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 1800 UXP over a rolling 24 month period. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 2 years once granted.
Example : from Jan Year 1 to Nov Year 2, a Platinum member has earned 1800 UXP or more. The status will be granted in Nov Year 2 as soon as the threshold is reached, and is valid for 2 years (until end of Nov Year 4). The UXP counter resets to 0 and the re-qualification period starts again.
There is no rollover of UXP for the next qualification period.
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 6 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member (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
- 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, R
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.
EUROPE
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
Denmark
- CPH : no special treatment to report
France
- 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 : Special (super fast track) lane for immigration until 2 pm
- CDG 2F :
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone. Sometimes, escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line). Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG 2G :
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG 2C :
- Arrival lounge : higher priority for a shower (Note : lounge closed since beginning of Covid pandemic)
- CDG in connection : expedited transfer, possibly involving limo transfer, can be arranged upon request in case of short or endangered connection. Rarely provided spontaneously (need to call the TA, but acceptance is never guaranteed).
- ORY :
- Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- AJA : no special treatment to report
- BES : no special treatment to report
- BIQ : no special treatment to report
- BOD : pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- LYS :
escort through security from check-in to lounge, reserved area at the lounge (lounge closed), pre-boarding
with escort from lounge to plane, all consistently proposed. A voucher can be asked at checking or obtained at a kiosk, because of lounge closed.
- 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
- NTE : no special treatment to report
- RNS : bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- 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
- MUC : reserved area in the lounge
- 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
Ireland
- DUB : no special treatment to report
Italy
- BLQ : escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- 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 : no special treatment to report, apart pre-boarding sometimes granted – Shame on KL !!!
Poland
- WAW : no special treatment to report
Portugal
- LIS : no special treatment to report
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
- SVQ : 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 : 03/2022 : escort on arrival. No special treatment to report on departure
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 (but very inconsistently provided). Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding
- 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.
USA
- ATL : no special treatment to report (in connection)
- BOS : escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding, all consistently provided upon request.
- 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)
- LAX : no special treatment to report
- ORD: since 11/2021, it seems no more Ulti benefit are provided on the ground in ORD (+ AF lounge is now closed definitely and replaced by the bad Swissport lounge)
- 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)
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 : no special treatment to report
- GRU : no special treatment to report
- SCL : no special treatment to report
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).
- 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.
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
- CMN : no special treatment to report
- 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.
- ZNZ : no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)