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
#1006
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
Those who maintained status during 2017 would still have the card they received in Q1 2017 that's valid till April 2018. So potentially there could be up to 4 weeks from 1 April where some people don't have a valid physical card.
#1007
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
The only thing that can change your status year is if you go up in status.
[...]
The change from Level Miles/Segments to XPs on 1 April 2018 will only change membership years for the very few people who find that they go up in status as a result of the Level Miles/Segments to XP conversion. This does NOT apply to you
[...]
The change from Level Miles/Segments to XPs on 1 April 2018 will only change membership years for the very few people who find that they go up in status as a result of the Level Miles/Segments to XP conversion. This does NOT apply to you
So I'm quite confident that, indeed, I'm not going to lose my "mileage cushion" but I'm not sure if my membership year is not moved to 1 April ...
#1008
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 🇫🇷
Programs: Many
Posts: 4,749
Ben Schlappig just reported that AA is becoming more and more restrictive on awards thanks to married segments logic (is that already applying to current FB awards btw?).
We still are in the dark about the new dynamic redemption scheme which makes me think that the more time FB is working on it without communicating the more complex and unfair it is going to be. The latest developments about DoD upgrades clearly is not a good sign.
We still are in the dark about the new dynamic redemption scheme which makes me think that the more time FB is working on it without communicating the more complex and unfair it is going to be. The latest developments about DoD upgrades clearly is not a good sign.
#1009
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: FB Plat 4 life
Posts: 47
Here's the email received (guess it's the swiss_global french version ). It says my status is valid till march 2019, so far so good, no surprise. But the bottom panel says valid until Feb 1st 2020... Is it the rollover anticipation (should be 2021 in my situation as I've more than 180K reported), or simply the miles expiration date (and I see 29th of Feb 2020 in my online report, can be a slight delay due to the email generated few days ago ) ?
Tx !
Tx !
#1010
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,713
Yes indeed, the emails are often based on an older, now out-of-date version of your account. If your online account referes to 29 Feb 2020, then that means you have had flight activity recorded during February 2018, and therefore the expiry of your Award Miles has been moved to the end of February 2020 (Award Miles are valid for two years from last extending activity).
Last edited by irishguy28; Feb 7, 2018 at 1:57 am
#1011
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,713
Today I recieved an eMail stating that I will maintain my status until 31 March 2019. In the same eMail they mention that I benefit from a "mileage cushion" based on my carry over miles. (The eMail is in German)
So I'm quite confident that, indeed, I'm not going to lose my "mileage cushion" but I'm not sure if my membership year is not moved to 1 April ...
So I'm quite confident that, indeed, I'm not going to lose my "mileage cushion" but I'm not sure if my membership year is not moved to 1 April ...
Based on 2017 flying, all statuses awarded are valid to 31 March 2019 (to the end of the membership year, plus with the three months' grace period). So instead of saying "you will maintain", it probably actually says that you have maintained your status until 31 March 2019. This decision was made during the annual level check, after 2017 was complete.
This should be self-evident and this doesn't refer in any way to the new programme.
#1012
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: FB LTPE, BAEC GGL, EK Blue, SK Gold, Marriott Amb+LTT, IHG Diamond Amb, Accorhotels Silver
Posts: 1,953
Ben Schlappig just reported that AA is becoming more and more restrictive on awards thanks to married segments logic (is that already applying to current FB awards btw?).
But I do believe new FB scheme will directly apply a number of miles required for public booking classes for set OD couples.
#1013
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 🇫🇷
Programs: Many
Posts: 4,749
Hi olivedel
That's my understanding as well: if there is O availability on, say CDG-SIN, then it is available for pax willing to fly CDG-SIN as well as LHR-CDG-SIN.
My fear is that they will "simply" (in AF/KL language, hence understand the opposite) convert the number of miles into a new currency with a dynamic exchange rate for which the formula will of course remain a secret sauce.
We know the price they sell the mile (between 0.125 and 0.25 EUR depending on your FB status). They will probably re-buy it for a fraction of that price based on the dynamic algorithm.
That's my understanding as well: if there is O availability on, say CDG-SIN, then it is available for pax willing to fly CDG-SIN as well as LHR-CDG-SIN.
We know the price they sell the mile (between 0.125 and 0.25 EUR depending on your FB status). They will probably re-buy it for a fraction of that price based on the dynamic algorithm.
#1014
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NL
Programs: FB M&M AA Amex HH SPG and others
Posts: 1,929
The email is entirely consistent with the current (old) version of Flying Blue.
Based on 2017 flying, all statuses awarded are valid to 31 March 2019 (to the end of the membership year, plus with the three months' grace period). So instead of saying "you will maintain", it probably actually says that you have maintained your status until 31 March 2019. This decision was made during the annual level check, after 2017 was complete.
This should be self-evident and this doesn't refer in any way to the new programme.
Based on 2017 flying, all statuses awarded are valid to 31 March 2019 (to the end of the membership year, plus with the three months' grace period). So instead of saying "you will maintain", it probably actually says that you have maintained your status until 31 March 2019. This decision was made during the annual level check, after 2017 was complete.
This should be self-evident and this doesn't refer in any way to the new programme.
But now I received an email that Ě will be Silver until March 2019 (so this is NOT because I earned it) - and I'm happy, because the same travel will bring me Gold now later this year because of the new rules.
#1015
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,713
If none of the above applies, then perhaps FB have decided to comp you Silver for whatever reason.
#1016
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
The email is entirely consistent with the current (old) version of Flying Blue.
Based on 2017 flying, all statuses awarded are valid to 31 March 2019 (to the end of the membership year, plus with the three months' grace period). So instead of saying "you will maintain", it probably actually says that you have maintained your status until 31 March 2019. This decision was made during the annual level check, after 2017 was complete.
This should be self-evident and this doesn't refer in any way to the new programme.
Based on 2017 flying, all statuses awarded are valid to 31 March 2019 (to the end of the membership year, plus with the three months' grace period). So instead of saying "you will maintain", it probably actually says that you have maintained your status until 31 March 2019. This decision was made during the annual level check, after 2017 was complete.
This should be self-evident and this doesn't refer in any way to the new programme.
#1017
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NL
Programs: FB M&M AA Amex HH SPG and others
Posts: 1,929
Is there any chance you had 15 level segments in 2017 [including those awarded by a Flying Blue Amex, if you hold one]? Level Miles are not the only mechanism for earning status...
If you had Silver status til March 2019, it would probably say that in your Flying Blue account. Have you checked? Or could the email be an error?
If none of the above applies, then perhaps FB have decided to comp you Silver for whatever reason.
If you had Silver status til March 2019, it would probably say that in your Flying Blue account. Have you checked? Or could the email be an error?
If none of the above applies, then perhaps FB have decided to comp you Silver for whatever reason.
Unfortunately I can't see a date on either the KLM or the Air France website when I log in. Maybe I overlook something?
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris/Milan
Programs: Flying Blue Platinium; All Gold, A3 Gold, Safar Flyer Gold (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 311
I received to e-mail from FB
One last december which said that i maintain my gold statut for another year, but two days ago i received an other e-mail which said that i will become silver because i didn't maintain my statut
No answer from FB
One last december which said that i maintain my gold statut for another year, but two days ago i received an other e-mail which said that i will become silver because i didn't maintain my statut
No answer from FB
#1020
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,674
I would take this as only indicator for status renewal.