Old Nov 6, 2017, 3:33 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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.
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Upcoming changes to Flying Blue in 2018

Old Nov 19, 2017, 1:17 pm
  #736  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,043
The calculator is broken in many, many ways.

But if you use gcmap.com to get the distances, they're usually correct to within about 50 miles or so, and then you can do whatever earning calculation applies to you yourself. The result should be about correct, unless you're wondering whether or not a certain flight will get you just over a threshold or not.
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Old Nov 19, 2017, 8:10 pm
  #737  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SJC / SFO
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 769
Regarding Delta, read this: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...lantic-flights

Looks like Delta is changing their class policy indeed, as on TATL flights where you had "domestic first class" seats sold as "business class" now show as "premium economy" instead (just TATL flights, not domestic routes). Maybe FB calculator actually leaked something?
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 5:38 am
  #738  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,379
I just spoke to AMEX NL - their only offer is 50% off the annual card fee (even though I put at least 15k on the card this year), which I find very disappointing and not worth the money at all. I'll call them again in a while to see if they changed their mind, but if not I'm gone, and I'll go for the free green card I get from my bank.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 10:20 am
  #739  
tya
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAX, TPE, NYC
Programs: TK Miles&Smiles, AAdvantage, Flying Blue
Posts: 295
Question excess level flights by 31Dec17

I have a question about excess level flights (segments).
Current system suggests that, my excess level flights (segments) will be carried over to the next year.

I've recently hit Silver, but won't be able to hit Gold by 12/31. Will those excess segments (16th, 17th, 18th... etc.) be kept to next year?
How will they convert to XP? 7XP per segments?
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 10:26 am
  #740  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meli silver.
Posts: 3,104
Originally Posted by tya
I have a question about excess level flights (segments).
Current system suggests that, my excess level flights (segments) will be carried over to the next year.

I've recently hit Silver, but won't be able to hit Gold by 12/31. Will those excess segments (16th, 17th, 18th... etc.) be kept to next year?
How will they convert to XP? 7XP per segments?
Excess level flights (segments) are currently NOT carried over.

Only level miles are.
irishguy28 likes this.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 11:00 am
  #741  
Hilton 25+ BadgeMarriott 10+ Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,268
Originally Posted by mfkne
I just spoke to AMEX NL - their only offer is 50% off the annual card fee (even though I put at least 15k on the card this year), which I find very disappointing and not worth the money at all. I'll call them again in a while to see if they changed their mind, but if not I'm gone, and I'll go for the free green card I get from my bank.
This is the reason I left them about 4 years ago. Found that they do not appreciate business from my side even spending much more than you per year and have some of the more arrogant marketing guys, therefore I moved AMEX Belgium (I also have an Belgian bank acct - which is a condition to get the card from them) and for the past 4+ years that I've been with them, they have not charged me any annual fees for their Brussels Airlines card which earns me miles to fly LH First and a rather moderate insurance coverage (except car rental).

Cheers!
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 11:20 am
  #742  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,379
In the past I was able to get 20k miles (with much less spending) just for giving them a call - I was expecting way more this time, but maybe they'll up the offers come April. I wasn't speaking to a retention specialist though as my card number wasn't recognized for some reason, so that may have played a role too.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 11:59 am
  #743  
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
Originally Posted by mfkne
In the past I was able to get 20k miles (with much less spending) just for giving them a call - I was expecting way more this time, but maybe they'll up the offers come April. I wasn't speaking to a retention specialist though as my card number wasn't recognized for some reason, so that may have played a role too.
Or maybe you have used up all their retention goodwill (hah!) towards you!
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 12:58 pm
  #744  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,379
I doubt that - I've played that trick once in the three years I've had the card and stuck with it afterwards, and this year I actually put over 25k (I checked again) on the card, so I'm surprised they'd be willing to let go this easily.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 5:37 pm
  #745  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
I've never done anything like this. What do you do, you just call the normal call centre and tell them "please waive my fees"? Or you pretend to cancel the card and wait if they make an offer? Or you call a specific department at AMEX?

I've put a - what I believe - is a significant amount of money on the card, and I realise that the 570 EUR that they charge me is quite a steep price.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 10:32 pm
  #746  
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
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From my experience, it depends on the card you have. From what I have read, if you have a co-branded Silver or Gold card, they can offer you a (full) discount on the fees.

with the platinum card we have never gotten any discount, but do get extra miles on purchases for 3 months & bonus miles. Has anyone with the platinum card managed got a reduction on the fees?

Last edited by Gajan; Nov 20, 2017 at 11:11 pm Reason: Typo
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 11:39 pm
  #747  
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,794
Originally Posted by Gajan
From my experience, it depends on the card you have. From what I have read, if you have a co-branded Silver or Gold card, they can offer you a (full) discount on the fees.

with the platinum card we have never gotten any discount, but do get extra miles on purchases for 3 months & bonus miles. Has anyone with the platinum card managed got a reduction on the fees?
I have the French Gold FB Amex since 1999. I read several times in FT that you could have the annual fee waived when you spend more than a certain sum every year. So I tried last year or 2 years ago and my request was declined. At 1st they didn’t even know what I was talking about and then they passed the call to a supervisor who told me they did that only once or twice (in terms of years they applied this policy) but they weren’t doing that anymore.
So I’d be curious to know if some other posters here have succeeded to have the fee waived for the French gold FB Amex.

Last edited by Goldorak; Nov 21, 2017 at 12:51 pm
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 11:56 pm
  #748  
 
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
Originally Posted by Gajan
From my experience, it depends on the card you have. From what I have read, if you have a co-branded Silver or Gold card, they can offer you a (full) discount on the fees.

with the platinum card we have never gotten any discount, but do get extra miles on purchases for 3 months & bonus miles. Has anyone with the platinum card managed got a reduction on the fees?
No, but I gave it try (Dutch FB AMEX Platinum). I complained about the devaluation, as I'll be loosing the level miles through AF/KL purchases (the 60 XP's I'll get in the future are a fart in the air compared to what I used to earn on level miles).
I said for me there is much less value for the card thus they should reduce the fee. They said there is no intention to do anything like that but that they are expecting some enhancements in the first quarter of 2018. Also, they confirmed many card holders are complaining. Let's hope for the best.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 1:30 am
  #749  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,831
I wonder how much the threshold is for them to consider waiving or reducing the fees.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 1:52 am
  #750  
 
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Some years ago it was 20,000 EUR / year.
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