Last edit by: irishguy28
Introduction
As you have been following the past thread, the Flying Blue programme will change as of 1 April 2018. In order to split the discussion from the earlier thread, we have created a new thread.
On 6 November Flying Blue has organised a press conference to inform the public about the changes to the programme. In addition, a mailing will be sent out to all members on the 6th and 7th of November and more information can be found on the designated website (link: https://explorefurther.flyingblue.com).
As an introduction, please find a summary of the changes below.
Please note that at the current time there is no difference expected to the benefits of the current tier.
Change 1: no more level miles, no more segments, but Experience Points
As of 1 April 2018 you will no longer earn level miles and segments per flight, but you will earn Experience Points (XP). The number of XP earned per flight depends on your cabin (multiplier times 2 for Premium Economy, 3 for business, 5 for La Premiere) and the type of flight (distinction between domestic, medium haul, long-haul 1/2/3).
For flights between 1 January – 31 March 2018 all earned level miles and segments will be converted into XP (1 segment = 7 XP; 1,000 level miles = 5 XP for members outside France). Please note that the highest conversion applies (it is not cumulative).
The number of XP required per tiers is:
- 100 for Silver;
- 180 for Gold;
- 300 for Platinum;
- 1,800 for Platinum Ultimate (in 2 years).
Please note that for current flyers who qualify on segments based on only intra-EU flights this could see an increase in the number of flights required. However, if you fly a mix if intra-EU and intercontinental (but qualify on segments), this will most likely see a reduction in the number of flights required to qualify.
For elite members, there is a roll-over of all XP above your tier threshold.
The rules for soft-landing have been extended. It is now no longer required to make at least 1 qualifying flight and in case you do not meet your threshold you will only drop one tier.
Change 2: number of miles earned dependent on fare paid (including fuel surcharge)
The number of award miles (for AF/KL/A5) earned is now depending on the fare paid (including fuel surcharge). Ivory members earn 4 miles per Euro, Silver 6, Gold 7 and Platinum 8.
Also earn award miles on AF/KL purchases (relating to seats, baggage and meals) according to the above schedule.
Earnings on partners remains as-is (based on fare class and distance flown).
Change 3: dynamic pricing of award tickets (on AF/KL/HV)
Another change will be that award tickets will have dynamic pricing, e.g. an award AMS-JFK could be more expensive than an award DUS-AMS-JFK. This is also in line with change 2, as flights from AMS are also more expensive than flights from DUS (you also earn more miles).
This also implies that we will see a difference in the number of miles required per flight. For example, an award from continental Europe to continental USA will currently set you back 25,000 miles for a one-way in economy. It does not matter if you fly to LAX or NYC, the number of miles is currently fixed. Under the new proposition, this will change. The cheaper flight (in this example: NYC) will see a slight reduction in the number of miles required, whilst LAX will see a slight increase in the number of miles required.
Furthermore, there will be a standard base level for the number of miles required per destination. As the standard revenue price increases, so does the number of award miles.
Change 4: status valid for 12 months (+ 3 months), personal membership year
FB will be moving away from membership year = calendar year (in case of upgrade of tier). Instead, FB will have an individual membership year. This means that after obtaining the higher tier, you will have 12 months to requalify. Benefit of this is that members are not bound by the calendar year (e.g. members who earn 20,000 level miles in a December of a given year and 20,000 level miles in January of the next year, do not have any benefit of their flights in case limited flights before/after).
I know some will feel that this is a significant downgrade compared to the current – at maximum – 27 months. Please note that based on FB information the majority of members (re)qualify in the last quarter of the year.
In addition, please note that for an Ivory member would like to go obtain Platinum in one year, as it will become more difficult, as (s)he will have to earn each threshold (so not 300 XP in the first year, but (100 + 180 + 300 = 580 XP).This is only applicable in the first year.
Change 5: changes to the co-branded American Express credit cards (FR/NL)
Currently you earn segments and level miles (on AF/KL purchases for Gold and Platinum card holders). This will change that you will receive additional XP when reaching your membership anniversary each year.
As you have been following the past thread, the Flying Blue programme will change as of 1 April 2018. In order to split the discussion from the earlier thread, we have created a new thread.
On 6 November Flying Blue has organised a press conference to inform the public about the changes to the programme. In addition, a mailing will be sent out to all members on the 6th and 7th of November and more information can be found on the designated website (link: https://explorefurther.flyingblue.com).
As an introduction, please find a summary of the changes below.
Please note that at the current time there is no difference expected to the benefits of the current tier.
Change 1: no more level miles, no more segments, but Experience Points
As of 1 April 2018 you will no longer earn level miles and segments per flight, but you will earn Experience Points (XP). The number of XP earned per flight depends on your cabin (multiplier times 2 for Premium Economy, 3 for business, 5 for La Premiere) and the type of flight (distinction between domestic, medium haul, long-haul 1/2/3).
For flights between 1 January – 31 March 2018 all earned level miles and segments will be converted into XP (1 segment = 7 XP; 1,000 level miles = 5 XP for members outside France). Please note that the highest conversion applies (it is not cumulative).
The number of XP required per tiers is:
- 100 for Silver;
- 180 for Gold;
- 300 for Platinum;
- 1,800 for Platinum Ultimate (in 2 years).
Please note that for current flyers who qualify on segments based on only intra-EU flights this could see an increase in the number of flights required. However, if you fly a mix if intra-EU and intercontinental (but qualify on segments), this will most likely see a reduction in the number of flights required to qualify.
For elite members, there is a roll-over of all XP above your tier threshold.
The rules for soft-landing have been extended. It is now no longer required to make at least 1 qualifying flight and in case you do not meet your threshold you will only drop one tier.
Change 2: number of miles earned dependent on fare paid (including fuel surcharge)
The number of award miles (for AF/KL/A5) earned is now depending on the fare paid (including fuel surcharge). Ivory members earn 4 miles per Euro, Silver 6, Gold 7 and Platinum 8.
Also earn award miles on AF/KL purchases (relating to seats, baggage and meals) according to the above schedule.
Earnings on partners remains as-is (based on fare class and distance flown).
Change 3: dynamic pricing of award tickets (on AF/KL/HV)
Another change will be that award tickets will have dynamic pricing, e.g. an award AMS-JFK could be more expensive than an award DUS-AMS-JFK. This is also in line with change 2, as flights from AMS are also more expensive than flights from DUS (you also earn more miles).
This also implies that we will see a difference in the number of miles required per flight. For example, an award from continental Europe to continental USA will currently set you back 25,000 miles for a one-way in economy. It does not matter if you fly to LAX or NYC, the number of miles is currently fixed. Under the new proposition, this will change. The cheaper flight (in this example: NYC) will see a slight reduction in the number of miles required, whilst LAX will see a slight increase in the number of miles required.
Furthermore, there will be a standard base level for the number of miles required per destination. As the standard revenue price increases, so does the number of award miles.
Change 4: status valid for 12 months (+ 3 months), personal membership year
FB will be moving away from membership year = calendar year (in case of upgrade of tier). Instead, FB will have an individual membership year. This means that after obtaining the higher tier, you will have 12 months to requalify. Benefit of this is that members are not bound by the calendar year (e.g. members who earn 20,000 level miles in a December of a given year and 20,000 level miles in January of the next year, do not have any benefit of their flights in case limited flights before/after).
I know some will feel that this is a significant downgrade compared to the current – at maximum – 27 months. Please note that based on FB information the majority of members (re)qualify in the last quarter of the year.
In addition, please note that for an Ivory member would like to go obtain Platinum in one year, as it will become more difficult, as (s)he will have to earn each threshold (so not 300 XP in the first year, but (100 + 180 + 300 = 580 XP).
Change 5: changes to the co-branded American Express credit cards (FR/NL)
Currently you earn segments and level miles (on AF/KL purchases for Gold and Platinum card holders). This will change that you will receive additional XP when reaching your membership anniversary each year.
Upcoming changes to Flying Blue in 2018
#1501
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portugal
Programs: *G, VS Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 631
I have only barely looked at using Flying Blue so I'm just trying to get a handle on it in the middle of the transition so it's confusing. I'm weighing my options with taking on status with a second alliance right now... So I'm trying to learn. With the transition period, I realise I just have to accept whatever they've given me and I'm okay with that. I'm just trying to understand it. But it seems quite random to label four very different flights as having the same value which is the very definition of arbitrary - announcement of doing so or not.
Last edited by AStarr; Apr 29, 2018 at 9:10 am
#1502
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
My last trip to KTM
outbound on march 15 + 5176 miles
inbound on march 31 + 4242 miles
new rule on Y flight= -18%
CDG - AUH AF 3802 Miles earned based on distance & booking class
15 mars 2018 + 3 250 Miles
AUH - KTM AF 3816 Miles earned based on distance & booking class
16 mars 2018 + 1 926 Miles
KTM - AUH AF 3819 Miles earned based on € spent
31 mars 2018 + 1 568 Miles
AUH - CDG AF 3801 Miles earned based on € spent
01 avril 2018 + 2 674 Miles
outbound on march 15 + 5176 miles
inbound on march 31 + 4242 miles
new rule on Y flight= -18%
CDG - AUH AF 3802 Miles earned based on distance & booking class
15 mars 2018 + 3 250 Miles
AUH - KTM AF 3816 Miles earned based on distance & booking class
16 mars 2018 + 1 926 Miles
KTM - AUH AF 3819 Miles earned based on € spent
31 mars 2018 + 1 568 Miles
AUH - CDG AF 3801 Miles earned based on € spent
01 avril 2018 + 2 674 Miles
#1503
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
1,000 Level Miles = 5 XP 1 qualifying flight = 7 XP The highest result obtained between these two conversions will be added to your XP counter on 1 April 2018.
G
#1504
#1506
#1507
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,051
Just because they said "This is how were doing it" doesn’t make it any less arbitrary. I'm curious how the arrived at all four very different flights being of equal value despite being very different flights. I'm sure there is some algorithm behind it but from the outside, it does appear an arbitrarily signed value.
I have only barely looked at using Flying Blue so I'm just trying to get a handle on it in the middle of the transition so it's confusing. I'm weighing my options with taking on status with a second alliance right now... So I'm trying to learn. With the transition period, I realise I just have to accept whatever they've given me and I'm okay with that. I'm just trying to understand it. But it seems quite random to label four very different flights as having the same value which is the very definition of arbitrary - announcement of doing so or not.
I have only barely looked at using Flying Blue so I'm just trying to get a handle on it in the middle of the transition so it's confusing. I'm weighing my options with taking on status with a second alliance right now... So I'm trying to learn. With the transition period, I realise I just have to accept whatever they've given me and I'm okay with that. I'm just trying to understand it. But it seems quite random to label four very different flights as having the same value which is the very definition of arbitrary - announcement of doing so or not.
2. At the same time, and especially in your case - you didn't get the same XP value of your very different flights - as your flights were either longhaul or premium, and you earned more than ~1400 miles on average per flight, the XP counter was initialised based on your miles.
All in all, I think the conversion factors were extremely fair to FB members, and indeed could be leveraged to get a leg up on status.
+1
#1508
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 🇫🇷
Programs: Many
Posts: 4,749
#1509
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: Miles and More
Posts: 376
Is there any more information on the Miles+Cash scheme (pricing, increments, etc?)
#1510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
Sorry, I didn’t get around to seeing this before now. My virtual card does indeed show that I have Gold status until 03/2019. That’s disappointing I suppose, but as it seems to be relatively easy to shoot for Platinum now it isn’t such an issue.
#1511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
This will cease to be true if you reach Plat, of course, since the 300 XPs would be debited immediately and the clock reset from that point.
#1512
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
I actually have 210 XP’s and I was thinking of shooting for platinum this year, because it would appear that I only need 90 XPs. I’m still struggling to understand how all of this is going to work out in the end, so I will just take it as it comes.
#1513
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NE England
Programs: BA, KLM
Posts: 84
But if your card shows Gold until 03/2019 and you have over 180 XPs on your account, this surely means that you are Gold until 03/2020: the 180 XPs which are already on your account will be debited on 1/1/2019 and the date for the expiry of your status changed to 03/2020 at some point between then and 1/4/2019, no?
This will cease to be true if you reach Plat, of course, since the 300 XPs would be debited immediately and the clock reset from that point.
This will cease to be true if you reach Plat, of course, since the 300 XPs would be debited immediately and the clock reset from that point.
#1514
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
If concerto wanted to maximise the period of eliteness, the best would be to aim to reach Platinum towards the end of the year (in December). That way, that would give him at least two years and a bit of elite+ status from December onwards, so probably elite+ until Feb/March 2021.
#1515
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 544
I apologize in advance if the answer to my question is buried upthread -- I looked for it but couldn't find it. I'm not a frequent Flying Blue flier, but am contemplating transferring miles in from Amex (since they are running a bonus currently). I'd be aiming to fly IAD-CDG, which currently is 50k in Y. When the new system starts in June, do we know how much that flight will be roundtrip in miles? Thanks so much!