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
#1921
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
In my case I was Gold but didn't earn enough XP to maintain it, so 100 XP have been deducted .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
#1922
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,673
In my case I was Gold but didn't earn enough XP to maintain it, so 100 XP have been deducted .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
#1923
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 759
In my case I was Gold but didn't earn enough XP to maintain it, so 100 XP have been deducted .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
However on the app, the main page shows that I'm still Gold, the account page shows that I'm Silver and if I try to book a reward ticket it says that I'm Explorer so... Who knows .
Sorry if this has been discussed before but I don't seem to find an answer.
#1924
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: MUC
Programs: TK Elite, FB Gold
Posts: 315
Yes, that's right. You need 100 XP to reach Silver. Once you're Silver, you need 180 XP to reach Gold because the counter resets once you go up a level.
#1925
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: FR
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 298
Has anyone else recently (yesterday for me) received unexpected miles labelled as "Bonus Miles for my trip"? My last flight was early December (credited immediately) and KL-coded so afaik no bonus miles, and I don't even remember having flown on non-AForKL coded flight last year... Isn't it too late for Santa Claus?
#1926
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,740
Has anyone else recently (yesterday for me) received unexpected miles labelled as "Bonus Miles for my trip"? My last flight was early December (credited immediately) and KL-coded so afaik no bonus miles, and I don't even remember having flown on non-AForKL coded flight last year... Isn't it too late for Santa Claus?
#1927
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: FR
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 298
#1928
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,740
what does the description says ? even when you click on it there are no extra infos ??
#1930
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAX, TPE, NYC
Programs: TK Miles&Smiles, AAdvantage, Flying Blue
Posts: 295
Better off buying tickets from partners?
Hi Guys,
Relatively new to the forum. I tried to do some research myself but there are too many posts and the flyertalk search engines doesn't seem to work as it used to (my browser recognizes it as mobile and some functions are off).
I apologize first if this has been covered somewhere above.
My question is it looks like buying ticket from ST partners still give you miles based on actual miles flown.
I am now looking at a trip TPE-CDG on AF metal, but the ticket is cheap on CI and even cheaper on AF.
Premium economy (E) class at about 900 EUR so if I buy it from AF it would give me 900*7=6300 miles since I am FB Gold?
But if I buy it from CI (China Airlines), it should give me around 6000 miles x 2 (RT) X 1.75 (Gold) = 21,000 miles?
In that case wouldn't it be better to buy the same ticket from CI? Even when I am AF member flying AF metal?
Is there any benefits buying from AF anyway?
Thanks guys
Relatively new to the forum. I tried to do some research myself but there are too many posts and the flyertalk search engines doesn't seem to work as it used to (my browser recognizes it as mobile and some functions are off).
I apologize first if this has been covered somewhere above.
My question is it looks like buying ticket from ST partners still give you miles based on actual miles flown.
I am now looking at a trip TPE-CDG on AF metal, but the ticket is cheap on CI and even cheaper on AF.
Premium economy (E) class at about 900 EUR so if I buy it from AF it would give me 900*7=6300 miles since I am FB Gold?
But if I buy it from CI (China Airlines), it should give me around 6000 miles x 2 (RT) X 1.75 (Gold) = 21,000 miles?
In that case wouldn't it be better to buy the same ticket from CI? Even when I am AF member flying AF metal?
Is there any benefits buying from AF anyway?
Thanks guys
#1931
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SE England
Programs: AF-KL Platinum, ALL Platinum
Posts: 755
Hi Guys,
Relatively new to the forum. I tried to do some research myself but there are too many posts and the flyertalk search engines doesn't seem to work as it used to (my browser recognizes it as mobile and some functions are off).
I apologize first if this has been covered somewhere above.
My question is it looks like buying ticket from ST partners still give you miles based on actual miles flown.
I am now looking at a trip TPE-CDG on AF metal, but the ticket is cheap on CI and even cheaper on AF.
Premium economy (E) class at about 900 EUR so if I buy it from AF it would give me 900*7=6300 miles since I am FB Gold?
But if I buy it from CI (China Airlines), it should give me around 6000 miles x 2 (RT) X 1.75 (Gold) = 21,000 miles?
In that case wouldn't it be better to buy the same ticket from CI? Even when I am AF member flying AF metal?
Is there any benefits buying from AF anyway?
Thanks guys
Relatively new to the forum. I tried to do some research myself but there are too many posts and the flyertalk search engines doesn't seem to work as it used to (my browser recognizes it as mobile and some functions are off).
I apologize first if this has been covered somewhere above.
My question is it looks like buying ticket from ST partners still give you miles based on actual miles flown.
I am now looking at a trip TPE-CDG on AF metal, but the ticket is cheap on CI and even cheaper on AF.
Premium economy (E) class at about 900 EUR so if I buy it from AF it would give me 900*7=6300 miles since I am FB Gold?
But if I buy it from CI (China Airlines), it should give me around 6000 miles x 2 (RT) X 1.75 (Gold) = 21,000 miles?
In that case wouldn't it be better to buy the same ticket from CI? Even when I am AF member flying AF metal?
Is there any benefits buying from AF anyway?
Thanks guys
I have just booked a LHR-AMS-XMN-HKG business class cheap flight and the LHR-AMS is on a MF codeshare flight number so these Miles are distance based (minimum 500mi).
As far as I can tell, Flying Blue has been changed to get people to stop flying with AF/KL - genius! And possibly unique to FB.
#1932
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAX, TPE, NYC
Programs: TK Miles&Smiles, AAdvantage, Flying Blue
Posts: 295
Yes, the new Flying Blue revenue based Miles on AF and KL flights give low Miles for discount fares. Try and fly with other SkyTeam airlines or get non-AF/KL codeshare flight numbers on AF/KL aircraft to get higher Miles based on distance/cabin bonus/status bonus. I did a KL WAW-AMS-XMN rtn discount business class last May and it earnt me only about 30% of the Miles I would have got if I had flown before the FB changes!
I have just booked a LHR-AMS-XMN-HKG business class cheap flight and the LHR-AMS is on a MF codeshare flight number so these Miles are distance based (minimum 500mi).
As far as I can tell, Flying Blue has been changed to get people to stop flying with AF/KL - genius! And possibly unique to FB.
I have just booked a LHR-AMS-XMN-HKG business class cheap flight and the LHR-AMS is on a MF codeshare flight number so these Miles are distance based (minimum 500mi).
As far as I can tell, Flying Blue has been changed to get people to stop flying with AF/KL - genius! And possibly unique to FB.
#1933
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,116
What matters is the marketing carrier for the flights.
#1934
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAX, TPE, NYC
Programs: TK Miles&Smiles, AAdvantage, Flying Blue
Posts: 295