May 9, 19, 3:08 pm
Last edit by: Hcwyhh2023
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE
Main facts
Ultimate is not a status in FB but a « tag » on Platinum / Platinum for life / Club 2000 – Skipper existing status.
While regular FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
New 03/2023 : a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR(lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here). Note that we had several reports in 2022 showing that SP benefits are not granted in practice to travel companions.
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- two upgrade certificates per membership year, usable from Y to J or from W to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. So to upgrade a return trip, 2 vouchers must be used. Vouchers are transferable to a travel companion traveling with the Ultimate member. 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.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrade on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY apps.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Otherwise no special treatment to report, apart pre-boarding sometimes granted – Shame on KL !!!
Paris CDG- CDG 2C :
Paris ORY
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE : no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV : no special treatment to report
- SPU : no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG : no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH : no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- AJA : no special treatment to reportMain facts
Ultimate is not a status in FB but a « tag » on Platinum / Platinum for life / Club 2000 – Skipper existing status.
While regular FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-FCO AZ-marketing, AZ-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, it is needed to have 900 UXP over a year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted. Note 03/2023 : the qualification system just changed from 1800 UXP over 2 years to 900 UXP/1 year. Some transitional measures are in place for the current Ultimate members. See here for details about handling of transition period :
https://www.flyingblue.com/fr/landin...m_content=main
New 03/2023 : a rollover of surplus UXP (over 900) is now possible to the next year and only to the next year (example : year 1, the member earns 2000UXP. At the end of year 1, only 900 UXP will be rolled-over to year 2 and the remaining 1100 UXP earned in Y1 will be lost and not be transferred to year 3. If during year 2, the member earned 1000 new (fresh) UXP, 100 will be rolled-over to year 3.
Hard benefits
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR(lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here). Note that we had several reports in 2022 showing that SP benefits are not granted in practice to travel companions.
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- two upgrade certificates per membership year, usable from Y to J or from W to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). One voucher = one way. So to upgrade a return trip, 2 vouchers must be used. Vouchers are transferable to a travel companion traveling with the Ultimate member. 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.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
AF flights, long-haul
Premium Eco to Business
Original booking class : A, S, W
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C (it means that if the flight has only J fare available, one cannot upgrade)
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico, including LAX-PPT)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, C
KL flights, long-haul
Eco to Business (all flights, except to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N, R
Upgraded booking class : Z, I, D, C
Eco to Business (flights to/from USA, Canada, Mexico and DEL)
Original booking class : Y, B, M, U, K, H, L, Q, T, N
Upgraded booking class : Z, I.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrade on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.- Unlimited downloads (any day) in AF PLAY apps.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS : some reserved tables in the Non-Schengen lounges. Otherwise no special treatment to report, apart pre-boarding sometimes granted – Shame on KL !!!
Paris CDG
- CDG 2E:
- Departure : Escort from check-in to immigration in the morning (super fast track). Reserved space at K/L/M lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding Escort confirmed to be provided as of April 21 2023
- Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign. On occasions, ADP staff refuse entry despite show of ULTI boarding pass/status card. Lane confirmed functioning as of April 25, 2023 (unmanned line)
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone. Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding. Escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line). Escort confirmed to be provided as of May 22, 2023
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
Arrival lounge : higher priority for a shower(Note : 2C arrival lounge definitely closed)
Paris ORY
- Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE : no special treatment to report
Croatia
- DBV : no special treatment to report
- SPU : no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG : no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH : no special treatment to report
France (non-hubs)
- BES : no special treatment to report
- BIQ : no special treatment to report
- BOD : pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- CDG: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs" for most recent update
- LYS : Escort from lounge to plane when flying from B gates provided upon request . Preboarding with escort to the plane consistently provided.
- MPL : pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed (AF agent comes to the contract lounge to meet the Ultimate guest)
- MRS : no special treatment to report
- NCE : Reserved area in Infinity lounge (inconsistently provided : seems to be provided only when lounge crowded). Pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed.
- NTE : no special treatment to report
- ORY: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs" for most recent update
- PUF : bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- RNS : bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- TLS : Escort from check in to lounge inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding consistently provided
- UIP : no special treatment to report
Germany
- BER : no special treatment to report
- DUS : no special treatment to report
- FRA : no special treatment to report
- HAM: no special treatment to report
- HAJ : No special treatment to report.
- MUC : No special treatment to report, reserved area in the lounge, but usually not respected by other pax nor policed by staff.
- STR : reserved area in the lounge, pre-boarding
Greece
- ATH : no special treatment to report
- HER : no special treatment to report
- JTR : no special treatment to report
Hungary
- BUD : escort through security from check-in to lounge proposed
Ireland
- DUB : no special treatment to report
Italy
- BLQ : escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- BRI : no special treatment to report
- CTA : no special treatment to report
- FCO : no special treatment to report
- FLR : no special treatment to report
- LIN : no special treatment to report
- MXP: pre-boarding granted by request.
- VCE : escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane (not always consistently proposed).
- NAP : no special treatment to report
Netherlands
- AMS : see top of the list in "AFKL hubs" for most recent update
Norway
- OSL : no special treatment to report
- TRF : no special treatment to report
- KRS : no special treatment to report
- SVG : no special treatment to report
Poland
- WAW : no special treatment to report
- KRK : no special treatment to report
- GDN : no special treatment to report
Portugal
- LIS : pre-boarding proposed upon request
Russia
- SVO : no special treatment to report
- LED : no special treatment to report
Spain
- AGP : no special treatment to report
- BCN : no special treatment to report
- MAD : no special treatment to report
- PMI : No special treatment to report.
- SVQ : no special treatment to report
- TFS : no special treatment to report
- VLC : no special treatment to report
Sweden
- ARN : no special treatment to report
- GOT : no special treatment to report
Switzerland
- GVA : pre-boarding upon request. Reserved area in the lounge.
- ZRH : No special treatment
United Kingdom
- ABZ : no special treatment to report
- EDI: no special treatment to report
- LHR : no special treatment to report
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
- YUL: Escort from check-in to lounge upon request. Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane.
- YYZ : escort on arrival through immigration, consistently offered. / Escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to airplane
- YQB : escort from checkin 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 sometimes proposed.
- DTW : no special treatment to report (starting from DTW or in connection)
- IAD : escort through security from check-in to lounge upon request, but inconsistently provided. Reserved area at the lounge + extra attentions from staff (table reserved for night service, etc)
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only/terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs), possible to benefit from the "night service" on all flights and not only the 2 last ones ex-JFK. Some kind of priority at the La Prairie spa (after P pax). KL flight no special treatments to report and access to Delta Sky Lounge at T4. Update as of 17th December 2022: dinner service not always offered, subject to whether the staff knows about this or not.
- LAX : no special treatment to report
- ORD: On arrival, escort through immigration (not consistently provided). On departure, escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane (pre-boarding).
- MSP : no special treatment to report, except one case of special DL Elite VIP treatment with expedited immigration and Porshe transfer to/from lounge (not a regular benefit to expect).
- SEA : pre-boarding with escort to plane.
Mexico
- MEX (Terminal 1) : escort through security to lounge. Ride from lounge to gate.
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.
- SCL : no special treatment to report
- EZE : escort to lounge with special crew lane for immigration provided spontanously
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 : no special treatment to report
- HKG : no special treatment to report (escort through security from check-in to lounge is now systematically refused, while provided during the 2 first years of Ulti)
- HND : Arrival : nothing. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge, proposed spontaneously.
- KIX : Arrival : escort through immigration, wait at baggage claim. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge All proposed spontaneously.
- SIN : no special treatment to report
CARIBBEAN & INDIAN OCEAN
- CUR: no special treatment to report, there is no (sky)priority lane for security or immigration, but escort/short track is available for 100 $.
- HAV : at departure, escort from check in counters until security checks. Pre-boarding offered. No escort at arrival. No reserved space in Lounge.
- FDF: No reserved space in Lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate.
- 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
- BEY : no special treatment to report
- DXB : escort from check-in to lounge and from lounge to plane, all upon request, consistently provided. Access to the Ahlan lounge (normally reserved for P pax) instead of Skyteam lounge.
- JED : no special treatment to report
- RUH : no special treatment to report
- IST : no special treatment to report
AFRICA
- AGA: escort from check in to lounge and from lounge to aircraft, provided spontaneously
- CAI : no special treatment to report
- CMN : escort on arrival through immigration (not always consistently provided)
- CPT: escort from counter to lounge, provided spontaneously
- JNB: escort from counter to lounge (no fast track at immigration), provided spontaneously
- LOS : no special treatment to report
- RAK : escort on arrival, upon request (not provided on departure)
- RBA : on departure : escort to lounge and to plane, provided spontaneously.
- TUN : Escort on arrival though immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ : no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status
Jan 23, 17, 11:50 pm
#1
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,687
Flying Blue Platinum Ultimate Status
Morning all,
I updated my KLM app yesterday and it shows the following for version 8.1:
You can also check your new Flying Blue Ultimate status.
My status has not been updated. Does anyone on the board have an updated FB status?
Gajan
I updated my KLM app yesterday and it shows the following for version 8.1:
You can also check your new Flying Blue Ultimate status.
My status has not been updated. Does anyone on the board have an updated FB status?
Gajan
Jan 24, 17, 12:41 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 715
It's part of the changelog for 8.1 version and rather says Ultimate Flying Blue status, so it doesn't look like status to me. But otherwise have no clue what "Ultimate Flying Blue" means.
Jan 24, 17, 12:41 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 20,485
No change for me neither on AF app nor KL app (iPhone). Can we ask you how many status miles you have earned in 2015 and 2016 (approx) ? Thanks.
Jan 24, 17, 1:35 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 20,485
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...ue-status.html
maybe we should consolidate the discussion in one thread ?
Jan 24, 17, 1:45 am
#8
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,687
Jan 24, 17, 2:21 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,311
Ultimate Flying Blue status?
I don't know if anyone else noticed, but in the release notes for the latest version of KLM's iOS app, a reference is made to a new "Ultimate Flying Blue status":
Does anyone have a clue what this is about?
Does anyone have a clue what this is about?
Last edited by Gajan; Jan 24, 17 at 2:42 am Reason: Moved from separate thread
Jan 24, 17, 4:01 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: FB LTPE, BAEC GGL, EK Silver, SK Diamond, Marriott Amb+LTT, IHG Diamond Amb, Accorhotels Gold
Posts: 1,780
Jan 24, 17, 4:30 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 6,775
Jan 24, 17, 6:28 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 20,485
Jan 24, 17, 7:32 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,463
