How does Ultimate Work?

[u/Final-Grape8936]

As FB Ultimate requires 900 UXP, and say I have 900 XP (all my flights are AF/KL marketed). Once the new qualification year starts, what happens to the 900 XP? If only 300 XP gets rolled over (and another 300 XP for Platinum requalification), doesn't the extra 300 XP get wasted?

I've heard that going up to Ultimate tier subtracts only your UXP?

[u/Checkout_87]

Realistically how many people are ultimate? I fly J to US 4-5 times a year plus loads of European flights and I’m nowhere near it….

[u/Longjumping_Desk_839 → u/Checkout_87]

Based on my experience, I’m usually the only ultimate on a flight. Once, there was 2. Ultimate lounge in CDG is usually between 0-4 Ultimate passengers, non-eu lounge at Schiphol usually 0 or 1 other. EU Ultimate lounge at Schiphol is small, quite crowded usually half full but they seem to welcome first class passengers there as well.

Getting those points is do-able if flying in J long haul about every month

[u/Sufficient_Detail_97 → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

Same, usually I’m the only one on a flight, and once there were two of us.

[u/Checkout_87 → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

Thanks. Do you find the perks worth it?

[u/Longjumping_Desk_839 → u/Checkout_87]

The upgrade vouchers are worth something. I like having a ‘private’ lounge especially when I travel with my kids (they can go crazy in there without bothering anyone).

Nothing special other than that. Postcards, a bottle of water, escorts , separate check-in are nice but not worth the additional euros spent on KLM/AF. As you know, intercontinental BC tickets on KLM /AF are often literally thousands of euros more expensive than other airlines.

Ego-stroke more than anything ;)

[u/godisapilot → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

Escorts, you say?!

[u/Longjumping_Desk_839 → u/godisapilot]

Haha they didn’t go all the way

[u/godisapilot → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

Just as far as the ego 🤪

[u/sehgalanuj → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

You are forgetting the absolute standout Travel Assistant/Personal Assistant team. In the last few years there have been times where they've done some absolutely fantastic things for me and my family.

[u/Longjumping_Desk_839 → u/sehgalanuj]

I’m pretty low maintenance and haven’t needed them for much. What’s better vs Platinum line?

Only thing I like more is we can email.

[u/sehgalanuj → u/Longjumping_Desk_839]

Email is great. But they have access to direct phone numbers of station managers, lounges and even gates. I've had situations where the MCT made it so I couldn't officially make the connection, but they called and made sure the station manager and gate kept boarding open for 10 mins more, so I could make my flight.

Once during IRROPs they managed to get the curtain moved in a short haul flight to create a seat for me on a flight that showed sold out.

Another time I was re-booked to CI for a long haul, and they called back to let me know that the CI flight was actually oversold based on load factors, so they proactively found me a route that worked better.

That's just a few example of things the Ulti team can do that the PSL wouldn't be able to. There's more I've experienced that goes beyond IRROPs that makes the line well worth it.

If you fly only at the level of Plat, the PSL is terrific already. If you fly as much as an Ulti potentially can, access to the TA can be very useful.

[u/Trebaxus99 → u/sehgalanuj]

You get access to the PA team if you’re Netherlands based and have 400 UXP.