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 10, 2018, 5:17 pm
#1726
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,906
i also flew DL this week in USA-Europe. Whilst not exactly a class act they gave me a special welcome as “Diamond Medaillon” and let me choose my dinner course first. Some strange looks when I told them that I actually wasn’t a DM, but it didn’t cause them to pause so no time to explain that my status was with Flying Blue. Throughout the flight very caring FA, it not sure whether that was just her personal way of doing things or whether there was some status-related DL thing.
Nov 11, 2018, 4:27 am
#1727
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
. On the other hand, why should DL lift a finger for us when neither AF nor KLM does for their top-tier customers (if I were cynical, I would add that when it comes to courtesy upgrades, AF and KLM alike won't lift a finger for us, but I am not cynical, and, thus, will just shut up 
). I once wrote to the DL customer service to ask why we are discriminated upon, and not too surprisingly received a useless answer --- as a Platinum Medallion member, your opinion is important to us... blah... Of course, things have not changed a bit since then, but it is comforting to know that my opinion is important to someone 
.
Nov 11, 2018, 4:55 am
#1728
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
The ultimate Ultimate experience
There is a new benefit that Ultimates might have never heard of --- personal training. Somehow AF must have known that I was running the Athens marathon today, and did everything to prep me well for it. Knowing that I had a short 1:05' layover between my first flight coming from LUX and the second one heading for ATH (considering the LG rigmarole of waiting for all carry-on's put in the back of the small Embraer to be offloaded before anyone is allowed to disembark, and the bus ride to the AF aircraft far from the gate, the time to transfer from CDG-2G to CDG-2F was shrunk to about 25'), I requested a meet & greet service through the Travel Assistant team. At CDG-2G, no AF agent in sight
. I ran through the maze of corridors to the 2F-bound shuttle, and again at 2F (ignoring the "boarding" announcement on the screens, I even found the time to rush into the lounge, take a roll, and exit immediately ). Stay fit with AF! No pre-/post-boarding offer. No Sky Priority enforcement at the gate. Aboard the AF flight, zero recognition (I was flying bare-bone Y), and, of course, the meal preference (the famous hearts on the purser's iPad) forgotten (hence, no meal). At some point, the chief purser realized she had an Ultimate aboard, came to say hello, and informed me that if I needed anything, I should just ask . Some AF employees are so droll. So now you see, travelbits and Pamplona, not just at AMS, but also at CDG s...t happens.
There is a new benefit that Ultimates might have never heard of --- personal training. Somehow AF must have known that I was running the Athens marathon today, and did everything to prep me well for it. Knowing that I had a short 1:05' layover between my first flight coming from LUX and the second one heading for ATH (considering the LG rigmarole of waiting for all carry-on's put in the back of the small Embraer to be offloaded before anyone is allowed to disembark, and the bus ride to the AF aircraft far from the gate, the time to transfer from CDG-2G to CDG-2F was shrunk to about 25'), I requested a meet & greet service through the Travel Assistant team. At CDG-2G, no AF agent in sight
. I ran through the maze of corridors to the 2F-bound shuttle, and again at 2F (ignoring the "boarding" announcement on the screens, I even found the time to rush into the lounge, take a roll, and exit immediately ). Stay fit with AF! No pre-/post-boarding offer. No Sky Priority enforcement at the gate. Aboard the AF flight, zero recognition (I was flying bare-bone Y), and, of course, the meal preference (the famous hearts on the purser's iPad) forgotten (hence, no meal). At some point, the chief purser realized she had an Ultimate aboard, came to say hello, and informed me that if I needed anything, I should just ask . Some AF employees are so droll. So now you see, travelbits and Pamplona, not just at AMS, but also at CDG s...t happens.
Nov 11, 2018, 6:32 am
#1729
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,906
The ultimate Ultimate experience
There is a new benefit that Ultimates might have never heard of --- personal training. Somehow AF must have known that I was running the Athens marathon today, and did everything to prep me well for it. Knowing that I had a short 1:05' layover between my first flight coming from LUX and the second one heading for ATH (considering the LG rigmarole of waiting for all carry-on's put in the back of the small Embraer to be offloaded before anyone is allowed to disembark, and the bus ride to the AF aircraft far from the gate, the time to transfer from CDG-2G to CDG-2F was shrunk to about 25'), I requested a meet & greet service through the Travel Assistant team. At CDG-2G, no AF agent in sight. I ran through the maze of corridors to the 2F-bound shuttle, and again at 2F (ignoring the "boarding" announcement on the screens, I even found the time to rush into the lounge, take a roll, and exit immediately ). Stay fit with AF! No pre-/post-boarding offer. No Sky Priority enforcement at the gate. Aboard the AF flight, zero recognition (I was flying bare-bone Y), and, of course, the meal preference (the famous hearts on the purser's iPad) forgotten (hence, no meal). At some point, the chief purser realized she had an Ultimate aboard, came to say hello, and informed me that if I needed anything, I should just ask . Some AF employees are so droll. So now you see, travelbits and Pamplona, not just at AMS, but also at CDG s...t happens.
There is a new benefit that Ultimates might have never heard of --- personal training. Somehow AF must have known that I was running the Athens marathon today, and did everything to prep me well for it. Knowing that I had a short 1:05' layover between my first flight coming from LUX and the second one heading for ATH (considering the LG rigmarole of waiting for all carry-on's put in the back of the small Embraer to be offloaded before anyone is allowed to disembark, and the bus ride to the AF aircraft far from the gate, the time to transfer from CDG-2G to CDG-2F was shrunk to about 25'), I requested a meet & greet service through the Travel Assistant team. At CDG-2G, no AF agent in sight
. I ran through the maze of corridors to the 2F-bound shuttle, and again at 2F (ignoring the "boarding" announcement on the screens, I even found the time to rush into the lounge, take a roll, and exit immediately ). Stay fit with AF! No pre-/post-boarding offer. No Sky Priority enforcement at the gate. Aboard the AF flight, zero recognition (I was flying bare-bone Y), and, of course, the meal preference (the famous hearts on the purser's iPad) forgotten (hence, no meal). At some point, the chief purser realized she had an Ultimate aboard, came to say hello, and informed me that if I needed anything, I should just ask . Some AF employees are so droll. So now you see, travelbits and Pamplona, not just at AMS, but also at CDG s...t happens.Jokes apart, this is really bad...
Nov 12, 2018, 1:45 am
#1730
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Delivery failure notification
Has anyone encountered difficulties as of late to reach the Travel Assistant team? I am getting consistently delivery failure notifications with an unknown address error.
Has anyone encountered difficulties as of late to reach the Travel Assistant team? I am getting consistently delivery failure notifications with an unknown address error.
Nov 12, 2018, 1:59 am
#1732
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,906
Nov 12, 2018, 6:30 am
#1733
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Nov 12, 2018, 9:17 am
#1734
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,044
A brief post here on my end of last week experience at terminal 2E for my departure : I confirm you that 2 AF agents were present to welcome ULTI PAX .
However , at the filter entrance of the SP zone , the guys had no clue about the ULTI privilege and has just indicated me the usual path . Crazy to see that staff are not properly trained. Once arrived at the ULTI PAX, i’ve Been escorted to the luggage check in and the agent helped me to skip the line . She had a list of the ULTI members with departure of the day (full page as far as I could seen).
Then I’ve been escorted up to the passport control . Quite appreciable. The AF staff member let me than at that point and I took to train to reach terminal 2E/M
Privare area proposed to me .
On board : quite mixed experience . Chief purser proposed me an extra pillow before take off. A short greeting and then nothing . The J officer showed absolutely zero efforts. No care attitude about frequent flyers PAX even if he was quite enthousiastic with all PAX. No meal first choice and no attention at all during the whole flight . Arriving at my row for the service , he even asked me and my neighbour if I use to flight frequently with AF which shows that he had no clue about the composition of his cabin ...
again a mixed experience but quite nice advantages on the ground.
However , at the filter entrance of the SP zone , the guys had no clue about the ULTI privilege and has just indicated me the usual path . Crazy to see that staff are not properly trained. Once arrived at the ULTI PAX, i’ve Been escorted to the luggage check in and the agent helped me to skip the line . She had a list of the ULTI members with departure of the day (full page as far as I could seen).
Then I’ve been escorted up to the passport control . Quite appreciable. The AF staff member let me than at that point and I took to train to reach terminal 2E/M
Privare area proposed to me .
On board : quite mixed experience . Chief purser proposed me an extra pillow before take off. A short greeting and then nothing . The J officer showed absolutely zero efforts. No care attitude about frequent flyers PAX even if he was quite enthousiastic with all PAX. No meal first choice and no attention at all during the whole flight . Arriving at my row for the service , he even asked me and my neighbour if I use to flight frequently with AF which shows that he had no clue about the composition of his cabin ...
again a mixed experience but quite nice advantages on the ground.
Nov 12, 2018, 10:37 am
#1735
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
On board : quite mixed experience . Chief purser proposed me an extra pillow before take off. A short greeting and then nothing . The J officer showed absolutely zero efforts. No care attitude about frequent flyers PAX even if he was quite enthousiastic with all PAX. No meal first choice and no attention at all during the whole flight . Arriving at my row for the service , he even asked me and my neighbour if I use to flight frequently with AF which shows that he had no clue about the composition of his cabin ...
Nov 12, 2018, 12:41 pm
#1736
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,400
Well, I am not an Ultimate, but the pursers and the flight attendants who have been taking care of the cabins I have been flying in (Y & C), for my AF medium-haul flights since June have been, with one exception, outstanding and quite motivated. The one exception provided decent, but unexceptional and flat service.
Nov 12, 2018, 12:43 pm
#1737
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Well, I am not an Ultimate, but the pursers and the flight attendants who have been taking care of the cabins I have been flying in (Y & C), for my AF medium-haul flights since June have been, with one exception, outstanding and quite motivated. The one exception provided decent, but unexceptional and flat service.
Nov 13, 2018, 11:56 am
#1738
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
Mirror image
This morning, I experienced what should be an Ultimate journey, perfect from A to Z, and the exact mirror image of the ghastly journey on Saturday.
- At ATH: Warm welcome at the third-party lounge, proactive offer of pre- or post-boarding of the AF flight, escort by the station manager to the gate, and, icing on the cake, courtesy Y-to-J upgrade by the same station manager, escort by third-party agent to the door of the aircraft and pre-boarding. ^
- Aboard the AF flight to CDG: Warm welcome again by the chief purser, and excellent service throughout the flight, with repeated checks that everything was in order. ^
- At CDG-2F: Meet & greet at the door of the aircraft by AF agent, motorized transfer from CDG-2F to CDG-2G in a nice, black limo, my favorite newspaper waiting for me in the car, escort to the CDG-2G lounge, reserved shower, escort to the gate of the next flight. ^
- Aboard the LG flight to LUX: Honored seating preference, adjacent seat blocked. ^
Nov 13, 2018, 5:42 pm
#1739
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,906
Very good Macaron54. On my side, AF has apparently decided to continue on a bad slope with problems and poor handling of them (the past 7 days have been really bad). I don’t have time to tell the story now, but will do later.
Nov 14, 2018, 1:54 am
#1740
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat ; A3 Gold ; HH Gold ; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 2,375
