Apr 14, 2020, 2:13 pm
Last edit by: Gajan
URL to information: https://www.flyingblue.nl/en/news/coronavirus-updates
Update 16/4/20
Update 15/4/20
From the Q&A that will be shared later today:
2. Will I keep my current level in my next qualification period?
In case your qualification period ends between March 2020 and February 2021, you will keep your current level even if you don’t reach the XP objective. Some examples:
A Silver member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 120 XP, your counter will be offset by 100 XP to maintain Silver and you keep a surplus of 20 XP.
· If you have gained 65 XP, we will credit the missing 35 XP and then offset your counter with 100 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Silver level.
A Gold member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 220 XP, your counter will be offset by 180 XP to maintain Gold and you keep a surplus of 40 XP.
· If you have gained 120 XP, we will credit the missing 60 XP and then offset your counter with 180 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Gold level.
A Platinum member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 450 XP, your counter will be offset by 300 XP to maintain Platinum and you keep a surplus of 150 XP.
· If you have gained 250 XP, we will credit the missing 50 XP and then offset your counter with 300 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Platinum level.
3. When will I see this XP measure in my online account?
Not until the first day in your new qualification period will you see in your online account that your current level is maintained. In your activity overview, you’ll find either ‘XP offered by Flying Blue’ with the number of XP that are credited to reach the XP objective, or ‘Counter offset’ with the XP objective deducted from your counter. A new card will be sent to you before your current card expires. The validity date of your digital card will be updated at the end of your current qualification period.
4. I want to upgrade to a higher level. Will I also be compensated?
Our measures enable Elite members to maintain their current level. It is not applicable for members who wish to upgrade to a higher level.
5. Will I keep my current XP balance in my next qualification period?
We will automatically offset the number of XP needed to maintain or upgrade a level. Any surplus XP will remain on your account. Some examples:
A Silver member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 120 XP, your counter will be offset by 100 XP to maintain Silver and you keep a surplus of 20 XP.
· If you have gained 65 XP, we will credit the missing 35 XP and then offset your counter with 100 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Silver level.
A Gold member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 220 XP, your counter will be offset by 180 XP to maintain Gold and you keep a surplus of 40 XP.
· If you have gained 120 XP, we will credit the missing 60 XP and then offset your counter with 180 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Gold level.
A Platinum member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 450 XP, your counter will be offset by 300 XP to maintain Platinum and you keep a surplus of 150 XP.
· If you have gained 250 XP, we will credit the missing 50 XP and then offset your counter with 300 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Platinum level.
6. What will happen to my years counting towards Platinum for life?
If you keep your current level during your next qualification period based on our special measures that membership year will count towards the 10 consecutive years needed to qualify for Platinum for life. For example:
· You have been a Platinum member for 9 consecutive years, and your current qualification period will end on 31 December 2020. Because of our measures, you will be maintained and reach 10 consecutive years of Platinum. On 1 January 2021, your new qualificaiton period starts and on 1 April 2021, we will change your level to Platinum for life.
· You have been a Platinum member for 7 consecutive years, and your current qualification period will end on 31 December 2020. Because of our measures, you will be maintained. On 1 January 2021, your 8th consecutive year of Platinum will start.
Update 16/4/20
At this stage measurements which have been taken are for status maintain only. We are well aware that customers can also be impacted by less chance for an upgrade and/or reduced opportunities to carry over XP to the next year. We are constantly monitoring the evolution of the situation and are adjusting our policies accordingly. Should there be additional measures to compensate those impacts too, we will let our Flying Blue members know as soon as possible.
In challenging times like today, travelling has become more difficult due to reasons beyond your control. In these trying times, we want to remove any uncertainty you may have about your Flying Blue Elite level.
We have put the following actions in place:
- We will maintain all Flying Blue Elite members with a qualification period ending between March 2020 and February 2021 for another 12 months.
- We will prevent all Miles from expiring between now and the end of 2020 for all our Explorer members.
We have put the following actions in place:
- We will maintain all Flying Blue Elite members with a qualification period ending between March 2020 and February 2021 for another 12 months.
- We will prevent all Miles from expiring between now and the end of 2020 for all our Explorer members.
2. Will I keep my current level in my next qualification period?
In case your qualification period ends between March 2020 and February 2021, you will keep your current level even if you don’t reach the XP objective. Some examples:
A Silver member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 120 XP, your counter will be offset by 100 XP to maintain Silver and you keep a surplus of 20 XP.
· If you have gained 65 XP, we will credit the missing 35 XP and then offset your counter with 100 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Silver level.
A Gold member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 220 XP, your counter will be offset by 180 XP to maintain Gold and you keep a surplus of 40 XP.
· If you have gained 120 XP, we will credit the missing 60 XP and then offset your counter with 180 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Gold level.
A Platinum member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 450 XP, your counter will be offset by 300 XP to maintain Platinum and you keep a surplus of 150 XP.
· If you have gained 250 XP, we will credit the missing 50 XP and then offset your counter with 300 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Platinum level.
3. When will I see this XP measure in my online account?
Not until the first day in your new qualification period will you see in your online account that your current level is maintained. In your activity overview, you’ll find either ‘XP offered by Flying Blue’ with the number of XP that are credited to reach the XP objective, or ‘Counter offset’ with the XP objective deducted from your counter. A new card will be sent to you before your current card expires. The validity date of your digital card will be updated at the end of your current qualification period.
4. I want to upgrade to a higher level. Will I also be compensated?
Our measures enable Elite members to maintain their current level. It is not applicable for members who wish to upgrade to a higher level.
5. Will I keep my current XP balance in my next qualification period?
We will automatically offset the number of XP needed to maintain or upgrade a level. Any surplus XP will remain on your account. Some examples:
A Silver member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 120 XP, your counter will be offset by 100 XP to maintain Silver and you keep a surplus of 20 XP.
· If you have gained 65 XP, we will credit the missing 35 XP and then offset your counter with 100 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Silver level.
A Gold member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 220 XP, your counter will be offset by 180 XP to maintain Gold and you keep a surplus of 40 XP.
· If you have gained 120 XP, we will credit the missing 60 XP and then offset your counter with 180 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Gold level.
A Platinum member with a qualification period ending in April 2020:
· If you have gained 450 XP, your counter will be offset by 300 XP to maintain Platinum and you keep a surplus of 150 XP.
· If you have gained 250 XP, we will credit the missing 50 XP and then offset your counter with 300 XP to reset your XP counter to 0 and maintain your Platinum level.
6. What will happen to my years counting towards Platinum for life?
If you keep your current level during your next qualification period based on our special measures that membership year will count towards the 10 consecutive years needed to qualify for Platinum for life. For example:
· You have been a Platinum member for 9 consecutive years, and your current qualification period will end on 31 December 2020. Because of our measures, you will be maintained and reach 10 consecutive years of Platinum. On 1 January 2021, your new qualificaiton period starts and on 1 April 2021, we will change your level to Platinum for life.
· You have been a Platinum member for 7 consecutive years, and your current qualification period will end on 31 December 2020. Because of our measures, you will be maintained. On 1 January 2021, your 8th consecutive year of Platinum will start.
COVID-19: status extensions confirmed
Apr 16, 2020, 8:13 am
#211
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue Silver - AF passionate
Posts: 3
Hello,
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
Apr 16, 2020, 8:14 am
#212
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
I think is is highly unlikely that AFKL can or might even want to backtrack from the already announced policy of extending statuses by a year. Imagine the (justified) outcry by others if that would happen and they reverse on an announced policy!
Yes what you say might have made most sense from the start, but it is too late for that. If they will do something it might be in the form of extra rollover XPs but I can't see anything else happening.
Yes what you say might have made most sense from the start, but it is too late for that. If they will do something it might be in the form of extra rollover XPs but I can't see anything else happening.
I don’t really get the idea of not counting the year for PFL. Those complaining are those with already over 300xp. So anyway, 300xp deducted in 2020 or 2021 is the same for PFL purpose with
Apr 16, 2020, 8:24 am
#213
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
I'm PFL, going on a decade now. I have to say that I could have been Ulti in most of the years since the program was launched, and have in fact "qualified" for Plat in the years since I have been PFL in some years, but to be honest, there is no USP that has sold me on Ulti, especially when reading through the limited benefits received by Ulti's, and how slapdash they have always been.
Apr 16, 2020, 9:34 am
#214
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Somewhere between AMS and ANR
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, United Platinum Premier, AF/KLM Platinum
Posts: 266
Suggest that we all drop the good people of Flying blue a note via https://www.flyingblue.com/ (I know our excellent Ulti ambassadors are probably passing lil notes about what they are hearing in the trenches -- but there's always value in adding your voice)
My message: "Be fair to your 'actually still flying' Platinums and treat Plats like you addressed Ultimates: Add 300 Xps to your platinum accounts."
My message: "Be fair to your 'actually still flying' Platinums and treat Plats like you addressed Ultimates: Add 300 Xps to your platinum accounts."
Dear Flying Blue,
Although this might come off as "first world problems", and I really do appreciate that FlyingBlue is trying to take steps regarding their program, I'd like to give the following feedback.
Be fair to your "actually still flying" Platinums and treat Platinums like you addressed Ultimates (900UXP added to their accounts): Add 300 XPs to the Platinum accounts. Preferably, add those 900UXP to the Platinum accounts as well
.Kind regards,
Apr 16, 2020, 11:13 am
#215
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: GRU/LIS
Programs: FB Platinum, Smiles/GOL Diamond, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum
Posts: 280
I think is is highly unlikely that AFKL can or might even want to backtrack from the already announced policy of extending statuses by a year. Imagine the (justified) outcry by others if that would happen and they reverse on an announced policy!
Yes what you say might have made most sense from the start, but it is too late for that. If they will do something it might be in the form of extra rollover XPs but I can't see anything else happening.
Yes what you say might have made most sense from the start, but it is too late for that. If they will do something it might be in the form of extra rollover XPs but I can't see anything else happening.
A new communication strategy every week would not be shocking
Apr 16, 2020, 12:38 pm
#216
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,928
Hello,
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
Apr 16, 2020, 1:23 pm
#219
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum / Marriott Gold / Hilton Gold / IHG Platinum ... A former AA Platinum
Posts: 106
So all in all, and being that AFKL used language that left the door open for further tweaks, I'd say a letter-writing campaign isn't totally doomed to fail
Apr 16, 2020, 1:44 pm
#220
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
One thing that would give good reason to skip 2020 for earning is that lounges are closed, flights are seriously reduced so any chance of actually using your status in 2020 (1st half at least) is reduced to near zero. Currently I've been 'charged' 300 XP for 2020 with very few opportunities to make use of the status provided.
Apr 16, 2020, 1:49 pm
#221
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
Hello,
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
Thank you for all these informations and this discussion on this very touchy situation in which understandings can be very different from what has been decided.
I have a question regarding my father who is Plat and was on his way for Ulti but is now blocked at 945UXP because of the pandemic.
Isn't there any bonus UXP for Plat customers that were making lots of flights to get the Ultimate status this year ?
It seems that from what I read, almost no one will join the Ultimate group of customers at the end of 2020 except if they manage to make the equivalent of the confinement period of flights on top of the ones they will make when it will be able to fly. Let's say, we can fly starting from September, so they will do the number of flights planned for September-December + the equivalents of flights from March to August.
How is it gonna be managed ? Should my father forget the race for Ultimate Status ?
On topic: more generically the question can be asked for any level: what if you where on your way up from Silver to Gold, which requires flying, which you're most likely unable to at the moment, meaning you won't be able to upgrade to a higher status neither. In official comms Flying Blue mentioned to look after status upgrades in a later stage.
I assume it's a mistake from a social media intern, but KLM mentioned on its official LinkedIn company page today that "you will maintain your current (...) XP level for 12 months', which from my understanding means no XP will be deducted at your membership anniversary.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/klm_p...065563136-mkzy
Apr 16, 2020, 2:17 pm
#222
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum / Marriott Gold / Hilton Gold / IHG Platinum ... A former AA Platinum
Posts: 106
One thing that would give good reason to skip 2020 for earning is that lounges are closed, flights are seriously reduced so any chance of actually using your status in 2020 (1st half at least) is reduced to near zero. Currently I've been 'charged' 300 XP for 2020 with very few opportunities to make use of the status provided.
Apr 16, 2020, 3:50 pm
#223
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AMS
Programs: BA KL LH Hilton Marriott
Posts: 1,233
So if my understanding is correct;
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
A friend of mine who has a Business class trip planned later in the year more or less for the sole purpose of earning XP's to keep status will cancel the flight and use his voucher next year. That's not exactly what the doctor ordered.
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
A friend of mine who has a Business class trip planned later in the year more or less for the sole purpose of earning XP's to keep status will cancel the flight and use his voucher next year. That's not exactly what the doctor ordered.
Apr 16, 2020, 3:55 pm
#224
Join Date: May 2018
Location: France, USA
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum
Posts: 11
So if my understanding is correct;
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
A friend of mine who has a Business class trip planned later in the year more or less for the sole purpose of earning XP's to keep status will cancel the flight and use his voucher next year. That's not exactly what the doctor ordered.
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
A friend of mine who has a Business class trip planned later in the year more or less for the sole purpose of earning XP's to keep status will cancel the flight and use his voucher next year. That's not exactly what the doctor ordered.
Apr 16, 2020, 5:41 pm
#225
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
Programs: Marriott titanium, KL/AF FB Ulti
Posts: 644
So if my understanding is correct;
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
Plat member with 1 XP at the moment will be "gifted" 299 XP to maintain status. And another Plat member with 301 XP will have 300 removed, also maintaining status. A difference of 599 XP. The loyal flyer gets penalized, the less loyal member is praised.
2 years ago the full Flying Blue program changed mid-March and last year Bluebiz got a revamp, announced on a Friday afternoon valid from Sunday morning overruling already booked tickets. Planning flights for the sole purpose of racking up XPs is always risky. You never know what the Flying Blue program will look like next year.
Last edited by arjen05; Apr 16, 2020 at 5:41 pm Reason: new calculation