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
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
And of course they are - this is how FB has always worked. Your earning is dictated by the individual sectors flown - not merely by the start and end points.
#198
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: ST E+, *G, some hotel gold...
Posts: 7,843
It's not just France domestic, it's any domestic, at least for the time being. I suppose there might be some domestic tag-ons in ST system with true First and PE.
Plus i guess in theory they could count connections from longhaul on the longhaul cabin maybe?
Plus i guess in theory they could count connections from longhaul on the longhaul cabin maybe?
#200
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,043
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
In the current scheme, you get your (segments? and/or level miles but only on AFKL spend?) in each calendar year, so each qualification "attempt" will benefit from them.
However, with the "new" system, you may no longer need/require a full year as you go up levels - but the "extras" from the FB Amex only come once a year on the card anniversary.
So, you won't get that extra helping hand if you are trying to "race" up levels quickly [unless, perhaps, you sign up for the Silver card first, then go up a level, then sign up for Gold, etc etc - though the "bonus" is probably added at the end of the year rather than at the start....]
They really don't want to help people gain status in this new programme.
#203
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS/AMS/HAM
Programs: HH-D / IHG-Sp / Marriott-P / LH-SEN / BA-S
Posts: 213
The relevant page on the FB website says only the following.
(Despite FB's reputation for incomplete and sometimes misleading information, I think they would specifically have drawn attention to the "earning rate" of XPs/Euro spend if this was indeed going to be retained as a feature. I suspect that all you get is what is listed below)
(Despite FB's reputation for incomplete and sometimes misleading information, I think they would specifically have drawn attention to the "earning rate" of XPs/Euro spend if this was indeed going to be retained as a feature. I suspect that all you get is what is listed below)
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
They are just scrapping Level Miles, replacing them with XPs, and making status climbing harder.
The rest () is largely unchanged. Sure, mileage earning on AFKL issued tickets goes revenue based, but the earning rates seem pretty much in line with what would have been expected for the cheapest fares on the routes I've looked at which are typical for me. Perhaps for more expensive fares, the earning is enhanced. (But I find FB Award Miles pretty worthless, so the earning rate for these is really of no impact or consequence to me. What FB was good for - until I decided it actually wasn't - was the segment-based status earning, and that has made harder.)
Earning on partners is unchanged.
The way flights are considered for earning - i.e. each individual sector is assessed - is unchanged.
No "minimum spend" requirement - i.e. unchanged.
etc etc etc
#206
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,043
That's not what their marketing would have you believe. You are right though -- they're changing a few core aspects with status earning being the most visible.
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
Hopefully one of the forum members that attended the launch asked - but they have been incredibly silent today.
(note also the wiki above by the forum moderator makes no reference to spend-based earning on the FB Amex - though I am not sure (s)he has access to any information other than what us mere mortals have)
#208
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS/AMS/HAM
Programs: HH-D / IHG-Sp / Marriott-P / LH-SEN / BA-S
Posts: 213
I believe so. It's much easier. Sometimes I flew many segments on short-hauls but sometimes only 3 or 4 segments on long-hauls - it's quite crank for requalification as it can only be either award miles OR segments.
#209
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: DUS, BRU, POA
Programs: Skyteam E+ (FB PfL), Latam Black, LH MM, Iberia plus, HH: Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy: Plat
Posts: 1,083
As Irishguy28 was already guessing, this perk is definitely gone. Bad news for those AMEX FB card holders, who qualified on miles.
#210
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: ST E+, *G, some hotel gold...
Posts: 7,843
Another problem regarding the FB Amex....
In the current scheme, you get your (segments? and/or level miles but only on AFKL spend?) in each calendar year, so each qualification "attempt" will benefit from them.
However, with the "new" system, you may no longer need/require a full year as you go up levels - but the "extras" from the FB Amex only come once a year on the card anniversary.
So, you won't get that extra helping hand if you are trying to "race" up levels quickly [unless, perhaps, you sign up for the Silver card first, then go up a level, then sign up for Gold, etc etc - though the "bonus" is probably added at the end of the year rather than at the start....]
They really don't want to help people gain status in this new programme.
In the current scheme, you get your (segments? and/or level miles but only on AFKL spend?) in each calendar year, so each qualification "attempt" will benefit from them.
However, with the "new" system, you may no longer need/require a full year as you go up levels - but the "extras" from the FB Amex only come once a year on the card anniversary.
So, you won't get that extra helping hand if you are trying to "race" up levels quickly [unless, perhaps, you sign up for the Silver card first, then go up a level, then sign up for Gold, etc etc - though the "bonus" is probably added at the end of the year rather than at the start....]
They really don't want to help people gain status in this new programme.
And they indeed try to make it harder to get a good staus fast, though it's then not that bad to maintain it.
That's the problem, it's never been mentioned one way or the other.