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
#1892
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
My last booking as platinum was credited a weird way. Ticket number is AF stock (057....) - Total price of the ticket is 711+256=967€
Routing is:
LYS-CDG - AF7651 (operated AF) : got miles based on distance&booking class = weird but I think I got slightly more miles this way
CDG-ATL - AF3620 (operated DL) --> got miles based on € = OK
ATL-STL - AF2701 (operated DL) --> got miles based on € = OK
STL-ATL - DL2084 (operated DL)--> got miles on distance&booking class = OK
ATL-CDG - DL8672 (operated AF) --> got miles based on € = weird - Got 3312 miles instead of (4395*75%)*2=6591 if based on distance as it should have been ?
CDG-LYS - DL8344 (operated AF) --> got miles based on distance = OK
All in all, I got credited 8990 miles instead of 11948 (advertised in my booking on AF website or app).
It is mostly due to the ATL-CDG credited based on € instead of distance (as DL coded - Around 3000 miles missing) and was thinking about claiming with copy of the ticket and screenshot of AF website and boarding pass (showing DL flight number)
Any experience on your side ?
EDIT: I have contacted AF through twitter and they have credited the missing miles through « Air Adjustment »
Routing is:
LYS-CDG - AF7651 (operated AF) : got miles based on distance&booking class = weird but I think I got slightly more miles this way
CDG-ATL - AF3620 (operated DL) --> got miles based on € = OK
ATL-STL - AF2701 (operated DL) --> got miles based on € = OK
STL-ATL - DL2084 (operated DL)--> got miles on distance&booking class = OK
ATL-CDG - DL8672 (operated AF) --> got miles based on € = weird - Got 3312 miles instead of (4395*75%)*2=6591 if based on distance as it should have been ?
CDG-LYS - DL8344 (operated AF) --> got miles based on distance = OK
All in all, I got credited 8990 miles instead of 11948 (advertised in my booking on AF website or app).
It is mostly due to the ATL-CDG credited based on € instead of distance (as DL coded - Around 3000 miles missing) and was thinking about claiming with copy of the ticket and screenshot of AF website and boarding pass (showing DL flight number)
Any experience on your side ?
EDIT: I have contacted AF through twitter and they have credited the missing miles through « Air Adjustment »
Last edited by canadavid; Nov 21, 2018 at 9:15 am Reason: Results
#1893
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 58
Qualification Year
When I look at the FB website, it says: "You have up to 12 months to gain enough XP to keep your level or move up a level. Your personal qualification period starts when you earn your first Mile or gain your first XP." But it also says (in my FB "Space") that I only have until then end of December to qualify. I have no status now. My first XP was earned in August. When does my qualification period end?
#1895
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 58
I had a couple of Delta flights in November 2017 for which I earned status/level miles under the old program. These disappeared at the end of 2017 without earning any status and were (obviously) not converted into XP when the new program began earlier this year.
#1896
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
When I look at the FB website, it says: "You have up to 12 months to gain enough XP to keep your level or move up a level. Your personal qualification period starts when you earn your first Mile or gain your first XP." But it also says (in my FB "Space") that I only have until then end of December to qualify. I have no status now. My first XP was earned in August. When does my qualification period end?
For everybody who was already a member as of Jan 1st 2018, their qualification period will end Dec 31st, unless they have since then moved to a higher status level, in which case the qualification period will restart as of the date of attainment of that higher level.
#1897
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 743
A few data points on miles earning on European short haul (FB Gold customer throughout).
12 months before the change to FB earning:
And to compare with BA in 2018:
12 months before the change to FB earning:
- 7 UK-AMS-Europe return trips
- 3,493 miles on average per trip
- 5.8 FB miles per £ spent (including taxes)
- 6 UK-AMS-Europe return trips
- 3,252 miles on average per trip
- 6.3 FB miles per £ spent (including taxes)
And to compare with BA in 2018:
- 9 UK regions-LHR-Europe return trips
- 4,934 miles on average per trip
- 7.9 avios per £ spent (including taxes)
Last edited by tigertanaka; Nov 28, 2018 at 9:05 am
#1898
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 760
A few data points on miles earning on European short haul (FB Gold customer throughout).
12 months before the change to FB earning:
And to compare with BA in 2018:
12 months before the change to FB earning:
- 7 UK-AMS-Europe return trips
- 3,493 miles on average per trip
- 5.8 FB miles per £ spent (including taxes)
- 6 UK-AMS-Europe return trips
- 3,252 miles on average per trip
- 6.3 FB miles per £ spent (including taxes)
And to compare with BA in 2018:
- 9 UK regions-LHR-Europe return trips
- 4,934 miles on average per trip
- 7.9 avios per £ spent (including taxes)
Would be interesten to compare this on long haul.
#1899
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Flying Blue, Diamond Club
Posts: 782
210 miles for a J sector, what a joke???
Is this really correct?
The 210 miles earned on a FRA-AMS leg in EBC are so meager and the lowest ever received. A huge difference with the previous 1750 miles awarded.
Even the domestic leg or Y europe trip got more!
Since the new rules, my lowest earning in Y was 90 miles for a domestic ride.
Out of curiosity what are/were you lowest earnings in Y, C/J and F with these new FB rules?
The 210 miles earned on a FRA-AMS leg in EBC are so meager and the lowest ever received. A huge difference with the previous 1750 miles awarded.
Even the domestic leg or Y europe trip got more!
Since the new rules, my lowest earning in Y was 90 miles for a domestic ride.
Out of curiosity what are/were you lowest earnings in Y, C/J and F with these new FB rules?
#1900
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
I also earned 70 miles for a CDG-BSL flight (ticket was again business class but in a single cabin so treated as economy by FB since April 2018). Both these flights would have earned 1875 miles (before elite bonus) in the pre-April 2018 system.
In both cases, these are segments on a longer deeply discounted business class itinerary and therefore represents only a small portion of the (cheap) fare.
#1901
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Flying Blue, Diamond Club
Posts: 782
My lowest earning in business (on a Z fare) was 93 miles on CDG-AMS.
I also earned 70 miles for a CDG-BSL flight (ticket was again business class but in a single cabin so treated as economy by FB since April 2018). Both these flights would have earned 1875 miles (before elite bonus) in the pre-April 2018 system.
I also earned 70 miles for a CDG-BSL flight (ticket was again business class but in a single cabin so treated as economy by FB since April 2018). Both these flights would have earned 1875 miles (before elite bonus) in the pre-April 2018 system.
Like others have already said, it would be good to know the fare breakdown of each sector!
Thanks again NickB for your input
#1902
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
I thought something was wrong when I requested a missing credit for AUH-BAH in Y and got 78 miles (€9.75 fare component). Overall the trip mies looked correct though.
Looking at past trips I've got AMS-BRU in Y at 52 miles
Looking at past trips I've got AMS-BRU in Y at 52 miles
#1904
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NCE
Programs: FB Ultimate - BA EC - LH M&M - Accor All Gold
Posts: 267
BRU-AMS in Y at 33 miles and AMS-DUS in Y at 35 miles...