: how loyal are you to AFKL? When given a choice between them and competitors, do they get nearly all of your flying business? Are you open and pick other airlines because you don't care about getting more into bed (more XPs, feeling more at home, etc) with AFKL? Did you make ULTI by accident?
- I truly enjoy flying them and have mostly good to very good experience, even more since I am Ulti
- I am based in Paris and so it's a no brainer regarding schedule/frequencies and many code-shares are also available providing overall a very good offer to pax.
- interesting corporate fares in J long-haul
- more published and unpublished benefits thanks to my status. This is particularly important for medium-haul because I fly Y (with a few exceptions), so benefiting from all SkyP services and lounge access is key for me. While for long-haul, I fly J so I get all the benefits by the travel class whatever the airline.
This being said, I don't hesitate sometimes to fly other airlines/alliances :
- when AF doesn't serve the destination (obvious reason, but I have to mention it)
- if AF prices are much higher than competition (not so rare)
- when AF is not capable to provide me with the level of service I am expecting. For instance, in 2017, when we had this chaos for immigration control at 2E and because Ulti was totally useless, I flew twice to the US in J with UA/LH to avoid this madness. They finally introduced the escort at immigration at 2E, so I bring back my trips to AF after this.
- when AF is obviously not interested by my business. I am referring here to this insanity of no rollover of UXPs. I am requalified Ulti since end july. I have not cancelled any already booked AF trips because off this and I have booked a few new AF trips, but AF has already lost 2 long-haul trips in J to competition because obviously they don't care.
I still hope that they will realize their mistake and reverse their decision very soon. It is never too late to admit a mistake. They need our money more than ever after the strikes (without mentioning the likely coming ones...
) and also because I am fearing the operating result of the summer will be catastrophic for AF. Not because of a lack of pax and income but because of the complete chaos in their operations during the summer leading to a very likely huge amount of compensation to be paid to customers.
Sep 1, 2018, 3:41 pm
#1424
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Let's not be completely negative and ingrate here. While it is true that there is a glaring (and unacceptable) imbalance in terms of service at AMS and CDG, and that the perks and freebees are clearly not on par with similar top-tier programs, e.g., DL's Diamond/360 and LH's HON circle, as Ultimates, we are on top of the upgrade list in case of opup's, and many of us have been indulged to fly in P once or twice per year.
Last edited by Pamplona; Sep 1, 2018 at 4:29 pm Reason: Typo mistake
Sep 1, 2018, 4:40 pm
#1425
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
At the moment, between favoring the business with a possible consequence of having maybe 100 Ulti having rollover UXP and maintaining hypothetically a fixed Ulti number at 1K and losing business from those 100 "best" Ultimates pax, they have chosen the latter and this is a complete non-sense IMO.
200? 1000? 5000???