May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
Last edit by: Goldorak
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE
Main facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB. It may be added to Club 2000 – Skipper status.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring 1 from W to J, or 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with still only one voucher used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of 2 vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights).
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY app.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Reserved area in the Schengen lounge (need to ask staff at long entrance). Pre-boarding sometimes granted at the gate.
Paris CDG
Paris ORY
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- AJA: no special treatment to reportMain facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB. It may be added to Club 2000 – Skipper status.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring 1 from W to J, or 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with still only one voucher used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of 2 vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights).
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY app.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Reserved area in the Schengen lounge (need to ask staff at long entrance). Pre-boarding sometimes granted at the gate.
Paris CDG
- CDG 2E:
- Departure : Escort from check-in to immigration in the morning (super fast track). Reserved space at K/L/M lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding
- Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign.
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone (on the left of terminal). Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding. Escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line).
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
Paris ORY
- Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- BES: no special treatment to report
- BIQ: no special treatment to report
- BOD: pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- CDG: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- LYS: Escort from lounge to plane when flying from B gates provided upon request . Preboarding with escort to the plane consistently provided.
- MPL: pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed (AF agent comes to the contract lounge to meet the Ultimate guest)
- MRS: no special treatment to report
- NCE: Reserved area in Infinity lounge (inconsistently provided : seems to be provided only when lounge crowded). Pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed.
- NTE: no special treatment to report
- ORY: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- PUF: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- RNS: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- TLS: Escort from check in to lounge inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding consistently provided
Germany
- BER: no special treatment to report
- DUS: no special treatment to report
- FRA: no special treatment to report
- HAM: no special treatment to report
- HAJ: No special treatment to report.
- MUC: Reserved area in the lounge, escort from lounge to plane with pre-boarding proposed.
- STR: reserved area in the lounge, pre-boarding
Greece
- ATH: no special treatment to report
- HER: no special treatment to report
- JTR: no special treatment to report
Hungary
- BUD: escort through security from check-in to lounge proposed
Ireland
- DUB: no special treatment to report
Italy
- BLQ: escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- BRI: no special treatment to report
- CTA: no special treatment to report
- FCO: no special treatment to report
- FLR: no special treatment to report
- LIN: no special treatment to report
- MXP: pre-boarding granted by request
- VCE: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane (not always consistently proposed)
- NAP: no special treatment to report
Netherlands
- AMS: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
Norway
- OSL: no special treatment to report
- TRF: no special treatment to report
- KRS: no special treatment to report
- SVG: no special treatment to report
Poland
- WAW: no special treatment to report
- KRK: no special treatment to report
- GDN: no special treatment to report
Portugal
- LIS: pre-boarding proposed upon request
Russia
- SVO: no special treatment to report
- LED: no special treatment to report
Spain
- AGP: no special treatment to report
- BCN: no special treatment to report
- MAD: no special treatment to report
- PMI: no special treatment to report
- SVQ: no special treatment to report
- TFS: no special treatment to report
- VLC: no special treatment to report
Sweden
- ARN: no special treatment to report
- GOT: no special treatment to report
Switzerland
- GVA: pre-boarding upon request. Reserved area in the lounge
- ZRH: no special treatment
United Kingdom
- ABZ: no special treatment to report
- EDI: no special treatment to report
- LHR: no special treatment to report
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
- YUL: Escort from check-in to lounge upon request. Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane
- YYZ: escort on arrival through immigration, consistently offered. / Escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to airplane
- YQB: escort from check-in to lounge proposed
- YVR: no special treatment to report
USA
- ATL: no special treatment to report (in connection)
- BOS: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding, all consistently provided mostly spontaneously, sometimes upon request. A separate room in the AF lounge is also proposed.
- DTW: no special treatment to report (starting from DTW or in connection)
- IAD: escort through security from check-in to lounge upon request, but inconsistently provided. Reserved area at the lounge.
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only / terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs),
- JFK (KL only / terminal 4) : no special treatments to report.
- LAX: no special treatment to report
- ORD: On arrival, escort through immigration (not consistently provided). On departure, escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane (pre-boarding)
- MSP: no special treatment to report, except one case of special DL Elite VIP treatment with expedited immigration and Porsche transfer to/from lounge (not a regular benefit to expect)
- SEA: pre-boarding with escort to plane
- SFO: reserved area in lounge
Mexico
- MEX (Terminal 1): escort through security to lounge with access to dedicated space. Ride from lounge to gate. Sometimes escort on arrival
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
- BOG: no special treatment to report
- LIM: escort to lounge, provided spontaneously
- GIG: Pre-boarding upon request.
- GRU: escort in case of short connection upon request, inconsistently provided; as of 02/2024 pre-boarding offered at check-in and provided by gate-staff (inconsistently provided).
- SCL: as of 03/2024 escort to lounge offered at departure check-in, pick-up from lounge and pre-boarding done
- EZE: escort to lounge with special crew lane for immigration provided spontaneously
ASIA / PACIFIC
- BKK: escort through security from check-in to lounge, upon request but inconsistently proposed. In connection : escort in case of short connection (better to request it before departure).
- BLR: escort from lounge to gate, pre-boarding provided
- BOM : escort from plane to immigration, and from checkin to the lounge
- DEL: as of 01/2024 escort upon arrival; proactive pre-departure call to arrange terminal entry via VIP entrance and escort to gate for pre-boarding (if lounge used, offered to pick up for pre-boarding)
- HKG: no special treatment to report.
- HND: Arrival : new 09/2023 = escort through immigration. Departure : escort from check-in desk to private (crew) security, proposed spontaneously
- KIX: Arrival : escort through immigration, wait at baggage claim. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge All proposed spontaneously
- SIN: no special treatment to report
CARIBBEAN & INDIAN OCEAN
- CUR: no special treatment to report, there is no (sky)priority lane for security or immigration, but escort/short track is available for 100 $.
- HAV: at departure, escort from check in counters until security checks. Pre-boarding offered. No escort at arrival. No reserved space in Lounge.
- FDF: No reserved space in Lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate.
- MRU: escort on arrival through immigration. Unknown for departures (no data point)
- PTP: Reserved table in lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge with escort from lounge to plane.
- RUN: Pre-boarding proposed at check-in and in the lounge, with escort from lounge to plane. Reserved seats in lounge
- SXM: Escort for incoming transit pax (from/to AF flight) through passport controls and security, pre-boarding pro-actively offered for AF departure
MIDDLE EAST
- AUH : no special treatment to report
- BEY: no special treatment to report
- DXB: escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to plane, all upon request, consistently provided. Access to the Ahlan lounge (normally reserved for P pax) instead of Skyteam lounge.
- JED: no special treatment to report
- RUH: no special treatment to report
- IST: no special treatment to report
AFRICA
- AGA: escort from check in to lounge and from lounge to aircraft, provided spontaneously
- CAI: no special treatment to report
- CMN: escort on arrival through immigration (not always consistently provided)
- CPT: escort from counter to lounge, provided spontaneously
- JNB: escort from counter to lounge (no fast track at immigration), provided spontaneously
- LOS: no special treatment to report
- RAK: escort on arrival, upon request (not provided on departure)
- RBA: on departure : escort to lounge and to plane, provided spontaneously.
- TUN: escort on arrival through immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status
Nov 9, 2018, 2:34 am
#1711
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,017
as I understand from this thread, if you mention to your "handler" that you would like to pre-board, they arrange it directly with ground and cabin crew.
Nov 9, 2018, 2:49 am
#1712
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
I do. At a number of airports, Ultimates will be asked whether they want pre- or post-boarding (systematic at STR and ORD). If the service is not offered proactively, you can always ask for it, and chances are you will get what you want (unless you are at AMS, where an untamed shrew will yell at you "we don't do that here!").
Nov 9, 2018, 7:30 am
#1713
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,046
I do. At a number of airports, Ultimates will be asked whether they want pre- or post-boarding (systematic at STR and ORD). If the service is not offered proactively, you can always ask for it, and chances are you will get what you want (unless you are at AMS, where an untamed shrew will yell at you "we don't do that here!").
Nov 9, 2018, 7:51 am
#1714
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Sadly, as I have emphasized it already, if you have to beg for a service, for a benefit, the game is lost. These services have to come proactively.
Nov 10, 2018, 2:41 am
#1715
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
Sometimes, some agents are clueless and show me the SkyP lane with 100 persons in
Although it's a very enjoyable benefit, it could be improved. Indeed, you are at the lounge and have to go to the gate 5 min before boarding. But how many times did you arrive at the gate at said boarding time to just wait there forever for boarding actually starts ? It happens all the time. It would be much better if they could manage updated boarding time information much efficiently and sens a push notification to the Ulti pax for pre-boarding. Or even better, if the lounge agents could inform the Ulti pax in the lounge.
Nov 10, 2018, 3:24 am
#1716
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
So the procedures are in place, execution isn't.
Nov 10, 2018, 6:33 am
#1717
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
According to AMS SOP, the gate agent should check before each flight if there are Ulti's on board and inform the rest of the team. Consequently, 'If the passenger shows an Ulti card (for instance when there is a queue at the SkyPriority lane), give the passenger priority during boarding'.
So the procedures are in place, execution isn't.
So the procedures are in place, execution isn't.
Nov 10, 2018, 7:26 am
#1718
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
I had an interesting experience this week, where being Ulti and having a TA team was useless... First time this happens to me in hundreds and hundreds of trips.
It was a return trip from the US, in paid J. I was flying XXX-DTW-CDG. The 1st leg was a US domestic flight operated by DL (F cabin) and the 2nd leg was operated by AF (J cabin). I was booked under KL flight number and ticket stock was 057.
Impossible to do OLCI on DL systems. No big deal, this is often the Russian roulette for this. At check-in in XXX, no specific issue, my 2 BPs are given with the seats I selected at the time the ticket was booked.
1st flight (DL) : no issue.
I disembark in DTW and go straight to the DL Skyclub where I had several work-related e-mails to handle during my transit. They scan my BP and they (re)print me another one for my transatlantic flight. Not a word is said by the agent at the entrance about this new BP. I was in the escalator to go up to the lounge part and have a look at the BP to see seat 43G / Y class
and I also notice that the flight number is now the DL code-share (same flight as mine but DL code). My blood pressure went up of course 
. I will never ceased to be surprised by the careless and robotic attitudes of DL agents in lounges. You present a BP in J with a seat in the very 1st rows of the aircraft and they print you another one with a seat at the back of the plane (so a double downgrade) without blinking an eye or saying a word about it.
At the customer service desk upstairs, they first said “oh you probably paid for an upgrade which is finally not confirmed”. No, I have a paid J ticket...
. After some computer typing, she made a call and told me I have to go to the gate to solve this. Before going to the gate (which was very far from the main lounge), I decided to call the TA, as they are supposed to “constantly check on us and solve all our problems”. But this call was useless. I was told that in the system they see me booked in Y in the DL quota 
, they can’t do anything and that I should go to the gate. Apart this kafkaiesque situation, I was very disappointed by the TA service. OK, TBH, this was during the night in France and so the calls are taken by the Platinum line but that’s not an excuse. In my experience, when I had problems on return trips from US, the service provided by so-called Elite lines during the night was always very disappointing.
So I went to the gate and after some more computer typing and a few arguments exchanged, I was given back a BP in J (with AF flight number this time), but at the back of the cabin (and in the middle) because my original front/window seat had been reassigned
. I asked what happened and had no explanation (they don’t know). It is noteworthy to mention that there was not a single AF agent at the gate. Usually, even in stations managed by DL like DTW, ATL, you always have the station manager or his/her deputy at the gate. I also noticed in AF app that my return booking was indeed changed to Y with DL flight number. So someone touched the booking and completely messed up the trip. I really wonder how can that happen. And being an Ultimate was completely useless.
And just to tell you everything, I think it’s DL who created this mess. Indeed, in flight I had no Ultimate attention at all and I understood why when the chief purser came to greet every J pax during the meal service. I told him what happened during the transit and he didn’t know that I was Ulti because the electronic PIL they received from DL (the one they have in their cabin pads) was wrong. Most of seats assignments were wrong and he looked with me : I was not even in the electronic PIL. Really unbelievable. Since the beginning of the flight, the crew was trying to look for high status pax to locate them. They had only one paper PIL on board and it was correct (I was listed and at the right seat), but the status were not clearly displayed on it.
Not a nice experience overall and I spent all my connection time in DTW to solve this mess instead of working.
BTW : to add to the list, there was no Ultimate escort on arrival in CDG when I disembarked from this flight
It was a return trip from the US, in paid J. I was flying XXX-DTW-CDG. The 1st leg was a US domestic flight operated by DL (F cabin) and the 2nd leg was operated by AF (J cabin). I was booked under KL flight number and ticket stock was 057.
Impossible to do OLCI on DL systems. No big deal, this is often the Russian roulette for this. At check-in in XXX, no specific issue, my 2 BPs are given with the seats I selected at the time the ticket was booked.
1st flight (DL) : no issue.
I disembark in DTW and go straight to the DL Skyclub where I had several work-related e-mails to handle during my transit. They scan my BP and they (re)print me another one for my transatlantic flight. Not a word is said by the agent at the entrance about this new BP. I was in the escalator to go up to the lounge part and have a look at the BP to see seat 43G / Y class
and I also notice that the flight number is now the DL code-share (same flight as mine but DL code). My blood pressure went up of course . I will never ceased to be surprised by the careless and robotic attitudes of DL agents in lounges. You present a BP in J with a seat in the very 1st rows of the aircraft and they print you another one with a seat at the back of the plane (so a double downgrade) without blinking an eye or saying a word about it. At the customer service desk upstairs, they first said “oh you probably paid for an upgrade which is finally not confirmed”. No, I have a paid J ticket...
. After some computer typing, she made a call and told me I have to go to the gate to solve this. Before going to the gate (which was very far from the main lounge), I decided to call the TA, as they are supposed to “constantly check on us and solve all our problems”. But this call was useless. I was told that in the system they see me booked in Y in the DL quota , they can’t do anything and that I should go to the gate. Apart this kafkaiesque situation, I was very disappointed by the TA service. OK, TBH, this was during the night in France and so the calls are taken by the Platinum line but that’s not an excuse. In my experience, when I had problems on return trips from US, the service provided by so-called Elite lines during the night was always very disappointing.So I went to the gate and after some more computer typing and a few arguments exchanged, I was given back a BP in J (with AF flight number this time), but at the back of the cabin (and in the middle) because my original front/window seat had been reassigned
. I asked what happened and had no explanation (they don’t know). It is noteworthy to mention that there was not a single AF agent at the gate. Usually, even in stations managed by DL like DTW, ATL, you always have the station manager or his/her deputy at the gate. I also noticed in AF app that my return booking was indeed changed to Y with DL flight number. So someone touched the booking and completely messed up the trip. I really wonder how can that happen. And being an Ultimate was completely useless.And just to tell you everything, I think it’s DL who created this mess. Indeed, in flight I had no Ultimate attention at all and I understood why when the chief purser came to greet every J pax during the meal service. I told him what happened during the transit and he didn’t know that I was Ulti because the electronic PIL they received from DL (the one they have in their cabin pads) was wrong. Most of seats assignments were wrong and he looked with me : I was not even in the electronic PIL. Really unbelievable. Since the beginning of the flight, the crew was trying to look for high status pax to locate them. They had only one paper PIL on board and it was correct (I was listed and at the right seat), but the status were not clearly displayed on it.
Not a nice experience overall and I spent all my connection time in DTW to solve this mess instead of working.
BTW : to add to the list, there was no Ultimate escort on arrival in CDG when I disembarked from this flight
Last edited by Goldorak; Nov 10, 2018 at 9:45 am
Nov 10, 2018, 10:49 am
#1721
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
They have some loose ends at Delta, I would push this for a thorough investigation. I remember that time I was moved a few weeks before the flight from my exit row seat on a AMS-BOS to seat someone else without any reason given. They said it was someone in Rome who did it
Nov 10, 2018, 11:45 am
#1722
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 191
Delta is a loose end by itself. I also flew to the US this week, and was completely ignored by delta. They just don't give a dam when it is not their loyalty program.
Separately, the platinum status I got with Hertz thanks to Ultimate is just terrific: car waiting for me at the door of the terminal + drop off for departure.
Separately, the platinum status I got with Hertz thanks to Ultimate is just terrific: car waiting for me at the door of the terminal + drop off for departure.
Nov 10, 2018, 2:59 pm
#1723
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: France
Programs: LH Senator, AF/KL Platinum Ultimate, Le Club Accor Hotels Diamond, Nordic Choice Hotels Platinum
Posts: 60
Don’t expect too much from such a skud! I had such a very serious skud sent to them around two months ago after a crazy bad experience with my lost luggage (for which AF took no less than 48hrs to deliver it from my home airport to my home, since I knew later when seeing the new luggage tag that the luggage was in the next plane from AMS to my home airport a few hours after my arrival, but it then stayed in AF’s lost luggage office for 2 days, while Ultimate are supposed to get a super speedy process in case of lost luggages, according to the nice flyer we got with the Ultimate card at that time).
And you know what: I even didn’t got an answer to my mail complaining about such a bad service to Ultimate members. Nothing! Nada!
And you know what: I even didn’t got an answer to my mail complaining about such a bad service to Ultimate members. Nothing! Nada!
Nov 10, 2018, 3:26 pm
#1724
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,834
Delta is a loose end by itself. I also flew to the US this week, and was completely ignored by delta. They just don't give a dam when it is not their loyalty program.
Separately, the platinum status I got with Hertz thanks to Ultimate is just terrific: car waiting for me at the door of the terminal + drop off for departure.
Separately, the platinum status I got with Hertz thanks to Ultimate is just terrific: car waiting for me at the door of the terminal + drop off for departure.
Nov 10, 2018, 5:14 pm
#1725
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
This status with Hertz is indeed great, especially in the US where rental car lots are always very far from terminals. I have never rented as many cars since I have this status thanks to Ultimate.