Does any know what "HIPP" stands for?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Does any know what "HIPP" stands for?
I've noticed on a recent flight on AF that the PNC IPAD APP describing the "Dossier de Vol" and listing passengers a reference to a number of "HIPP/ULTI" passengers (5 on that flight) and another reference to "Haute Contrib." with a much bigger number of passengers (17).
While it is obvious that "Ulti" stands for Ultimate passengers, does anyone knows what "HIPP" stands for?
Also does anyone know precisely what "Haute Contrib." really means in their system? In that flight it represented 17 passengers out of a half full P (2) and fully J (59!).
Thanks much
While it is obvious that "Ulti" stands for Ultimate passengers, does anyone knows what "HIPP" stands for?
Also does anyone know precisely what "Haute Contrib." really means in their system? In that flight it represented 17 passengers out of a half full P (2) and fully J (59!).
Thanks much
#2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: AF/KL FB Ultimate Platinum for Life/Club 2000, UA MileagePlus
Posts: 524
I've noticed on a recent flight on AF that the PNC IPAD APP describing the "Dossier de Vol" and listing passengers a reference to a number of "HIPP/ULTI" passengers (5 on that flight) and another reference to "Haute Contrib." with a much bigger number of passengers (17).
While it is obvious that "Ulti" stands for Ultimate passengers, does anyone knows what "HIPP" stands for?
Also does anyone know precisely what "Haute Contrib." really means in their system? In that flight it represented 17 passengers out of a half full P (2) and fully J (59!).
Thanks much
While it is obvious that "Ulti" stands for Ultimate passengers, does anyone knows what "HIPP" stands for?
Also does anyone know precisely what "Haute Contrib." really means in their system? In that flight it represented 17 passengers out of a half full P (2) and fully J (59!).
Thanks much
#3
Interesting....I do wonder how they are going to cope with this when from what I am reading from the ULTI thread, services offered now is so flaky, with the additional of these additional HIPP pax, how much further will the ULTI flaky services degrade....
For Haute contr. pax, I believe these are those on tickets issued from business travel categories - like AMEX Global Business, etc....as these days I noticed that you do have a CORP code on the boarding pass. Or is this a totally different category? So far I've seen Delta and Air France adopting this categorization, on KLM it does not seem to show up anywhere.
Cheers!
For Haute contr. pax, I believe these are those on tickets issued from business travel categories - like AMEX Global Business, etc....as these days I noticed that you do have a CORP code on the boarding pass. Or is this a totally different category? So far I've seen Delta and Air France adopting this categorization, on KLM it does not seem to show up anywhere.
Cheers!
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 🇫🇷
Programs: Many
Posts: 4,749
HIPP stands for Hippocampe, which is the new program devised by Air France for its ultra-high-contribution customers. The benefits are those of the Ultimate program plus P-lounge access irrespective of the class of service, and P-service to streamline the customer path at the airport. The program was supposed to be launched on October 15th, but technical hiccups have postponed the official start. Among these hiccups, some PAXs have been assigned erroneously the HIPP status on the pursers iPads. Hippocampe is by invitation only, and at the entire discretion of the Air France and Air France-KLM CEOs.
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue Silver - AF passionate
Posts: 3
So we have now:
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
I have been following this forum for quite a while and now finally posting.
My father use to be Plat then after became Club 2000, then after became Plat again (soon to be PFL)
In my understanding, AF wants to get rid of C2000 but also wants to keep a VIP program because it's necessary to give recognition to people that are high rank or could give a good image of the airline but don't fly often.
To do so they can either keep C2000 and kick out many people to give back it's "Lettres de noblesse", but kicking out thousands of people takes time.
Or they build a new outstanding program, for real VIP, with real benefits; while gently reducing C2000. (It could also be two very different targets between HIPP and C2000: Famous stars and politicians vs Industry Leaders)
From my father's experience, there was no difference between C2000 and Plat, the only thing was some more upgrades, and boarding in group 1 rather than group 2 when flying in Y. But now that he went back to Plat, he has seen much improvements (maybe because he flies more often) with much more recognition from the crew and the AF team in his home airport (MPL).
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Thank you very much for your very clear, quick and knowledgeable answer!
This sounds like what I've experienced with some "VIP" clients (I don't know if there was any label or category, it was obviously very different than any C2000 or now ulti) with constant KX at the airport and access to P lounge at CDG when the P lounge was created (even when flying on code share flights operated by another airline).
Interesting to follow..
This sounds like what I've experienced with some "VIP" clients (I don't know if there was any label or category, it was obviously very different than any C2000 or now ulti) with constant KX at the airport and access to P lounge at CDG when the P lounge was created (even when flying on code share flights operated by another airline).
Interesting to follow..
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AFKL Platinum/Club 2000, UA Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 79
HIPP stands for Hippocampe, which is the new program devised by Air France for its ultra-high-contribution customers. The benefits are those of the Ultimate program plus P-lounge access irrespective of the class of service, and P-service to streamline the customer path at the airport. The program was supposed to be launched on October 15th, but technical hiccups have postponed the official start. Among these hiccups, some PAXs have been assigned erroneously the HIPP status on the pursers iPads. Hippocampe is by invitation only, and at the entire discretion of the Air France and Air France-KLM CEOs.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,837
So we have now:
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
NB, by "training" I do not necessarily mean an in-person classroom training. Some of these things could be communicated with a simple memo or a video. But that isn't the core of the problem. The problem is the many variations of "frequent flyer" tiers.
BTW, does anyone know more about the exact benefits of HIPP? P lounge access sounds nice, would they also do that for short haul flights?
#10
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: Swiss Senator, Flying Blue Gold, BA EC Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 330
So we have now:
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
- the published benefits of the 4+1-tier FFP (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life)
- the unpublished benefits of the semi published 5th tiers in the FFP program (Club 2000 for AF and Skipper for KL)
- the semi published benefits of the semi published badge coming on top of the 4th and 5th tiers of the FFP (Ultimate)
- the unpublished benefits of the unpublished above-of-all-tier program (Hippocampe)
I better understand now why they got rid of Petroleum Club...
Back in the time Club 2000 was also by invitation of the CEO. And for sure the benefits were amazing. We have seen where it lead though.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue (LTPE) All (Gold)
Posts: 1,519
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,837
The point of these super-tiers is that you are treated on the basis of the value your *entire* customer relationship vs. on the basis of the value of a single transaction. Makes sense in my mind.
#13
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: 1,977
I am always amazed at how Air France puts lots of effort in taking care of debatably influencing people, and how much energy and staff are used to do so, while paying customers, as loyal as they can be, don't get that much attention.
I really do not see the point of having 2 different streams of statuses, one you acquire through travelling and the other one through your supposed influence or level of notoriety.
Instead of having Club 2000, couldn't they just grant Platinum status to these people? Club 2000 does not bring any benefit, besides Zone 1 boarding and sometimes a glass of champagne in Y.
Instead of having Hippocampe, couldn't they just grant Ultimate status to these people, and upscale the benefits (P-lounge access) for those who just spend their whole life in airports. I would expect that from an airline that has just a little bit of respect over their customers.
I really do not see the point of having 2 different streams of statuses, one you acquire through travelling and the other one through your supposed influence or level of notoriety.
Instead of having Club 2000, couldn't they just grant Platinum status to these people? Club 2000 does not bring any benefit, besides Zone 1 boarding and sometimes a glass of champagne in Y.
Instead of having Hippocampe, couldn't they just grant Ultimate status to these people, and upscale the benefits (P-lounge access) for those who just spend their whole life in airports. I would expect that from an airline that has just a little bit of respect over their customers.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,143
Instead of having Hippocampe, couldn't they just grant Ultimate status to these people, and upscale the benefits (P-lounge access) for those who just spend their whole life in airports. I would expect that from an airline that has just a little bit of respect over their customers.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 🇫🇷
Programs: Many
Posts: 4,749
Thank you very much for your very clear, quick and knowledgeable answer!
This sounds like what I've experienced with some "VIP" clients (I don't know if there was any label or category, it was obviously very different than any C2000 or now ulti) with constant KX at the airport and access to P lounge at CDG when the P lounge was created (even when flying on code share flights operated by another airline).
Interesting to follow..
This sounds like what I've experienced with some "VIP" clients (I don't know if there was any label or category, it was obviously very different than any C2000 or now ulti) with constant KX at the airport and access to P lounge at CDG when the P lounge was created (even when flying on code share flights operated by another airline).
Interesting to follow..
I'll repeat myself again and again: AF knows perfectly how to handle VIPs, would it be officials or some very special and regular customers.
To scale a bit these operations to some status pax (not that many, after all it is up to them to decide where the threshold is) is not a matter of skills but consistency and commit with what they advertise.