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
#1801
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
I got 15 XP (J ticket) for a FlyBe operated AF marketed flight with only Y service (CDG-MAN). Does this only work for non-Skyteam partners then? BP for the FkyBe segment even had only the FlyBe flight number and an economy code (can't remember which).
#1802
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
However, for these short journeys, if you can't find a ticket with the "mileageable" fare under about €94, you're ahead under the new scheme, regardless of status.
By way of example, my previous KLM flight - which wasn't bought at the cheapest €99 price point - earned me 957 miles, instead of the 564 that it would have delivered in the old scheme as you point out above.
By way of example, my previous KLM flight - which wasn't bought at the cheapest €99 price point - earned me 957 miles, instead of the 564 that it would have delivered in the old scheme as you point out above.
#1803
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 313
#1804
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
I had the same last week (FlyBe Y Essentials on the BP), 15 XP for a J AF booking. On the way out, it was 5 XP as I was traveling in W. Same mileage (372) for each segment, though. Bizarrely, FlyBe give me free food and drink for W segments, but nothing at all for J segments...
I’ve noted your comments, please allow me to clarify that for Flybe, inflight catering is not complimentary, with the exception of AF customers travelling in Business class and Premium Economy class. A voucher is given to Air France Business and Premium Economy class passengers, to receive a complimentary drink and snack on board; passengers can choose from the menu on the flight magazine.
I’ve noted your comments and forwarded your message to the concerned department to further improve of our services.
#1805
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741
It was actually "X" (was 25%) out and "A" (was 50%) back, so it would have earned 562 (as Ivory) or 843 miles (as Silver) in the old FB, rather than the 638 (as Explorer) it would have earned in the new scheme, or the 957 I actually earned as Silver.
#1806
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
957-843 = extra 114 miles in the new system for this flight
423-564 = 141 miles less for your 99€ return flight
#1807
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741
These particular flights earn 13.5% more miles in the new FB than they would have done in the old FB. As I said, this was not a €99 flight!
#1808
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
Yes - me.
I'm typically a €99 return type guy, which in the old days, for short flights, would have amounted to 2 * 188 = 376 miles.
This weekend's flight got me 423 miles.
Granted, I am silver now, so if I was an Explorer that would only have been 280 miles, but still...
I'm typically a €99 return type guy, which in the old days, for short flights, would have amounted to 2 * 188 = 376 miles.
This weekend's flight got me 423 miles.
Granted, I am silver now, so if I was an Explorer that would only have been 280 miles, but still...
#1809
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SE England
Programs: AF-KL Platinum, ALL Platinum
Posts: 755
So the "winners" of the new Flying Blue are generally gaining the in the order of the hundreds of extra Miles. Whereas, the "losers" are losing the thousands/tens of thousands of Miles compared to the old Flying Blue (in my recent trip I earnt about 7,200Miles but in the old rules would have earnt about 36,500Miles). So when during a conversation with a Flying Blue Platinum Service Line person, who said there would be winners and losers due to the changes, it is that the winners are only slightly better off unlike the losers. Not really a net balance as far as I can see as she tried to justify to me.
#1810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741
So the "winners" of the new Flying Blue are generally gaining the in the order of the hundreds of extra Miles. Whereas, the "losers" are losing the thousands/tens of thousands of Miles compared to the old Flying Blue (in my recent trip I earnt about 7,200Miles but in the old rules would have earnt about 36,500Miles).
(Anyone who sticks with FB because of the "miles" is the loser. Those of us who used it only for status purposes learned this years ago. Glad to see that the rest of you have finally caught up with us ;-) )
#1815
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SE England
Programs: AF-KL Platinum, ALL Platinum
Posts: 755
Which is the best SkyTeam FFP for earning redeemable Miles/Points?