Nov 6, 2017, 3:33 am
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
Apr 1, 2018, 2:34 pm
#1246
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 81
AlicorporateUK/Wunk,
If you requalified in March this year, it means you accumulated enough Level Miles or Qualifying Segments already, which I suppose were converted to XP yesterday and are now in your account.
So in 2017, you qualified with Miles/Segments for 2018 (expiration beginning of 2019)
End of 2018, XP will be taken from your account and you will therefore qualify for 2019 (expiration beginning of 2020).
If I understood your case correctly, it looks right, doesn't it?
wuzziduzziman,
I have the logo on Android (top right corner), on both KLM and AF apps!
If you requalified in March this year, it means you accumulated enough Level Miles or Qualifying Segments already, which I suppose were converted to XP yesterday and are now in your account.
So in 2017, you qualified with Miles/Segments for 2018 (expiration beginning of 2019)
End of 2018, XP will be taken from your account and you will therefore qualify for 2019 (expiration beginning of 2020).
If I understood your case correctly, it looks right, doesn't it?
wuzziduzziman,
I have the logo on Android (top right corner), on both KLM and AF apps!
Apr 1, 2018, 2:57 pm
#1247
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: AMS
Programs: Hilton Diamond, FB Plat
Posts: 312
AlicorporateUK/Wunk,
If you requalified in March this year, it means you accumulated enough Level Miles or Qualifying Segments already, which I suppose were converted to XP yesterday and are now in your account.
So in 2017, you qualified with Miles/Segments for 2018 (expiration beginning of 2019)
End of 2018, XP will be taken from your account and you will therefore qualify for 2019 (expiration beginning of 2020).
If I understood your case correctly, it looks right, doesn't it?
If you requalified in March this year, it means you accumulated enough Level Miles or Qualifying Segments already, which I suppose were converted to XP yesterday and are now in your account.
So in 2017, you qualified with Miles/Segments for 2018 (expiration beginning of 2019)
End of 2018, XP will be taken from your account and you will therefore qualify for 2019 (expiration beginning of 2020).
If I understood your case correctly, it looks right, doesn't it?
Over the rest of the year I accumulated up to ~145k level miles in total
Early Feb this year, I got a 'grats, you qualified for platinum next year as well. Your platinum card is valid until 03/2019 and will be renewed next year' and -70k level miles were subtracted.
My current/new platinum card, still shows 03/2019 and I now have a little over 80k level miles (converted to a little over 400 XP).
Somewhere it feels like I lost a year somewhere as it's been exp. 03/2019 for the consecutive year after renewal. Or am I over calculating this somewhere?
Apr 1, 2018, 3:21 pm
#1248
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: FB Ultimate, Accor Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond,Avis President, Hertz President Club
Posts: 137
Somewhere late Q2 2017 I went from Gold > Plat on level miles due to some heavy travel, got my shiny new card with an Exp. date of 03/2019.
Over the rest of the year I accumulated up to ~145k level miles in total
Early Feb this year, I got a 'grats, you qualified for platinum next year as well. Your platinum card is valid until 03/2019 and will be renewed next year' and -70k level miles were subtracted.
My current/new platinum card, still shows 03/2019 and I now have a little over 80k level miles (converted to a little over 400 XP).
Somewhere it feels like I lost a year somewhere as it's been exp. 03/2019 for the consecutive year after renewal. Or am I over calculating this somewhere?
Over the rest of the year I accumulated up to ~145k level miles in total
Early Feb this year, I got a 'grats, you qualified for platinum next year as well. Your platinum card is valid until 03/2019 and will be renewed next year' and -70k level miles were subtracted.
My current/new platinum card, still shows 03/2019 and I now have a little over 80k level miles (converted to a little over 400 XP).
Somewhere it feels like I lost a year somewhere as it's been exp. 03/2019 for the consecutive year after renewal. Or am I over calculating this somewhere?
Cheers,
Alex
Apr 1, 2018, 3:39 pm
#1249
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 81
This looks correct. In the old accrual scheme, when you qualified in June 2015 for instance, you qualified for "year 2016" but your new status was valid immediately (so from June 2015 to beginning of 2017).
So you didn't lose a year, you got half a year additional as you qualified in Q2 last year :-)
In the new scheme, your XP will be deduced on Jan 1st (see the line "end of qualification period" on the AF app, it should indicate Dec 31, 2018 in your case)
So you didn't lose a year, you got half a year additional as you qualified in Q2 last year :-)
In the new scheme, your XP will be deduced on Jan 1st (see the line "end of qualification period" on the AF app, it should indicate Dec 31, 2018 in your case)
Apr 1, 2018, 3:50 pm
#1250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,935
I think i read something on the FB page that says the re-qualification applies the next day following the one you qualified. Maybe it could be also we keep the extra XP and as we are Platinum till 03/19 then at the end of march 2019 we will re-qualify. Maybe Goldorak can help us on this question?
Apr 1, 2018, 5:05 pm
#1252
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
Here is the XP calculator: https://www.flyingblue.fr/en/programme#xp
Couldn't find the miles calculator for flights on other Skyteam airlines.
Couldn't find the miles calculator for flights on other Skyteam airlines.
Well, it's a bit weird isn't it? That calculator worked well , IMO the best of any program I'm in...and. Now they ditched it. Odd indeed.
Apr 1, 2018, 5:50 pm
#1253
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NE England
Programs: BA, KLM
Posts: 84
If you would have been gold on the 31/03 (2018) your expiry date would have been 03-2019. In the old scheme where you were gold until the end of the year plus an extension of three months. However, you still had to achieve 45000 miles by the 31/12 (2018) to re-qualify for 2019.
When is your re-qualification deadline date ? 03-2019 ?
When is your re-qualification deadline date ? 03-2019 ?
The reason I am asking for is I contacted Flying Blue early March explaining I would do 29 flights be end of March, so if I booked another flight (segment run) before the 31st March, would it be beneficial as I would keep gold status for longer, as mentioned above.
the agent told me no need as 29 x 7 Xp would qualify me for gold on 1st April, which would last to 31st Dec 2019 + 3 month, which appears not to be the case now.
i still have all of the emails, but would have happily spent £100 on a return to AMS if it was giving me an extra 6 months at least at Gold
Apr 1, 2018, 9:23 pm
#1254
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Currently point transfers into FB accounts *are* counting as qualifying activity for mileage expiration date purposes. A transfer into an AF account today will bump the account's point expiration date all the way out to 04/30/2020.
I had this experience and was surprised by it so I asked a friend to try to duplicate it. The friend did a similar transfer today and their mileage expiration date was also extended out to 04/30/2020.
I had this experience and was surprised by it so I asked a friend to try to duplicate it. The friend did a similar transfer today and their mileage expiration date was also extended out to 04/30/2020.
Apr 1, 2018, 11:03 pm
#1255
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,269
Currently point transfers into FB accounts *are* counting as qualifying activity for mileage expiration date purposes. A transfer into an AF account today will bump the account's point expiration date all the way out to 04/30/2020.
I had this experience and was surprised by it so I asked a friend to try to duplicate it. The friend did a similar transfer today and their mileage expiration date was also extended out to 04/30/2020.
I had this experience and was surprised by it so I asked a friend to try to duplicate it. The friend did a similar transfer today and their mileage expiration date was also extended out to 04/30/2020.
In addition, if you take a flight with any of the other Flying Blue airline partners, or stay with, rent a car with, or make use of any service from our commercial partners, you’ll extend the validity of Miles earned with our other airline and commercial partners to 2 years.
Please note that only the validity date for Miles earned with commercial and other partners is extended, and not the validity date for other Miles.
Please note that only the validity date for Miles earned with commercial and other partners is extended, and not the validity date for other Miles.
I will say this is looking like FB is moving more toward a US-style program where it can be as much about the program & airlines selling points/miles to third parties as it is about rewarding loyalty for actual BIS spending. And as someone who likes to build account balances outside of BIS, I like that.
Apr 2, 2018, 1:18 am
#1256
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
The number of XP does not show for my account. Neither on the iOS apps nor on the website. Status shows correctly as Plat for Life. Maybe they think that for people who have it for life anyways XPs don’t matter anymore?
And: no XPs shown for individual flights either.
And: I did not receive my new card in the mail yet.
Anyone else with the same problems?
And: no XPs shown for individual flights either.
And: I did not receive my new card in the mail yet.
Anyone else with the same problems?
Apr 2, 2018, 1:36 am
#1257
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: flying blue
Posts: 75
The renewed FlyingBlue site is not working!
I have been trying since yesterday, but the site is responding extremely slow. Very annoying. What an amateur! Is it too much to ask for to have a website that works?! Pffff.....
Apr 2, 2018, 2:13 am
#1258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,935
The number of XP does not show for my account. Neither on the iOS apps nor on the website. Status shows correctly as Plat for Life. Maybe they think that for people who have it for life anyways XPs don’t matter anymore?
And: no XPs shown for individual flights either.
And: no XPs shown for individual flights either.
Apr 2, 2018, 2:17 am
#1259
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
Apr 2, 2018, 2:28 am
#1260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,935
Correct. I believe FB judged that it concerns too few people to have the feature displayed on the app. It's advisable to concerned members to keep track of the Ultimate-eligible XPs on an excel spreadsheet (even if FB is also keeping track of them).